Chanel Exhibition

Chanel Exhibition on Euromaxx, Deutsche Welle

The first exhibition ever dedicated to a perfume is for Chanel No. 5, at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris

Valentine

I thought I'd be much better at blogging when I came to America, but there are just so many exciting things to do here that I don't have enough time to update this often. But today, in honour of Valentine's Day; which is so prominent a celebration here; are some photos of a 40 square metre mural that features the endearment 'I love you' in more than 300 different languages of the world. The wall made of 612 tiles is at the centre of the Abbesses garden in Montmartre, Paris. It was designed by Federico Barone and Claire Kito.

Paris women finally allowed to wear trousers

Article from BBC

Paris women finally allowed to wear trousers

The French government has overturned a 200-year-old ban on women wearing trousers.

The Minister of Women's Rights, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, said that the ban was incompatible with modern French values and laws.

She said the law, imposed on November 17, 1800, had in effect already been rescinded because of incompatibility.

The move to formally repeal the law followed a parliamentary question asked last year.

According to the law, women needed to have the permission of local police if they wanted to "dress like a man" and wear trousers.

Though it has been ignored for decades, formally it remained on the statute books.

Ms Vallaud-Belkacem said the original law had been intended to prevent women doing certain jobs.

"This order was aimed first of all at limiting the access of women to certain offices or occupations by preventing them from dressing in the manner of men," she said.

It was modified in 1892 and 1909 to allow women to wear trousers if they were "holding a bicycle handlebar or the reins of a horse".

During the French Revolution, Parisian women had requested the right to wear trousers and working-class revolutionaries became known as "sans-culottes" for wearing trousers instead of the silk-knee breeches preferred by the bourgeoisie.

Vintage Christmas Window Displays

Vintage Photos: Holiday Window Displays at Stores Around the World on Conde Nast Traveler here.

United Kingdom, 1907

Washington, D.C., 1930

New York City, 1939

New York City, 1947

New York City, 1950

Sophia Loren, Rome, 1953

Paris, 1965

Hamburg, 1980

Dior Noël au Printemps

Dior Noël au Printemps - Christmas Windows

One day I will have to return to Paris in December to see all the enchanting window displays.

L'Invitation Au Voyage

Louis Vuitton's campaign video, L'Invitation Au Voyage, stars Arizona Muse and Musee du Louvre

Paris' FIAC Art Fair

Paris' FIAC Art Fair on Euromaxx, Deutsche Welle

Musee d'Orsay

A photograph taken from inside the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, one of the most beautiful galleries I have ever visited. Unfortunately we could only take photos from inside this cafe, and not of any of the artworks, but the gallery holds many of the world's best paintings and sculptures.

L'illusionniste

L'illusionniste is a beautifully enchanting French animation directed by Sylvain Chomet. The film is based on an unproduced script that was written in 1956 by Jacques Tati,  a French mime, director, and actor. The story is about an illusionist who is struggling to make a living in Paris, who moves to Scotland and while there, meets a young lady who is convinced he is a real magician, and to whom he becomes a father figure. It is believed that Tati's script was written as a love letter to his estranged daughter. The animation is delicate and atmospheric, setting the soft, sad tone of the film; enhanced by little dialogue but a perfect score. A wonderful film for a rainy evening.

Eiffel Horses

Robert Doisneau

I couldn't find the details of this photograph; if anyone has them, please send me a message!

Le ballon rouge

Le ballon rouge (The Red Balloon) is a French short-film directed by Albert Lamorisse in 1956, starring his son, Pascal Lamorisse. It tells the beautiful and sweet tale of a red balloon that has a life of its own, following a little boy around the streets of Paris.

In 1956 it won the Prix Louis Delluc, Best Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival, and in 1957; an Academy Award for Best Writing/Original Screenplay and the BAFTA Special Award.

Lorelai and Christopher in Paris

I was busy making some steel-plate etchings and watching Gilmore Girls when I was greeted by some fabulous scenes of magical Paris. Still so enchanted by the city. Surprised at how often the French get a bad rep for their attitude to tourists, and especially English-speakers; but I had absolutely no trouble at all when I was there. Pretty much everyone I met and came across was lovely and helpful; one French lady even thought I was a native Parisian and asked me directions in French! If anything, it was some of the American tourists who were annoyingly demanding and loud. Extremely excited to go there again one day.