Fashion Forward, Jacques Callot, Paris Tomato Letter

This week I've been painting and drawing like mad. My print shop had the nerve to close for vacation last Saturday so all Paris maps and Paris letters are done and even shipped out! Hooray. In August tomatoes always catch my fancy. I tucked into the envelopes a flyer from the musee des arts decoratifs for the 'Fashion Forward' exhibit with the perfect tomato red dress on the cover.

On Wednesday I dropped into the Louvre's Department of Grafiques to gaze at miniature drawings of Jacques Callot (1592-1635). I'm a long-time fan of his fluid lines so it was pretty thrilling to see them in the flesh. I only got through about 100 drawings of the 1600 in the collection. The more I looked at them, the more they seemed like perfect fashion illustrations.

If only I'd had the appropriate costume to wear whilst viewing.

Surely one of these elaborate waistcoats would have done nicely from the exhibit at Musee des Arts Decorativs

300 pieces of men's, women's and children's wear are on display from the museum's collection. Note the mariner's blue stripes...always a French favorite.

More stripes.

The background wallpapers and tapestries in these intimate tableaux are just as stunning as the garments.

Accessories are included. You must have a fan when it gets hot in Paris. There isn't much relief from the heat other than standing in front of the yogurt case at Monoprix or a trip to the movies.

Even 19th century paper dolls are displayed.

I loved the mirrored floor reflecting the evening striped gown.

Even some Barbies have crossed over from the exhibit in the opposite space.

Just when you're thinking 17th through 19th century clothing is far more elaborate then contemporary wear.

You are led into a huge display that proves that thinking is so wrong.

Fabulous gowns

Elaborate embroidaries

Historic silhouettes.

You can wander fore and aft so no back view is missed on these creations.

At last the tomato red dress from Comme des garçons. Forever outrageous. A work of art even if she does look like a tomato.

The gift shop is always a don't-miss at musee des Arts Decoratifs. Not everything is pricey either. This drinks pitcher tempted me (17,50€). I ran off to the pool to reflect. Fortunately they have cold showers to halt impluse shopping.
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