American Artists Inspired by Miss Dior

The short, 12 day long Miss Dior exhibition at Grand Palais ends today, an collection of work that reveals the inspiration behind that which Christian Dior created alongside what it has inspired since then. Of the 15 pieces on display in the exhibition inspired by the Dior house and the Miss Dior perfume, 3 were created by American artists inspired by the French fragrance and brand.

Polly Apfelbaum: Rainbow Nirvana Houndstooth

Source

In my opinion, this may be the most surprising piece in the exhibition, mostly because there is clearly nothing 'French' about it - and is fittingly created by an American artist. The rug itself is woven in a traditional Mexican fashion, with Apfelbaum's classic use of extreme colors. This combination is supposed to represent the audacity of the Dior house, which allies the new with the classical.

Apfelbaum has a history of playing with color, which is almost always the main focus of her floor-bound installations. Her work is viewed like abstract paintings which have melted off the walls and formed vibrant puddles - forming a combination between the vibrancy of a painting and the physical presence of a sculpture. 

Karen Kilimnik: Untitled

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This sculpture was inspired by the perfume and the archives of Dior, while simultaneously it works to inspire the viewer to look back on the archives. It dramatizes the consumer society (the perfume) with a sense of romanticism and lavishness, seemingly inspired in part by Versailles, or at least romantic castles like it, and painted in “Dior gray.”

Born in Philidelphia in 1955, Kilimnik is both a painter and a sculptor. Her paintings generally focus around celebrities and pop-culture of the sort, while commenting on the subjects glamour or consumerism in a witty fashion.

Alyson Shotz: Infinite Rose

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Made of steel and plexiglas, this sculpture's beauty comes from the fact that it looks different from every perspective as the light hits it differently - making it the infinite rose. The piece was designed by computer with digital grids, then further assembled by hand. Shotz states herself that she loves "that idea of there being no surface, no inside or outside... The observer visually combines all the little parts and when he walks around the sculpture, his eyes and brain assemble these shapes in a different way." In my opinion, this piece also connects even further with the perfume, as Miss Dior smells differently based on the person who wears it and the sculpture looks different from every different perspective.

Based in Brooklyn, New York Shotz investigates issues of perception and space with sculptures made from a range of synthetic materials such as mirror, glass beads, plastic lenses, thread and steel wire.

I believe each of these American artists has taken an incredibly different spin on each aspect of the perfume and Dior brand to create three entirely different pieces, made with entirely different mediums. One thing I do find interesting is the three being sculptures, which seemingly reveals the trend in the American art world to revolve around them. All in all, the exhibition was surely a success and these pieces absolute highlights of the fifteen.

au revoir,

xx taylor

How to be warm AND fashionable

Winter is unfortunately here, and after a 4 degree celsius weekend my need to look put together has taken a back seat to being able to move my fingers. After a few weeks of observing winter street style, the Parisiennes still looked chic and effortlessly put together.

When winter hits my college mountain town, students come close to wearing their snowboarding jackets and pants to class. Thanks to Paris, I have seen that cold weather does not mean you have to look like waddling penguin.  These are four essentials to invest in:

1) A simple wool or down coat that hits at the upper thigh. Etam and Zara have good quality winter coats affordable for a study abroad student. Black, military green, grey, or camel colored coats are a practical buy.

Etam

Etam

Zara

2) A warm scarf will keep heat in and is a great addition to add some color and texture to a coat. 

Etam

H&M

3) Black Boots: You can wear them walking around all day to the bars at night. 

H&M

Bata

4)  Tribute to my previous post, never underestimate the power of a beanie. Covers the head and ears, a quick fix to a terrible hair day or windy weather, and the last touch to your perfect winter ensemble.

Promod

H&M

H&M

Voila!! You are chic.

Sweater Weather

I am from sunny Southern California. On average, where I live in Orange County, the average low is in the mid 40s degrees Fahrenheit. That is normally late at night so I never really have to experience the cooler hours. Last year at my college in Tucson, Arizona I experienced a low of 37 degrees Fahrenheit and even a little snow, which was quite the struggle for me. My junior year of high school my family and I spent Thanksgiving in New York City watching the Macy's Day Parade outside. I wore tights under my jeans, several thick jackets, gloves and hand warmers. As one can tell I can count on one hand the number of times I have experienced very cold temperatures. For that I am thankful for.

Current weather in Paris! Très froid! 

In result of being from and going to college in areas were the majority of the months are nice warm weather, I do not own many clothes for lower temperatures. Before coming to Paris I researched the average weather temperatures. I learned that November and December would be the cooler months of my time abroad. Once November started I found myself asking my mom to send more socks, long sleeves and sweaters. One of my main complaints was that my legs were cold!

As you can see the coat I brought does not cover my legs enough! (My friend Lauren and I in Dublin)

As the temperature started to decrease in Paris I noticed more people starting to wear trench coats and longer jackets. I am always trying to find ways to fit into the Paris fashion so I decided I need one of the longer jackets that will cover my legs more.

Over my fall break my Mom and sister, Coral, visited me in Paris. For a couple days we stayed in Nice. While we were there I walked by the store, Mango, and a longer black coat caught my eye in the window. Trying the longer winter coat on was not only a new experience but quite a comical experience for me. Just to help you visualize this moment, I am 5'4'' and I do not have long legs. So when I tried the coat on I felt like I was a four year old year trying on her Grandpa's coat! I looked like I was engulfed in the coat. It also did not help that my sister was laughing at me.

The MANGO coat I purchased.
 Courtesy of http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Mango+Texture+wool-blend+oversize+coat/191687105,default,pd.html

After trying on other coats I kept going back to the black coat I first tried on. I asked one the sales employees if the jacket was meant to be a little bigger and she said yes. So after realizing that, I decided I liked the coat and that I needed to purchase it. I am so glad I did because I wear it all the time and most importantly, besides being a cute coat, it keeps me warm!

Wearing my new black coat in Austria! Pictured left to right: Me and Emily

-Marina
   

Doing Casual Right

The term "casual" in Paris takes on a whole new meaning. Back home, if I dressed super casually to go to class, this meant ratty jeans and a tshirt, and in not-so-rare cases, sweatpants or even pajamas. It was basically what had been left on my floor throughout the week, as I jumped out of bed 10 minutes before class. If my classes in Paris were a 2 minute walk from my dorm room, and if I could avoid judgmental looks in this fashion capital, this habit may have continued. However, this type of dress here is a serious fashion faux-pas, and I've learned to give myself more time and pick my outfits more wisely. I can promise you I wouldn't be caught outdoors in sweatpants, and I consider it a very positive fashion development for me!  

So, through tons of observation in my French classes, on the metro, and all around Paris, I've noticed a few basic casual outfits that are totally passable while you're here. 

*Note: casual means casual. Like going to class or to get groceries (No, you can't wear sweatpants to get groceries. Shocker, you're in Paris.) If you're going out or are invited to something more formal, make sure you dress the part!

Black blouse with jeans... And flats!!

Flats are O.K.! Despite what others may tell you, flats are a huge trend in Paris, and due to their comfort and practicality, they won't go away for a while. Also the stereotype of Parisians wearing all black exists for a reason. You can definitely get away with color, but black is always a safe route.

Leggings with oversized sweater and tall boots

The warm option, obviously. A more grungy look is starting to trend in Paris, and oversized is IN. 

Casual dress with ankle boots 

Tshirts are ok too.... Make it more passable with a cardigan or blazer and nicer jeans and flats.

-Zoë

French Vogue's Americana Spread

After spending a few months à Paris observing Parisian trends and comparing them to those back home, I thought it might be interesting to check out the Parisians' view of American style - and I stumbled across this spread from Vogue Paris that gives us a little (high-fashion) insight into just that. (For more on the American girl's view on Vogue, check out Emily's last post about the magazine!)

Picturing models Lara Stone, Freja Beha Erichsen, Isabeli Fontana, Natasha Poly and Arizona Muse, this retro Americana spread was shot in L.A.

Not only do I find the retro-rocker somewhat couture looks on the models to be an interesting insight from France to the US, but also the extras in the set - with tattoos down the arms, dirty tank tops, long hair, and ill-fitting jeans the French's view of American men leaves little to be desired. 

Revealing some of every American girl (stereotype) we see the rockers, the business women, the politician's wives (pictured above), the actresses/glam(onsters) from L.A. (below), and the hippies.The dress pictured above depicts probably the most flattering and favorable view of American women.

We recognize her - the typical L.A. actress, wannabee actress, and/or housewife - classic 1970s big hair and all. 

From sparkle and (somewhat) trashy fur to fringe, I'd say it's clear the french blame us for some popular trends they never quite got on the band wagon of. 

Even seeing through the fact that this was a retro spread, thus far I can conclude that the French view American style as over-the-top and too trendy with a pinch of trashiness. Now the problem is that I am no longer sure if I agree or disagree with them...

bonne journée!

taylor 

(@taylormdowns)

Jewelry: Necklaces

When I was packing for Paris I was having a hard time deciding which necklaces of mine I would bring. At home I wear necklaces all the time for any occasion even if it's just going grocery shopping! For me necklaces add a little something special to my outfits, it makes what I am wearing unique. Most of the necklaces I own are very simple either a long chain with a graphic shape at the end or a statement necklace. Two things they all have in common is that they are all gold and from my favorite store(except one), Madewell, but that is a different topic!

These are the necklaces I brought with me to Paris

After the first couple weeks of being in Paris I started to notice that not many people wore necklaces. I was bummed because I wanted to fit in (as much as I could) but I wanted to wear my necklaces! So for the first couple of weeks when it was warmer I wore them. One thing that I noticed that is different in Paris is people still wear scarves in the warmer months! I feel that the scarf is the Parisian's "necklace". Scarfs are a popular clothing item seen in Paris through all ages. The scarfs are like necklaces because they too can make ones outfits unique. As I walk to school in the Marais district (3rd arrondisment) I pass by a scarf store and a necklace store. In southern California where I am from there are no stores of just necklaces or scarves, that I know of. I am learning new things about Paris everyday!

I looked into how the media highlights necklaces in Paris and America. I looked at Harper Bazaar's best looks from New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week: Spring 2014. To my surprise I saw more necklaces featured at Paris Fashion Week. Some of the designers who used necklaces on a few of their looks were Kenzo, Balmain and Carven. While in the article by Harper Bazaar only Rodarte and Donna Karen used a necklace for one of their looks for New York Fashion Week. Even though this does not represent the whole population of each place, fashion shows are where people get inspiration. So who knows maybe Spring 2014 in Paris there will be a shift in wearing more statement necklaces.

Courtesy of Harper Bazzar from Paris Fashion Week: Spring 2014,  Balmain

Courtesy of Harper Bazaar from New York Fashion Week: Spring 2014; Donna Karen

 Another way that necklaces are advertised are in magazines. One American magazine in particular, Lucky Magazine has many articles about necklaces. Some of the articles are "11 Cheap Necklaces that Look Expensive", "Spring Statement Necklaces Under $50", and "Etsy's 16 Boldest, Blingiest Jewelry Finds." Lucky shows their readers how they can wear necklaces in their everyday life and save some money while doing it. Free People Instagramed a photo of several of their necklaces that they were using for a shoot. I believe that necklaces are always going to be around. They are always evolving and adapting to what the next trend in fashions is. 

Free People Instagram 

Lucky Magazine article about necklaces  

When I see a necklace I like it's like chocolate, I have to have it!
Bye for now!
Marina

BEHOLD: THE BEANIE

A mountain town and French city share a growing trend.

As I desperately tried to narrow down my clothes to fit into one suitcase, I started eliminating accessories. A staple in Colorado, everyone owns multiple beanies to match each activity of their life. Class, the slopes, house parties, and hikes up the Flatirons: it completes every look and is practical for the colder months of the year.  I took out every part of my wardrobe that suggested "mountain woman" and filled my suitcase with impractical heels and black.  

Within the first few days adjusting to my new Parisian life, the street walkers were dressed in converse, skinny jeans, oversized T-Shirts, and to my surprise beanies. The beanie can be worn casually to run errands and go to the market, or to tone down a fancier outfit.  Parisians of every lifestyle can incorporate the beanie into their everyday look. 

The Beanie In Paris:

Source: insparisian.com

The Beanie in Boulder: