Zesty Literary Scandal Peirre Louys, Illustrated by Georges Barbier

GeorgeBarbier 

Les Chansons de Bilitis,1922

George Barbier was a master of scintillating illustration.

One book in particular Les Chansons de Bilitis,, 1922. Written in 1894 by Pierre Louys who claimed to have discovered and translated the work of the ancient poetess Bilitis a, contemporary of Sappho. It contains 143 prose poems, Songs of Bilitis.  

The courtesan poet Bilitis was supposed to have  been to the daughter of A Greek father and 

a Phoenician mother.   The pretense that Louys was the translator of an ancient text did not last very long, and "translator" Louÿs was soon outed as Bilitis herself. 

This only enhanced interest in the book. 

The Songs of Bilitis was praised as a fount of elegant sensuality and refined style, even more extraordinary for the time was the author's compassionate portrayal of lesbian and female sexuality. 

Dover republished the 1926 edition of the English translation of this book

with illustrations by Willy Pogany 

From my collection of illustrations by George Barbier

French Tarts

The above event happened this past weekend in Paris.

 I read about it in
this fab free weekly on the metro.

I started to think about the history of Montmartre and the French music-halls

From the photo above It seems apparent that the American born burlesque artist  Dita Von Teese has had  a big impact on the burlesque scene here in Paris. Her shows at the Crazy Horse have her signature vintage style. 

She is now full-fledged member of the fashion world with with her own lucrative licenses. 

  Paris still has its  Oh La La-ness

from the absinthe-crazed 19th century right up to the present day.

David Lachapelle Art + Commerce

Image from Grazia 28.10.2011

Made in France.

From Jenny Carre L'age d'or du music-hall et de l'operette

1937 le Casino de Paris

 Tarts by  Marcel Vertes.
"Vertes was described as more recklessly, casually spontaneous than ever Christian Berard would dare to be. He gleefully fixes foibles and vanities of the beau monde with his deliciously spiteful brush."  Quoted from Fashion Drawings in Vogue

 Assorted  French Tarts

Jenny Carre L'age d'or du music-hall et de l'operette

This is a wonderful book

Pigalle is the home of the Moulin-Rouge

Music hall society in the late 19th century.

Adelaide Hall who was American born and British by marriage.
 immortalized by Paul Colin in 1928

Poster for the Moulin Rouge by Rene Gruau



Pigalle is still living up to its lascivious reputation.  Last week I had the occasion to go up there.  My son and I  went to  a music shop. He explained (and he is just a teenager) that it depends which side of the street you are on, as to the exact nature of your business.
They must discuss these things in French high school.

  By Ranson

I have always been fascinated by  the remarkable degree of creativity involved in staging of the reviews at the famous  Parisian music halls.  in 2001 we started collecting original gouache costume designs from the Follies Berger, and Casino de Paris etc. Circa 1925-1929.
They are colorful, exotic, and whimsical, full of fantasy, humor, and frivolity.   

 Another place where you can look for lovely French tarts,

Any good patisserie.

Expose Yourself in China

Photo By: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton collection/Patrick Gries

Image WWD

Especially if you are a French Luxury brand!

According to an article on the spate of French luxury brands exhibiting recently in Russia and China

I found these numbers interesting

“Audience numbers are certainly impressive. A Vuitton trunk-based exhibition at the Carnavalet Museum in Paris, that ended Feb. 27 2011,  attracted more than 60,000 visitors. Meanwhile, the French pavilion at last year’s Shanghai World Expo, which boasted a Vuitton installation, welcomed an estimated 11 million people.” WWD