What I love about France is it’s probably the only place in the world where a collection of buttons is classified as a Work of Major Heritage interest by the Consultative Commission on National Treasures.
Loic Allio, a button historian, collector, and author of the book Boutons (with forward by Hubert Givenchy) has lent his collection of over 3,000 buttons to the Musée des Arts Decoratifs for the exhibition Debutonner a la Mode.
The knockout show tracks the history of the button in chronological order from the 1800s to present day. Artisans including embroiderers, glass makers, ceramicists, jewelers and silversmiths produced these mini-gems and also inspired painters and sculptors such as Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Sonia Delaunay, and Jean Arp to create unique collections for the great couture houses.
The first floor ends in the 1910s with couturier Paul Poiret returning to the Empire line and it also has a fabulous collection of side button boots. Upstairs continues with the 20th century and the designs of Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli, Mme Grès, Givenchy, Balmain, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Yves Saint Laurent all sumptuously decorated with richly detailed buttons.
What I appreciated most about the show was so much history and art is packed into something the size of a coin.
Put this show on the top of your must see list if you are coming to Paris this spring or summer.
Till July 19
Musée des Arts Decoratifs
107 rue de Rivoli, 75001
http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/en/exhibitions/current-events-1322/deboutonner-la-mode/
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 195 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more. In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.
Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
