Christian Lacroix. Histoires de Mode

Les Arts Décoratifs invited Christian Lacroix to present his first retrospective--to commemorate his twenty years in fashion. Having the museum's massive fashion holdings at his disposal and, of course, his own House's collections, Lacroix has mounted a historical fashion expedition. This is one man's personal take on the history of fashion. The exhibit is organized around themes: black and white, polka dots, colour, Hispanisme, Liturgie, etc., and shows the evolution of each theme through the ages.

To say that the exhibition is a visual feast is to state the obvious. If you are a fashion nerd like me, you will be clapping your hands and jumping up and down, albeit secretly (although I couldn't help myself in front of the Liturgie section), at the exquisiteness of it all: the delicate fabric, beading, embroidery; the bold color, cut, graphic; the fierce hat, headpiece, veil; the disturbing symbolism, vanity, ostentation. Sigh. I want to go back.

The book accompanying the show can be found here.

Christian Lacroix, Histoires de Mode, Le musée des Arts décoratifs; 8 novembre 2007 - 20 avril 2008.

Random Paris Shots

Jardin des Tuileries

Les macarons from Ladurée
Tour Eiffel
Le Petit Châtelet
Eco Bag from Colette
The Louvrerue Grétry
Gerhard Richter

Random Paris Shops

I took these photos early last week, when Christmas was only slowly starting to pop-up all over Paris.

At La Droguerie.

Ohnona. An atelier boutique on r de Marivaux.
I loved this display of cuffs and collars.
At Tartine et Chocolat. Does anyone else love their children's fragrances?

Absolutely stunning flowers at Sébastien Mengozzi on av George V. Vanna White was stateside, so here is John.

Hats at Hermès.

Librairie Polonaise on bd St Germain.

Galaries Lafayette

So cold that you feel your ears are going to fall off...

To the rescue:
Neck-warmers in baby suri alpaca and chunky alpaca/wool from pip-squeak chapeau, etc.
Cowl-neck scarf from Michael Kors.
Cashmere balaclava from Barneys.

Asiatica by way of Kansas

Based in Kansas City, with trunk shows traveling around the country, Asiatica arrived in Brooklyn today via a mailed holiday greeting, aka, very pretty catalog. Some of my favorites:

Aoki Ryota silver lined porcelain bowl
Five Japanese papier-mache puppies
Reiko Ishiyama oxydized silver bracelet

Supermodel Sofa

Tell me about yourself. Canapé a la Reine by Phillipe Coudray.

Tell me about your look. I can never run away from my Louis XV roots, but I'm all about fashion, you know? I'm always thinking of new and bold combinations to create something fresh and exciting.

What are you wearing today? I wanted to out-Paul-Smith Paul Smith. This is the Jura Stripe Velvet from Watts of Westminster. Isn't it fabulous?

Quite stunning. How do you deal with all the attention? How do I deal with it? What's to deal with? I love attention!

What do you like to do when you're not working? I love to curl up with a nice book - in some cold and drafty corner of the family castle. Right now I'm reading The Social Contract by Rousseau.

Thank you, Bloesem!

Imagine our shock when we found out that Bloesem, one of our favorite blogs, had included us in their "recently discovered" list. Bloesem is an unfailing source of the most wonderful works of art, pieces of craft, home furnishings, and other beautiful items.

Thank you so much, Irene! We're tickled! D did a couple of cartwheels to the Culture Club's I'll Tumble 4 Ya. I ate a coconut cupcake to celebrate (okay, okay, I nimbled on two more when I got home) and listened to the original cast recording of Pippin. Yay!