Thank you Good night, day!

The other day I had a nice surprise in my inbox - the lovely Tara-Lynn of Goodnight, Day was kind enough to include the photos of me wearing her knits on her blog. You can see the post here.

She's also having a big sale at the moment and brought back quite a few sold out styles. I'm pretty tempted of getting a little something myself, like the Windsor turban or even the Lambton cowl. Her knits are just soft and amazing! Not to mention ultimately something special that you would enjoy for a long time.

Shop here.

Happy (belated) Birthday Mr. Miller! And a collection of cosmodemonic tunes

Happy holidays everyone!

Some of you might have been celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas or even Festivus, but this year I learned that on December 26th we're actually celebrating Henry Miller's birthday.

As you've probably noticed on the blog before, I find a strong affinity towards Henry Miller - his bohemian lifestyle, his sensualist worldview and funny dirty books. Not to mention his master use of the word cunt.

I started reading Plexus recently and from the first pages the book looks very similar to quite a number of things in my life right now - living in a beautiful place you can't quite afford, being penniless but wearing fine things as silks and furs, encountering strange characters...

So here is a brand new very eclectic mix in honor of our patron saint, Henry Valentine Miller.

Give it a listen here!

Art Show Abstraction (outfit)

kaleidoscope  '70s shirt : vintage

skirt  : vintage Sonia Rykiel (borrowed from the shop)

coat : thrifted

shawl : Goodnight Day

boots : thrifted

It's been a pretty crazy week; however, during these busy days, the week debuted with almost a pattern - going to a thrift store in the suburbs (that's where you can find the cheapest/nicest stuff), then coming back to ENSBA in the evening for a group show opening (and free drinks).

I guess that pretty much sums up the broke art student lifestyle - eating at CROUS, trekking into the banlieu for Christmas shopping because the only gifts you can afford are at the thrift store, then coming back to school for a free lukewarm Kro (pretty much the French equivalent of PBR) at the opening of someone you vaguely know.

As I haven't seen my friend Viktorija in FOREVER, hearing about her group show was a good excuse to hang out. You may remember her from last year's look book.

She snapped these photos of me with parts of the artwork, so I thought this would be a good excuse for an outfit post and a little peek into ENSBA student life.

I just received this beautiful shawl from Goodnight, Day and it's become an instant favorite! I makes me look like some sort of Abstract Expressionist witch and I love it! Sure it's raw yarn and it sheds a little, but it's also super warm, soft and comfy. Not to mention unique!

I also can't abstain from wearing this Sonia Rykiel skirt every now and then, so someone better snatch it quick before I change my mind about selling it! It looks perfect with my crazy Louis Wain shirt (don't tell me you can't see the comparison!).

Good luck getting all those last minute holiday things ready everyone!

Winter Magic Hour (outfit)

velvet '60s pants: vintage

60s cashmere sweater : vintage (Ebay)

cape : thrifted

 gloves : vintage (Etsy)

beanie : Goodnight Day

boots : thrifted

cat pin : DIY 

necklace : The Solarium

I know I always complain about the weather, but truth is we've been enjoying quite a bit of sunshine lately, which could be seen as a little miracle.

This winter has been particularly warm, although temperatures do drop dramatically once the sun goes down and we still get that icy wind blowing everything away. At least it still looks pretty much like autumn, despite all the Christmas decorations.

These photos are actually taken during the last 20 minutes of sunlight, during a run to the post office after I came back from school. Lucky enough there's this park nearby that's a little higher than the general level, so we managed to get this beautiful magic hour light (and the devastating winter wind).

Unfortunately the guard kicked us out at 5.30 as the park was closing (they close parks in the evening in Paris, it's a really strange concept), but we still had a decent backdrop by the outer fence.

This is my first cape ever that I used to wear a lot until I found two more; when I dug it out of storage i realized I had spent the entire last year without wearing it, so it had to go back into rotation! It also has pockets and my squeaky baby toy turned into a pin (I should stop telling people it squeaks, they can totally abuse that).

 These velvet pants are an old favorite, but unfortunately they barely fit me anymore, so you'll probably see them in the shop. Come to think about it, they were pretty tight back when I was super skinny, so it's no wonder they seem to tight now.It's just such a pity, as I can never seem to find new pants that fit me right and these were perfectly high waisted! Plus they had this beautiful deco details instead of pockets and were made out of soft cotton velvet...

The sweater is an old Ebay buy that just proves my theory about modern knits - this 30$ cashmere sweater from the '60s that has been previously worn and that I've been wearing constantly for two years has no piling whatsoever. My 80$ acrylic American Apparel cardigan that I got for 18$ on sale is FULL of piling and unwearable after two weeks. My Goodnight, Day beanie is still looking swell after almost a month tho.

It's been a crazy week out here(I was supposed to do another two posts at least!), but I'm sure everyone feels the same before Christmas and on the last week of school. I'll try not to let it die completely during the holidays.

So good luck getting ready everyone!

The Grey Gardens collections is now in the shop!

I finally finished listing all the looks from the winter collection! In case you missed out on the look book, you can see it here.

You can find all this lovely dresses in the shop.Lots of velvet (and velour), rich jewel tones and an amazing 50s dress!

So make haste, these beauties won't last too long!

Shop HERE.

Film&Fashion Fridays : Powell&Pressburger's A Matter of Life and Death

Paris cinephiles rejoice! If you loved Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes, you ttally have to head over to Le Champo and see A Matter of Life and Death!

If not for the extremely celevr concept of life and afterlife, nor the super stylish aviator jackets, neither the cute 40s hairstyles, then the Technicolor!

Sure, it's on digital, but the transfer is beautiful and the colors are rich and vivid.

The film is surprisingly funny and joyous, given its subject matter. Basically this pilot was missed by the messenger of death, which bought him more time on Earth and lead to a budding romance. When the messenger approaches to correct his mistake, the pilot refuses to go and demand a recall.

In my opinion the whole film is based on a false premise - the pilot actually fell in love with the girl when they were talking on the radio, a few minutes before he abandoned the flaming plane without a parachute.

However, it's still sheer joy watching it! And for any Bergman fans, there are quite a few chess references.

Here's a more coherent synopsis I found on Karagarga :

One of the finest products of the partnership between Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, it is an extravagant allegory that manages to be simultaneously life-enhancing and necrophiliac.
First shown in late 1946, the re-released A Matter of Life and Death, one of the finest products of the partnership between Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, is an extravagant allegory that manages to be simultaneously life-enhancing and necrophiliac. David Niven is at his most charming as a wounded RAF pilot who on the point of death confronts a heavenly tribunal.
The themes are Anglo-American relations, imperialism and the shape of the post-war world, and the movie is dated only in the sense that it exudes that spirit of hope that informed the brief period between the election of the first majority Labour Government and the onset of the Cold War.
Kim Hunter, who the following year was to create the role of Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire, is delightful as the American WAC devoted to Niven, and there is a scene-stealing performance from Marius Goring as the eighteenth-century French aristocrat, a victim of the Revolution, who acts as a heavenly emissary. Jack Cardiff's photography (monochrome for heaven, Technicolor for Earth) and Alfred Junge's sets are exquisite.
  More info - link

Major bonus points -  a goofy 18th century Frenchman, dumb American boys trying to play Shakespeare, silly almost perfect freeze frames, hunky 40s guys with perfect facial hair AND ping pong! Not to mention cold sexy flight-marshal angel ladies (with the most amazing hairstyles).

Grey Gardens : Winter 2013 Look Book

I'm happy to announce that our winter look book is finally finished!

It was inspired by Grey Gardens for this atmosphere of a long gone glorious past, living ruins and the beauty of obsolete eccentricity, all things that fit so well with the overall French aesthetic.

It was shot in the famous Parisian cemetery Père Lachaise; yes, the one with the famous Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison graves.

Need I say I completely froze my ass off? Luckily I was wearing a slip, but in the end it didn't help much.

There are dresses from the '50s through the '90s, mostly velvet  and corduroy , in dark, season-appropriate shades.

Part of them come from my personal collection, so be sure not to miss out on these beauties!

The dresses should be in the shop by the end of the week, but make sure to check back again.