Every year Karl Lagerfeld takes the pre-fall show on the road in order to spread the gospel of Chanel throughout the land — not that anyone needs convincing. The double c’s still hold immense allure with the designer as an awesome creative force, and cheerleader for the brand.

The grouping of clothing called pre-fall, which is available for purchase in June is called Metier d’art. The latest installment drops the red pin on Salzberg, Austria. Lagerfeld uses each destination as a source of inspiration, this one delving into the history and traditions of the region.

The festivities were kicked off with the film, “Reincarnation” in which Pharrell Williams and the model Cara Delevigne play historical characters in a passion play. This set the tone for the following day’s fashion show at a castle where the models walked through room after room of gilded interiors.

When the social calendar is jam packed with holiday dinner parties, and festive soiree’s, a new frock keeps the celebration fresh. The object of the game is to be drop-dead gorgeous right? So leave experimentation to the trend-oids and fashion freaks and go for ravishing.

Purchasing a gown is akin to buying a diamond. Its a purchase that will last through many years of champagne toasts. Hand-embroidery, silk taffeta and French lace, are some of the lavish materials used to create the Cinderella confections. Below are Haute’s favorites from red-carpet veterans like Oscar de la Renta, J. Mendel, Reem Acra, Marchesa and Naeem Khan. Any one of these will turn heads

When Karl Lagerfeld asks, usually celebrities say yes please. This is the case with grammy winner and current pop-culture icon, Pharrel Williams. He and model Cara Delevingne are the main actors in a short film directed and created by the Chanel designer, called “Reincarnation”. The release date is December 2, 2014 a day before the presentation of the Metiers d’art show or pre-fall presentation.

As part of an on-going artist window program called, “Vitrine D’Artiste” they tapped Melbourne lighting artist and industrial designer, Christopher Boots to create mind-blowing installations as their seasonal statement of their creative prowess at their Madison Avenue shop. No doubt about it, these Hermés windows bring in the holiday in luxury and beauty.

There’s no need to panic when you’re unexpectedly invited to a gala—because a lady is always prepared. A mere reach in your wardrobe or in your locked box of jewels and you are ready for fun and fancy. Haute Living reveals our picks for investment regalia that will never go out of style.

Cindy Chao is an artist whose medium just happens to be rare gems and precious metals. Her lavish “sculptures” are sold at auctions at Sothebys, and Christie’s to private collectors and exhibited at museums throughout the world. Chao and Sarah Jessica Parker are friends and have a mutual respect for the creative process. They partnered on a resplendent piece called the Black Label Masterpiece “Ballerina Butterfly” brooch which will be sold in October in tandem with the New York City Ballet Gala with net proceeds from its sale benefiting the ballet.

The end of summer is looming and September issues are being perused on sandy beaches from the Hamptons to Cape Cod. With the dizzying array of trends proposed these days its best to stand apart from the fray and invest in classic wardrobe pieces instead of loud costume like looks.

Blue in all permutations, robin’s egg, periwinkle, cobalt and blue sky are seen on fashion-minded ladies arms from the east to the west coasts this summer.

In my toddler years as an assistant at a fashion magazine, I was taught about the sanctity of Haute Couture.