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
Galeries Lafayette move to Champs Elysées
Galeries Lafayette probably chose the most dramatic times to open their new flagship store on the Champs Elysées but Minister Bruno Le Maire insisted, in his inauguration speech, on the Renaissance of the avenue with this magistral cathedral of design. A department store conceived like a museum, this is not new in Hong Kong or in Japan or even in … Read More
Jean-Jacques Henner and red hair, a missed opportunity
It sounded like a great idea! To celebrate red headed women in painting in one of the prettiest 19th century houses of the 17 th arrondissement, the superbly renovated home of Jean- Jaques Henner. But I should have been alerted by the subtitle of the exhibition “From J.J. Henner to Sonia Rykiel”. Well if you have never seen any work … Read More
Colombian luxury illuminates our lives
Lucia Echavarria was born in Paris from Colombian parents and studied at Brown then trained at MAD in Paris, the Guggenheim and Christie’s. Four years ago she launched Magnetic Midnight, her collection of precious gilt palm straw handbags and headpieces. She has now added belts with tassels and black velvet to complement in winter her summer creations. With her first … Read More