Colette Paris Letter 💌

 

I wrote about French writer, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette in January 

And planned to do a Paris letter. 

Les mondes de Colette | BnF

 

Last Friday I stopped procrastinating,

And went to see the Colette exhibit at BnF. 

Think Pink, a new Audrey Letter

On Friday I went into BHV depart. store for ribbons and perfume cards. I was confronted with a ton of pink. 

Even Mariage Frères has gone pink with their packaging and teapots!

Passing through the women’s clothing floor…more pink for Fall! What’s going on? 

Naturally I don't own anything in pink but I better get on it.

Givenchy has a special collection of mood perfumes & they are all pink. Titles: trouble-Fête · Sans Artifice · Peur de Rien · Oiseau Rare · Indompté · Sans Merci · Garçon Manqué. 

Pink is no longer just for little girls. 

Guys are wearing plenty of pink.

In the metro station - pink ads. 

I was on my way to the art store. I bought some Opera pink of course.

Not just Funny Face is mad for pink. Why pink? Pink is a calming color associated with love, kindness, and femininity. People immediately associate the color with all things feminine and girly. Some shades of pale pink are described as relaxing, while very bright, vibrant shades can be stimulating or even aggravating.

Audrey Hepburn said she ‘believed in pink’. I think she was on to something. 

I got inspired to paint a new pink Audrey single letter, 

Dolce & Gabbana just showed this OTT pink gown in Venice. I’m going to order shortly 

☺️💕🐻💋 Stay in the pink dear PBers🙏❤️ 

Audrey Hepburn in Paris letter

 

“I believe in pink.” The Audrey Hepburn in Paris letter 💌 is in the post 📮 with Audrey’s witty quotations. I thought it would be a piece of cake 🍰. Ha! Try capturing that beautiful face.

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.”

“The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.”

“It's that Parisian thing you've got, that certain quelque chose... ...as they say on the Left Bank, that piquant soupçon of an aperitif. ”There’s controversy about Love in the Afternoon . Gary Cooper was thought too old as a love ❤️interest. I watched it again and changed my opinion. 

“'Item 1: a red-headed algebra teacher - who first called me Miss X...'";Item 2. A very sweet boy who is now a missionary in French Equatorial Africa...'"; 'Item 3: a riding instructor - formerly a Cossack. Item 4: an English duke ...'" Anything by director/writer Billy Wilder is unbeatable. This Paris film, set in the Ritz (room 14), is adorable, warm, witty. Try it!

“Some people dream of owning a swimming pool. I dream of a bigger closet.” Audrey was such a style icon.  Tidbit: she owned 50 pairs of Jax Capri pants in many shades of gingham check.

“Life is a party. Dress for it.” AH wearing Givenchy LBD (little black dress) in ‘Funny Face’. Note the low-cut back and dropped-waist, details Givenchy added to emphasize her 20” waist. 

Tidbit: I saw Audrey Hepburn in person win an award at the New York film festival at Lincoln Center in April, 1991! My claim to fame

“I believe, every day, you should have at least one exquisite moment.” Between takes, Audrey waiting in her white boots (to save her shoes from the rain).

“I depend on Givenchy the same way that American women depend on their psychiatrists.” Sketches from Givenchy’s homage to Audrey.

“Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself, inside and out” Givenchy with Audrey, stunning as ever in his fuchsia satin ballgown. Don’t miss Henry JJ Wilkinson’s video on his own collection of Givenchy/Audrey pieces.

“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.” In her later years, a paragon of glamour and goodness, Audrey was the ideal star to hand out awards and tributes.

“I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II.”

“A child is a child in any country, whatever the politics”.

A big Thank you to the huge Audrey fan club on instagram who share so many rare photos and videos. If you’re a fan do visit. @audreyhepburn.memoirs @audreycollection2753 @audreyhepburn.daily @audrey.hepburn @soaudreyhepburn @audreyhepburn.asia @audreyhepburn.italia

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!” I dont mind telling you my eyebrows have grown quite a bit while working on the Audrey letter. She is a catalyst for all kinds of good.

Even Pierre Hermé ‘believes in pink’ ☺️❤️💋🐻

P'tit Dej at Tiffany's!

Audrey's Croissant, watercolor, 9" x 11"

So what if Audrey ate a Danish not a Croissant.

Audrey/Sabrina ate like the rest of us.

Photos by Bill Cunningham/NYTimes As Bill Cunningham of the New York Times reminded us this weekend, everyone wants to have breakfast at Tiffany's. The video is even more fun.

Audrey drank coffee out of a paper cup like the rest of us.

In Paris you can sit on Audrey - the French are that crazy about her. This charmante chaise was in BHV.

Wanna sit next to Audrey on the couch..?

There are tons of Audrey posters in Paris. And I just saw one at the Brooklyn IKEA. We all want to be around Audrey. Maybe her 'je ne sais quoi' will rub off?

And carry these Paris bags.

Audrey had "cycle chic" way before the rest of us.

Her little dog, Famous, is the prevailing trend that won't go away. You can buy a faux little dog at Galerie Lafayette Home.

Audrey's ballerinas are a permanent classic in Paris or just about anywhere.

I'm certain Audrey would have adored this black patent cabas. It's got a Velcro closing, the lining is meant for protecting cold things and it's HUGE (13" x 15" - easily hold a small dog) and very sturdy for all of 16 Euros in Paris.

Perfect for CSA veggies and macarons.

This post was inspired by these mini key chains sent by Kat in Japan . Thank you Kat! Thank you Audrey! BONJOUR P'tit Dej at Tiffany's!

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!