*where Lolita is the diminutive form of Lola, itself a diminutive form of Dolores. Dolores = suffering.

Friday 30 September 2011

Paris, 2.1

From the concept store 'merci' on Boulevard Beaumarchais to

an Afro-Antillaise market off Rue de Bretagne to

the museum of hunting and nature (!) to

a star-studded Colette

This day was a full day. Amen.

Entrance at 'merci' - you can get a glimpse of the store's
large book collection and cafe
One of the many vintage pieces of furniture found at 'merci'

Afro-Antillais & cajun... Lovely colours
(Can't help thinking maybe the palette of the
chair above is Carribean-inspired)

An installation at the entrance of the
Museum of Hunting and Nature
The museum is characterized by a blend of interactive installations.
Old hunting guns and flasks lie in wait in art deco furniture drawers.
Modern sculptures are interspersed among the 17th Century artifacts.

This is a cardboard installation - one of the modern additions of the museum.
A while later and we were back at Rue St. Honore -

which was filled with fashion personas -

Anna dello Russo outside colette
Terry Richardson is showing his photo exhibition 'Mom&Dad' at Paris' hottest concept store.

the colette bus - see the Terry Richardson signature?

Paris, 2

Ever wondered who on earth designed the following wigs/hair accessories/hair styles/hats worn by Lady Gaga?



His name is Charlie le Mindu and he is the 'haut coiffeur' behind the notorious 'lips' headpiece

and I was lucky enough to go to his Spring/Summer 2012 show, where he presented his newest collection called 'Burka Curfew'.

The first model was naked

besides a headpiece - what I interpreted as a phallic take on the Moroccan fez

Cobra head

back of cobra head

Headpiece and hair dress. Yes, real hair.



Thursday 29 September 2011

Paris, 1

The day started off in disarray.

I hauled myself to three wrong bus stops before finally finding bus stop Y which took me to King's Cross.

Not really. It stopped at Euston to my dismay. I hauled myself to KX on foot.

I got to Paris. It was sunny. I stepped outside the Gare du Nord and couldn't stop smiling.

Got lost for a while. Reached Gare de l'Est.

Went summer shopping at H&M because the weather is freakishly great.

Then started my epic underground journey. Turns out, there actually was a direct line linking my place of origin with my desired destination. An hour later, having suffered a shameful fall in the Parisian metro and having changed direction four times, I finally got there. 

It was all worth it.

Offerings of grumpy woman taxi driver
(who thought we were Italian and refused
to speak any other language besides Italian.)


View from Cafe de Flore at St. Germain de Pres
Projected arrow on the street...
Boulevard St Germain
...pointing to digital messages inside a building
Sonia Rykiel window
(for the love of knits!)


Sonia Rykiel window
(eerily reminiscent of Prada?)

Prada Spring/Summer 2011
That's all for now.

Wednesday 28 September 2011

The face

 The face, the face
your face, their face
your nose, your eyes
your ears your highs

From an optician's window on Fleet Street

From an optician's window on Fleet Street
(the Poirot face)
 


Kika Ioannidou handbag
Bloomsbury

Kika Ioannidou handbag 2
Bloomsbury
Hidden face
(veggie face)
Marilyn on Dolce and Gabanna
(divine face)