Paris Silhouettes

The black and white cut out silhouette has been around for a long time in French culture.
 

Even newspapers used cutouts to spread the news as well as theatres.
 

The French waiter is a walking silhouette with his classic apron and black bowtie.
 

The little black dress, another icon we can thank Chanel and the French for.
 

Could the constantly rainy weather in Paris be a factor in the profusion of silhouettes I keep seeing?
 

The parapluie/umbrella makes the loveliest of shapes that's for sure.
 

When ever hip store Merci did an homage to NYC MOMA's museum gift shop they featured these umbrellas, even if you CAN leave the house in New York without one...unlike Paris.
 

French children book characters Ernest and Celestine make perfect silhouettes plus they're waving umbrellas. Only in France.
 

I was pleased to see Conforma, an appliance store full of fanciful silhouettes for Christmas.
 

Do deer need headphones?
 

Evidently.
 

Dancing on the tabletop in silhouette.
 

A silhouette can be 'read' across the street.
 

Or on your breakfast coffee bowl.
 

See! Right and left you'll run into silhouettes in Paris. Just get up and go to your balcony.
 

Van Cleef & Arpels Holiday Windows

Are you feeling frazzled? Are throngs of shoppers getting to you enfin?
Then do dash over to the corner of 57th street and 5th Avenue for a look at Van Cleef & Arpels divinely serene holiday windows.
There are 5 windows featuring their Bals de Legende jewelry Collection
The themes are: Black & White, Oriental, Proust, Venetian, and Winter Palace Ball.

The icicle-leaden stage set (loaded with plenty of real ice/diamonds) is perhaps the 'Winter Palace Ball'?

The stage curtains move.

The silhouette figures move ever so gently.
Is this Truman and Audrey at the black and white ball?

Clearly this is a Venetian stage set.

even I figured that out.

On each side of the stage royal boxes are filled with elegant silhouetted figures.

A Russian count and his fair lady peut-etre?

Ah, the curtain draws closed. A short video here of the windows
if you can't make it to NYC.
I hope you're feeling serene NOW!

Back to frazzled shopping you go.