That said, here at Emilio & Coco, we felt there was another city that deserved to be added to any list of forgotten capitols of fashion (Ms. Hernandez’s excellent article on The Fashion Time Machine notwithstanding).

Casablanca, Morocco – For centuries Casablanca was an important trading and cultural centre linking Europe not only to Africa, but also to the Near East and the Americas.  Intrepid explorers and adventurers from the West discovered treasures from both the Dark Continent and from the Near East.

One could hardly deny that this pivotal Moroccan city doesn’t rank among the most culturally influential centres in modern times.  It’s not by accident that the famous Humphrey Bogart / Ingrid Bergman film of the same name is considered by many as being one of the greatest films ever.  Surely there were few style icons in Hollywood as synonymous with glamour and suave style as the leading stars of Casablanca.  Of course, Rita Hayworth, Gary Cooper and Marlene Dietrich were indeed icons of style department; all were known to frequented Morocco’s beaches and luxury hotels on a regular basis.

Humphrey Bogart & Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca

Decades since that film’s release and Oscar win, Morocco has become the exotic backdrop of choice for foreign producers, standing in for Tibet in Martin Scorsese’s Kundun, Somalia in Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down.  As for contemporary fashion, Casablanca-inspired looks—from waistcoats to fedoras—continue to influence the world of fashion, such as the revealing menswear look of the collections of Baptiste Viry.

Casablanca-inspired menswear look of the collections of Baptiste Viry.

Morocco’s ethnicity and colour has long proved a draw for the fashion crowd.  First into the souk was Yves Saint Laurent who picked up his first Marrakesh home in 1967.  (See photos of Yves Saint Laurent’s former Tangier home at Luxist).  Jean Paul Gaultier set a collection in Marrakesh’s ancient Medina, while Gucci’s Tom Ford has been spotted truffling through the souks for prizes.  David and Victoria Beckham enjoy the odd weekend in Morocco, too.

Morocco has no shortage of celebrity fans either.  It’s been rumoured that Casablanca is a favourite getaway spot for Sophia Coppolla.  And the list of star names flocking to Marrakesh to mark a special occasion or, indeed, to create a special occasion just for the sake of it, grows longer by the month.

Casablanca and neighbouring cities and resorts continue to watch the world’s movers and shakers meet.  not only in the bustling souks and cafes, but in the exclusive hotels and clubs…the modern versions of “Rick’s Place” in the film, come to life…literally! Yes, you read that right, and seeing is believing…

Actual Rick's Cafe in Casablanca today

Rick’s Place is very real and World’s Luxury Guide ranks it among the most romantic places in the world.  Former diplomat, Kathy Kriger, had the Café rebuilt in 2004.  Her recreation has stayed true to the original film version, right down to the pianists who play “As Time Goes By.”

The original Rick's Cafe from the 1942 film

Time goes by but some things never change: romance.  Casablanca still stirs passion within the hearts of fashionable couples the world over.  That’s why Casablanca makes Emilio & Coco’s list of forgotten fashion capitols, and why our collection feels right at home there.

And if either Humphrey Bogart or Brad Pitt could see you step into Rick’s Place wearing an Emilio & Coco, he’d have only one thing to say…

“Here’s looking at you, kid.”

Halter dresses have been a sensual expression of femininity at elegant parties and formal occasions for decades.  Celebrities, pageant queens and débutantes wear all different types of halter dresses because of their alluring yet formal look.

During the 50s and 60s, halter dresses were in their heyday.  Models and legends such as Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth were featured on glossy Hollywood magazine covers wearing these dresses.

Perhaps the most famous halter dress of all time was the white halter dress Marilyn Monroe wore in the 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch.  It featured during the famous photographic stunt, with her skirt blown up by a draft from a sidewalk grate, leaning down to catch her dress so that her cleavage showed. The photograph was used to advertise the film, and has become one of the iconic images of Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn Monroe Halter Dress from "The Seven Year Itch"

The Halter dress featured in more classy images of the era, worn here by legendary star of the big screen, Rita Hayworth.

Rita Hayworth Halter Dress

By far our favourite photos of classic halters are those donned by Sophia Loren.  It was a staple of her wardrobe and it’s plain to see why: she was the epitomy of sensuality.  her choice of dresses aside, she seems to perfectly exude .  By wearing this type of dress you are showing, like Loren did, that your spirit is sensual, yet you have the undertones of a playful and very feminine women.  A halter dress is the perfect garment to bring out both features at the same time.

Sophia Loren Stunning Halter Dress

To this day, Hollywood actresses wanting to show a touch of class—turn to this timeless staple of any stylish woman’s wardrobe.  But you don’t have to be a Hollywood starlet or legendary fashion icon to reap the rewards of a well-worn halter dress.

Emilio & Coco’s take on this timeless classic?  Our Sweetheart Halter Dress is “haltingly seductive; seductively practical”—combining the classic halter look so adored by so many women of style, with unique elements giving it even more versatility and wear ability.

Emilio & Coco Sweetheart Halter Dress - Haltingly Seductive

In addition to the classic halter look made famous by Sophia Loren and others, our designers have added an adorable interchangeable bow in the front.  This element alone can create different looks with one dress.

Emilio & Coco Sweetheart Halter Dress w/ Black Bow - Seductively Simple

Emilio & Coco Sweetheart Halter Dress w/ Polka Dot Bow - Simply Versatile

Also, to complete your look and/or mask your shoulders (if you’re not particularly comfortable with how much the halter dress reveals), we’ve designed a matching sheer bolero jacket perfect for those cool evenings.  After all, one must never forget that while “the hot place to be” may be so, getting there may be not so much—but that’s no reason not to look your best!

Emilio & Coco Sweetheart Halter Dress w/ Bolero - Seductively Practical

Some fashion blogs have claimed that Halter dresses are “popular again with the return of other ladylike looks, such as picture hats and long gloves.”  But the reality is that Halter dresses are timeless and elegant and will never go out of style.  And, thanks to the unique approach Emilio & Coco has taken with its Sweetheart Halter Dress, your love affair with this piece will remain exciting and new for years to come.

One thing’s for sure, the cap-sleeve dress has its share of high-style admirers.  Just look at these images of Monica Bellucci sporting a cap sleeve dress, taken in Paris, September 2009…

Monica Bellucci in Paris Wearing a Cap Sleeve Dress

Monica Bellucci in Paris Wearing a Cap Sleeve Dress

Source: http://monicabelluccifan.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=977

So, where will you be spotted wearing your Emilio & Coco Cap Sleeve Fitted Bodice Dress?

Your Emilio & Coco Cap Sleeve Fitted Bodice Dress begins with a stretch yet strong fabric of finest quality that allows for a form-fitting and slimming design that gently slims as it accentuates your natural figure.  In support of this endeavour—pardon the pun—is a crossover-twist bodice that will indeed raise any bust line.  Will you mysteriously grow by a size?  That’s for you and the paparazzi to decide.  Maybe the evidence will be seen in the prize-winning pics…

Emilio & Coco’s Cap Sleeve Photo Contest

That’s right: send us your best photo of you or your friends wearing an Emilio & Coco Cap Sleeve Fitted Bodice Dress and you’ll be entered in Emilio & Coco’s Cap Sleeve Photo Contest. The best pics will be featured on Emilio & Coco’s Blog and one lucky winner will receive a gorgeous Emilio & Coco purse hangar…just for looking fabulous for the camera.

First Prize: Emilio & Coco Purse Hanger

Here’s some inspiration…

Piece 01 - Cap Sleeve Fitted Bodice Dress

Cap Sleeve Fitted Bodice Dress

Cap Sleeve Fitted Bodice Dress

Send in your photos today. Contest open to anyone 18 years or older, anywhere in the world, except where prohibited by law. Contest ends July 31^st 2010.

Although a new company, Emilio & Coco is fully committed to its vision of what luxury living was meant to be.  That vision demands from us a passion for excellence that is woven into the very fabric of everything we do—from product design to client care.  But passion and commitment are nothing without Love.  Simply put, we must love what we do if we hope to create products you can fall in love with.  All great love affairs and fantasies begin “once upon a time…”  Ours begins now.

Emilio & Coco’s first expression of love for classical luxury living can be found in its Premiere Collection of infinitely wearable ladies’ dresses—seven stylish pieces designed with a classic approach to timeless elegance that you will enjoy slipping into again and again for years to come.  Styled in Monaco, and available exclusively in our eBoutique, our Premiere Collection has been crafted for the woman of discerning tastes who knows that style and quality go hand-in-glove.  These pieces are testimony to our commitment and passion.  More importantly, our Premier Collection has been a true labour of love.  It is our tribute to the great icons of glamour and their forgotten capitols of fashion that define the very essence of luxury and style.

In the House of Emilio & Coco, there was no question we had to do more than simply put out a collection that was “fashionable” in the eyes of the world.  So we chose to bring romance back to the world of fashion instead.  Although it may seem small, our Premiere Collection can offer you a great deal of love, with timeless pieces you will cherish for years to come.  These pieces are available now exclusively from our online boutique where we have made it easy to fall in love, with complimentary worldwide shipping and a no-risk Return Policy including a 100% money-back guarantee.  Our goal?  Years from now, when you slip into one of your Emilio & Coco pieces, should your heart flutter a little, our commitment, passion and love for what we do will have all been worthwhile.

Start your love affair today at www.emiliococo.com.

Love,

Emilio & Coco