Luxe, Glam et Pâte

 En retard!

No wi-fi for THREE jours! ouch
 

 Nevermind.

There's always wonderful Starbucks.

Did you put on the ruffles last nite?
 

 And ruffles below?

 Did you put a bow on it?
 

 What did you eat for New Years Eve?

 Here it's de rigeur to eat homard...

 Langouste...

 LOBSTER! The bigger the better. Plus oysters and marrons glace or any which way...

 Pate prepared like a buche de noel - rolled or layered the French way.

 Even Champagne is wearing a bib and tucker.

 Champagne reminders in the Metro.

 A night of lights and lovers.

 I hope you kicked up your heels last night!

The dog of the day wishes you,

BONNE ANNEE!

And so does Bear

Balenciaga & Spain

This has been a Balenciaga + Spain week.

I visited the Balenciaga exhibit at the Queen Sophia Spanish Institute at 684 Park Avenue on Tuesday (on through Feb 19 so don't miss it)

Three floors of exquisite examples of the maitre/master of couture.

Plus designer sketches and catwalk videos. Drawings by Rene Gruau.

Everywhere evidence of Balenciaga's Spanish background, as an altar boy at the Church of San Sabastien.

Plus influence of the great Spanish painters like Zuniga.

Picasso, Goya and of course Velasquez.
*Note the infanta's multi satin bows!

Bows are everywhere on Balenciaga's creations.

Bows both fore and aft.

The bow acts as a feminine touch to soften a simple, austere gown like this one covered in red carnations, the national flower of Spain.

Deep red gypsy roses show up on Balenciaga's amusing hats...

"Wit was on the head, where it should be."

Rose Champagne, original watercolor 9" x 11"

Inspired me to get out my paintbox.

The bull ring was a favorite inspiration though Balenciaga did not like to attend the slaughter. 'the suit of lights', the tiny hats, the rituals fascinated him, and French women were delighted to follow where ever he led them.

"A ruffle must be intelligent," he told his protege, Givenchy.

 Audrey benefited from Balenciaga's tutelage to her chosen designer.

The flavor of Joquin Sorolla's flamenco dancers is evident in richly embroidered mantilla dresses.

Last night at FIT, Vogue European editor, Hamish Bowles gave a lecture on the exhibit he helped curate and his new book on Balenciaga & Spain, coming out March '11

Seen side by side, the Spanish source of inspiration + the unique creations endlessly amazed.

Do go to the exhibit and immerse yourself in an elegant world long gone.

"Working sometimes on the cut of a sleeve, he would neglect all else and go without food or sleep for days and nights." said Gloria Guinness, couture client.

BRAVO BALENCIAGA!

Alice Je T'aime

 Arriving in Paris I couldn't help notice the current French obsession with Alice.

Vitrine/windows are full of  Alice figures (pronounced A-leece here).

At Printemps - 9 designers create special Alice dresses including the late Alexander McQueen. I ask Fr Girl, "What's up with all the Alice stuff?"
Fr Girl says, "The French are obsessed with Aleece."
"Ah ha" I say. The wheels turn. I put 2 + 2 together.

Everywhere I see signs of Alice like this adorable pinney. My theory falls into place. Alice is the epitome of the naughty yet innocent little French school girl in her pinafore, long hair, hair ribbon and mary jane flats/ballerinas. 

Tim Burton's Alice is not so innocent looking. She looks like she's been round the block a few times.The dress is a disaster. Sorry Tim. Plus she has bazooms. Something many French girls are missing. I watch Fr Girl dress for work, fascinated by the layers she throws together. One day I say,
"You look exactly like a French school girl in that outfit"

Sonia adores the little girl sailor shirt - I would kill for one of these.

The ageless French obsession with the child's ballerina fits perfectly into my Alice theory. So innocent.

Headband with a big bow, worn with a decollete top reveals a black bra - naughty but nice. A grown French woman shopping with her beau, her ballerinas, headband and long goldie locks.  
Printemps has created the perfect chez Alice salon de thé

From the escalator, you look down and watch the tea party. Colette stirred the pot with her naughty/nice school girl novels - Claudine à l'école, Claudine a Paris etc.

This schoolgirl caught me snapping in Luxemburg jardin.

Lewis Carroll, inspired the French even more than the Brits in my opinion.

The Mad Hatters tea party continues...

I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience. Sign up to receive these whimsical treasures in the mail.

Thanks for reading PB ❤️

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 Petite pastel macarons are the perfect accompaniment to the French school girl look.This is my theory and I'm sticking to it.

What do you think?

BONJOUR ALICE!