Muriel, a 19 th century glove shop around the corner from the Elysée Palace, is closing down for good on March 30 th. It’s not exactly the season to buy woolen or calf gloves but think of your Christmas presents! I found a fabulous straw hat for 20€ in view of all the weddings that I will attend this summer … Read More
Champagne at Gabrielle Chanel’s apartment
When she died on January 10, 1971, Mademoiselle Chanel left an apartment on the second floor of the House of Chanel, 31 rue Cambon. Its singularity was that it only had a dining room, a living room and an office but no bedroom… She used to sleep across the street at the Ritz. The apartment has been kept intact with … Read More
Balenciaga meets up with Bourdelle
Musée Bourdelle is a very special little museum hidden away behind Gare Montparnasse and the monumental sculptures it shows could be a little daunting if some lighter beauties did not come to keep them company. After a magistral Madame Grès show four years ago, Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972) is the new guest. «L’œuvre au noir », a collection of 110 black … Read More
Maison Dauphin, a jeweller to watch
There is an interesting will of construction and architecture in the new line of jewelry called « Volume » designed by Charlotte Dauphin de la Rochefoucauld for her three year old company Maison Dauphin. This young woman, who is based in London with her family, was trained in communications and art history and you can see that her mind is very … Read More
Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo, a universal genius
When as a young student in Madrid, Guillermo de Osma discovered Mariano Fortuny’s etchings in the Calcographia Nacional, he had no idea there had never been anything written on this Spanish genius of fashion and design who died in Venice in 1949. The “magician”, the “alchemist”, the “Renaissance man” as he was often called, remains a mystery to his biographers … Read More
Turmoil in London’s museums
The Victoria and Albert museum is a permanent showcase of exhuberance and diversity and I was once again happily surprised by the three shows I saw last week end in London. Not only has the 19 th century decorative arts museum hired a new director, the 42 year old historian Tristram Hunt, who, angry at Brexit, left his labour … Read More
Double bill in Rueil Malmaison
There is something magical about the two exhibitions taking place at Atelier Grognard, in Rueil Malmaison at the moment. The first one is dedicated to Parisian suburbs painted by Corot, Vlaminck, Marquet or Harpignies… in the 19 th century. The second one, a few hundred yards away, at Château de Malmaison, shows a collection of the Empress Joséphine’s fabulous court … Read More
Marie Hélène de Taillac transforms cristal into precious stones
Jewelry designer Marie Hélène de Taillac has been working in Jaipur for over twenty years developing her line of jewelry in her own shops in Paris, New York and Tokyo. It seemed natural that Baccarat, the famous cristal manufacturer from Lorraine, would invite her to create a new line of contemporary necklaces and rings for the young generations.