The black and white cut out silhouette has been around for a long time in French culture.
Even newspapers used cutouts to spread the news as well as theatres.
The little black dress, another icon we can thank Chanel and the French for.
Could the constantly rainy weather in Paris be a factor in the profusion of silhouettes I keep seeing?
The parapluie/umbrella makes the loveliest of shapes that's for sure.
When ever hip store Merci did an homage to NYC MOMA's museum gift shop they featured these umbrellas, even if you CAN leave the house in New York without one...unlike Paris.
French children book characters Ernest and Celestine make perfect silhouettes plus they're waving umbrellas. Only in France.
I was pleased to see Conforma, an appliance store full of fanciful silhouettes for Christmas.
Do deer need headphones?
Evidently.
Dancing on the tabletop in silhouette.
A silhouette can be 'read' across the street.
Or on your breakfast coffee bowl.
See! Right and left you'll run into silhouettes in Paris. Just get up and go to your balcony.
Oh I love all the umbrella ones but especially the one with the Eiffel tower in it. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post! Amazing finds - thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to Ernest et Celestine (les coulisses is cool). I wonder how the film will be received in France. It is different from the books, they're quieter, gentler, & simpler, which I love. The silhouettes are cool & when in Paris, I can't stop looking at those balconies!!
ReplyDeleteWay cool, Carol. Ernest & Celestine! Super Adorbs!!!
ReplyDeleteFun and fanciful as always..need to one yr go into Mtl at Christmas and see what we have too:-)
ReplyDeleteSuper collection, Carol. You have a great eye for detail! Even if it rains in Seattle at least as often as in Paris, I never see a silhouette or an umbrella, for that matter. Dommage... Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteBoy, you really outdid yourself!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the waiter with his "duck walk," but they are all great; the colors & the B&Ws.
Really great collection!
Such a fun post Carol. I really love these posts when you pull such disparate images and places together. Pure genius.
ReplyDeleteCarol, you've given us such beautiful collection of silhouettes in this post. What a wonderful eye you have!
ReplyDeletexo
I've always loved the black silhouettes. I was at a Christmas market last weekend and there was an artist from Poland making silhouettes by just tearing the paper. I wish I'd bought the one he did of me, but as usual Mr France had wondered off & I didn't have any cash left, naturally he didn't take cards :)
ReplyDeleteDommage but you will always remember it!
DeleteWonderful Carol! love it. And love the angel feeding the bird in the balcony grillwork - where is that exactly?
ReplyDeleteAlso, did you know you could have a silhouette of your profile cut for you at the Place du Tertre in Montmartre? they even give a special price for students.
all the best,
Rosemary
Ahhh...the angel expert.
DeleteIn Fountainbleau upstairs at Patisserie Frederic Cassel (having an outrageous lunch when we worked on his catalog).
I love when you help open my eyes to things I'm used to seeing but take for granted, Carol. Yep, can't believe have a balcony like this too and hadn't even thought about it. Merci xo
ReplyDeleteMagnifique
ReplyDeleteJ’adore !!!
kind regards
Coco Jobard
I love when you help open my eyes to things I'm used to seeing but take for granted, Carol. Yep, can't believe have a balcony like this too and hadn't even thought about it. Merci xo
ReplyDeleteLa Petite Robe Noir, my favourite scent . Got some for my birthday this year ♥ Love it.
ReplyDelete