La Saga des Grands Magasins, Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine

 

Yesterday I ran 🏃‍♀️ to see a new exhibit, The Department Stores. 

For ‘retail therapy’ at la Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine at Trocadero, as a distraction…

April in Paris 🌸 Letter

Back on April 8 I said, I was trying hard to get your April Paris letters done ✏️ and to la poste 📮

Early work-in-progress sketches… 🤸🏾‍♀️

La Naissance des Grands Magasins 1852-1925, Le musée des Arts décoratifs

 

Yesterday was the 1st day of the big department store show at MAD and I was there when the doors opened.

Are you a devoted department store browser (different from a shopper)

Harvey Nichols London

I've been watching gritty British movies on Netflix of late. Have you ever seen Mike Hodges' Croupier or the gangster movie to top all gangster movies, Get Carter?

Not that either film has much to do with swanky Knightsbridge or Harvey Nichols, but they do get you in a British frame of mind.

I saved Harvey Nichols for last - it's one of the best department stores.

They don't get swankier.

It's like an art museum - you never know what to expect visually floor to floor. Even the escalators have surprises. 

The fashion floors.

Are par excellence-this Alexander McQueen dress says it all. 

The food halls.

Definitely glittering.

Cupcakes rule in London. 

Cupcakes in every imaginable kind of gift box.

And such gorgeous tea trays on offer! 

Loaded with Whoopie Pies!

Truly spectacular windows at Harvey Nichols. 

Knock-your-socks-off window displays. 

Rather unusual cups and saucers as only the British do them.

By the way, THANK YOU for all the cups and saucers you've sent me to paint, some even from Budapest! Thank you Chas for your Cafe Deux Magots cups. 

A big Thanks to Julie of the Provence Post for the shoutout about the cup/croissant watercolors. Do visit Julie, who spends half the year in Provence...quelle dommage

BONJOUR HARVEY NICHOLS!