Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn, Paolo Roversi

 

Thursday was a double-header. 

I hit 2 fashion photography shows in one day.

How to Buy a Paris hat

The week before Christmas some friends came to Paris. I offered to show them some fun shops.

Chris is French so I knew she'd love this imaginative hat shop in the 6th. Remember I showed you this hat Christmas tree?

Marie Mercie 23, rue St. Sulpice 75006
Both Chris' husband and I said we were too intimidated to go inside.

Naturally Chris marched inside like she owned the place

I followed behind.

Her husband wandered off somewhere.

Chris says this shop is what the French call 'fantasia'.

And full of fantasia it is.

A lovely retro yet contemporary bow hat.

Did the designer see this bow Bonbon perfume? bows are everywhere in French design.

I was busy taking in all the wonderful designs.

The amusing display setups.

Like visiting someone's apartment that happens to be full of hats.

Designer Mercie is good friends with artist Hippolyte Romain. He designed her business card.

Meanwhile Chris asked, "Do you have a hat for me?

Immediately the vendeuse picked out the perfect sculpted beret-style hat for her.

I was oooing and ahhing with enthusiasm.
"This is the perfect hat for you.To a T...Utterly chic...bla bla bla".
Chris was pensive. Especially when we heard the price. She decided to think about it. We met her husband waiting outside. Then went on browsing more shops leaving him to go to the jardin Luxembourg.

Pastry shapes that look perfect for hats. I'm not the least bit intimidated going into patisseries like elegant Gerard Mulot. I got the boule de neige(snowball) filled with meringue and red fruits. I wish I was more intimidated.

When Chris returned home her husband had a surprise. The hat! He said the vendeuse wasn't the least bit surprised when he popped in and asked to purchase the hat Chris liked. She said she wore the hat all night till they went to sleep 😴 

Sonia Delaunay, les couleurs d’Abstraction, MAM

Trying to paint a geometric 'Sonia Delaunay' watercolor is not so easy.

Everyone asks what's on in Paris  My secret: posters in the Metro. I shoot & stash photos on my ipad. I noticed the Delaunay show was opening the 17th at the Musee d'art Moderne. I ran 🏃‍♂️over the day before and caught the press preview. I was lucky 🍀 

This is a huge and beautiful retrospective.

Delaunay lived to be 96 and never stopped producing art.

Her husband, Robert Delaunay, is perhaps more famous and that's her doing.

He died at the beginning of the Second World War in 1941. She promoted his paintings assiduously,

Continuing to work in a multitude of mediums including fabrics, home furnishing, fashion.

I don't know if Delaunay turned her hand to kitchen design (cuisine). If you want a break mid-show, go to Smack in the Palais de Tokyo - my favorite quick lunch places in the 16th on Avenue President Wilson. Healthy, yummy, reasonable.

Delaunay was a prolific fashion designer first herself. And then, because of demand, for others.

Her gouache sketches are simply wonderful.

Her designs were perfect for the theatre & dance - brilliant colors and graphic geometric patterns

This is a don't-miss show . You will leave inspired.

More geometry and bright colors 

These might well be the perfect colors to wear to the Delaunay show.

Printemps has lit up the entire store.

I was turned upside down by the jazzy bright colors.

Don't miss the jazzy religeuses at Cafe Pouchkine inside Printemps.

Witty fabric patterns. 

There's a new accessory floor (the 4th) and LE SNEAKER is the IT shoe.

Downstairs crazy patterns from Kenzo and cupcakes from a Sugar Daze pop-up shop. Or get your geometric kick (licorice Allsorts) in a red-striped bag at the outdoor stall at Metro Odeon.

I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience. 

Sign up to receive whimsical treasures in your mail.📮

Thanks for reading PB ❤️

☕️ If you’d like to support my work, you can buy me a KO-FI here  ☕️  ❤️ Thank you so much!

Drees van Notan/Berber Femmes de Maroc/musée YSL

Two fashion exhibits closely related in my opinion - The Berber women of Maroc at Musee YSL - I've been passing in the Metro now that I'm back on three feet and Drees.

With all your encouragement you have me sketching like a Banshi. Wonderful small show at the YSL-Pierre Berge Fondation.

Weaving, potter, jewelry, clothing of Berber women of Northern Morocco from the museum on YSL's Jardin Marjorelle in Marakech chosen from a collection of over 400 pieces. It's easy to see how these influenced St.Laurant's designs in a deep, inspired way.

The exhibits at the Fondation are usually small but elegant and inspiring. Plus they have a terrific, affordable little gift shop upstairs - I always find something to delight.

A multi-media presentation of traditional clothes and adornment. beautiful objects—carpets, cloaks, woven belts, necklaces of amber and coral, silver brooches.

Berber women wore intensely decorative clothing

With a geometrical twist reminded me of Calissons d'Aix candies.

And layered effects just like the Haribo bonbon stand at Odeon.

Over at the musee arts Decoratif the Drees Van Notan exhibit (extended through Nov 2) has it's Moroccan and bonbon tendencies.

Pattern on pattern, embroidery and sparkle thrown on top.

Rock influences and a slew of contemporary painters plus other fashion designers are on display at Decoratif.

Vivenne Westwood's famous 'Happy' hat for Pharrell Williams.

Dior's 1947 New Look will be forever, shown here again next to a Yves Klein blue nude.

Pinched-in waists

Were picked up and carried on when YSL took over the Dior Maison.

The forever bow/noed at the waist

YSL's 1979 swirly taffeta robe de soir is an homage to Diaghilev. References, references. 

More baubles and beads 

Cherry red dresses remind me of...the July Paris Sketch letter and eating cherries nonstop for a month to get in the mood.

Yesterday robsmelbatoast asked,

"Paris Letters? Do tell please!"

You can read all about it on Etsy. Meanwhile I'm playing with my new yellow La Poste truck. Someone is "going postal'!