The Edit: Eight Pieces That Define the Chiquevive Woman
From Brisbane's riverside terraces to Montreal's cobblestone laneways and London's candlelit supper clubs — these are the pieces that travel with you.
The Edit at a Glance
Eight pieces. Eight stories. One wardrobe philosophy.
A Brief History of the Power Suit — and Why It Still Matters
The tailored suit entered women's wardrobes in the 1920s, when Coco Chanel borrowed the silhouette from menswear and made it entirely feminine. By the 1980s, the power suit had become armour — shoulder pads, sharp lapels, a declaration of presence. Today, the suit has evolved into something quieter and more confident: structured without being stiff, polished without being corporate. It is the uniform of the woman who has nothing to prove.
At Chiquevive, we believe in that evolution. Here are our power suits — the pieces that carry that legacy forward:
Every tailored piece in this edit is designed to carry that legacy forward — refined, modern, and effortlessly wearable across cities and seasons.
01 — The Ivory Muse Two-Piece
Strapless Peplum Top & Tailored Short Set · AUD $99
Chosen for its refined silhouette and timeless appeal, the Ivory Muse Two-Piece reflects the Chiquevive philosophy of understated elegance. The sculpted peplum top defines the waist with architectural precision — a design technique rooted in 1950s couture, where the peplum was used to create an hourglass illusion without restriction.
Fun Fact: The word peplum originates from the ancient Greek peplos — a draped garment worn by women in classical antiquity. What began as ceremonial dress has become one of fashion's most enduring silhouettes.
Fabric Insight: Crafted from an 80% Ramie, 20% Cotton blend — ramie is one of the oldest textile fibres in the world, used in China for over 6,000 years. It is stronger than cotton, naturally antibacterial, and becomes softer with each wear. Ideal for Brisbane's subtropical warmth.
Styled for: Brisbane rooftop dinners · Montreal summer festivals · London garden parties
Shop The Ivory Muse Two-Piece →
02 — Black Organza Sleeveless Top – Sheer Elegance
AUD $119
Organza has dressed royalty, walked the runways of Paris, and draped the stages of Milan. This sleeveless top distils that heritage into something wearable every day — a V-neckline with a front neck tie, a back button closure, and a silhouette that is simultaneously delicate and decisive.
Fabric History: Organza originated in the Silk Road trading city of Urgench (now Uzbekistan), from which it takes its name. Traditionally woven from silk, modern organza uses fine polyester to achieve the same luminous, crisp drape at a fraction of the weight. It is the fabric of ballet tutus, bridal veils, and haute couture.
Fun Fact: Organza is so fine it is measured in momme — a Japanese unit of weight. The lighter the momme, the more translucent the fabric. This top sits in that sweet spot: sheer enough to feel ethereal, structured enough to feel polished.
Styled for: Brisbane waterfront dining · Montreal's Mile End galleries · London cocktail evenings
03 — Luna Linen Blend Romper
AUD $59
Named for the moon — calm, luminous, and quietly commanding — the Luna Romper is the piece you reach for when you want to look considered without trying. 100% linen, elasticated waist, side pockets, and a soft sand colourway that works with everything.
Linen Knowledge: Linen is made from the flax plant and is one of the world's oldest woven fabrics — fragments have been found in Egyptian tombs dating back 36,000 years. It is naturally thermoregulating, keeping you cool in Brisbane's summer heat and comfortable in Montreal's transitional seasons. It also becomes softer and more beautiful with every wash.
Fun Fact: Ancient Egyptians considered linen a symbol of purity and light. Priests wore it exclusively. Today, it is the fabric of effortless summer dressing — and the Luna Romper honours that legacy with a modern, relaxed silhouette.
Styled for: Brisbane farmers markets · Montreal café terraces · London weekend escapes
04 — Amalfi After Dark – Midnight Lace Elegance Two-Piece Set
AUD $129
The Amalfi Coast at midnight: warm air, dark water, the kind of beauty that doesn't announce itself. This two-piece lace set captures exactly that energy — intricate black lace, a silhouette that flatters without effort, and a versatility that takes you from dinner to dancing without a wardrobe change.
The History of Lace: Lace-making emerged in 15th-century Europe — in the workshops of Venice and Bruges — as one of the most labour-intensive and coveted crafts in the world. A single metre of handmade Venetian lace could take months to produce. Today, machine-made lace preserves that intricate beauty while making it accessible. This set is crafted from 100% Nylon lace — lightweight, breathable, and designed to move with you.
Fun Fact: In the 17th century, lace was so valuable it was used as currency and listed in wills alongside gold and jewellery. Wearing lace was a statement of status. Now it is a statement of confidence.
Styled for: Brisbane rooftop bars · Montreal jazz clubs · London supper clubs and Hamilton evening events
05 — Heavenly Bodies Lace Slip Dress – Black
AUD $239
The slip dress is one of fashion's most enduring silhouettes — born in the 1920s as an undergarment, reclaimed in the 1990s by Kate Moss and Calvin Klein as the ultimate expression of effortless cool, and now a permanent fixture in the wardrobes of women who understand that restraint is its own form of power.
The Heavenly Bodies version elevates the classic with a satin-touch stretch fabric, delicate lace trim at the neckline, a cutaway lace panel on the skirt, adjustable shoulder straps, and an elegant side split. At 129cm in length, it is a dress that commands a room quietly.
Fun Fact: The slip dress was famously worn by Princess Diana in 1994 — a black Christina Stambolian gown that became known as the "revenge dress." It remains one of the most photographed garments in fashion history. The slip silhouette has never left.
Styled for: Brisbane gala evenings · Montreal fashion weeks · London gallery openings and Hamilton formal occasions
06 — Tailored Ivory Blazer & Wide-Leg Trouser Set
AUD $195
White suiting is a statement that requires confidence. It says: I am not afraid of being seen. The Ivory Tailored Blazer & Wide-Leg Trouser Set is structured where it needs to be — shoulder padding, cinched waist, single-breasted button closure — and fluid where it matters, with wide-leg trousers that elongate the silhouette and move beautifully.
The Wide-Leg Trouser: A Brief History: Wide-leg trousers entered mainstream fashion in the 1970s, championed by designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Halston as a symbol of feminine liberation. They returned with force in the 2010s and have remained a wardrobe staple — because a wide leg is inherently elegant, inherently flattering, and inherently timeless.
Fun Fact: Ivory — as distinct from white — has been the colour of choice for power dressing since the Edwardian era. It is warmer, more forgiving, and more sophisticated than stark white. Coco Chanel famously preferred it.
Styled for: Brisbane corporate events · Montreal creative studios · London business lunches and Hamilton occasions
07 — Safira Suit Jacket
AUD $149
The Safira Suit Jacket is a study in precision. Peak lapels — historically associated with the most formal of men's tailoring — here reinterpreted for a modern feminine wardrobe. A single-button fastening. A back vent for ease of movement. Welt pockets. Fully lined. Every detail considered.
The Peak Lapel: A Knowledge Insight: The peak lapel originated in 19th-century British tailoring, designed to frame the chest and project authority. It has been consistently revived by designers — from Giorgio Armani in the 1980s to contemporary tailoring houses today — as the lapel of choice for women who want their jacket to make a statement before they speak.
Fabric Insight: 75.8% Polyester, 21.8% Rayon, 2.4% Spandex — a mid-weight suiting blend that holds its structure through a full day. At 62cm in length, it sits at the perfect point to be worn open over a dress or buttoned as a standalone piece.
Pairs with: Safira High-Waist Trousers · Safira Mini Skirt · Safira Pencil Skirt
Styled for: Brisbane boardrooms · Montreal design studios · London fashion weeks and Hamilton formal events
08 — Black Tailored Blazer & Wide-Leg Trouser Set
AUD $195
If the Ivory set is a declaration, the Black Tailored Blazer & Wide-Leg Trouser Set is a certainty. Black suiting carries centuries of authority — from the courts of 17th-century Europe to the boardrooms of the 21st century. This co-ord distils that history into a single, effortless purchase: structured blazer, wide-leg trousers, cinched waist, shoulder padding, and a fully lined interior.
The Psychology of Black: Studies in colour psychology consistently find that black is associated with authority, sophistication, and confidence. It is the colour most worn by women in positions of leadership — not because it is safe, but because it is precise. It says exactly what it means.
Fun Fact: The "little black suit" — the tailored equivalent of the little black dress — was popularised by Yves Saint Laurent in 1966 with his Le Smoking tuxedo suit for women. It was considered scandalous at the time. Today, it is considered essential.
Styled for: Brisbane evening events · Montreal winters · London year-round and Hamilton formal occasions
The Chiquevive Philosophy
Every piece in this edit was chosen for the same reason: it works. Not just for one occasion, one city, or one season — but across all of them. From Brisbane's warm evenings to Montreal's vibrant cultural calendar, from London's timeless elegance to Hamilton's growing fashion scene, the Chiquevive woman moves through the world with quiet confidence and a wardrobe that keeps pace.
These are not trend pieces. They are investments in a way of dressing — refined, effortless, and entirely your own.
