Strike Up the Band

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The super creative and lovely ...Love Maegan  linked up to my Ziegfeld Follies post on her blog this morning. Thank you Maegan!

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Her post is just beautiful. Here's a taste: It involves feathers and Louis Vuitton. Need I say more. Check out her gorgeous post about short film "Join the Fan Club" by Ruth Hogben. The film is a dream! 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Exquisite Finery

Blue Silk Ballgown and Red SIlk womens stockings, with Gold thread embroidery

Bonjour Mes Amis! Recently I wrote a post (here) about visiting the new Resnick Pavilion in Los Angeles for the opening weekend. I was in awe of all of the beauty and history surrounding me. It was a spectacular experience and I am so excited to share these pics with you. 

Edwardian Lace dress and kidskin gloves/A stunning uncut pattern on Silk

The first of the three exhibits that we visited was this amazing journey through time, "Fashioning Fashion" European dress through the ages. I cannot tell you just how incredible these items were in person.  

L. Blue Mademoiselles Giroux Dress c. 1880 made in LImoges France  made in the Princess Line, named after Princess Alexandria of Whales.

This stunning display exhibits European Dress from 1700~1915. All of the very most romantic eras are represented here and one could get lost in the glamour and the romance of it all.

I apologize for the hefty amout of photos in this post, I had a really hard time editing some out. I have loads more but decided to spare you! My best friend had my camera so I took these with my phone but you just can't hide the fact that the fashion was divine!

Fashion from some of the most famous and luxurious fashion houses and designers in history are on display: The House of Rouff, Émile Pingat, Giroux, and so many more. The above Pink gown is from the 1830's and is decorated with a sea of faux pearls that  would weigh down the sheer overlay and make a delightful clinking noise when the lucky wearer would move. The faux pearls are glass filled with a mixture of fish scales and glue. The story behind this is remarkable, I could do an entire post over the discovery of this process by a French rosary maker.

I wish I could write about each of these pieces, however, I think I would both bore you and take hours to write. Each piece has a truly remarkable history and the process of creating these works of art are incredible.

The contents of these Silk~Velvet lined boxes are amazing! The larger box contains jeweled buttons for a mens suit from the 1700's, the missing ones are on display on the suit next to this box. The smaller boxes contain jeweled shoe buckles! If I could only just hold one for a moment! Too beautiful!!!

I have been holding back writing that "this photo is my favorite"because it feels like they all are but I really do think this one is my favorite. Those bustles are fantastic and the colors! Oh my!

18th century Robe à la Française. Cream Silk with Handpainted details. The colorful florals are woven in to the fabric but the Green/Yellow leaves and bows are handpainted. Just amazing!

The thing that struck me most about everysingle piece I saw was the detail, the hadmade aspect of everything, the fact that every pleat, bead, ruffle, and delicious piece of golden passementerie, has been perfectly placed is mind blowing. Seeing gowns and suits worn at the most luxurious courts in Europe was a special and treasured treat. The true luxury of the textiles, lush trimmings, and artistry of each piece is intoxicating.

All of these pieces and so much more (a vest from the Revolution in France, children's clothing, capes lined in ostrich feathers, etc) are currently on display at LACMA in Los Angeles until March.

All Photos ~ Paris Atelier

My, Oh My!

Photo~SwankUnderpinnings on Etsy

Bonjour! Sending out wonderful wishes for a beautiful weekend to YOU all!

Image via Bubble Wrap My Heart

I plan on stealing away a moment to read a good book...

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and kick off my shoes! Happy weekend!!!!

I have two exciting posts in the wings! Stay tuned!!!

To Walk A Mile In These Shoes...

The Eila ~ Manolo's ~ Sigh

Bonjour My Friends,  I have been reading so many amazing posts by all of you who are either in Paris or just home from a visit there. I have to say that the photos, the stories, and the images of the food and people have me longing to go back more than ever! Oh how I wish I was in Paris!

Jimmy Choo ~ Super sparkly, super delicious 

So, thinking of Paris made me think up a faux itinerary in my head. Where would we (my bestie and I) eat, where would we shop, how many days would we spend in the country, how many in Versailles, how many gorgeous French men would we have to turn down for dinner dates.

~Donna Karan~

And of course...how many pairs of shoes would I need to pack!?! I know, I know, these are hardly practical to go meandering around the cobblestone streets with and hardly as chic as the Converse that everybody is wearing around town right now, but they are gorgeous.

Valentino~ Need I say more?

After all a girl needs to have tea at the Ritz and visit the ballet. Besides, doesn't a macaron taste even more delicious in a pair of Louboutins? 

I Love Loubou!

Photo via My Fashion Life

Bonjour my friends! After months and months of waiting...This morning I breathlessly typed in the website address....There it was ~ better than I ever could have imagined! The Christian Louboutin website !!! Okay, so it officially launched on January 29th, but I've been out of the loop lately and a little behind. It is fun, whimsy, and fabulous! Just like his shoes. I'm in love...with at least 30 pairs. *sigh*

From the Times

I was actually inspired to go look at the sight after reading Kelli's latest fabulous post at A Rendez~Vous With Style. She talks about Louboutin's Marie~Antoinette inspired collection. What could be better than that, Marie~Antoinette, shoes, and a French designer? It sounds heavenly to me! Thanks Kelli! A poke around her site is so much fun! I especially love all of the Parisian tidbits and vintage finds! She is a girl after my own heart!

The man and Legend~Christian Louboutin

Photo from the NY Times

The website was launched with a huge party in Paris (I wonder if the gift bags included a pair of shoes)? They set the city ablaze with fireworks and partied all night long. Louboutin was quoted saying that "dawn never looked so beautiful in Paris".

A Louboutin Boutique

The site is creative and fun! From the shoe collection with categories labeled as Total Madness and Extremely High Heels there is no shortage of eye candy! The section Louboutin World showcases the designers life story and gossip and press about the line and the designer as well as the Loubi blog! I love it. This must be what heaven looks like :)

Ny Times showcasing the Ribbon shoe!

The inception of Louboutin's trademark red sole is somewhat vague, but it seems that he was inspired to paint the sole of his shoe red after seeing an assistant painting her nails (red) while he was working on a shoe design. He immediately seized the bottle of nail polish and painted it directly on to the sole of the (prototype) shoe. Being pleased with the effect, he originally planned to paint all of his shoes with different coloured soles, however, after seeing the popularity of the red soled shoe he abandoned this idea, and allowed the red sole to become his signature.~Excerpt from Wikipedia

At the Rodarte show

I have yet to purchase a pair of these gorgeous shoes and in this economy think it might be a while before I do but it is so fun to look! Everybody needs a dose of luxury no matter what! Even if it is via the net :) Enjoy your dose for the day!

xoxo,
Judith~