New York: Fifth Avenue Window-Shopping Tour (Part 2)
30 Rock on Fifth Avenue Photos by Theadora Brack (Original by Anne Simpkins for Harper’s Bazaar, September 1943)
Pretzel time at the New York Public Library at 42nd Street (Anne Simpkins, Harper’s Bazaar, September 1943)
By Theadora Brack
Let’s continue our window-shopping tour de force up Fifth Avenue. I’ll also include a few photographs taken by Anne Simpkins for Harper’s Bazaar in 1943. So grab your sunglasses, trainers and spare bills for salted pretzels and soda pops. Meet me at 30 Rock!
What’s new on the Avenue?
Here’s the squeal: Zara’s new flagship at 666 Fifth Avenue recently opened with a hi-tech, futuristic look, while Massimo Dutti will jump to Zara’s former 691 Fifth Avenue location. Meanwhile, the Elizabeth Arden Salon scooted to 663 Fifth Avenue, and MAC Cosmetics moved into E.A.’s former digs at 691 Fifth Avenue, across from the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Whew!
This is the very spa where Anaïs Nin wrote, “The church bells are ringing while I sit at Elizabeth Arden’s on Fifth Avenue with my face covered by a mask, and I almost come near God again.” Now that’s a beauty treatment! (more…)
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New York: Fifth Avenue Window-Shopping Tour (Part 1)
Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton at Saks Fifth Avenue Photos by Theadora Brack
Saks Fifth Avenue
By Theadora Brack in New York
Hold on to your hats because this week, we’re trekking to New York for some hazy, crazy summertime “window licking” ( faire du lèche-vitrine)!
While day tripping, time is precious, so I’ve created a Fifth Avenue tour for you. Yes, it is possible to visit most of New York’s centuries-old department stores in one day! I’ll also throw in a few historical and cinematic tidbits. Confession: I’ve been walking Fifth Avenue since the age of eight. I’m still mad about it.
Here’s how Anaïs Nin described New York City to Henry Miller: “I love the proportions, the amplitude, the brilliance, the polish, the solidity. I look up at Radio City insolently and love it. The vitality. Just bring your own contents, and you create a sparkle at the highest power.” All aboard? Let’s glow! (more…)
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Paris Tips: Meet my friend Venus
Venus de Milo (Aphrodite of Melos) X 2 Photos by Theadora Brack
Venus Paparazzi at the Louvre
By Theadora Brack
Whenever I’m having a challenging day, I hotfoot it over to the Louvre. Here I find peace and tranquility, while hobnobbing it with all my favorite Greeks—the solid marble kind, I mean! So for the love of exquisite inspiration, this week let’s celebrate Venus!
Here’s the scoop
First, let’s wind it back to the 18th century: the Greek revival style has already captured Europe’s fancy, especially in France. Classical Greek styling dominates music, architecture, art, and fashion. Illustrated travelogues are snatched up and bought as quickly as they are written. Globe trekkers and fashion enthusiasts of that day got their classical fix in salons and museums, and for the first time ever, art institutions have begun attracting visitors from all walks of life. The heart squeals! (more…)
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Paris Shopping Tips: Open Air Food Markets
Shopping on rue des Abbesses Photos by Theadora Brack
Heard it though the grapevine
By Theadora Brack
Open-air market shopping in Paris can look pretty intimidating, even to a shopping fanatic like myself. In fact, I used to stick instead to the safe predictability of the supermarché aisles.
But I’ve changed! I have seen tomates, aubergines, and haricots verts in a natural light, and I’m not going back to fluorescent. So to help out, here are a few tips. Grab your list and shopping bag. Let’s hit the stalls! (more…)
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Paris Tips: Bouncing with the Clowns!
Église de la Sainte-Trinité de Paris Photos by Theadora Brack
Welcome to the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada
By Theadora Brack
Aren’t we a pair? You’re in midair and I’m here at last on the ground—pinching from Joni Mitchell. Where are the clowns?
Let’s launch the week with a nod to a few of my favorite wits, clowns and puppets in Paris. (I’ve also included a pic of the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada. I shot it during a recent jaunt to the state. I do love clowns.)
So without further adieu, let the show begin! (more…)
Paris Shopping Tips: Meet My New Favorite Big Cheese!
Marie France (May 1954) Cover by Denis Manceaux Photos by Theadora Brack
Love at first dreamy bite
By Theadora Brack
With the bright sun in my eyes, here’s a full confession. Lean in as I whisper, see. I’ve got a new favorite cheese in my life. Love is in the air. So grab a ball point pen. Hear my yarn!
Meet Brillat Savarin
Butter. Brillat. Butter. Brillat. That’s what he said. (more…)
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Paris Tips: Keeping Cool at the Wallace Fountains
Hot and Hazy Days at the Jardin des Tuileries Photos by Theadora Brack
BYOB to the Jardin des Tuileries
By Theadora Brack
Feeling all parched while you’re out and about in Paris? What to do? What to do? Follow my lead. I’ve got you covered!
Fortunately, there are 108 historic “fontaines Wallace“ and three functional “puits artésien” (artesian wells). Situated around the city’s busiest squares and at intersections in each arrondissement, the drinking water is free for sipping.
So grab an empty bottle! (more…)
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Paris Tips: King Kong and the Bunnies on Parade
Bunnies by the Cracking Art Group at Printemps (2009) Photos by Theadora Brack
King Kong by Mr. Brainwash at the top of Printemps (2010)
By Theadora Brack
It’s prime time for a bunny pageant in Paris, so I rummaged through my files and found a few photographs from the fantastical 2009 Cracking Art Group’s Bunny exposition at Printemps.
Monster Mash
Tip! Often the grand magasins like Printemps, Galeries Lafayette and Bon Marché coordinate free art exhibits. Recently King Kong held court outside of Printemps. Created by Franco-American street pop artist Mr. Brainwash as a love note to New York City, the original Wild Thing was made of recycled tires and was two stories tall. Don’t hate him because he is beautiful!
Meanwhile, over at Bon Marché, Dior was also given a splashy nod. Decked out in the designer’s signature white and grey, the exhibit was made up of iconic “New Look” ensembles, photographs, and multimedia projections on oversized accessories like chairs, mannequins and hat boxes. It was a knockout!
Without further adieu, strike up the band. Hip hop, the hippie, the hippie, to the hip, hip hop! (more…)
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Paris Tips: Let’s Fall in Love at the Jardin du Luxembourg
“Venus” Water Mobile by Lotta Hannerz Photos by Theadora Brack
A hair before l’heure bleue
By Theadora Brack
With my pointy arrow, I feverishly pen this postcard from Paris. Confession: I have a new favorite park. There, I’ve said it. It’s true. I do! So with long looks and fiery chitchat, let’s roll on over to the Jardin du Luxembourg.
During the springtime, I usually head to Luxembourg after my big weekend hunts at the flea markets. Here at the park, there’s never a shortage of benches or shady trees. It’s another prime people-watching hotspot, but you’ll also find beaucoup hideaways, perfect for reading and whispering sweet nothings. (more…)
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Paris Tips: Shopping for Vintage Postcards on Poisson d’avril!
Plomberie-Chauffage on rue Caulaincourt, 18th arrondissement Photos by Theadora Brack
Behold, Anna Held!
By Theadora Brack
Fish! Flash! Today I’ve decided to slowly reel in the Poisson d’avril (April fool, literally “April fish”) with the catchy retelling of a whopper of a Vaudeville tale. So lean in, grab a soda pop, and then drop to the floor. It’s about to get hot and bawdy in here!
Pump it up
Here’s the scoop! Way back in 1894, French Vaudeville performer Helene Anna Held was sued by her friendly Greenfield Dairy milkman for not paying her bill. When she arrived in New York City, she had demanded 40 gallons of milk (at the rate of 20 cents per gallon!) delivered every other day for her decadent beauty bath. (more…)
Paris: People, Places and Bling 