Drees van Notan/Berber Femmes de Maroc/musée YSL

Two fashion exhibits closely related in my opinion - The Berber women of Maroc at Musee YSL - I've been passing in the Metro now that I'm back on three feet and Drees.

With all your encouragement you have me sketching like a Banshi. Wonderful small show at the YSL-Pierre Berge Fondation.

Weaving, potter, jewelry, clothing of Berber women of Northern Morocco from the museum on YSL's Jardin Marjorelle in Marakech chosen from a collection of over 400 pieces. It's easy to see how these influenced St.Laurant's designs in a deep, inspired way.

The exhibits at the Fondation are usually small but elegant and inspiring. Plus they have a terrific, affordable little gift shop upstairs - I always find something to delight.

A multi-media presentation of traditional clothes and adornment. beautiful objects—carpets, cloaks, woven belts, necklaces of amber and coral, silver brooches.

Berber women wore intensely decorative clothing

With a geometrical twist reminded me of Calissons d'Aix candies.

And layered effects just like the Haribo bonbon stand at Odeon.

Over at the musee arts Decoratif the Drees Van Notan exhibit (extended through Nov 2) has it's Moroccan and bonbon tendencies.

Pattern on pattern, embroidery and sparkle thrown on top.

Rock influences and a slew of contemporary painters plus other fashion designers are on display at Decoratif.

Vivenne Westwood's famous 'Happy' hat for Pharrell Williams.

Dior's 1947 New Look will be forever, shown here again next to a Yves Klein blue nude.

Pinched-in waists

Were picked up and carried on when YSL took over the Dior Maison.

The forever bow/noed at the waist

YSL's 1979 swirly taffeta robe de soir is an homage to Diaghilev. References, references. 

More baubles and beads 

Cherry red dresses remind me of...the July Paris Sketch letter and eating cherries nonstop for a month to get in the mood.

Yesterday robsmelbatoast asked,

"Paris Letters? Do tell please!"

You can read all about it on Etsy. Meanwhile I'm playing with my new yellow La Poste truck. Someone is "going postal'!

YSL, cinema La Pagode, Au Pied de Fouet

Last night I met up with Swedish blogger Solli for a film and dinner.

La Pagode is one of those old treasured landmarked cinemas in Paris you don't want to miss. 57 bis rue de Babylone 75007

It even has a loaded-with-atmosphere mystery garden

Inside, the theatre walls are very Fu Manshu what ever that is.

Flying dragon, flying geese, you name it. It's a 30s time.

We came to see the newly released YSL film with a young 24-year-old Pierre Niney playing Yves.

A member of the Theatre Comedie Francaise, his every move and gesture will remind you of the renown designer. It's an uncanny portrayal.

Five months of studying YSL, even learning how to draw and drape went into this performance. It's a Don't Miss.

Post-movie we went to Solli's fav bistro just down the street.

Au Pied de Fouet takes no reservations. Just waltz inside.

The prices will knock our socks off so low. That's why there's no hanging around for hours once your meal is finished. Pay up and let the next folks sit down and enjoy the fun.

Appropriately the walls are covered with old movie posters.

Space is tight like all over Paris. We sat upstairs on a little balcony overlooking the bar below.

Not an inch is wasted here and the staff could not be more friendly or accommodating.

Solli used to be a regular before she moved and they would sit her at a table to share with three others - a great way to improve your French. Regular diners get to have their own napkins saved just like in the old days.

The food is pretty straightforward, but it's the Frenchie atmosphere you come for. There are 3 Au Pied de Fouets. They are all 150 years old. Another Don't Miss!

Forever Paris, Le Butte aux Caille, 13th arron.

 Heading off to places no one much goes to in Paris can be a trip.

 The Butte aux Cailles in the 13th arrondissement is one of those places. More a hidden village than a touristic haunt, it's a step back in  time like Woody's Midnight In Paris.

 The buildings are small. The architecture idiosyncratic. The cobblestone streets narrow and quirky.

 Paris doesn't get more villagey than this. I'm a fan of the 13th's big chlorine-free pool.

 Otherwise I might have missed this adventure to the hinterlands.

 After a swim nothing is bettter than a light lunch at L'Oisive The 5 minutes away.

 The food is delicious.

 Ex-pat owner Aimee (lurking behind her home-made cakes) started this cafe on her own and it's a delight.

 Walls of yellow tea canisters are the perfect decor.

 A wall full of colorful yarns is for the kniters who frequent L'Oisive The.

 While parents knit and chat, les enfants play quietly on the floor and crayon. The atmosphere could not be more homey and friendly.

 Parisian Ines de la Fressange has chosen the Butte aux Cailles to stroll around this month, offering much insider info on charming shops I missed. Take a look and consider.

 I just down-loaded this little book, Forever Paris:25 Walks in the Footsteps of Chanel, Hemingway, Picasso and More.

 The 'more' includes:

Edith Piaf, Charles de Gaulle, Josephine Baker, Auguste Rodin, Cartier-Bresson, George Sand, Napoleon, Balzac, Simone de Beauvoir, Victor Hugo, Marie Antoinette (with spin out at Versailles), YSL, Henry Miller and Audrey Hepburn(she loved Angelina).

 And our fabulous Julia Child (rue Cler was her shopping street)!

Could you ask for anything more?
It's a mostly black and white book so perfect for your Kindle to have handy as you promenade around Paree.

Get out and walk this weekend.
Pourquoi pas?

Bon Weekend!