Actually my friend Liz found it, thought of me, and I couldn't wait to share it with you!
This 1950s handbag is manufactured by Saks Fifth Avenue and made in France. Isn't it fun? The bag is black leather and features brass plaques of Paris hotels; Ritz, Excelsior, Carlton, George V and Claridge. Paris hotels? Love that! I've never seen one like it. It measures 10" tall, 9-1/2" wide and 2-1/2" deep. 
But, of course they are! What other breed looks so regal dining with you?
When I was ten years old my parents bought me my first dog. It was a Toy Poodle, because (as Mom said) Poodles don't shed. I named him "Fluffy." From that point on, I've had a strong love for Poodles.
I've been told that Poodles "aren't real dogs" and that they're hyper and yappy. No, no, no, no. This breed is incredibly smart, playful and loving.
Originally bred as gun dogs, Poodles soon became beautiful elegant companions for the glamorous and creative community as well as the Royals.
When we bought our dog Vito (as in Vito Corleone from The Godfather--he's a fierce little guy), it was instant love. I thought it would be funny if he could dance the "Can-Can," but that didn't go over too well. Shouldn't a French Poodle be able to dance?
I'll admit, I'm not terribly fond of the "topiary" Poodle clip. There are so many cute clips, so Vito sports a "puppy cut."
Both Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette had beautiful Miniature Poodles.
Even Dame Elizabeth Taylor owned Poodles!
What breed is more fashionable than the Poodle, huh? (insert laughing out loud)
No other dog can match their uniqueness-- their prancing paws, perhaps a bit of an attitude sometimes. Poodles always remain my favorite breed. Now let's have a bit of brie, shall we?
I'm still floating on air from my recent visit to the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, Legion of Honor exhibit Pulp Fashion, showcasing the works of master paper artist, Isabelle de Borchgrave.
Inspired by many sources, including museum costume collections, paintings and her own extensive travels, Belgium based de Borchgrave and her assistants recreate iconic and historic gowns out of paper. Yes, paper.
I would have been stunned enough had these detailed pieces been made out of fabric, but paper? I was speechless...
Tears literally came to my eyes when I saw the gowns in the "white room." Absolutely spectacular!
The exhibit includes an array of reproductions of Fortuny, Poiret, and Chanel as well as Dior, Marie Antoinnette, and the Medici’s. This photo above is an installation of Palazzo Fortuny. All paper. Breathtaking in person.
"Imagine: filmy lens paper painted to look like lace, so expertly rendered that you have to take a second and third look to be sure it was not made from the finest cotton threads … paper convincingly painted to mimic linen, silk, embroidery, damask … buttons, jewelry, feathers, edgings, ribbons, even “straw” hats … all made from exquisitely manipulated paper." -Laura Tarrish
Okay, now we get to the GIVEAWAY!! I was so overwhelmed by this exhibit that I wanted to share it with you all. I thought, if you can't make it to San Francisco, I'm going to share it with you some way. So...
First place winner receives this book, "Pulp Fashion" by Jill D'Alessandro, the curator of textile arts at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. This book highlights three of de Borchgrave's most beloved series: Papiers a la Mode and the Fortuny and Medici collections.
Second Place winner receives this Pulp Fashion exhibition poster of Marie de Medici. Measures 18" by 24."Bonne Chance!
images: Legion of Honor, Felt & Wire
Let me introduce you to the icons of San Francisco, the Brown Twins. Marian and Vivian Brown (born January, 1927) are identical twins known for their signature identical stylish outfits and hats atop their meticulously coiffed hair.
The Browns pretty much have a cult-like following in San Francisco. Someone is always taking their picture. They've often been in the media, including television ads. I've even seen them on greeting cards.
This pair came to San Francisco from Milwaukee in 1970, and remind me of what the City (all cities) used to be like. Elegance and class. Heavens no, they wouldn't step out the house without lipstick!
The Browns used to drive twin Oldsmobiles; white with black dashboards. They drove them off the parking lot at the dealership at the same time.
The twins reside in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. Just before 6 p.m. every Monday, Vivian and Marian Brown walk arm-in-arm up Powell Street to Uncle Vito's restaurant. Once there, they wait in chairs side by side for table No. 2, where they split a small pizza with everything on it and a slice of carrot cake. Each gets her own glass of Merlot. Isn't that the cutest?
So if you happen to be doing some holiday shopping in downtown San Francisco this holiday season, keep your eyes open for the Brown sisters. They are absolutely delightful and we're so lucky to have them as part of our eccentric city!
To celebrate spooky Halloween week, I thought I'd post these haunting photos from the October issue of Harper’s Bazaar. They feature characters from filmmaker Tim Burton's past movies; The Night Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands & Beetlejuice -- the models bedecked in designer clothing and accessories.
The spread is called, "Magical Fashion" and the photos were shot by the talented Tim Walker.
The spread is in anticipation of Tim Burton's career retrospective at New York's Museum of Modern Art from November 22, 2009–April 26, 2010.
To see all of the photos, visit Harper's Bazaar. And, thanks Lisa Golightly for turning me on to this eerie and fabulous spread!
Awhile back I did a post about fashion photographer, Tim Walker. Thanks to a fellow blogger who pointed out that I inadvertently included some photos by Eugenio Recuenco. Oops.
Recuenco is famous photographer from Madrid, Spain. His works includes film, advertising, and print media. In Spain he shoots exclusively for Vogue. His amazing work captures your imagination and every single picture tells a story.
Recuenco's personal style is known to be called ”cinematographic” and “pictorial"
These photos above could be right out of the 1920's. He captures the Art Deco era beautifully.
Note the photo on the left imitating Tamara de Limpicka's famous painting, Girl in a Green Dress. What brilliant work.
Eugenio Recuenco's work is decadent, don't you agree? You can check out his extensive portfolio here.
I'm captivated by the beautiful photography of Tom Palumbo. Born in Italy in 1921, Palumbo was highly recognized for his photography for Vogue & Harper's Bazaar in the 1950's and 60's.
Tom Palumbo in the early years...
I love his black and white photography...Evening Gowns, Bazaar
One of my favorite photos of the great model, Anne St. Marie in San Francisco, 1964 (Palumbo was married to Anne St. Marie at the time the shots were taken)
An outtake for Bazaar, mid 1950's. "Velvet jacket. Velvet shoes."
Bazaar outtake, July 1958. Great colors...
Harper's Bazaar, 1956/57. "Perfect for Sailing"
Outtake for Vogue...fabulous!
Outtake for Sak's Fifth Avenue...
The Lady and her Butlers...
Outtake for Bazaar...
Anne St. Marie, outtake for Vogue, circa 1960
Palumbo died in 2008. Prior to that he set up his own Flickr gallery. In over 100 fashion photographs, you can peruse outtakes from professional magazine assignments. They are all organized in separate galleries. Extraordinary! He even gives descriptions of the photos, and includes his early and later work. You can view them here. Someone needs to publish a book on this man's work!
