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 . . .
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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 !

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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.

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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 ?

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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.
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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.


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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 . . . .
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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.

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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.

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Photos by Dan Nguyen

With thanks to Trendland