Gasp + Giveaway!

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.

I just had to share some of the exhibit with you and then we'll get to the giveaway details at the end of the post!

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."

• To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below on this blog.

• Deadline to enter the giveaway is Wednesday, April 20th. Two winners will be randomly selected and contacted by e-mail after the 20th.
  

• Please include a link to your blog or email address in your comment for notification. Open to all readers!

Bonne Chance!

images: Legion of Honor, Felt & Wire

Groovy Stewardesses!

Just stumbled upon this fab image via Pinterest. These colorful uniforms were designed by Emilio Pucci for Braniff International Airways in the 1960's. The uniforms had loud designs and were made into many parts so the stewardesses could mix and match according to their own style.

Check out some more Pucci for Braniff here. Fabulous!

Decadestwo VIP Passes Giveaway

Decadestwo is bringing their Hollywood red carpet style to San Francisco for a pop-up shop, to be held at the historic Fort Mason Firehouse, Friday, June 18th – Saturday, June 19th. In case you are not familiar, Decadestwo is the international retail destination for luxury consignment. 1000 of the best designer consignment pieces from the world's best closets and some unique celebrity collectibles will be available for purchase at this event.

We were able to invite 10 of our readers to the VIP event on Thursday, June 17th, 6:00-9:00 p.m. First dibs on luxury items at incredible prices.

To enter this giveaway, please email DecadestwoRSVP@gmail.com and put "Paris Hotel Boutique" in the subject line. The first 10 replies will be notified and added to the VIP list.

And locals, don't forget the Pop-up shop on Friday & Saturday. I'll be there shopping for sure! Uh Oh!

Decadestwo Pop-up Shop
Friday, June 18th - Saturday June 19th
10 am - 7 pm
Historic Firehouse at Fort Mason
San Francisco

Mulberry for Target: No April Fool!

I just heard that Target is collaborating with the English luxury designer, Mulberry, for a new Fall line of handbags available in October. This is not a joke like my "Chanel for Target" April Fool!

Wouldn't it be nice if the bags were leather, not "pleather?"

Were you an 80's Fashion Disaster? I was...

The other day my friend Lisa and I were chatting about our hideous fashion sense during the 1980's. I think I was one of the worst offenders. BIG everything; hair, nails, jewelry, color, SHOULDER PADS. YIKES!

I am a bit self-deprecating, so thought I'd share some of my biggest fashion disasters with you. So sit back and grab a cup of tea stiff martini...and let's get on with the show!

I could never get enough of bejeweled anything! Bring on the sequins, glitter, rhinestones, studs, whatever. I particularly loved this outfit on the right. I was so proud when I spent a $$ on these whopping 4" long turquoise parrot earrings with rhinestones. Love the shoulder pads in the left photo...

Ah, does anyone remember those over-sized sweaters? So flattering, weren't they?



Bright, bright, bright! Get me some sunglasses...

I can't believe I wore that obnoxious rented gown to the Grammy Awards...I'm horrified...

You may be asking, why am I sitting with these people? I used to work for John Lee Hooker (on the right in the photograph). It was a lot of fun, but needless to say, so embarrassed looking back on these photos now. As Uncle Beefy so nicely put it, "The 80's called... they said you could keep the hair."

I know a lot of us have memories of the 80's and our crazy fashion sense.
Any memories of your own fashion disasters that you'd like to share?

I'm sure we'd all love to hear.

And if you have photos...please send over!

Shoe Love: Chie Mihara

Time for some new shoes??

I'm kind of coveting a pair of 1940's inspired shoes by Chie Mihara... Chie Mihara is of Japanese ancestry, but was born and raised in Brazil, and is most noted for her comfortable high heel.

I'm loving the layered bows on these shoes. Just wondering if I could walk in those heels?

Great color combo!

Now these boots look really comfy...

Chie Mihara shoes can be purchased directly from her website here, or other locations including Anthropologie. Warning...I didn't mention the price tag, did I?

First photo: 1950's LIFE magazine - photo Walter Sanders
Shoe photos: chiemihara.com

The Look of Vintage Lanvin

I've been wanting to post about this spectacular Lanvin book for some time now. I finally got around to taking some photos and wanted to share them with you.

If you love Lanvin, you must purchase this book published by Rizzoli and written by Dean L. Merceron. It traces the history of Lanvin, from its founding by Jeanie Lanvin in 1909 through 1946, the year of her death. Did you know that Lanvin is the oldest surviving couture house?

The book is filled with the most gorgeous photos of gowns & accessories from the Lanvin archive. You will not be able to put it down. It is a huge hardcover book, 368 pages filled with the most beautiful couture collections. Take a peek at some photos below... (please click on photos for enlarged views)...

Silk tulle skirt with silver bugle bead applique, Winter 1918

"Les Petites Filles modeles,: 1925.

Ruched black silk taffeta hat with single flower detail, at center front, of pink silk and white milk-glass beads. 1922.

Bodice of irridescent silk taffeta-taffetas changeant - in peach and light blue with chiffon rose detail. Jeanne Lanvin, 1910-12.

"La Cible." Evening blouse of pave sequins in a spiraling Japanese mon motif, Winter 1931.

Robe de style of Mrs. Stephen C. Clark. Pink organdy bodice and overskirt with white organdy border. Embroidery and milk glass beading. 1921.

Youthful organdy robe de style of lavender with white scalloped border-the-self-fabric flower detail and ribbon streamers are at center front. Around 1924.

Evening dress, 1927. Pink silk taffeta robe de style rests on a oval boned petticoat, trimmed in light blue silk taffeta.

Overall view and detail of "Marjolaine, " the quintessential robe de style of Lanvin. Apple green silk taffetas changeant is used to create an off-the-shoulder-drop-waist, full-skirted silhouette. 1920.

Metallic lame robe de style with built-in pannier structure. Silk tulle shoulder straps and hemline are bound in rose-colored velvet. Clusters of rose, lavender, and golden yellow velvet flowers are placed randomly on the skirt, and a larger corsage is placed on the bodice. 1922.

"Cyclone" from 1939, a two-tiered, full-skirted, smoke-gray silk taffeta evening gown with an 18th century inspired belted purse. Embroidered in silver sequins and seed beads as well as coral-colored daisy shapes. Close-up of beading detail.

Back and profile views of bridal headpiece to the ensemble "Hymnee," present in February 1927.

Black silk chiffon evening dress with plunging back neckline. Seven diamante bow brooches are the only embellishments on this otherwise simple design. Created for the collection of winter 1948-49.

"Concerto" cream silk crepe robe with separate black celluloid collar. Collection of 1935.

Young girl's full-length party dress of white organdy with self-fabric flowers hand-tinted in various shades of light pink. Spring/Summer 1937

"Bagatelle" dress and "Mazurka" cape. Silk satin evening dress. Winter 1935.

Bedroom of Madame Lanvin at 16 rue Barbet-de-Jouy, Paris

All photos from the Lanvin book, 2007, which you can purchase here.

1960's New York Fashion Designer's Apartments

John Moore, once a designer for Marilyn Monroe, was devoted to the cool glitter of crystal. Moore's Apartment (above) is lined with mirrors, a zebra rug and a black and white glass screen painting of a jazz band. The model wears Moore's white crepe evening dress.
Recently I was thumbing through an old 1963 Life Magazine that my friend had given me featuring fashion designer's homes. I thought I'd share these terrific photos! The three top New York designers at the time were Arnold Scaasi, Bill Blass and John Moore. Take a close look or click to enlarge the photos. Does anyone see a resemblance to today's decor?

Arnold Scaasi's living room (above) was two stories high with views overlooking Central Park. A rich melange of color and texture combining blue velvet banquettes, gilded chairs shaped like hands and an enormous wolf rug. The model in the photo has a strapless dress and stole make of a thousand silk petals.

Bill Blass's bedroom (above) is small but luxurious. Carpeted with fake ocelot fabric with a real leopard rug. The stool by the bed is covered with zebra. The pillows are a mixture of tapestry and print. On the table are owl figurines which Blass collected. There is a scenic wallpaper panel used in the place of a headboard.
Blass's living room (above) is predominantly beige to match the linen-covered sofa, and is surrounded by a terrace. He was a collector of paintings and the living room was dominated by the bold color of Andre Brasilier's paintings of jockeys, a perfect foil for the Blass-designed lime and white high-waisted evening dress worn by the model.
All photos courtesy of Life Magazine, May 24, 1963