Tuesday 27 August 2013

Dressing Up On Holiday: Versailles

Versailles

Greetings bloglets – sincerest apologies for my lengthy absence! I have now officially left La France and am back in Blighty for good (or for bad – you decide!) I said goodbye to Paris in a rather special way that I plan on sharing with you all in due course, but first I thought I’d do my second “Dressing up on Holiday (in France)” post.

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Golden Gate

As you may recall, I escaped the city a couple of weeks ago to go join my family for a mini-holiday near Paris. On my last day with them we visited one of the most splendid places ever to be produced by this (or rather, that) glorious country: the Palace of Versailles.

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Black and White floor

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers statue Louis XVI

The town of Versailles acts as a wealthy suburb of Paris, about 20 km from the capital. The palace there was the centre of power from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789 and is seen as the ultimate symbol of the ancien regime and the French absolute monarchy. The building itself began life as a hunting lodge for Louis III, but was expanded into one of the largest palaces in the world by Louis XIV. This was where the royal family and court lived until 1789 when they were moved to the Palais de Tuileries (which no longer exists) in Paris.

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers golden gate

After this, all of the furniture from Versailles was sold (I know, it breaks my heart too!) and the palace itself only survived because the Convention decided to keep it for the “public good”. The building then became a museum for all of the artworks the Revolutionaries had taken from princely homes and churches.

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers jewellery

Grand Trianon

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers jewellery garden

In its heyday, however, courtiers were forever vying for rooms in the palace for themselves and their families. Indeed, some historians have said it was more like a giant apartment block than a palace, perhaps even a hotel – since keys to each room had to be left when the lodging was vacated. Not a very good hotel though- they didn't even have toilets until 1768! The glitz and glamour of the 18th century, eh?

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Hall of Mirrors

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Mirror

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Grand Trianon

One of the most famous rooms in the palace – and perhaps in the world – is the Hall of Mirrors, construction on which was started in 1678. In a century where mirrors were extortionately expensive, this room acted as an indisputable reflection (heh) of the grandeur and magnificence of the Sun King’s reign. It was in this room that Louis XV met Madame de Pompadour – at a masked ball celebrating his son’s marriage. She was dressed as the hunting goddess Diana, he was dressed as a Yew Tree. Not an option that ever occurred to me at Halloween but one I will very much consider this year. Even I would dress like a tree if I could meet Mme de P – quelle babe.

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Petit Trianon

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Petit Trianon

One of the other two palaces on the grounds at Versailles – the Petit Trianon – was built for Madame de Pompadour, though sadly she died before it was finished. Instead it became the safe pseudo-rural haven of Marie-Antoinette who would come to escape the pressures of court or to play in the fake hamlet she had built nearby. The Grand Trianon (the second Palace on the grounds) provided another escape from court, this time for Louis XIV and his mistress. Parts of it were also used in the promotional video for Dior’s latest campaign. 

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Grand Trianon

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Grand Trianon

For this shoot, I took inspiration from Chanel’s 2013 Resortcollection – which was also Versailles-inspired.  I stuck to a similar colour scheme of red, white and purple and used my beloved net petticoat to form faux panniers (or, at least, I tried to). I went with BIG jewellery and trainers to give it a bit of an edge – though obviously, Chanel’s gold flatforms would have been better...

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Sun

Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Sun
Dress - H+M
Petticoat - Lindy Bop
Fake Vans - New Look
Necklace and Earrings - H+M
Sunglasses - H+M

As a tourist attraction, Versailles is stunning and, once you’ve gotten in, really rather well-maintained. But therein lies the rub... When we arrived, the first thing we saw was almost enough to put us off completely: the entire front courtyard was full of a HUGE snaking queue which some were saying they’d been standing in for upwards of two hours. Super. In fact, this was just the queue to get in, after you’d gone through the whole queue for tickets! SO – advice: 1) palace is closed on Monday, we went on a Tuesday and it was extra-busy – go later in the week; 2) book tickets in advance to avoid at least one queue; 3) get there early. Like, EARLY early. We arrived at about 11 and the queues were already insane. Otherwise, would highly recommend this gem. See you soon!


Versailles Chanel Red and White Panniers Sun

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Thursday 15 August 2013

Dressing Up On Holiday: Chartres


Hi all – sorry it’s been such a long time since my last post, the end of my time in Paris is fast approaching and it’s been a busy busy couple of weeks. Anyway, I wanted to share some pictures with you from the mini-holiday I took this weekend and tell you a bit about the first place we visited: Chartres.




Chartres is a small town about 50 miles/80km outside of Paris and, fun fact, it is twinned with both Chichester in the UK and Cusco in Peru. Although a lovely and thriving little town in its own right, Chartres is most famous for its incredible cathedral, which was the backdrop for one of this week’s photoshoot.





The Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres was mostly built between 1194 and 1250, and is widely regarded as the finest example of French gothic architecture there is. The building you see there today has changed very little since the 13th century and still boasts much of its original stained glass.





Not only that, the cathedral has also been a site of pilgrimage because it houses what is believed by many to be the Sancta Camisa, the tunic worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus. It also boasts a large “labyrinth” in the floor of the nave, which is uncovered once a month to allow pilgrims to practice the devotional ritual of slowly walking around it, praying.





Chartres cathedral has escaped not only the ravages of time (hey, 763 years leaves a scar or two, y’know) but also a couple of attack by the French themselves. During the Revolution, an angry mob started destroying many of the statues and the building only escaped after a concerted effort made by the townspeople to protect it. Then, during the Second World War and the German occupation of France, the French were all set to blow up the cathedral, believing it to be acting as an observation post for the Nazis. Only the bravery and initiative of a US Army Officer saved it, with Colonel W. B. Griffith offering to go behind enemy lines and verify that the cathedral was not being used. This he duly did, and this magnificent structure was saved.
Top - ASOS
Skirt - H+M
Shoes - Vintage Louboutin, Rokit London
Necklace and Earrings - Oxfam
Sunglasses - Marks+Spencer



And thank goodness it was, because it really is beautiful inside and – at less than an hour from Paris by train – well worth a visit. That’s all for tonight folks, stay tuned for another exciting holiday post this weekend.



Tuesday 30 July 2013

Week 27: Moulin Rouge


Moulin Rouge

Well, I couldn't put it off any longer, this week I felt it was time to combine one of my favourite parts of Paris with one of my favourite films of all time to give you… the Moulin Rouge shoot!

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red

That's right folks, for week 27 (on the 27th of the month – clever huh?) I donned my flounciest petticoat and sashayed on over to the world-famous cabaret with this week's photographer (AND make-up artist) Very Talented Cousin.

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red

The Moulin Rouge ("Red Windmill") was founded in 1889 by dynamic duo Charles Zidler and Jospeh Oller. These gifted businessmen had an acute understanding of the public's tastes and new exactly how to turn their dance-hall into a money-making miracle.

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red poster

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red poster

Nestled at the foot of the Butte de Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge aimed to provide a fabulous escape where the rich and powerful could slum it with bohemian artists and flirty dancers in one of the most fashionable districts in town.

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red bike

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red bike

Taking its name from the multitude of windmills which graced the top of the Montmartre hill from the late 17th century, the cabaret is probably most famous for being the "spiritual birthplace" of the cancan. Although the dance had been around since the 1830s it reached high fame at the Moulin Rouge where famous dancers –such as La Goulue – made it raunchier than ever.

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red Chanel tattoo

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red Chanel tattoo

La Goulue – or The Glutton – was one of cabaret's main attractions. Although also known as "the Queen of Montmartre", she got her principal stage name from her habit of downing customers' glasses as she danced by their tables. A close friend of Auguste Renoir, the posed for many of the quartier's artists and was painted many times by Toulouse-Lautrec. She was well-loved for her amiable nature and readiness to shock and one of my favourite stories of her tells of the time –in 1890 – when the future King Edward VII (then The Prince of Wales) was on a private trip to Paris, and visited the Moulin Rouge to see what all the fuss was about. Apparently  La Goulue recognised him in the audience and- mid-dance, with her leg in the air- decided to call out "Hey, Wales – the champagne's on you!". I really hope that's true.

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red

Nowadays, if you go to a show there, you will see the dance troupe the "Doriss Girls" named after Doris Haug who formed the troupe in 1957. One small difference has been made, however: where once there were 4 girls… now you get 60. Makes sense that one of the nicknames for the cabaret was "The First Palace of Women"…

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red
VTC made me do this pose...

There's so much to say about this wonderful place, I'd be here for weeks if I tried to tell you about all of it, but my favourite thing that I learnt while doing my research was… there used to be an ELEPHANT in the garden. A giant, life-sized elephant that was built for the Universal Exposition in 1889. This elephant not only looked hella cool, but also –apparently – housed an opium den and belly dancers which you could go and enjoy for the very reasonable price of one French franc. But only if you were a man. Harumph. Guess no one told Nicole that….

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red The Doll

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red The Doll

That reference will have seemed a tad bizarre if you haven't seen Baz Luhrman's 2001 masterpiece. If this is the case… well… I’m sorry – and I include a clip to put you out of your misery. Unless of course you hate musicals, glitter and ridiculously dramatic romances. In which case, you may want to give it a miss…

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red The Doll

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red The Doll

ANYWAY, this week's outfit is pretty much solely inspired by the cancan dancers' costumes in the films, with me putting my own 1950s flamenco dancer spin on it. Too many references? Maybe… Mint green and red seemed like an initially dubious combination to me, but I think they worked surprisingly well. So well, in fact, that some poor Spanish tourists mistook me for someone ACTUALLY affiliated with the establishment, and asked if I'd get a picture taken with their child. Sorry about that…

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red Tourist photo
Me with the Spanish tourist child...

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red Tourist photo

VTC was in charge of all the make-up (also inspired by the film) and OH MY GOODNESS HOW COOL ARE THE DIAMANTE THINGS?! Although they did make it look as if I was crying glitter… which is pretty much how I feel whenever I watch the film actually, so it all works out quite well. To keep in with the slightly risqué nature of the place, we went for a couple of cheeky Chanel tattoo transfers on the lower thigh. Which I think are hilarious fun… apologies for anyone now feeling scandalised… I do try to make this as family friendly as possible… just ask the Spanish tourists!

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red diamante eye makeup

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red Chanel tattoos

Right, that's enough glamour for one day – back to Metro-Boulot-Dodo for me. See you all soon!

Moulin Rouge Cancan dancer petticoat mint and red
Top - New Look
Skirt - Marina Retro
Petticoat - Lindy Bop
Shoes - New Look
Earrings - H+M
Tattoo transfer on thigh - Chanel
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