Friday, March 07, 2025

Adventures in the Louvre by Elaine Sciolino, Couture Exhibit

 
I went to the Louvre on Wednesday to gather more research for Elaine Sciolino’s new book map for ‘Adventures in The Louvre’.

And to see the new Couture exhibit
The nice thing is a general entry ticket 🎫 will get you in to see ‘Couture’. 
The other nice thing is to see these fabulous gowns and artifacts
Amidst the grandiose settings of the Department of Decorative Arts
Like Napoleon’s throne.
100 gowns etc. from 45 fashion houses on display until 21 July. 
This is the Louvre’s first fashion exhibit. They have been preparing for months and month. Surely it won’t be the last.
Take the elevator to the top of decorative arts department in the Richelieu wing and wend your way down👇with the help of their specially printed guide.
The Louvre held a grand fund-raising dinner on Tuesday mimicking the New York Met’s annual fashion event. Tables for 10 at $50,000 (instead of $360,000). A steal obviously.
I highly recommend watching this video (with English subtitles) for the stories behind the gowns before you  visit or just for fun.
You’ll see the dress details better 
 Than standing at a distance behind a velvet rope 
As usual, labels are placed inconveniently at your feet🦶 
I loved this display 
An appropriately Medieval hairdo worn by a visitor
Elaborate Medieval embroidered fabrics 
In the tapestry rooms.
A luminous Vermeer-like creature taking pictures 📸 
Half the fun of visiting galleries is the other visitors.
I was expecting to see more fashionistas than I did, since it‘s PFW (Paris Fashion Week)…
The Couture exhibit expands over many rooms and several floors. I did not have the printed guide and got lost 🆘 
I learned to keep an eye 👁️ out for the pyramid exit sign 👉
HALLELUJAH !
A restorative ice cream 🍨 in the Louvre’s cafeteria hit the spot.
Certainly Elaine’s new book 📕 will help make the Louvre more user-friendly. 
Elaine is a wonderful storyteller. 
Adventures in The Louvre’ Comes out April 1. 
More info to come.
A window at the Paris Louvre

22 comments:

  1. Such a great post! Merci beaucoup!

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    1. Anonymous7:34 AM

      Thanks Sue H.
      Very kind ❤️

      Delete
  2. Anonymous10:09 AM

    Love Elaine! Looking forward to the book!

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  3. Anonymous10:18 AM

    Looks fantastic - I especially loved the red dress early in your post! Thanks for sharing the experience!

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    1. Anonymous10:33 AM

      I forgot to mention the designer, KARL LAGERFELD !!

      Delete
  4. Anonymous10:18 AM

    Laughed when you mentioned the information is put so low one has to bend tii read it or just ignore it. That is poor planning. Otherwise - love your potos

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    1. Anonymous10:34 AM

      This is an addiction in Paris fashion exhibits 😱
      It drives me mad.
      Other exhibits do not follow this insanity merci dieu 🙏

      Delete
  5. Anonymous11:07 AM

    I love ❤️ Elaine Sciolino's books! Thanks for the heads-up on this one!!!

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    1. Anonymous12:44 PM

      Elaine is an amazing creative 👏👏👏

      Delete
  6. Anonymous1:10 PM

    The video is stunning and well worth the time!

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    1. Anonymous5:30 PM

      Isn’t it? Loic Prigent does a terrific job covering Paris couture 🧵
      https://youtu.be/bsxrsKMLj88?si=hGlspIfJD61WH41F

      Delete
  7. Anonymous1:36 PM

    A pleasure to view this. TY for making it available, Carol!

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  8. Did you see Elaine Sciolino’s interview about her new book in the March issue of the Secrets of Paris newsletter? It’s absolutely wonderful (as is the monthly newsletter).

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    1. Anonymous7:38 AM

      Adventures in the Louvre" Heather's Interview with Elaine Sciolino
      https://youtu.be/VUuf5P90Vx4?si=GEY1CluHD4bgLGlD

      Delete
  9. Love her books and look forward to this one.

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  10. Bonnie L9:02 PM

    I love your outings, Carol! And, ice cream…yay! Beautiful fashions on display, go well with the ornate Napoleon III furnishings. Looking forward to Elaine’s book. ❤️

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    1. Anonymous1:03 AM

      EVERYTHING ENDS WITH ICE CREAM 🍨 😀

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  11. You are truly amazing!
    What a gift you have!
    Thank you, Elaine Sciolino

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  12. Dorrance7:50 AM

    ‘Each has their own way of coping’ , sign over your ice cream is PARFAIT!

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    1. Anonymous10:26 AM

      Hmm… chacun à sa façon - each in its own way

      Delete
  13. I was so hoping you would get to that exhibition!

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  14. What a fun exhibit! Always good having a plan what to see at the Louvre because it’s so big. Hard choice between a waffle, crepe or ice cream as a post exhibition snack!

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