The Basque country, which goes across borders over the Pyrénées, from Bayonne to Bilbao, has always fascinated ethnologists and this new book on its traditional dance costumes conceived by Serge Gleizes, is a little gem. Largely due to the talent of photographer Véronique Mati. If you have ever been curious about provincial French costumes, this is a series of photographs … Read More
“Back Side”, a fashion show at Musée Bourdelle
Musée Bourdelle, in Montparnasse, is one of the hidden treasures of Paris. Its director, Amélie Simier, runs it with enthusiasm and has clever initiatives for its twice a year shows. One of which is to have joined forces with Palais Galliera (under renovations at the moment) to exhibit part of their fashion collections in the monumental sculpture halls. This summer, … Read More
Taher Chemirik, a sculptor of rings
Taher Chemirik was born in Relizane, south east of Oran, Algeria. He came to Paris in 1977 to study at Ecole des Arts Décoratifs and soon worked on costumes and decors for the Paris Opera, then as a designer for Ralph Lauren. But as soon as he discovered jewelry, he concentrated on this new art as well as on sculpture … Read More
At la Comédie Française, the best fashion show in town
What a great surprise it was to see Bertold Brecht’s “Galileo” at the Comédie Française. I don’t usually speak about French only shows in these columns but the play is so spectacular that I had to mention it to you. The direction is by Eric Ruf, administrator of the theatre, the fabulous costumes by Christian Lacroix and the lighting by … Read More
Two exceptional shows bring Romanticism to Petit Palais
Once again, an exhibition opens at Petit Palais and the surprise is overwhelming in quality and originality. “Romantic Paris, 1815-1848” comprises all the arts of the beginning of the 19th century thanks to the clever Christopher Leribault who convinced his colleagues from Musées Galliera, Carnavalet, Arts décoratifs and de la Vie Romantique, to lend exceptional treasures. It is a panorama … Read More
New York is changing fast but remains the best
I had not been to New York for three years and I found lots of changes. First the Hudson Yards, a new business/shopping/living area at the start of the Highline on 30 th st and the Hudson, attracted me because I wanted to see the Vessel. This large pile of staircases in red copper was much talked about and I … Read More
Eataly and La Felicità, an Italian food contest.
La Felicità opened this fall near the Grande Bibliothèque. It was meant to stay open all night but never did, it closes at 10.30 pm or 11 depending on the days and does not serve dinners on Mondays and Tuesday. As a member of the Big Mamma group started by Tigrane Seydoux and Victor Lugger, it can seat 1 000 … Read More
Helena Rubinstein, a modern business woman, who loved art!
What is most interesting in the Helena Rubinstein exhibition at Musée d’art et d’Histoire juive, is the artistic talents that she developed over a long career as a business woman of beauty. All along her intense and long life, this young woman born in Krakow in 1872, was interested in fashion, painters, architects and decorators. Like Jeanne Lanvin or Christian … Read More