Smoking Thrills
A half-century after Yves Saint ____ Laurent sent it down the runway, Le Smoking, the French—and far more seductive-sounding—term for a women’s tuxedo, is still as chic an eveningwear option as ever. Racil Chalhoub, however, wanted one she could also sport during the day. “Everything I found was too stiff-looking,” says the Paris-raised, London-based designer, who previously co-owned a boutique-cum-bakery in Beirut, Lebanon, called Kitsch. Combining Savile Row fabrics and a youthful sensibility, she launched her namesake line last year, with an array of elegantly tailored styles that Chalhoub herself pairs with a T-shirt and flats for work and high heels come evening. Her spring collection, which has already found favor with It girls like Sabine Getty and Natasha Goldenberg, moves beyond the classic black and white palette to include slinky slip dresses and 1970s-style pantsuits in petal pink, lemon, and light blue. “I’m always thinking about how to reinvent the tuxedo.”
Photos: Smoking Thrills
Racil Chalhoub, left, with a model.
Chalhoub wears Racil jacket, shirt, and trousers; stylist’s own scarf. Model wears Racil jacket and trousers.
A look from the Racil spring collection.
Model wears Racil jacket and trousers; Tiffany & Co. earrings.
A look from the Racil spring collection.
Model wears Racil jacket and trousers.
Hair by Kayla MiChele for Wella Professionals at Streeters New York; Makeup by Zenia Jaeger for Tom Ford at The Wall Group; Manicure by Rica Romain at LMC Worldwide; model: Eilika Meckbach at Women Management; photography assistant: Cristias Rosas; fashion assistant: Marie Arai; special thanks to Tijuana Picnic.
