More Wandering and Paris Haute Couture Exhibit

Tuesday June 25 started cloudy, but actually warmed up and there were pockets of sun.  Our landlord came over and fixed the internet problem, replaced some light bulbs and was very helpful.  Our friend Shirley from Toronto is staying with us until next Monday and brought the sun from Vienna, where she had been last.

Shirley in the apartment

We headed out to see the Paris Haute Couture exhibit at City Hall.  Along with approximately 100 couture dresses, the exhibit features photos and videos that track the creation of a couture piece from "conception to completion."

Poster

Roger Vivier for Christian Dior 1954

Display of couture dresses

There was a great pair of 1936 gloves with gold talons by Elsa Schiaparelli, who said "In difficult times, fashion is always outrageous."

Gloves by Schiaparelli (1890-1973) - 1937

Madeleine Vionnet signature dress

Christian Lacroix (b.1951)

Pierre Cardin and Chanel par Karl Lagerfeld

There were a lot of wonderful pieces from the 1890s until the present day.  All on loan from Galliera, Musee de la mode a Paris, which has been under renovation for a number of years.  There were also photographs of the many specialty ateliers for haute couture, including beading, feathers, etc.

There was a store nearby that sold Trippen shoes (from Germany).  Shirley tried on a pair that she may go back and purchase.

Trippen shoes

We then stopped for lunch a L'As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers.  One of the best street foods ever.

Alain and Shirley with their fallafels

After a bit more window shopping in the Marais, we stopped at a companion exhibit to the Paris Haute Couture exhibit called 1931 Face-Dos-Profil, at the Galliera du Credit Municipal de Paris.  It featured a number of drawings, photos and a few pieces of clothing all with the 1931 date.  A small exhibit, but an interesting snapshot of the early 1930s fashion.

Exhibit info

Alexandrine- gloves 1931

Madeleine Vionnet dress

Mainbocher Cape su soir en fourrure 1931

Jacques Heim: Robe d'Apres moi Revolution Hiver 1930-31

We then continued to wander over to one of our favourite food streets- Rue Montorgueil.  We stopped at Stohrer, where Alain picked up a chocolate eclair for dessert.

Outside of Stohrer

Among the best eclairs in Paris

We stopped at Cafe Pere et Fils on Rue Montmarte for a break.  Shirley had chocolat chaud, Alain had cafe creme and I had a kir violette.  The sun was out and it was lovely sitting outdoors.

Shirley pouring her chocolat chaud

Alain and Toby 

We continued our walk to another great passageway, Galerie Vero-Dodat, where we stopped at the Paris store of one of my favourite Italian jewellers, Angela Caputi.  Ms. Caputi is now 74 and still designing.  Her daughter was in the store and Alain took a photo.

Toby and Angela Caputi's daughter at the store

We passed the Ministry of Culture building, which has an amazing cover of steel mesh, designed by architect Fancois Soler.

Ministry of Culture building

We stopped for a moment at a beautiful building on Place du Louvre, Beffroi de la Mairie (Belfry of the Town Hall of the 1st Arrondissement).

Beffroi  de la Mairie

There were a few sculptures by Victor Gingembre outside the Town Hall.

Erotic Bridge by Victor Gingembre

Stained glass window in the Belfry

We stopped and admired the windows at renowned chocolate-maker Patrick Roger on Blvd. Saint Germain.  Hand-sculpted ape, with an environmental message.

Chocolate selection at Patrick Roger

All over Paris, we saw folks doing inventory at their stores and preparing for the Paris sales which run  from June 26 to July 30th, although most of the action takes place in the next few days.  Some stores were even closed for inventory and the shops have been mostly empty this week, except for those having pre-sales for loyal customers.

Closed for inventory- getting ready for the big sale

Signs going up in the stores

We walked back to the apartment, where Alain made us another great fish dinner (Shirley made a lovely basil, garlic sauce).  We all had different chocolate treats for dessert.  It was still light at 10:15 as we finished dinner.  I finished the post this morning (June 26) just as Alain came back from an 8.6 km run with a fresh baguette.  First morning in a while with blue sky and sun.