La Mode Retrouvee/Palais Galliera, Interieur Coreen/Musee Guimet

The 'January Blues' started on Sunday this year...windy, chilly, grey drizzle in Paris. It's the same today.

But January's the month you're assaulted with signs in the Metro 'DERNIER JOURS' (last days) for closing exhibits around town, so out into the drizzle I ran to Place d'Ilena to catch La Mode Retrouvee at Palais Galliera. Actually you have until March 20. Still it's a don't-miss.

Photos not allowed so I drew...yes I did sneak in a few shots for you PBers

The collection of gowns are from grande dame, Elisabeth, la Comtesse Greffulhe. She was the inspiration for Marcel Proust's divine Duchesse de Guermantes. The Comtesse allowed only the top designers to make her clothes exactly to her specifications. This elaborate embroidered silk velvet evening gown (1896) was her 'piece de resistance' designed for her especially by Worth.

On the far bottom right, a photo by Paul Nadar of the Comtesse arranging lilies similar to her embroidered gown.

She was drawn by society artist, Paul-César Helleu, friend of Whistler and John Singer Sargent,  like mad.

Big lyrical sketches by Helleu line the back exhibit walls. The Comtesse deemed these too intimate to ever be seen publicly, yet they perfectly capture her soigné, elegant style.

I drew like mad too from the Helleu sketches.

La Comtesse was known as 'the swan' for her photographic poses. And for the way she 'swanned' into evening parties, stayed briefly, then swanned out, leaving everyone wanting more. I'm going back for more. A stunning exhibit.
Just down the Boulevard President Wilson, Asian arts center, le Guimet.

Has a Japanese exhibit of  contemporary calligraphy.

Even more enticing,in their annex around the corner at #19, an exhibit of Korean embroideries and traditional Hanbok stripy clothing.

The gift shop at the Guimet is a don't-miss melange of Asian arts. I gave myself this Korean stripped pencil case. Someone asked what drawing pen I use (shown above). It's a Japanese Pental brushpen with India ink cartridges.

I think I'm done painting Gothic stained glass. Korean stripes have me hypnotized.

I picked up another paintbox this summer of whole pans from Winsor and Newton Cotman watercolors. I paid double the price at Charbonnel than on Amazon so I better use them. Thank you Korea.

More stripes by photographer Suzanne Held 1988

Don't these joyous colors

Make you forget the January Blues?

Exquisite embroideries, though no bears?

More treasures from the Guimet gift shop

I went home in the chilly, grey drizzle feeling wonderfully inspired.

Be gone January blues!

You have till March 14 to go PBers.