You and Miele: Helene from The Luxe Chronicles

It’s Thursday again, and so time for the next instalment of our ‘You and Miele’ feature, where we introduce all the fascinating folk from across the internet we meet at events across the country and get to know them that little bit better. This week it’s the lovely Helene from The Luxe Chronicles – elucidating on her blog, high fashion and how best to care for it.

1. Firstly, tell us a little about your site?

The Luxe Chronicles covers the luxury and fashion industries as well as occasional goings on in the art world.  I try to write from my own perspective as a consumer.  There is a great deal of hype surrounding the fashion and luxury industries and I find consumers’ interests are not always well represented.  I try to look beyond the hype and provide insights and information that can be helpful to my readers.  One of my areas of interest is fashion history so I try to interject a bit of historical perspective in my posts where I can.  I’ve been blogging since October 2007 and I still really enjoy it.  I find it especially rewarding when my readers engage me in debate or add their own insights to posts I’ve written.  It confirms that I’m not shouting into the wind so-to-speak.

2. How’s your personally tailored Jasper Garvida creation getting on?

It is absolutely beautiful as you would expect a Jasper Garvida creation would be.  It is quite a glamorous gown so I look forward to having the opportunity to wear it out.  It has a very 1930′s feel to it which corresponds to one of my favourite fashion periods.  I will treasure it always.  I joked with Jasper that I look forward to loaning it out to museums one day when he’s a rich and famous designer and the subject of museum retrospectives.

3. How important is garment care to you as a fashion enthusiast?

It is absolutely essential.  I’ve never believed in the whole “fast fashion” movement.  If I buy something, it’s because I truly love it so I obviously want to wear it for as long as I can.  This obviously entails taking proper care of it.  This is as true for my Zara purchases as it is my Azzedine Alaia pieces.

4. How do you care for your investment fashion pieces?

I try to follow the instructions on a garment’s care label as closely as I can.  I’m not a huge fan of the solvents used in dry cleaning so I tend to  spot clean as much as I can.  Otherwise, I try to use the most gentle washing cycle I can and never wash clothing in very hot water.  Storage is also important especially with delicate fabrics or embellished pieces.  The hardest thing is finding clothes hangers that are sized properly for things like jackets and blouses.  Otherwise, garments loose their shape over time.

5. Any tips you would like to share with others?

Unscented baby wipes are quite useful for tiny spots especially when you’re travelling.  I also believe in pre-treating stains prior to washing.

6. Any eye’s on any Miele additions to the household?

I would dearly love one of their rotary irons.  I never did master the art of ironing properly and Miele’s rotary irons look like they were designed with people like me in mind.

7. If our readers should hit one blog other than yours, what should it be?

I’m a big fan of both “Make Do Style” and “Business of Fashion”.  Make Do Style is written by Kate Battrick and her blog is as irreverent and amusing as she is.  Her book “Make Do & Mend” is on my reading list for this summer.  ”Business of Fashion” is written by Imran Amed and offers a glimpse inside the business aspects of the fashion industry.  Both are very informative on different aspects of the world of fashion.

Thank you Helene – now go and bookmark The Luxe Chronicles…