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

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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