Ahh Paris!  I spent the entire day, and I mean the entire day, at the Louvre.  Barely time to make my reservation at Le Petite Marche, 9 Rue Bearn.  The costume collection featured a too rare exhibition of men’s clothing titled L’Homme pare.  The show featured archetypal costumes and their contemporary variations.  The waist coats from the 18th. c. were outstanding.  Napoleon’s uniform was definitely a highlight.  I didn’t expect it to radiate so much raw sexuality.  If you don’t share my same predeliction for short powerful men then the contemporary runway stuff will probably appeal to you.   If men in skirts is your thing don’t miss Gaultier’s Renaissance number.  

 

In other fashion related exhibitions, Ingres is not to be missed.  Oh sure it cost a little extra, and no doubt some philistine American reviewer from New York will pan it for not being up to par with the Met’s oh so adequate exhibition a while back, but who cares.  Ingres is to 19th c. fashion what Erte was to the 20s.  You cannot know beauty until you know Ingres.  Misplaced proportions, dramatic scenes, moody heroines, this my darling is what fashion is all about.