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Paris: Portrait of a City

1st April 2012

History of Paris in Iconic Photographs

1st April 2012 Paris is always an alluring and captivating subject for photographers. Now the city’s grandeur and photographic magic has been assembled by one of France’s most distinguished photography connoisseurs – Jean Claude Gautrand. The book includes 500 photographs of Paris, an anthropology of 160 years, and a fascinating voyage of the city. People, places, historical monuments, and everyday objects are captured with discerning eyes, with images from illustrious photographers – including Lartigue, Doisneau, Cartier Bresson, and many more.

There are also images by unknown photographers – people who captured a moment, a scene, a memory – all uniquely Paris. Published by Taschen, the book is available in English, French and German. Paris:Portrait of a City is a beautiful and vibrant tribute to the City of light and love. www.taschen.com JG

Images: Top photo – Copyright Izis Bidermanas merry-go-round in the Jardin du Tuleries, 1950

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

Photo above: Copyright JH Lartigue The actress La Pradvina in the Bois de Boulogne 1911

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Trend Series:Spring’s Statement Sunglasses

30th March 2012

Bocca by Face à Face

30th March 2012 Designer Pascal Jaulent at Face à Face enjoys designing frames that are beautiful and elegantly crafted, plus adding a bit of daring, drama and humour. Bocca – a Limited Edition of only 200 frames – has a hint of Mae West’s aura – a bold, glamorous, feminine design with volume, sensual curves and an enticing cat eye form. The feel of the acetate is sensuous as well – masterfully combining technology, luxury and beauty. A true collector’s item! www.faceaface-paris.com JG

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Arts + travel

Marni collection of 100 chairs, Milan

27th March 2012

27th March 2012 Marni is to present, during Salone del Mobile 2012 (the Furniture Fair held in Milan), a collection of 100 chairs. Made in Colombia by ex-prisoners, the chairs consist of metal structures and multi-colored PVC threads featured on the backs and arm rests. They are linked to the “L’Arte del Ritratto” project through a photo exhibition created in collaboration with the photographer and filmmaker Francesco Iodice. The chairs are used as a background for a series of portraits of Marni teams from different departments. The chairs will be shown at the Marni Boutique and its courtyard, in Milan during the Furniture Fair (17 to 22 April 2012). www.marni.com CN

Boutiques

Les Artisans Lunetiers Paris, France

21st March 2012

Libraries and Books are Inspiration for Boutique

21st March 2012 Literary Paris glows with memorable writers – Marcel Proust, Alexandre Dumas, Honore Balzac, Alfred Musset and Jean-Paul Sartre – to mention a few. Women shine too – Colette, Françoise Sagan, Simone de Beauvoir, and in the 18th century, the often criticised, but highly intelligent and entertaining Madame de Staël. Their works still grace bookshelves – and Kindles – to this day.

So it was this aspect of history – writers, books and libraries – that launched Les Artisans Lunetiers, a charming “bijou” eyewear boutique on The Left Bank – the spiritual home for writers. The shop is the concept of opticians Christian Mathurier and his sister Laure, and features a tantalizing mix of retro and modern frames, including Waiting for the Sun, Lafont, and Beausoleil, among others. The atmosphere is that of a cosy library. If prose – as well as glasses – is your passion, a favourite quote, a little word or line of poetry can be engraved onto the frame temples. The engraving is done on site, in the first floor atelier. Customers are invited to choose their own quote, or avail themselves of noted author’s quotes. A memorable gift idea! www.lesartisanslunetiers.fr JG

Arts + travel

A New Light on Tiffany: Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls

1st March 2012

Renowned Works of Tiffany Studios at Flagler Museum,

Palm Beach, Florida

1st March 2012 Palm Beach holds cherished memories for me – the incredible expanse of sea and silky white beaches, the Mediterranean-style homes, shopping on Worth Avenue, and the stunning Flagler Museum. When American industrialist Henry Flagler’s Gilded Age estate in Palm Beach was finished in 1902, the New York Herald hailed it as “more wonderful than any palace in Europe….”. Now the former private dwelling is a beautiful museum, currently showcasing “A New Light on Tiffany:Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls”. Behind the famed glass designs of Louis C. Tiffany was a small brigade of women, headed by Miss Driscoll, who was responsible for many of the masterpieces now inextricably linked to the Tiffany name. The Daffodil Shade (above) was probably designed by Clara Driscoll, circa 1900-06. The Crutch Oval base, circa 1900-06. (Courtesy of New York Historical Society, Gift of Dr. Egon Neustadt)

Clara Driscoll was a prodigious writer who wrote voluminous letters to her mother and sister – providing a first-hand account of the inner workings of Tiffany Studios. There are more than fifty lamps on display, plus historic design drawings, sheets of Tiffany glass, and the tools used to make the intricate shades. What is also pleasant to discover, is that Mr. Tiffany demonstrated steadfast support for his women workers- not very common in the 20th century. If your travels take you to America’s East Coast, this is an exhibition that will impress and delight. The Flagler Museum at any time is a joy. Through 22 April www.flaglermuseum.us JG

(Wisteria Lamp photo courtesy of New York Historical Society, Gift of Dr. Egon Neustadt)