March 2011
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By Clodagh on March 18, 2011
Paris Retrospective
The eternally elegant, always turbaned Madame Grès, is truly one of the great masters of Couture. Her designs are carved like sculpture. In fact, she wanted to be a sculptor, and she constantly said, throughout her long and productive life (1903-1993) that “working with fabric or stone is the same thing.” She was born Germaine Krebs, and fashioned herself Madame Grès, a woman whose sense of purity, simplicity and timelessness, is still an inspiration for couturiers and designers today. Madame Grès, Couture at Work, is the first Paris retrospective of this grande dame of style. More than eighty of her luxurious designs, along with original photos and drawings are on display at the Musée Bourdelle www.bourdelle.paris.fr. Her creativity and figure-moulding drapery, plus her choice of superb fabrics are uncompromising. For fashion and social history enthusiasts, this exhibition is a must. 25 March-24 July 2011. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Galliera hors les murs au musée Bourdelle Madame Grès, la couture à l’œuvre, 25 mars – 24 juillet 2011. Photo: Grès, Robe du soir, vers 1947. Fourreau à dos nu triangulaire. Jersey de soie noir. © Stéphane Piera / Galliera / Roger-Viollet.
Posted in City guides, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on March 10, 2011
Legendary Pianist Performs Schubert
Daniel Barenboim is not only an amazing musician, pianist and conductor, he is an amazing person. At the age of ten, he gave his first international solo concerts in Vienna and Rome. His conducting debut was in 1967 in London, with the Philharmonia Orchestra. For eighteen years, he conducted at Bayreuth, the prestigious summer festival devoted to Richard Wagner. Oxford University bestowed an honorary doctorate in 2007, and he is renowned for the creation of the Western-Eastern Orchestra, with the Palestinian literary scholar, Edward Said. Young musicians in this ensemble perform internationally every summer. Barenboim’s book Everything is Connected reveals his “raison d’être” and belief that music brings people together. Run, don’t walk, to get a ticket for this evening of piano music by the acclaimed maestro. His fluid style and skillful interpretations are memorable. Sunday 13 March JG www.teatroallascala.org
Posted in City guides
By Clodagh on March 10, 2011
Welcome to our third edition where we take a style journey to Milan, as we are visiting MIDO, the largest exhibition of all optical fairs which takes place in March each year. So a selection of our stories this month focus on Italy.
Meanwhile, due to enthusiastic feedback from our new readers, we will be posting regularly throughout March..we will be picking out some of the exciting pieces we preview in Milan, as well as reporting on what we believe are some of the treats in store for Spring/Summer 2011.
Posted in Home, Intro
By Clodagh on March 10, 2011
‘Trees’ Series – Theo by Tim Van Steenbergen
24th March, 2011 Here is one my favourite new sunglass collections for Spring/Summer…the ‘Trees’ Series from Theo by Tim Van Steenbergen. The radiant colours are inspired by nature and the metal temple refers to the structure and textured patterns of a tree trunk. This concept is reflected in the names of the sunglasses…Oak, Beech, Pine, Maple Spruce and Ash.
Belgian fashion designer Tim Van Steenbergen (www.timvansteenbergen.com) has created a clothing collection which tells the story of “the lady gardener,” who loves nature and likes to be a part of it. The designer is inspired by the way flowers and plants move and grow. The same ideas are developed in the ‘Trees’ Series. Just as in the fabrics, various natural colours reappear in the glasses – for example, green and brown. He also refers to natural materials such as horn, wood and marble. Sparkling floral colours such as red, purple and coral complete the range of colours.
To complement the luxurious design of the series, Theo has chosen Zeiss sun lenses for quality UV protection. The lenses feature a “rock-hard” 5-layer antireflection coating. A very special addition to a very creative and beautiful collection. CN
www.theo.be
Posted in Category header, Design and Inspiration, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on March 10, 2011
Trend Watch: Round is here to stay
22nd March 2011 After viewing the new collections in Milan this month, I realised that the round styles that are having a revival just now are likely to be here for some time. We have reviewed a number of special interpretations of this shape earlier this month, and since then I’ve been looking out for more ideas on how to wear this look today…one of the brands that has incredible images of French women in designs on this theme is the very chic French label Anne et Valentin.
This memorable photograph (above) shows beautifully the way in which this French company has captured a design of the past with a strong retro flavour and brought it into the present. The frame featured here is called Buren; it is a totally brilliant statement design, that converts the intellectual overtones of this shape into glamour and style. To see more inspirational imagery from the look book by Anne et Valentin, including many soft, feminine oval and round shapes for 2011/12, visit the website www.anneetvalentin.com CN
Posted in Home, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on March 8, 2011
A Limited Edition from the legendary sunglass brand
19th March 2011 Inspired by the Roadster sports car and its details, such as the rounded shapes of the car’s air vents, the Persol Roadster is a new release available in two models (GT and TF) and five colours. It is an aviator in acetate with a special riveted metal feature on the top of the front piece which ties in with the classic metal hinge. A sturdy design with the traits you’d expect from a Persol classic, each of these is said to take around 30 days to produce and undergoes “between thirty-five and thirty-seven manual steps” before completion. I have popped in to David Clulow today to take a look at the style – the combination of classic Persol features with new contemporary design details plus the Photo-Polar (polarized/photochromic) lenses works well. To get a feel for this frame, and to view it from all angles visit the link www.persol.com/uk/collections/roadster/ft. Retailing at £234.00 in David Clulow. CN
Posted in Home
By Clodagh on March 8, 2011
Couture Horn Collection
17th March, 2011 TD Tom Davies has launched a couture eyewear collection in one of nature’s most beautiful and luxurious materials – natural buffalo horn. This is an exclusive service for made-to-order glasses. A unique aspect is that customers can select their own pieces of horn from which the glasses will be created. Taking approximately eight weeks to handcraft, the finished product is the epitome of original customization. Angelina Jolie and Kevin Spacey are among Davies’ fans. It’s easy to understand why! In the UK, the frames are available exclusively at Gregory & Seeley, 63 Fleet Street in London (www.gregoryseeley.co.uk), or fittings are available by private appointment at TD Tom Davies +44 (0)208 392 0555. Launching this week at New York’s fashion and medical eyecare event, Vision Expo East (www.visionexpoeast.com). www.tdtomdavies.com JG
Posted in Home
By Clodagh on March 8, 2011
The name says it all
15th March, 2011 The eyewear company Theo has given a whole new meaning to the word round….with these adventurous collectible spectacles…known as theOphabet, featuring capital letters….it’s an irrestistible design which we love for its eccentricity combined with technical prowess. For more awesome, eccentric styles from Belgium and lots of wearable styles too, go to www.theo.be
Posted in Home, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on March 8, 2011
Cutler & Gross
13th March, 2011 Green is an up and coming colour, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more and more of it next season (A/W 2011/12)….but for now, I have picked out this refreshing Spring green in high-quality acetate from the UK’s Cutler & Gross. Their ‘Mermaid and the Officer’ collection for S/S 2011, which is inspired by “a beautiful seductive sea siren” includes this classic shape (model 1009) which gets a makeover in translucent seaweed green. It’s a fresh alternative to more traditional tones, and a perfect transitional style to take you from Spring into Summer. For more information (and for the relaxing sound of seagulls on the beach when you click onto the site, part and parcel of the ‘Mermaid and the Officer’ story), visit www.cutlerandgross.com CN
Posted in Home, Uncategorized
