Paris: 5 Iconic Backdrops for Photo-ops
Les Quatre Saisons by Louis Convers at the Petit Palais Photos by Theadora Brack
Repetto Ballet Shop on rue de Paix is stepping it up with a face lift (Don’t let the angels steal your pink shoes!)
By Theadora Brack
Buds are bursting on the trees in Paris, making it the perfect time to update my list of iconic French backdrops for photo-ops, perfect for your social media portraits and status updates, too. There’s no sin in boasting. Besides, this outdoor repertoire is free.
Celebrating favorite photographers—Robert Capa, Man Ray, Robert Doisneau, Erwin Blumenfeld, Georges Dambier, William Klein, and Willy Maywald, (who often showcased France’s beloved national monuments in their haute couture spreads)—I’ve meshed the new with the old, fully appreciating the dynamic, overlapping, ever-changing juxtapositions.
So with Rolleiflex firmly in hand, it’s now time to snap, crackle and pop! Shall we? For the profound love of Bruno Ganz and Wim Wenders’ canted angles and slow, graceful arcs, here’s my “Wings of Desire” edition.
Flying to Paris?
If so, kick-off your jaunt at the Musée Galliera’s “Mannequin, Le Corps de la Mode” exhibition at the Les Docks, Cité de la Mode et du Design. (more…)
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Paris Tête-à-Tête: Arts Update Teaser
Persistence of Memory: View of the Eiffel Tower from the Centre Pompidou at dusk Photos by Theadora Brack
Hello, Dalí at the Centre Pompidou
Ring-a-Ding-Ding.
Allo? Allo? C’est moi, Theadora!
From sunrise to sunset, I’ve been poking around Paris non-stop, creating a new master list of attractions. Donning my freshly bobbed hairdo (with full, blunt bangs—no less!) and a tailored Nancy Drew “investigative” cap, I’ve dedicated the last few weeks to visiting the new spring arts exhibitions in the city.
Monuments, museums and galleries—I’ve tried to leave no historic cornerstone, cobblestone (or gift shop boutique, even) unturned, see.
Time flies
My eyes have seen the glory, along with few ghosts and goblins at the Musée d’Orsay, and phantoms over at the Opéra. I’ve also coveted beaucoup ballgowns and accessories by Poiret, Paquin, Vionnet, and the Callot Soeurs, along with Grès, Schiaparelli, and Balenciaga at the Hôtel d’Ville, before waiting hours for the dashing “Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí” at the nearby Centre Pompidou. Whew. (more…)
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Paris: Meshes in the After Hours at the Palais-Royal
Dior sits pretty at the Didier Ludot, Jardin du Palais-Royal, Photos by Theadora Brack
Is that you Marsha White? Twilight Zone, After Hours, 1960 (Rue Montpensier)
By Theadora Brack
In high anticipation of the return of springtime and the critically acclaimed “Mad Men” television series, I’ve suddenly got a strong hankering for Champagne cocktails, heady scents, and beaded party gowns, along with some old-fashioned, toe-tapping, finger-snapping haughty-naughty tunes. For the love of all that is sweet, lowdown, and swanky, what would Don Draper do?
You’ve got that thing
Celebrating Mad Men’s approaching sixth, coming in April, let’s hobnob it over to the rendezvous-worthy bar Le Defender at the historic Hôtel du Louvre, and listen to some retro-lounge sounds, featuring Siegfried “Ziggy” Mandacé and his three fabulous quartets. Get ready to step out and I don’t mean maybe, guys and dolls. His beat can’t be beat. (more…)
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Paris Match: From the Heart of France
Cherish is the word I use to describe (All images: T. Brack’s archives
Flea Market Treasure, Porte de Clignancourt Flea
By Theadora Brack
In celebration of love and remembrance, I’ve decided to share a few classic French “sweetheart” postcards from “La Grande Guerre” (aka La Première Guerre Mondiale, i.e., World War I), along with one of my favorite passages from “The North China Lover” by Marguerite Duras.
To enhance the romance, consider a sweet and sour Sidecar. Invented by head barman Frank Meier (and author of the “Artistry of Mixing Drinks”) at the Ritz during the aforementioned Great War (Harry’s New York Bar devotees, look away!), you grab the cognac and Cointreau while I squeeze the lemon and crack the ice. Then we can take turns shaking vigorously!
Always in fashion is passion, so let’s throw a little Édith Piaf on the Victor-Victrola, “Mon Dieu, Mon Dieu Mon Dieu.” Little Sparrows, I’ve never failed to weep after reading, so pack a hankie. And perhaps a silky embroidered pillow for some sweet swooning? (more…)
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Paris Shopping: Rue de Rennes Steeple Chase
Give it up for the Gants at Guanti, 59 Rue de Rennes Photographs by Theadora Brack
tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock at Plastiques, 103 rue de Rennes
By Theadora Brack
This week, let’s hoof to one my favorite shopping districts in Paris, the lively rue de Rennes—one of the longest streets in the city. Giddy-up: This is where I shop during the last few days of the Big Winter Sales.
Here’s the squeal: The Zara location at 140 rue de Rennes in the Félix Potin building (an Art Nouveau marvel!) usually serves as one of “last stops” for the Spanish marque’s leftover clothing. Also, there’s a second Zara shop, located nearby at 45 rue de Rennes (next to the Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés). (more…)
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Paris: Biking to the Arc de Triomphe
All Images: T. Brack’s archives, Shoes by Herman Delman (Creator of “Scandal Sandals and Lady Slippers” since 1919)
Decauville Poster, early 1900s
By Theadora Brack
Celebrating the new bike lanes on the right bank in Paris, let’s take a sentimental journey! Pop open a Coke, crank up Claude Debussy’s “Petite Suite,” and prepare for some bumpy late 19th century time travel along avenue Foch. This centuries-old promenading stretch is my favorite spot for gazing up at the Arc de Triomphe. Each time I tumble flat.
Pump it up
Don’t forget les bicyclettes. Ladies, this includes you! By the 1890s, thanks to the introduction of the Starley Rover Safety Bicycle and its handsome pneumatic tires, “all Paris was a-wheel,” and women were not only pedal pushing in public but also “unblushingly” flaunting menswear or something “alarmingly” like it. Oh, la la. (more…)
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Paris: Smooth Sailing at the Big Winter Sales
All you need is love and a Métro ticket to ride the “80” Bus Photos by Theadora Brack
Peace, love and understanding on the “80” Bus
By Theadora Brack
Make no tips, hands or buts about it, “Les soldes d’hiver 2013″ are in full swing in Paris. They began on January 9 and will last through Tuesday, February 12. So this week, I’ve decided to wear my dark felt tour guide hat, and create a special excursion. Swagnificent miles, here we come. (more…)
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Paris: Art + Fragrance = A Shocking Good Time
Shocking by Schiaparelli, Vogue, 1951 Illustration by Marcel Vertès (Images: T. Brack’s Archives)
Harper’s Bazaar 1944, Illustration by Marcel Vertès (Place Vendôme)
By Theadora Brack
Embracing the New Year, I’ve created an inspirational post, cherry-picking my favorite quotes penned by designer Elsa Schiaparelli in her 1954 autobiography “A Shocking Life.” Whenever I need a little pick-me-up, I reach for this book. True grit, spit and wit reign here. Soon “Brack” is back on track.
Here’s the zip: On January 1, 1935, “Schiap” moved her salon from the fourth floor at 4 rue de la Paix to 21 Place Vendôme (located next to Napoleon’s column and the Hôtel Ritz), and opened one of the first prêt-à-porter boutiques in Paris.
History in the shaking, one could easily swing by the shop and score “ready to be taken away immediately” dresses, sweaters, bathing suits, shorts, lingerie, lounge wear, dressing gowns, hats, jewelry, stockings, and pocket books. Where’s time travel when you need it, I pray? (more…)
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Pop Quiz: Chilling at the Paris Food Markets
Stars of the Sea on rue des Abbesses, Paris Photos by Theadora Brack
Mystery House in Historic Georgetown
By Theadora Brack
This week, we’re jet setting to Washington, D.C. for a little Franco-American Pop Quiz. Hip Gees and High Jumpers, this one’s or you. Pour on the laugh soup. What’s my line?
The Question
Take a gander at the yellow house on the right. Who lived in these historic Georgetown digs during the late 1950s? (more…)
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Paris: 6 Favorite Museum Gift Shop Boutiques
I love Paris in the winter when it glitters, Abbesses Photos by Theadora Brack
Fashion Dolls rocking out at the Musée de la Poupée
By Theadora Brack
With the linen crisp postcard perfect holidays sauntering our way, here’s a list of my favorite museum shops in Paris. Not in France? Fret not. Most of the boutiques listed below have websites and offer international shipping. So bend an elbow and crack a bottle of suds. La vie est belle! (more…)
Paris: People, Places and Bling 