Great Gobs of Unmitagated JOY

My Christmas wish for you -

this much Pure JOY !

_______________________________

Collage by studio Judith

Shoe Sparkle :: Christian Louboutin

A virtual gift for a real friend.

Just because I know he'd love these outrageous dazzlers ... .

and - in another reality - 

I'd wrap them up and place them under his Christmas tree.

For now, this little photo will have to do.

____________________________________________

Collage by studio Judith

Madamemoiselle Chanel :: On Being Irreplaceable

In order to be irreplaceable

one must always be different.

Coco Chanel

_____________________________________________

Have a divine weekend,

my irreplaceable friends !

 

_____________________________________

Collage by studio Judith

Thoughts From Napoleon on Wealth Disparity

Religion is the only thing

that keeps the poor from murdering the rich.

Napoleon Bonaparte

________________________________________

Collage by studio Judith

Matisse on Goldfish

I wouldn't mind turning into

a vermilion goldfish.

Henri Matisse

__________________________________
Collage by studio Judith

Tina :: The Red Carpet in Chanel

____________________________

 Collage by studio Judith

Tina Chow :: A Personal Remembrance

As an admirer of Tina Chow, I was thrilled to find her stunning jewelry in Bergdorf Goodman's in the mid 80's
and promptly purchased a Rutilated Quartz Temple ring.

Several months later I ran into her, told her how much I was enjoying the ring and asked what she thought
about wearing it as a pendant.
  She loved the idea and insisted that it should only be worn on a silk cord handwoven by her favorite weaver in Tokyo. Within a few weeks an envelope of handmade paper

arrived bearing the cord and a dear note from Tina.

After all these years ... . ring, silk cord and note
retain a place of honour on my desk.


______________________________________
Collage by studio Judith

Louise Brooks :: Ever Lulu

A well dressed woman, even though her purse 

is painfully empty, can conquer the world.

Louise Brooks

_________________________________
Collage by studio Judith

Jean Harlow - The Original Blonde Bombshell

Long before Madonna and Marilyn ... . there was Jean.
Though she never saw her 27th birthday, her short career
encompassed 36 movies ( 1928-1937) and she was the first
actress to appear on the cover of Life magazine.

Known for her trendsetting platinum blonde hair
and credited with skyrocketing sales of peroxide,
botched attempts to look like Jean forced
thousands of women to cut their hair.

Clark Gable said of Jean -
"She didn't want to be famous ... she wanted to be happy."


What a concept !!

_______________________________

Collage by studio Judith

Girls in Top Hats

Though I've never been one for witches hats, I'll
always use Halloween as an excuse to don my
favorite vintage top hat .... .
well worn beaver, with a silk lining.

Hope your weekend is topped off with
something amusing from your closet ... . .
and a few decadent & tasty treats.

____________________________________
Collages by studio Judith

After the Ball

 

A Bit of Gold

       

____________________________________

Collage by studio Judith

Marie Goes to Hermes

Illustration for a modern fairy tale ... .
in which Marie Antoinette orders a dozen pink
Oran sandals from Hermes and loves them so much
she sends them to her milliner to have them
made into a headdress.  A new trend at court ?

Mais Oui !!

__________________________________
Collage by studio Judith

Diamonds & Safety Pins

Our Lady of Louboutin

Long time no see ? That's an understatement !

I've spent the summer (and half the fall)
being very quiet and working on my art.

In the coming days, I'll be posting some of the art I've
been playing with over these past months.

Thanks to all of you who have sent messages and left notes.
It's been so touching to know you've been thinking of me.

I've missed you, too . . .
____________________________________


Our Lady of Louboutin by Judith Thibaut

Madamemoiselle Chanel Suits Up

Still . . . Waiting for Spring

This is getting more than a bit annoying.
It's way past time for spring - and we're still in wind season.
Even had snow flurries this week.

So far the only bright spot remains on my library table,
in the form of Carla's beautiful photograph of brilliant pink roses
from Vicki's garden.

Many thanks to the dynamic duo of Vicki Archer
and Carla Coulson for bringing a bit of spring to my world
via their beautiful book - French Essence.

Merci Beaucoup !

______________

Photo by me.

Peter Panda

Wouldn't you love to know the story behind this most puzzling pic ??
Where ? How ? Why . . ...

Here's hoping your weekend is as enchanting as this little captured moment.

_________________________
Central Vintage image - a total mystery
Digital Collage by me

Chanel :: What Karl Says - Fall 2011

The runway unfolded beyond a foggy forest
and a smoldering scorched earth.
There were ghostly shadows and smoke
which seemed to spew from volcanic ash.
Was this Karl Lagerfeld's Apocalyptic vision for Fall 2011 ?
He says no ... . the inspiration was more from the dark German
woods of his childhood, sprinkled with a bit of Fritz Lang .



He also denies that it's all black.
"It's shades of gray " . . . and a few notes of cream.
Frankly, I adore the textural contrasts as well as the emphasis on
the ankles. The detailed scrunch above the low boots , seems
to provide a perfect break before the distressed stretch jeans.
(Dare we say leggings ?)

And when there were trousers . . . they were rolled above
modestly feminine (and oh so wearable) low heels.

This little ankle peek really made me smile.


A crisp transparent hem which brushes the top of slightly
shimmering buttoned court shoes . . . with a cinched buckle added
to provide a bit of punctuation.

Another favorite theme - a bit ripped & shredded, tattered & torn.
Nothing overtly luxe.

It all feels very wearable and very adaptable to real life.
Perhaps even my very simple real life.

What do you think ?

_________________________
To see the entire collection go HERE.
Or - check out some behind the scenes
photos at Chanel News .. . . I always love the
pics of Karl being photographed whilst
photographing the models.

Another Place Another Time :: Dancers & Bathers

Intrepid girls .. . . . who don their gas masks and keep on dancing,
while dreaming of royal pavilions by the sea.

Modest ladies . . . . who change into bathing costumes in private
rolling enclosures, before descending into cool waters at a secluded
cove reserved for "Ladies Only."

Another place / another time . . . .
truly , another world.
___________________________
The central photographs featured in my collages are from the
incredible collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Hands down - my all time favorite museum.
Don't live in London ?
Not a problem, just stroll their virtual world HERE.
Always lots of fun.

Preview the upcoming Yohji Yamamoto exhibit here.

Participate in the World Beach Project here - where you
can create stone art on a beach and post your photos to join
others from around the world. ( That's right - your art will
be shown online at the V & A !)
Check out this map and see what other artists are doing.


____________________________

Digital collage by me.

Chinoiserie de Ralph

Swoon worthy looks from last week's Ralph Lauren Fall 2011 show.
Shanghai circa 1930 .. . . so very White Countess.

Love the elegant brocade as smoking jacket ,
the crisp white shirt with tie
and the shawl collars .. . ..
As much as I would love strolling into my closet and finding
any of these delicious pieces waiting,
what I long for most of all is the ability to look this great
in severely slicked back hair - wound tightly into a neat bun.

Alas - probably not in this lifetime . . . for any of the above.

sigh . . . .
_______________________
Do take a look at the full show here at the newly revamped
RL website.

Wish I Were Here .. .. .

Enough already.
I'm ready for summer - but, I'd settle for spring.
A beach would be lovely . . . especially a beach with this
nifty giant basket, lined with a festive stripe.

Don't you love this bathing beauty
with her studious glasses and polka dot swimsuit ?
What a doll.

_________________________________
Mixed Media - Vintage photo machine stitched & layered
with metallic tulle, postage stamps & a small silver ring . . .
by me.

A Rather Grand Flash Mob

Since the details of New York's Fashion Week are scheduled months ahead,
the axiously awaited surprises are usually reserved for which designer chooses
to emphasize which look, cut or design.


This year's surprise was a very non traditional presentation at a most
surprising location . . . . Moncler staged a flash mob in the middle
of Grand Central Station. There was an instant PR frenzy , which has rumbled
about the street for several days. The full video has finally appeared
and includes a staggering range of music from Miss Streisand to classical
and even rolls into a 42nd Street Broadway tap !

MONCLER GRENOBLE FW 11-12 AT GRAND CENTRAL from MONCLER OFFICIAL on Vimeo.

__________________________

Photos by Dan Nguyen

With thanks to Trendland

Anti Bling :: Jewels of Extreme Creativity

Margarita Mileva is a NY based Bulgarian Architect and . . . much more.
She is a true artist . . . one who looks at obsolete tools in her
office and creates unique pieces of jewelry.


She calls this collection of paperclips, mosaic stone samples,
presentation wire binding , rubber bands and ribbons
"Recycling of the Architectural Office "


For more examples of Margarita's extreme creativity go HERE -
to see additional jewelry , as well as dresses constructed of rubber bands ( ? !! )
and HERE to visit her Etsy shop.

So refreshing. So inspiring.

Here's hoping you have an enchanting & creative weekend.



_____________
With thanks to Trendland for the heads up on this artist

Helen's Big Adventure .. Was Just Beginning

One full month into 2011 . . ...
and the adventure continues.
Here's hoping your travels are unfolding
with great beauty & enchantment.

__________________
Digital collage by me