The Chanel SS18 couture collection and style icon Peony Lim are pretty much the perfect match. Watch her in our fabulously floral, surreal video below to find out how to 'think couture', with flowers you won't find in her house - and some pretty un-couture dance moves...
Have you ever dreamed about spending a day in Chanel's inner sanctum, trying on couture dresses and pretending to be a couture model from the 1950s? (If you haven't, get help now). We decided to make the dream a reality via the petite, red-lip-loving medium of someone who inspires us with every Instagram post - Peony Lim. The impeccably stylish digital and creative brand consultant is also a writer, beauty fiend and the star of many a best fashion blogs list. She's also rather knowledgeable about all things artistic (she studied Art History at the Courtauld in her pre-influencer life). And that's before we get started on her ability to pull off cat ears while still looking totally couture. Luckily for all concerned, she's funny with it - otherwise, we just couldn't bear it. At the 'apartment' within the Chanel Boutique New Bond Street - which is a bit like being in Coco's Rue Cambon original, complete with a replica of the famous coromandel screens - we let her loose with some of the most exquisite pieces of workmanship known to woman, AKA the SS18 couture collection. What's the one thing that could make this scenario even more dazzling? Why, some pieces from Chanel Fine Jewellery - the icing on the fashion cake, if you will.
The show in January featured a verdant, rose-pergola-framed set inspired by grand French gardens like the Jardins des Tuileries, echoing the floral abundance of the looks themselves. Flower prints, appliqued petals... and fabulous flower headpieces, complete with mini veils. In between practising her 'walk like an Egyptian' dance moves, we gave Peony a couture grilling on the little things that make life prettier.
"I love the vulnerability, and the impermanence of flowers," she says. "I love to have them everywhere. Roses, orchids, violets, tulips, daisies...My favourites? Peonies, because of my name. But only white and pink, never yellow." (Who knew?)
How often do you buy them? "I like buying flowering plants - they can last two months if you look after them. That's the ultimate luxury to me, the couture of flowers if you like."
Favourite colours to wear? "Blue, grey, black - I want to say pink because it's fun, but I actually never wear it".
If you could own just one piece of couture, what would it be? "I'm tempted to say something I'd wear a lot, like a tweed jumpsuit Chanel did last season. But really, I'd go for it - the most drop-dead dress, with all the flowers, all the feathers, tulle tulle tulle..."
And where would you wear it? "I would actually probably go and have a McDonald's."
10 things that make you feel couture? "Earl Grey tea, red lipstick, getting the weekend papers, hardback books, all the cakes, all the patisserie, clean sheets, my dog, open fires, dim sum."
While you mull your own list, watch our video above for some seriously surreal and beautiful inspiration...
