Arts + travel

Optical History and Adventures in Amsterdam

6th September 2011 Brilmuseum in Amsterdam is a paradise for eyewear lovers. This quirky, enchanting little museum is a celebration of 700 years of eyewear that includes historical frames, optical instruments, posters, photos, and much more. Mijke Teunissen, the fourth generation of a Netherlands optical family says: “The goal is to illustrate the history, art, culture and development of spectacles.” The adventure begins with eyewear from the 15th century through to the amazing designs from Pierre Marly in the 1960’s, to the acclaimed designers of today – Lafont, l.a.eyeworks, J.F. Rey, Oakley, Christian Roth, Judith Leiber, and many more star-studded names. Repeat visits to this oasis of eyewear fascination is always a pleasure.  www.brilmuseumamsterdam.nl

If Amsterdam isn’t on your immediate travel itinerary, the next best way to “visit” is to get a copy of Spectacles & Sunglasses published by Pepin Press/Amsterdam www.pepinpress.com JG

3rd August 2011 The museum shops in London are great for buying presents and other more unusual decorative items, art or ideas for children. The V&A in London is one of my favourites, along with the National Portrait Gallery shop.

The V&A has an online shopping site with a wide range of stationary, and they have recently added the distinctive Christian Lacroix stationary range….which includes notebooks, notepads and journals with a flamboyant style. Every purchase supports the museum, an even better incentive to pass by…www.vam.ac.uk or www.vandashop.com CN

Le Grand Trianon Versailles France

1st August 2011 Fashion exhibitions in museums span the globe.  Yojhi Yamamoto was a big success at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Madame Grès has crowds flocking to Musée Bourdelle in Paris, and Sporting Life is a hit in New York City at The Museum at FIT. As Suzy Menkes wrote in The International Herald Tribune: “Fashion has developed from being a passion for a few to a facination – and an entertainment – for everybody”.  A beautifully appointed show has recently opened in the glorious setting of The Grand Trianon at Versailles  – The 18th Century Back in Fashion. In the luxurious château, the clothes are displayed in the splendid settings of The Grand Trianon rooms, where Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, and friends once lived. The elegantly curated exhibition, by Olivier Saillard, includes designs from Vivienne Westwood, Azzedine Alaïa, Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Lacroix,(featured above, photo by Marcio Madeira) Givenchy by Alexander McQueen, and Thierry Mugler among others. The opulence of clothes worn by Marie Antoinette and the grand ladies of that period, are skillfully interpreted in 20th and 21st century versions with superb embroidery, variations on  hoop skirts, and luscious fabrics. In addition, there are accessories from the period on display – shoes, bags, fans and belt buckles.  The 18th Century Back in Fashion is a historical voyage that illustrates how fashion is a vital part of cultural heritage, social history and design. Marie Antoinette would probably relish the fact that the style setting influences of her time still inspire creativity two centuries later. Until 9 Octobre 2011 at The Grand Trianon at Versailles. www.chateauversailles.fr JG