Salon du Livre 2014

Sunday I made it to the 4-day annual Salon du Livre held in massive pavilion #1 at Porte de Versailles - a yearly reminder of how much the French love books.

I was captivated by a special exhibition of the work of French women illustrators.
 

I wasn't alone.
 

This new comic book/bandes dessignée, Jeune Fille en Dior written and illustrated by Annie Goetzinger can be found all over town in the best bookstores.
 

The detailed, fluid illustrations perfectly capture the creation of Dior's 'New Look'. The tiny pulled-in waistlines and full swingy skirts just after the war must have been a breath of fresh air for women the world over who had suffered such deprivation during1939-1945.
 

The main character, Clara, becomes a model at Dior. You see the backroom goings on at the top couture maison pre-show.

The book is in the much loved French format of a BD or bandes dessinée/comic book but for adults. I hope they translate this one for us.
 

Watch a short film (in French) of the artist, Annie Goetzinger at work discussing her intent to capture a lost time. Remember the fabulous Miss Dior exhibit at the Grand Palais? This book dovetails perfectly filling in behind-the-scene blanks on 20, Ave Montaigne at Maison Dior
 

Flammarion has a new book out on French icon Marguerite Duras
 

Kids 18 & under get in free at the Salon, so Sundays in particular are always overrun with kidlets. Adults pay 10€ for a 4-day entry.
 

So many childrens books.
 

So many children.
 

Avidly reading where ever you walk. It's a delight. And building future readers as well.
 

Tintin is always present. Here his red jeep on display.
 

This is for the public. Not a trade-only show. Every book on display is for sale.
 

Of course there is the Square Culinaire Tons and tons of cookbooks in every format. Does the yellow Trish Deseine book look familiar?
 

So many how-tos

And the chefs on hand who wrote them.
 

The essential accompaniment to book browsing - macarons.
 

I got very excited by, Cafe Society, which came out in 2010 in the US.
 

The illustrations/collages by the Baron de Cabrol from his scrapbook (1948) are fantastic.
 

He perfectly recorded the ambience of the times during 1920s - 60s.
 

The photography too is magnificent. Wallace Simpson looking soigné.
 

Elsa Schiaparelli wearing her famous shoe-hat beside a Dali sculpture.
 

Charming & simple elegant sketches from the Baron's scrapbook in Cafe Societé couldn't
 

Remind me of illustrations by Jean-Philippe Delhomme now on display poster-size in boulevard Saint Germain for Louis Vuitton. What do you think?