We'll Always Have Paris

Notre-Dame Cathedral

When my husband and I were first offered the opportunity to go to Paris in December, we almost turned it down. Paris is a city I've always wanted to visit, but I hadn't imagined going in winter. With the urging of friends and family, ("Are you crazy? You have to go!") we quickly changed our minds and our schedules and we were on our way.

The Louvre

I did a lot of reading and planning in the month before we left and had a list of "must see" sites that included the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, the D'Orsay and Pompidou museums, Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle cathedrals, and the window shopping on the Avenue Montaigne that I showed you last week.

One of the windows of Sainte-Chapelle

The lower chapel of Sainte-Chapelle

We arrived in Paris early one morning while it was still dark after flying overnight. After a short nap, we were ready for adventure and Paris delivered a new one every day. Each morning upon waking, I would check the weather, grab my pile of tour books and maps and crawl back under the covers to plan a framework for the day. We would see one or two of the sites from our list, but then we would also explore and wander off the beaten path and away from the tourists. This is how we found our two favorite restaurants, Chez Pommette on rue Lepic and Le Square Trousseau on rue Antoine Vollon and how we found the incredible chocolatier John-Charles Rochoux whose tiny square truffles are pure decadance.

This is also how we were able to find charming streets, alleys, and squares that make Paris....well, Paris. Each time we turned a corner, we were met with another enchanting view to make us smile with wonder and glee.

La Tour Eiffel from Trocadero

And the grandeur of Paris' various monuments exceeded our expectations. Our vocabularies were filled with the words, "Wow!", "Look at that!" and "Oh my!" at each turn.

Arc de Triomphe

Golden horses at Pont Alexandre III

The gargoyles of Notre-Dame

We traveled the city on foot and via the Metro, which is the finest subway system I've ever used. We never waited more than 2-3 minutes for a Metro train, no matter the day, the time, or the station, and there was always a station within a few minutes walk of wherever we were when we decided to end our explorations for the day.

A charming café in Montmartre

At the end of our stay, we agreed that our trip to Paris was one of the best vacations we've ever had. Our memories of our first visit to Paris will last us a lifetime. As Rick said to Ilsa, "We'll always have Paris."

Weekend Eye Candy - Christian Dior, 1949

Staying warm in a Christian Dior red wool coat with black fox fur at the sleeves, 1949.

Weekend Eye Candy - Valentino, 1966

Model Verushka wears Valentino's rainbow striped maxi coat, 1966.

Window Shopping on Avenue Montaigne and Avenue George V, Paris

Let's continue our window shopping stroll down the Avenue Montaigne in Paris, shall we? Click on the pictures for a larger view!

Roberto Cavalli window

Escada window

Nina Ricci window

Valentino window

Around the corner we go to Avenue George V, where Balenciaga's original couture house is located. The store is very understated and has no fancy window displays.

And there is just one of each garment on the rack.

Across the street is Yves St. Laurent, but it appears that this location is closed. The only Yves St. Laurent stores listed in Paris now are on Rue de Fauborg St. Honore and at Place St. Sulpice.

Our shopping tour ended there, but we continued our walk up to the Champs Elysees, which has turned into a shopping street that caters to tourists. There I saw the relatively new and huge Louis Vuitton flagship store. By the way, the only people who carry Louis Vuitton bags in Paris are tourists. Parisian women wouldn't be caught dead carrying anything with a logo.

Window Shopping on Avenue Montaigne, Paris

On my recent trip to Paris, my dear husband indulged me with a stroll down the Avenue Montaigne for some window shopping. Of course, I had to bring you along. Click on the pictures for a larger view.

While the original Chanel flagship store is on Rue Cambon, the large store at 42 Avenue Montaigne is at the epicenter of arguably one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world.

The windows are tastefully decorated for Christmas, but the mannequins are wearing spring designs for 2011.

I fell in love with the Coco dolls in one window. We went inside the store to inquire about them, but they are not for sale. Karl designed them just for the windows of a few stores. I imagine they will be used as gifts for very important clients. Sigh.

Gianfranco Ferre window

Emilio Pucci window

The Christian Dior store occupies just as important a spot as Chanel on the Avenue Montaigne and has equally large and numerous windows.

Dior Haute Couture Cruise 2010/2010

Christian Dior gown completely covered in pearls and beads.

Christian Dior Haute Couture Cruise 2010/2011.

More tomorrow!

7 Important American Designers, 1954

So often we read about American fashion designers from the 1950s, and we love to drool over the clothes they made, but we have no idea what the designers themselves looked like. I stumbled across this photo which was part of an ad for Chrysler cars in 1954. The ad headline states, "7 top fashion designers find Chrysler Corporation's 1955 cars a stimulating new concept of good design."

Click on the picture to enlarge and you'll see the faces behind the clothes.

From left to right: Tim Brigance, Anne Fogarty, Clare Potter, Lily Daché, Nettie Rosenstein, Pauline Trigere, and Claire McCardell.

Party Dresses - 1959

Are you going to a holiday party this weekend? Do you have your dress picked out yet? Today, looks from 1959.

Luis Estevez emerald green silk strapless ball gown with bow at waist. Sold for $225 in 1959 (about $1,691 in today's dollar.) Love the brooch worn at the waist.

Henry Rosenfeld white brocade dress with a full skirt and bow at front. Sold for $18 in 1959 (about $125 in today's dollar.)

Emma Domb bisque taffeta strapless gown with beading at the bodice and a matching stole. Sold for $85 in 1959 (about $639 in today's dollar.) Check out those angled folds at the top of the skirt!

Rappi white silk strapless sheath with an aquamarine floating panel at the back. The bodice is embroidered. Sold for $125 in 1959 (about $940 in today's dollar.)

Kay Selig emerald satin strapless bubble dress. Sold for $50 in 1959 (about $376 in today's dollar.)

Anne Fogarty white satin sheath with matching coat lined in Rex rabbit fur. Rex rabbit is lush and soft and mimics chinchilla. There's another brooch worn at the waist. Sold for $350 in 1959 (about $2,631 in today's dollar.)

Florence Henderson - 1954

Did you guess? This photo of actress Florence Henderson was taken in 1954, when she was starring in her first role on Broadway in Wish You Were Here. She started with a walk-on role in 1952 and was playing the title role of Fay by the time this photo was taken.

Of course, Henderson is best known for her television role as Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch.

This year, Henderson had a lot of fun when she appeared on Dancing With the Stars. Not bad for 76!

Weekend Eye Candy - Mme. Gres, 1957

Blue silk satin evening gown and matching cape by Madame Grès, 1957.

Weekend Eye Candy - Paquin, 1944

Ivory tulle fashions an ethereal evening gown. The bodice is decorated with gold sequins. Paquin, 1944.

Guess Who?

Can you guess who this young starlet is? The photo was taken in 1954. Answer on Monday!

The Look for Parties - 1965

What's the news in party looks for 1965? Beads, beads, and more beads. Metallics and pink. Big, big hair. Heavy eye make-up and pale lips. Bold jewelry.

Sophie of Saks white lace cocktail dress with beaded lace jacket. Necklaces by Star of Siam.

Mollie Parnis cocktail dress in beaded net that floats over a nude crepe lining. Huge pearl ring by Schreiner.

Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner pink mohair suit completely covered in pink sequins. Suit came with the pink silk blouse. Necklace by K.J.L.

At left: Sarmi red silk satin gown with a bow on one shoulder. Earrings by Mimi di N, rings by Schreiner.
At right: Sarmi golden jacquard silk one shoulder dress. Bracelet by Hattie Carnegie, earrings by Apex Art.

Larry Aldrich red and gold brocade cocktail dress edged in beaded embroidery. Sold for $225 in 1965 (about $1560 in today's dollar.) White mink bubble hat by Halston.