Winter Fashion Shows / January in Paris
Hi Everyone,
It’s that time of year again, the depths of winter in Paris, gray and snowy. And as I write this, it has snowed for the past 3 days, and although snow is a nuisance in any city, it is beautiful here, and I love it. And it has been VERY cold!!!
As I’ve written to you before in previous years, in January, there are the Haute Couture fashion shows. In years past, Haute Couture was a VERY big deal, the shows lasted for a week, there were many “Haute Couture” houses, and there were four or five shows a day to show the creations of the various houses. It was a flurry of fun activity running from one show to the next, with movie stars and presidential wives present, well known women on the best dressed list, and a glittering crowd with invitations to see the show. (Even now, you can only go by invitation). What distinguishes Haute Couture from other kinds of fashion is that every single item is handmade. EVERY stitch, hundreds if not thousands of hours go into the embroideries, the sequins, the construction of the clothes, exquisitely made, the samples are shown on the runway by models, and everything has to be special ordered, what you see is only a sample of the dress, and the samples usually go into the archives and museums of each designer, and are rarely sold. The people who work on these clothes do 12 years of apprenticeship before they are allowed to work on the clothes. It is a dying art. Now most of the houses that made these clothes have disappeared, one by one (St. Laurent, Balmain, and others), and there are really only two Haute Couture houses left: Dior and Chanel. Both make ready to wear clothes too (shown during Fashion week in February/March), but these two houses still create these remarkable clothes that are truly part of a dying art. The clients of the past have vanished, the prices are exorbitant because of the intense workmanship involved, and there is very little market for them, but putting on these shows twice a year still showcases the remarkable skill involved, pays homage to the best of French fashion, and is wonderful publicity for the houses that make them. Millions of dollars are involved in the production of these events, both to create the setting, and produce the clothes. And it is a treat to be there to see it. You can look up these shows on style.com to get a feeling of it. I have gone to see them since I was a very young girl, and still find it exciting to see what they’ll come up with every season.
In January, they show summer clothes, and at the July show, they show their winter collection.
I saw the Dior show first, on a snowy evening, with snow and ice on the ground, a tent had been set up in the garden of the Tuileries, entering off the Place de la Concorde, in front of the famous Louvre museum. And it was about a two block hike, slipping and sliding to reach the tent, which was comfortable and well heated, with bleachers for everyone to sit. This was the second collection by Raf Simmons, the new designer at Dior. His first was last July in an extraordinary setting in a house, where each room was ‘tapestried’ with flowers, as though the walls were made of flowers, each room in a different color, pink, white, blue, etc. It was amazing. This time, there was a garden effect, with bushes that had been planted in a kind of maze pattern, where the models walked around so everyone could see the clothes, and they were very pretty. The models are very tall, frighteningly thin, and walk past expressionlessly (by tradition) so as not to distract from the clothes. They stare straight ahead, walk in towering high heels, and the models at Dior yesterday had a thick layer of red glitter on their lipstick, which made them look almost like dolls. And the clothes were very summery and kind of ‘dreamy’, in pastel colors, flowing fabrics, a lot of strapless dresses, and a very summery look. The collection struck me as very young looking, all of it would have looked gorgeous on my 4 daughters in their 20’s, but none of it would have looked great on me. It looked like a collection for young girls. The new designer for Dior is Belgian, and has been there for less than a year. Previously he designed for Jil Sander, a German designer, where he did strong ready-to-wear clothes which I loved, wonderful basics, good colors, and terrific clothes for every day. Now he is designing Dior’s ready to wear, and the Haute Couture, and I’m sure it is very difficult to enter a new design firm, at a very old established house which has its own style. He is emerging gently into the world of Dior, without making a bold statement. The clothes were really lovely and delicate, and looked beautiful on the models. Traditionally, there is always a wedding dress at the end of an Haute Couture show, and this time there were four, one more beautiful than the other, mostly white with touches of the palest pink. The wedding dresses were truly gorgeous!!!
The show that Chanel put on today for their Haute Couture collection was entirely different. Chanel makes a big splash with every show they put on, whether for ready to wear or Haute Couture, sometimes literally in terms of the ‘splash’ (A few years ago, they flew in an iceberg from Sweden as part of the decor, and kept the building bitter cold to preserve it before they flew it back to Sweden the next day. I can’t even imagine how you fly an iceberg anywhere!!! The base of the iceberg melted a little during the show, and the models paraded around the iceberg in 6 inches of icy water in high heels, many of them losing shoes, and never missing a beat, a step, or batting an eye. It was quite a show!!) Chanel’s decor for their shows is always amazing. An uninhabited ‘planet’ a year ago, with volcanic rock everywhere and a look of desolation with giant crystals standing in sand, an enormous gold lion one year, last winter the entire interior of the setting was made to look like an airplane with videos of clouds, drifting past the ‘windows’, totally amazing. This time, they had set up a summer forest, that looked like it might have been near a beach. You walked in among live trees (to the recorded sound of birds) and the models walked through sand beneath the trees. It was a beautiful fantasy that set the tone for the summer collection. And the dresses were spectacular, lots of black and white, and color, incredible beading and sequins, with clothes that would look gorgeous on women of every age. There was something for everyone in the Chanel collection, there always is. The designer leaves no one out, and everyone sat dreamy eyed as they watched it, especially knowing the workmanship that went into it. There were roughly 60 or 70 outfits shown, each one complete with jewels and accessories.
Chanel is designed by a remarkable man, Karl Lagerfeld, he is German, and has designed for Chanel for many years. Somewhere around 80 years old, he also designs for his own label, also for Fendi, does museum quality photography, and designs Chanel both ready-to-wear and Haute Couture, several collections a year. His clothes are fabulous and his talent immeasurable, as witnessed yet again by the show I just saw in the tree-lined beach setting at the Grand Palais. It was a truly beautiful show, with a little twist for the wedding dress in his show too. Two identical wedding gowns were worn by two beautiful models, with a 5 or 6 year old boy in a white satin suit walking with them, so the impression was that of twin brides, which was a very pretty closing for the show. Mr. Lagerfeld came out briefly at the end of the show, with his snow white hair tied in the ponytail he always wears with a black ribbon. And as always, he delivered a fabulous show!!!
Another element struck me this time, as I watched both shows, and it’s not a new concept, but I thought about it more than previously. Many French men (and Europeans) have had mistresses as far back as the court of Louis the Fourteenth and long before. Divorce was impossible in European (Catholic) countries (France, Italy, Spain, and others) until recent years, so men stayed married and had mistresses. And even some allegedly ‘happily’ married men had mistresses as well, often much younger than they. And the trend of much older men, with very young pretty women is not new either, even in the States. Hugh Hefner, at 86, recently married a 26 year old woman, a 60 year age span between bride and groom, unusual perhaps, but variations on the theme are prevalent these days, and perhaps always were among successful men who have much to offer a young woman materially. There are no more expensive clothes than Haute Couture, and designing them for very young women is a big statement on the customs of our times. Some designers of Haute Couture design for very young girls, who can’t possibly afford the clothes, which leads one to believe that older men allied with very young women are buying those clothes—they are surely not buying them for their middle aged wives, if the clothes are geared mostly to young girls. Designers like Lagerfeld, on the other hand, are designing for those lucky young women who have older, substantial men to buy clothes for them, and for a more mature client who can afford those clothes as well. There are not a lot of clients for Haute Couture these days, but it’s nice to see collections that everyone can wear, at a broader range of ages. In any case, as always, I thoroughly enjoyed the shows, the workmanship, the beauty of what are really works of art, and at the same time, in some ways, reflect the customs and mores of our times. In its own subtle way, fashion has always reflected what is going on in the world. Take a look at style.com if you want to see the clothes. They are truly beautiful!!!
Love, Danielle
Leave a Comment
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
Reading your blog becomes my have moment of the week. I have more interest in fashion than before. Thanks so much for the time writing blog every week.
Reading your blog is my favorite moment of the week. Thanks so much.
Dear Danielle,
Thank you for the blog! It is great to read about the fashion shows, and your own thoughts about them! I’ve enjoyed so many of your books and i also love being a mom. You are truly amazing to do all that you do for so many. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us!
Hi Danielle!
My husband and I are in training as Spiritual Directors and I have a background in psychiatric nursing. We also have worked for a couple years with the homeless in Camden, NJ. My husband is treating me to a trip to San Francisco the first weekend in May and we would like to do some volunteer work for the homeless while we are in the city. Who would you recommend we contact?
Also, thank you for writing A Gift of Hope! It caught my eye as I was standing in a very long line at Target one day that wound it’s way through the book aisle! It is a book that captured my heart from the first sentence. Thank you for being a voice for the homeless. Blessings! Rosemary
Hello: I’m on vacation at a resort and they have a free library for the patrons to use–very nice! I’m reading your book Legacy and came across a reference Morman library–page 53. The correct title is the Family History Center – LDS Church. They are open to anyone who would like to do genealogy,plus there is no charge.
Hi Danny – on the previous blog Downton Abbey was a great series – although I could only see Season 1 because Netflick doesn’t have Season 2 yet – it was Great – I loved it. Getting back to this blog – Diors new designer – Belgian I’m sure will do great. When you mentioned the wedding dress’s – it reminded me of the beautiful dress’s I saw at a shop on Columbus Ave near the old Aliotta building – near the financial district. They were stunning with custom flowers sewn on the dress’s- the shop has a bunch of dress’s on display – I’ll get the name of shop later. As for the Old Playboy – i’ll keep my mouth shut – hahaha – have a good one- mike
Color Full Balloons have own functions. Con su creciente popularidad, Balloon App Venezuela sigue evolucionando y mejorando, añadiendo nuevas funciones y mejorando la experiencia de juego. The primary objective of the Balloon Game – Capital Quiz is education through entertainment. It effectively combines elements of gamification with educational content, making it easier for learners to grasp concepts they may otherwise find dull or difficult to memorize. This approach not only enhances retention but also promotes active learning as users are prompted to think critically as they engage with questions about capitals. Balloons Pop Mania Además, Kids Balloon Pop Game Free cuenta con un modo nocturno para que los niños se relajen explotando globos antes de irse a dormir y, simultáneamente, podrán aprender las letras, los colores y los números.
https://metroad.in/resena-sobre-el-juego-de-casino-online-balloon-de-smartsoft-para-jugadores-en-colombia/
El globo 1win es un inusual juego instantáneo de crash diferente a todo lo que hemos visto antes. Aunque es sencillo, cumple su función de hacer divertido el juego, ya que es muy similar a los juegos de crash tradicionales, con algunos cambios menores y mayores. Los jugadores no tienen que pensar mucho lo que tienen que hacer cuando cargan el juego por primera vez. Regístrate ahora en 1win y recibe un bono de bienvenida en tu primer depósito de hasta el 500% y hasta 781.350 CLP. Si tienes un código promocional, ¡estás de suerte! El código de bono proporciona recompensas adicionales en Balloon y otros juegos. Puedes utilizar el código promocional al registrarte. Para ello, introduce el código COL1WIN en el campo especial, tras lo cual la bonificación se abonará en tu cuenta. ¡Juegue con dinero real y gane en royal Balloon 1win! ¡La rentabilidad de los pagos (RTP) es del 95-98%! Se trata de una cifra excelente para un juego en línea. El objetivo del Balloon viene del nombre – el jugador tiene que inflar el globo tanto como sea posible y no dejar que estalle. A medida que se infla el globo aumenta el coeficiente por el que se multiplicará la apuesta. El objetivo del juego es retirar el dinero antes de que el globo estalle.
Majestic casino codigo promocional y bonus code 2025 Uno de los grandes elementos disuasorios para usar tarjetas de crédito prepagas es la cantidad de tarifas asociadas con ellas, ya sea que sea un jugador experimentado o que recién esté comenzando su experiencia de juego. Секреты успешных ставок и выигрышей с 1win Промокодом на фриспины – promo4win Richard ha proporcionado su tarjeta bancaria y dos comprobantes de domicilio a GGbet, los rodillos que contienen los iconos ganadores permanecen (se adhieren) en su posición. El número de líneas de pago no es fijo y las apuestas por línea de pago oscilan entre 1 y 20 créditos, mientras que los otros rodillos se ponen en movimiento para otorgarle la oportunidad de obtener mayores recompensas. Otras funciones de la Tragamonedas en Mar del Plata.
https://villa-kedros.com/tips-y-trucos-que-realmente-ayudan-en-lucky-jet-de-1win/
Una gestión inteligente del bankroll es importante para minimizar las pérdidas financieras durante el proceso de juego. Divida su bankroll en varias partes y establezca una apuesta para cada juego. Establezca una cantidad máxima que esté dispuesto a gastar jugando a la tragaperras Penalty Shoot Out y no la supere. También es importante que te controles. Las ganancias y las pérdidas pueden ser muy volátiles. Una mente clara es la clave para preservar tu bankroll. Así que no apuestes todo tu dinero a la vez. La habilidad para controlar tu bankroll y saber cuándo parar son claves para jugar con éxito a la tragaperras Penalty Shoot Out. El juego rápido Penalty Shoot Out Street de 2023 del estudio Evoplay es la tragamonedas ideal para usar varias estrategias. Se ofrecen a los usuarios esquemas de apuestas pequeñas y grandes, tácticas progresivas y otras opciones de juego. Al elegir una estrategia que se adapte a tu estilo de juego, puedes esperar resultados efectivos.
PLAY RESPONSIBLY: jetxcasino.games operates independently and is not affiliated with any of the sites we recommend. Before engaging with a casino or placing a bet, make sure you meet all legal and age requirements. The mission of jetxcasino.games is to provide content that is both informative and entertaining. This is provided strictly for informational and educational purposes. By clicking on these links, you will leave this site. Multiple factors contribute to why 1Win stands out as the top choice for JetX players. The 1Win JetX application download provides seamless game access on desktop and mobile platforms which guarantees smooth play at any time and place. Users can enjoy JetX without interruptions because of the casino’s mobile-friendly interface and responsive design. Looking for a Gaminator daily free bonus code? You are in the right place. This is a special Gaminator page with current bonus offers and free coins, which we update daily. You can get each coins only once. Also here are all the links from the official Gaminator page. They work perfectly and are manually checked.
https://olaalobali.com/more/aviator-game-by-spribe-how-to-open-without-errors-a-players-guide/
As each bet is placed, the amount staked and the number of players betting on either dragon or tiger are displayed in the betting area. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage at Comerica Park with this Special Ticket Package. Packages include limited-edition Hispanic Heritage jersey and game ticket to see the Tigers battle the Braves. And you can find a Hispanic specialty food item for purchase during the game. +92 423 2082029 Dragon Tiger online casino is designed to replicate the atmosphere and thrill of a real casino, allowing you to engage in virtual betting and compete against millions of players from around the world. The game mechanics involve you placing bets on either the Dragon or Tiger side, predicting which side will have the higher card. Dragon Tiger online casino is designed to replicate the atmosphere and thrill of a real casino, allowing you to engage in virtual betting and compete against millions of players from around the world. The game mechanics involve you placing bets on either the Dragon or Tiger side, predicting which side will have the higher card.
PG Soft Jogo Responsável Onde jogar Fortune Mouse Onde jogar Fortune Mouse PG Soft PG Soft Inicio » Slot Demo PG Soft Grátis Se você quer saber como o Jogo do Tigre funciona, veio ao lugar certo. Aqui, explicaremos como jogar o Fortune Tiger Game e dicas para entender melhor o funcionamento do game. Lembre-se que o jogo de azar ou jogos de cassino e de cassino são destinados apenas para maiores de 18 anos. Jogue com responsabilidade. Inicio » Slot Demo PG Soft Grátis Jogo Responsável Onde jogar Fortune Mouse Se você quer saber como o Jogo do Tigre funciona, veio ao lugar certo. Aqui, explicaremos como jogar o Fortune Tiger Game e dicas para entender melhor o funcionamento do game. Lembre-se que o jogo de azar ou jogos de cassino e de cassino são destinados apenas para maiores de 18 anos. Jogue com responsabilidade.
https://www.chordie.com/forum/profile.php?section=identity&id=2332551
Ou seja, se você optar pela Superbet, VBET ou pelo Betnacional, você terá o mesmo retorno, já que todos os Fortune Tiger possuem o mesmo algoritmo. O Sonic5k.br é o seu novo site brasileiro favorito de comparação de cassinos online. Você pode encontrar guias úteis sobre o e-gaming, novidades sobre os cassinos e principalmente críticas dos nossos especialistas em gaming. A nossa missão é criar a maior comunidade de jogos online no universo do gambling. Os minutos pagantes do fortune tiger nada mais são do que minutos específicos durante o dia que o jogo do tigre aposta costuma pagar prêmios mais altos aos jogadores..A ideia é que esse post seja bem curto mesmo e sem enrolação.Então vamos lá…. A slot machine Fortune Dragon da PG Soft traz o poder dos dragões míticos para o centro do palco. Com gráficos deslumbrantes e animações imersivas, esta slot de 5 rolos promete uma experiência inesquecível para todos os jogadores. As apostas começam a partir de 0,20 $, oferecendo acessibilidade e emoção para todos os perfis.
Very good blog post. I absolutely love this site.
Continue the good work!
Sweet Bonanza har skapats av spelutvecklaren Pragmatic Play. Enligt oss var detta den första spelautomaten som verkligen fick upp våra ögon för dem. Vi hade redan varit intresserade av deras spelsläpp men de hade inte ännu lyckats lansera någon spelautomat som verkligen imponerade på oss. Det var efter lanseringen av Sweet Bonanza vi verkligen började ta dem på allvar. Givetvis fungerar Sweet Bonanza Candyland att spela i mobiler och tablets. Idag är i stort sett alla casinospel skapade för mobiler i första hand. Gems Bonanza har kaskadfunktion och klustervinster, vilket är alltmer populära funktioner i slots. Det finns flera andra spelautomater som påminner om Gems Bonanza på många vis. Rujak Bonanza är en extremt roligslot där du kommer att få din del av kakan om du bara har lite tålamod. Dessa bonusar har redan utnyttjats av tusentals spelare, och de är så populära eftersom de fungerar perfekt tillsammans. Denna slot erbjuder också en något högre RTP än Sweet Bonanza och ett mer moget tema som definitivt kommer att locka vissa spelare.
https://www.plotterusati.it/user/mayforrearthhind1971
Motorway Release Master Tillverkaren har utrustat slotten med ytterligare funktioner. Onlinespelet har en speciell wild-symbol och ett bonusspel. Dessutom kan spelarna dra nytta av bonusar och kampanjer på nätcasinot. Genom att använda en Double Bubble-kampanjkod när du spelar kan du få free spins eller extra pengar i present. Spelet har en demoversion. Därför kan du spela Double Bubble Slot utan att göra en insättning. Alla bonusar som casinot erbjuder kan användas för att spela. Alla svenska spelare kan spela double bubble triple jackpot slot. Det är ett exklusivt erbjudande som gör Double Bubble ännu mer spännande och underhållande. Genom att spela Double Bubble Jackpot Slot kan spelaren vinna enorma summor pengar. Men det finns betydande allmänhetens motstånd mot förslaget lokalt, vilket innebär att jackpotten ökar varje gång någon spelar spelet.