Vogue World, 23 Juin 2024, La Terrasse des Roses - Hotel Westin

Sunday night, the fashion world took over Place Vendôme in Paris for the 3rd edition of Vogue World, a runway experience so extravagant it boasts 100s of looks & multiple performances.

I was not there on Sunday…too busy painting roses 🌹

Art Nouveau Jewelry at l’École des Arts Joailliers

 

All these Art Nouveau doors have kept my head in a swirl

On Friday I went early to the Art Nouveau jewelry exhibition at l’École des Arts Joailliers around the corner from Place Vendôme.

Chanel Map

My obsession continues with the latest Paris map - some of Chanel’s favorite places. 

For the border (Elaine Sciolino says a map must have a border) I was thinking camellias and her signature ribbon. 

But why not use her iconic image as a border? Please watch TV Arte’s brand new excellent documentary on Chanel’s life. Its in French but not difficult to figure out from the superb photographs (many used here btw). A worthy watch. 

What other orphan child had the moxie and gumption to, instead of  choosing an arranged marriage or work as a laundress, choose a career in fashion (with the aid of many men its true). 

The refined lingerie pleating the orphans were taught. 

Shows up later in Chanel’s delicate chiffon dance dresses making them light and easy to wear as a silk slip.

Her collier comète made of 600 diamonds was astonishingly original.

“I wanted to cover women in constellations like a shower of stars”, she said in 1932. 

Octagonal Place Vendome is where Chanel lived for 30 years at the Ritz hotel and had her jewelry boutique. 

Vendome strongly influenced the shape of her 8-sided perfume bottles, Chanel N.5 and Coco Mademoiselle.

I haven’t yet got my hands on a good biography but read the Wikipedia file on her life. Its surprisingly dense with detail including the war years. 

Why did I assume Chanel was petite? She was 5’9” and weighed 130 pounds! No matter the Lockdown, last night Paris was shining bright like a diamond in Chanel’s necklaces. Please stay safe everyone 🙏❤️💋🐻

The Ritz Chalet de Noël - Chef Francois Perret

Wednesday I took Bear to THE HOTEL RITZ' new Chalet de Noël at Place Vendôme. Get there by 5 January.

We got the'So Ritzy' formule - a hot chocolate + pastry (an apfelstrudel 15€). Bear gobbled it up instantly. 

Meet the genius behind this Ritzy creation, FRANÇOIS PERRET just awarded Meilleur Patissier du Monde in October. Plus he has published his first pastry book, Instants Sucres,. 

I introduced you to Chef Perret in 2014 making pastry magic  at HOTEL SHANGRI-LA.  

And next in 2016 when Perret moved to The Ritz and opened the divine Salon Proust.  

If lines are long at the Chalet 

Casually waltz inside the hotel, whilst humming, 'Putting on the Ritz'. You can order the same yummy fare at the bar.. 

FYI The Ritz staff takes kindly to interlopers and browsers unlike some other 5-star Palace hotels. 

Head to the concept gift shop in the back of the hotel so you can  meander the hallways.

Enroute step outside into the beautifully-lit courtyard. 

If you need holiday fancy dress there's plenty in the shop. 

You may be lucky and catch François signing his new book. Check François' instagram for shop signings and his latest creations. His book will be out in the US in April 2020. Stay tuned - next up Paris Christmas windows.

Thanks for reading PB. 

🎁 Gift yourself and others Parisbreakfast letters 💌, maps and watercolors🎨 in my Etsy shop

Xxx❤️Bear 🐻 is eating cabbage soup for a bit instead of pastries.