The White Swan Bendels

Bendels choose not to go with The Black Swan for their Xmas window theme.

Sugar plums and
  The Nutcracker Suite to the rescue

Very old fashioned and delightful

White swan-like ballerinas ride ostriches

Wearing woolen leggings (they were formerly ballerinas of course

A ballerina climbs a ladder to turn on the lights

Multi-ballerinas twirl from the ceiling.

What more could you ask for?

One naughty ballerina takes off her red shoes and goes to bed with the nutcracker.

Macaron Ribbons, watercolor, 9" x 11"

The ribbons were used to tie up this macaron box...

A New York Bendels girl is just in time

To break the piggie bank and buy her pup a doggie snow globe

                         BONJOUR BALLERINAS!

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!

Golden Hook

Is it possible for the Parisien l'esharpe/scarf to get any bigger than it already is?
Oui! Absolutement oui!
Knitting is HUGE in Paris right now, so get out your needles.
BHV's vitrines were full of balls of wool and hand-knitted scarves waiting for crafty Parisiens...
If you haven't heard of Golden Hook, here's your chance.

Golden Hook is a bunch of les French grand-meres who will knit anything your heart desires in whatever color you dream of. You can even choose the grand-mere you would like to do the knitting.

Or you could turn up at BHV and take knitting lecons and DIY directly from les grand-meres.

There are a gazillion knitting books out on French Amazon for the DIYers who read French. I even saw a girl knitting in the Metro station, but forgot to take a picture - Eeeek!

Of course les vitrines/shop windows are full of hand-knitted items...

Winter hats included. And Parisiens are notorious for not wearing hats in zero temperatures (which they may be having right this minute...)

French bebes have always worn knits, but now it's a must-do.

As for Paris dogs, their knitted winter scarves and coats are being tricotee toute a suite.

BONJOUR PARIS KNITTERS!!

Paris Designer Fast Food

Along with the surprise of so many Paris daddies.

I am ever surprised by the innovations of Parisien designer 'fast' food or le fast-food gastronomiques.

These newly designed boxes just keep coming.

Even Monoprix has gone rectangular for take-away. Cleverly layered boxed salads are created by Chef Guy Martin (of 3-star Grand Vefour) for MIYOU of du Bon Marche, 2nd fl.

Layering is key in designer fast-food. It distracts from the portion size. Is this the key to thin French Girls - layering?
Even a sandwich bag is jazzed up.

At Le Bon Marche cafe. The food does not come with instructions.

I discovered Restaurant OH!
on 2 bvd Haussmann 75009

It was lunch. I was hungry. Pas cher. So why not try?

The food designs were aesthetically pleasing...

I got a layered salade de crevettes with grapefruit...

Plus a quinoa and salade du lentils. Miam Quinoa is HUGE in Paris and usually served in savory and delicious combinations.

OH! has a ready supply of the latest art magazines to peruse while you eat. And designerish colorful square blocks to sit on. BEAR didn't mind a bit. A stripped shirt is not obligatory..

Macarons easily fit into any designer fast food resto...

What's not aesthetically pleasing about these lovely symmetrical disks?

BONJOUR DESIGNER FAST FOOD!