Last week I was transported back in time to golden age of fashion when women wore more delicate, feminine clothes and didn’t dare leave the house without a hat and matching gloves. Les Anneés 50/ The 1950s- Fashion in France, 1947-1957 follows the metamorphosis of post war fashion in France, starting with the revolutionary New Look collection from 1947 by Christian Dior, who single handedly changed fashion forever for the modern woman. Dior flattered a women’s figure by cinching the waist, accentuating the bust, and flaring the skirt. Dior’s fashion and accessories became so popular in the 1950s that sales from the company contributed to the GDP of France.
I poured over the collection of over 100 outfits, carefully taking in the all details. I was also amused by the vitrines of chic hats, gloves, and shoes. Although the daytime outfits were beautifully tailored, they sometimes looked dated, where as the sensational evening gowns and dresses were timeless, looking as though they could be worn on the Red Carpet today. I reveled in the world of strapless bodices, billowing embroidered satin, and immaculately draped chiffon, wishing I were in black tie dancing at a ball with a grand dame wearing one of these heavenly creations.
It was great fun reliving the heyday of designers such as Jacques Heim, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, and Jacques Fath plus the new kids on the block Pierre Balmain, Jacques Griffe, Hubert de Givenchy and Pierre Cardin.
Till November 2
Palais Galliera
10 Ave. Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75116
Metro: Iena, Alma-Marceau
Open Tuesday to Sunday 10AM to 6PM, Thursday till 9PM
http://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en/exhibitions/50s
My Paris Apartment for Rent
I am renting my fabulous Paris apartment in the heart of the Marais near St. Paul metro, from November 30 to December 16, a total of 17 nights. It's a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft style apartment with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator.
The price is 2800 euros/165 per night for 17 nights, 1500 euros for 7 nights, and anything in between 7 & 15 nights, 175 euros per night. Minimum rental 7 nights or 1500 euros. Photos upon request.
Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.
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: 185 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.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 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
