The French raise a glass – and millions – for Duralex

Like their Picardie tumblers – a staple of school canteens considered as iconic as Levi’s jeans and Swiss Army knives – French glassworks Duralex has a habit of bouncing back.

Last month, it did so in impressive style (for the fourth time) when a public appeal for emergency funding saw patriotic French design fans rally to help reach its fundraising target in under six hours.

This Guardian article on Duralex’s history, upgrade and plans for the future makes an interesting read.

Famous French Brands: Poivre Blanc

The obsession of French tweens and teens in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Poivre Blanc (White Pepper) is back on the cool kids' radar with a line of vintage tees, tags, caps and sweaters that harks back to its surfwear-meets-streetwear roots.

Founded in 1984 by Danny Sebright, the Marseille-born *marque started out producing bright, sporty t-shirts featuring animated characters and fun prints that garnered a cult following. However, it evolved its offering in 1989 and is now the go-to for luxurious, high-tech skiwear – with a price tag to match.

Whether on the court, at yoga class or swishing down the slopes, Poivre Blanc’s technically advanced sportswear for women, men and children cuts a fine figure. But it’s the nostalgic appeal of the vintage designs that have put the brand back in the spotlight.

According to the website…

“La collection vintage de Poivre Blanc a été créée pour célébrer et préserver l’héritage unique de la marque. Ce revival permet de reconnecter les clients avec les souvenirs joyeux et l’authenticité des débuts de Poivre Blanc, tout en attirant un nouveau public qui apprécie le charme rétro.

“Les motifs et designs de la collection vintage sont inspirés par les archives de la marque, reprenant des éléments graphiques et colorés qui avaient fait son succès, modernisés pour aujourd’hui. Ce retour aux racines est aussi une réponse à la demande croissante pour des vêtements qui allient style, histoire et durabilité.”

*Ou, en anglais…

“The Poivre Blanc Vintage Collection was created to celebrate and preserve the brand's unique heritage. This revival reconnects customers with the joyful memories and authenticity of Poivre Blanc's early days, while attracting a new audience who appreciates its retro charm.

“The patterns and designs of the Vintage Collection are inspired by the brand's archives, incorporating graphic and colourful elements that made it successful, modernised for today. This return to its roots is also a response to the growing demand for clothing that combines style, history, and sustainability.”

View the Poivre Blanc range on the website.

*brand | *Or, in English

Famous French Brands: CABAIA

Wander the streets of any French city, and you’ll spot the wares of hip, eco-conscious brand CABAIA on the backs or heads of all the cool kids. Founded in 2015 by Bastien Valensi and Emilien Foiret, the burgeoning luggage and accessories brand launched with a range of *bonnets topped with interchangeable pompoms – and, alongside sustainability, that idea of customisation is still at the heart of the brand.

cabaia.com

Achieving B Corp certification in 2022, CABAIA has donated 28,8343€ to partner charities, including the SPA (French Society for the Protection of Animals). With a lifetime guarantee, the brand’s products are manufactured in ethical factories, and 67% contain recycled plastic.

With a mission “to turn every trip into a journey, multiplying experiences and living life on our own terms,” CABAIA has quickly grown a loyal following with its modular *sacs à dos – featuring removable front pockets that can be swapped for different colours and styles.

The playful and innovative brand continues to “make mobility more beautiful”, and with over 30 stores in France and Belgium and more than 2,500 stockists, it seems CABAIA’s journey is one to follow.

Visit the CABAIA website for more information.

* beanies | * backpacks

Famous French Brands: La Vache Qui Rit

With an iconic look and a delightful backstory, La Vache Qui Rit, or “The Laughing Cow”, is a brand of processed cheese products produced by Fromageries Bel. Wrapped in nostalgia, the wedges of mild and creamy, spreadable cheese – made with a blend of cheddar, gouda, edam, emmental and comté – were created in 1921 by French cheesemaker Léon Bel.

The instantly recognisable red cow logo, complete with cheese-round earrings, was designed by celebrated illustrator Benjamin Rabier. During World War I, Rabier, then a French officer, painted a laughing cow on meat trucks transporting rations for soldiers. He nicknamed it “Wachkyrie,” a cheeky nod to the Germans’ “Walkyries,” inspired by Wagner’s famous Ride of the Valkyries.

When said aloud in French, the pun sounded like “Vache Qui Rit” – sparking the imagination of young dairy farmer, Léon Bel. When Bel later launched his fromage* – the first soft, portioned processed cheese in aluminium packaging that could be easily shared and transported – he asked Rabier to create a new version of the laughing cow. In bright red with her signature earrings, she became the cheerful mascot stocking dairy aisles today.

Loved by adults and kids alike, La Vache has since become a staple in lunchboxes in over 120 countries across the globe.

* cheese

PS: This one’s for you, Antoine.

Famous French brands: Repetto

With the recent resurgence in popularity of that early 2000s staple, the ballet flat, what better time to spotlight the iconic French company that does it best: Repetto. In ballet and fashion, few names hold as much prestige as Repetto – known for its craftsmanship, enduring style and star-studded following.

La marque* was founded in 1947 when Rose Repetto set out to create the perfect ballet shoe for her son, celebrated dancer Roland Petit. Her handmade shoes quickly gained a reputation for their comfort and quality, achieved with a unique “stitch and return” technique that ensures flexibilité* and an unparalleled fit.

Repetto shoes soon shod les pieds* of other renowned dancers, including Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov, with the brand providing ballet shoes for the Opéra National de Paris to this day. However, it wasn’t until a fortuitous pairing that the brand’s reputation truly took off.

In 1956, an ascendant star, Brigitte Bardot, commissioned a pair of ballet flats, the "Cendrillon," for her film And God Created Woman. The shoes became an instant success – and a style signature of B.B.

In the early 2000s, Repetto ballet flats were the footwear du jour, popularised by celebrities like Kate Moss and Amy Winehouse wearing them on repeat. And while Carrie Bradshaw would never be seen without her towering heels, Sarah Jessica Parker regularly embraced Repetto flats as a chic and comfortable alternative off the screen.

Other admirateurs* over the years have included French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, who loved the Zizi style designed for dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, and Karl Lagerfeld, who often sent models down the runway in Repetto.

Today, the company produces various footwear styles, ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. However, it’s Rose's chic and comfortable ballet shoes that have earned Repetto an enduring iconic status.

Learn more of l’histoire de Repetto* here.

*The brand | *flexibility | *the feet |*fans | *the story of Repetto

Famous French Brands: Mariage Frères

Can’t go past a refreshing tasse de thé*? Then consider popping on the kettle and pouring yourself a first-class cup from renowned French tea brand Mariage Frères.

Founded in Paris in 1854, Mariage Frères has long been elevating tea drinking into an indulgent art. 

Coming from a family of traders with a lust for loose leaves, brothers Henri and Edouard Mariage embarked on a mission to import teas from China, Japan and India – and their eponymous business was born.

Securing a legion of tea-drinking fans with its signature blends and elegant packaging, Mariage Frères today has boutiques and concessions across the globe. 

If you need to find un cadeau* in Paris? Drop by one of their flagship stores in the chic Marais district or Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and you won't leave empty-handed. 

Enjoyed by local pinkie-raisers and tourists alike, the marque* was one of the first to promote the health benefits of green tea. However, it's Marco Polo, a fragrant blend with notes of fruit and flowers, and the robust Earl Grey Imperial the brand is best known for. 

With a rich history and commitment to quality, Mariage Frères continues to inspire joy with every not-so-humble cup of tea. Read more of their story here.

*cup of tea | *a gift | *brand

Famous French brands: Ladurée

At 16 Rue Royale in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, clad in pastel green and gold, stands the original Ladurée – a petite and enduring patisserie founded in 1862 by Louis-Ernest Ladurée. 

Initially une boulangerie*, Ladurée was rebuilt following a fire to become one of the city's first tea rooms, opening in 1871. At the time, Paris was undergoing significant cultural and social transformations, and Ladurée and his wife Jeanne had a vision to create a refined gathering place for the Parisian elite. 

Their eponymous establishment rapidement* became just that – capturing the imagination of Parisian society and attracting intellectuals, artists and socialites to indulge in the exquisite pastries and teas amidst Ladurée's elegant ambience. 

However, it wasn’t until decades later that la marque's* most iconic culinary creation came to be. In 1930, the Parisian pastry chef Pierre Desfontaines, grand-cousin of Louis-Ernes, had a lightbulb moment and cemented two macaron shells together with a filling of velvety ganache. And this is how the Parisian macaron was born, mes ami(e)s*!

Central to Ladurée's international allure is this veritable rainbow of macarons in classic flavours like vanilla and chocolate to exotic renditions such as matcha and lychee. No trip to Paris is complete without sampling these delicate confections – and, trust us, you won't stop at just one!

Today, Ladurée stands as a global emblem of Parisian elegance, with boutiques and tearooms from Tokyo to New York, including high-end department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Harrods. 

It's also been immortalised in literature, fashion and film. From Marcel Proust's evocative descriptions of madeleines to Sofia Coppola's cinematic ode in Marie Antoinette, Ladurée has left an indelible mark on popular culture. As well as our collective tastebuds. 

For more, visit the Ladurée France website.

*a bakery | *quickly | *the brand’s | *my friends

Five Cult French Pharmacy Finds

Travelling to France? Plan on packing an extra tote for your beauty haul as you're headed to skincare-lover paradise! With cosmetics sections that rival any department store, French pharmacies are veritable treasure troves of skincare wonders where beauty buffs flock for coveted products that promise radiant, flawless, French-girl peau*. 

Renowned for their minimalist approach to makeup and unwavering dedication to skincare, the French prioritise healthy, glowing complexions above all else. So, do as they do next trip and stock up on these five cult French pharmacy finds to elevate your skincare routine to new heights.

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil: A multi-purpose dry oil beloved by beauty enthusiasts worldwide, NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is a luxurious elixir that nourishes, hydrates and illuminates the skin and hair. Infused with precious botanical oils, this cult favourite is suitable for all skin types, delivering a radiant glow and delicious fragrance with each application.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water: Seen backstage at catwalk shows, this holy grail skincare staple is a gentle yet effective cleanser that removes la maquillage*, impurities and excess oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier. Ideal for sensitive skin types, the dermatologist-recommended formula soothes and calms irritation, leaving the skin clean, refreshed and balanced.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré: Loved by makeup artists, models and celebs alike, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is a luxurious moisturiser that doubles as a primer and makeup remover. Enriched with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera, this iconic cream hydrates, softens and smooths the skin, creating the perfect canvas for makeup application while promoting long-term skin health.

A313 Vitamin A Cream: A cult classic in French skincare, A313 Vitamin A Cream is a potent retinoid treatment renowned for its transformative anti-ageing benefits. Formulated with retinyl palmitate, a gentle derivative of vitamin A, this powerhouse cream stimulates collagen production, reduces the appearance of fine lines and les rides* and refines skin texture for a youthful, radiant complexion.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5: A soothing and reparative balm for the face and body, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is a must-have for addressing a myriad of skin concerns, from dryness and irritation to minor wounds and burns. Enriched with panthenol, the rich, dermatologist-tested formula provides immediate relief, accelerates skin regeneration and restores comfort to even the most sensible* skin types.

Happy shopping!

*skin | * makeup | *wrinkles | *sensitive

Famous French Brands: Le Creuset

Step into any self-respecting cook’s *cuisine and you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll find at least one piece of cast iron cookware from iconic French brand, Le Creuset. Founded in 1925 in Fresnoy-le-Grand, a small French village situated *environ two hours north of Paris, *la marque is synonymous with culinary quality and covetable (much copied) style.

The brainchild of two Belgian industrialists, Armand Desaegher and Octave Aubecq, Le Creuset began with the creation of a cast iron *cocotte, or French Oven. Today, the brand’s enamelled cast iron cookware, utensils and kitchen accessories are instantly recognisable in vibrant, timeless colours, including Marseille (bright blue), classic Cerise (cherry red) and Volcanic (orange) – the most important of all. Inspired by the fiery colour of molten cast iron inside foundry moulds, Volcanique was the brand’s first enamelled colour. And it remains a firm favourite today.

Beyond those wanting a pop of colour in the kitchen, Le Creuset fans rave about the results come dinner time. The casseroles and cast-iron pieces ]distribute and retain heat to perfection for unparalleled slow cooking and braising. And while the price tag might seem hefty at first, if you consider them not just kitchen tools but heirlooms to pass down, they become an irresistible proposition. 

Over the years, the product line has evolved to include stoneware, non-stick cookware and even wine accessories and Le Creuset remains beloved by professional chefs and home cooks worldwide. Whether you're simmering Coq au Vin or baking a mouth-watering soufflé, it remains your trusted culinary companion, bringing a touch of French charm to your kitchen.

Learn more about the Le Creuset story on the Australian website. Or explore the French website to test your vocab.

*kitchen | *around | *the brand | *casserole

Famous French Brands: A.P.C.

For most of us, missing luggage is an inconvenience, but for Tunisian-born, Paris-based Jean Touitou, it also served as inspiration. Losing his bags en route* to Barcelona and setting off in search of un jean*, the former Kenzo employee was unimpressed by the options on offer, especially the lack of his favoured raw denim.  

This experience, and his disdain for the OTT fashion of the 1980s, led Touitou to create the utilitarian-chic French label A.P.C. in 1987. Initially selling menswear only, Touitou soon realised les femmes* also craved a fuss-free alternative to loud, trend-led clothing. He introduced womenswear the following year – and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Headquartered in Paris, A.P.C. (or Atelier de Production et de Création*) has become synonymous with high-quality, practical, and casually elegant clothing. Think raw Japanese denim, well-cut basics like the perfect white tee or striped crew-neck sweater, and simple leather accessories. We’ll take the ‘Demi-Lune’ sac* in each colour, svp.

35 years on, the still-independently-owned marque* is highly sought after in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. Collabs with brands and celebs from Asics to Jane Birkin, Goop and Kid Cudi keep things fresh, and A.P.C. stores can be found in the world’s most fashionable cities – including Melbourne.  

But if un vol* down south isn’t on the cards, don’t worry. You can still get that French girl (or gars*) look by shopping the collection online.

*on the way | *jeans | *women | *Production and Creation Workshop | *Half-Moon bag | *brand | *a flight | *guy

Bonne Maman

We’re willing to bet une baguette* that lurking in your fridge is a jar of confiture* bearing the name and signature vichy rouge* lid of this French foodie brand. Meaning grandmother or granny, Bonne Maman is a family-owned marque* synonymous with delicious home-style preserves, jellies and fruit spreads. All made to traditional recettes* – jam-packed with fruit, and without artificial flavours, colours or conservateurs* (pas préservatifs*, attention!*). 

Founded in 1971 by the Gervoson family, Bonne Maman is based in Biars-sur-Cère, a small village in a beautiful fruit-growing region along the Dordogne in Southwest France. However, the jams’ appeal is much more widespread (pardon the pun), with the range now enjoyed in almost 100 countries across the globe.

In 2021, a rumour also emerged that the company founders sheltered people during the holocaust. While the private family declined to comment, we can’t think of a better reason to pop on la bouilloire* and indulge in something sweet. *Bonne Maman, bien sûr.
To learn more, visit the French website. (We’re sorry to say the madeleines aren’t available on our shores.)

*a baguette | *jam | *red gingham |*brand | *recipes | *preservatives | *not condoms | *be careful | *the kettle | *Bonne Maman, of course

Famous French brands: Diptyque

Step into any stylish home. and you’re likely to spot – or smell – at least one product from French fragrance house, diptyque. Founded in 1961 by trois amis créatifs*, the iconic marque* is a world-renowned purveyor of high-end perfumes, bodycare and home fragrance products. Including, of course, those heavenly bougies parfumées* (an ideal cadeau de Nöel*, if you still have some stockings to fill!). 

However, it was fabric, not fragrance, that inspired Christiane Gautrot, Desmond Knox-Leet and Yves Coueslant to set up a bazaar at the bohemian end of the Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris. Here, the interior designer, painter and set designer sold their own textile designs alongside Indian incense holders, German paper lanterns and other exotic objets* from their travels.

The diptyque website explains…

The meaning behind the name? A reference to the store’s façade.

In 1963, the trio had the prescience to launch their first scented candles, followed in 1968 by a unisex fragrance, L’Eau*. According to The Perfume Society, “Soon, diptyque was scenting all the smartest homes in Paris and beyond – creating the trend for scented candles that we’re still obsessed with today, and carving out an identity with its so-chic iconic black lettering on a spot-it-at-30-paces oval label.”

Intéressé(e)*? Decouvrez* the range and read more about the popular perfumer – en français* or in English.

*three creative friends | *brand | *scented candles | *Christmas gift | *objects |*water | *interested | *discover | *in French

Brand Story: Lacoste

If you hit your sartorial zenith in the 1980s and fancied yourself an emerging yuppy (not looking at anyone…) you may have found yourself unnaturally drawn to wearing a tiny fabric crocodile close to your cœur*.

The French leisure marque* Lacoste pre-dates this most bewildering decade and its history is as long as its present-day product line is wide.

But what really is the story with that tiny green reptile?

From the Lactose.fr website comes this explanation:

“Boston, 1923, le jeune prodige du tennis René Lacoste a 19 ans et il aime les challenges. Son capitaine d’équipe le sait. Il lui promet la belle valise en cuir de crocodile qu’il admire en vitrine s’il remporte le match difficile à venir. René Lacoste n’a pas gagné le match mais il avait la ténacité du crocodile sur le court, c’est pourquoi il a été surnommé ainsi par un journaliste américain.”

“Boston, 1923, the young tennis prodigy René Lacoste is 19 years old and loves a challenge. His team captain knows it. He promises to buy him the beautiful crocodile-leather suitcase he admires in a shop window if he wins the tough match he has coming up. René Lacoste didn’t win the match but he had the tenacity of a crocodile on the court, which is why he was so-nicknamed by an American journalist.”

Intéressé(e)*? Read more here in French (plus see some great past advertisements).

Feeling a bit paresseux(euse)* maybe? Here’s the English version.

*heart | *brand | *interested | *lazy

Four wheels under an umbrella

If you’ve studied French for a while or had at least a passing interest in French culture, you’ll most likely have heard of the Citroën 2CV.

It may have cropped up when you learned about the tréma accent it contains (and if you’ve forgotten its impact, here’s Katrina explaining it) or perhaps you’ve heard people reminiscing with beaucoup d’affection* about their travels around France in the 70s and 80s behind the wheel of one of these très petites voitures* or TPVs as they were known in the Citroën factory.

André Citroën had dreams of being the Henry Ford of France but this politically ambitious man was unfortunately also un joueur invétéré*, and soon ran into financial difficulty.

Fortunately, the newly installed patron*, Pierre Boulanger (who, had he been born on British soil would have been plain old Peter Baker) inherited a talented team of engineers. Pierre enjoyed walks in the countryside, and was taken by the pace of the farmers in horse-drawn carts who kept gentle rhythm with their chevaux*. He decided to replace the deux chevaux with deux chevaux-vapeur*, and the idea for the 2CV was born.

A simple edict to the engineers followed:

I’m no engineer, but with only 2CV under the hood, you’d imagine the Citroën 2CV is not exactly at risk of getting away from you on the open road. James Bond, however, would disagree, and a nun with a lead foot gives Louis Funès a lift he’ll never forget in this charming petite vidéo*.

*lots of affection | *very small cars | *chronic gambler | *boss | *horses | *horsepower | *little video

Chanel

The Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria inspired us to do a bit of digging into her back catalogue.

For a period of time in the 80s, the Chanel brand was considered fusty and démodé*. The arrival of Karl Lagerfeld in 1983 quickly put paid to that, but what is so striking is that her iconic designs, many of which appeared for the first time in the 20s, feel so fresh and contemporary today.

Jetez un œil*.

*out of fashion | *Take a look

Papier Tigre

For many, a love of language goes main dans la main* with an appreciation of fine stationery. There’s a sense of vast possibility in a blank page and a freshly-sharpened pencil that’s hard to replicate.

Imagine my excitement, then, when I came across the website of Papier Tigre*, une petite papeterie* in the heart of the Marais in Paris.

L’angoisse* soon followed, though, as I fretted that their gorgeous bloc-notes*, cartes postales* and crayons* would be unavailable to us, here at the other end of the world.

Happily, this micro-story has une fin heureuse* - Papier Tigre is available right here in Brisbane.

Bons achats*!

*hand in hand | *Paper Tiger | *a little stationer’s shop | *Anguish | *writing pads | *postcards | *pencils | *a happy ending | *Happy shopping!

*

A bit of friction...

I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say that one of the petits plaisirs* I enjoy when travelling in a French-speaking country is a trip to the local pharmacie*.

There’s something about seeing products that I’ve long considered produits de luxe* being sold to le grand publique* at extremely reasonable prices.

There there are the petites découvertes* involving products we simply don’t have here. One such discovery took place a few years ago when we were on a trip to la Nouvelle Calédonie*. I’m a sucker for a good-looking label, so when I came upon my first bottle of Friction de Foucaud, I couldn’t part with my sous* fast enough.

It was only when I got back to the hotel that Deborah, whom some of you know, told me that it was a French product reeking of nostalgia in the vein of Quick-Eze or Vicks Vapor Rub for those of us who grew up here.

She explained that it was mostly used as a refreshing tonic in hot weather or as a quick and effective pick-me-up for those days that just seem to drag.

it was created in 1946 by Madame Lucienne Merle. Inspired by the climate she experienced living in French Indochina (now Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) this secret formula, which has remained unchanged for 70 year, offered ‘sovereign relief from tiredness’.

Since its creation, and in an effort to penetrate a larger market, the range has been extended to include roll-ons, foot creams and thigh gels. Its popularity was given a boost in the 80s when tennis player Yannick Nosh extolled its virutes.

According to the Friction de Foucaud website:

”Vous serez séduits à votre tour en l’utilisant, par le mariage d’huiles essentielles de citron, d’orange, de thym, de romarin, mêlées à des extraits naturels de camphre et de menthol qui donnent à la friction cet effet rafraîchissant et énergisant.”

”You, too, will be seduced when you use it, by the combination of essential oils such as lemon, orange, thyme, and rosemary, mixed with natural extracts of camphor and menthol with give the friction its refreshing and energising effect.”

*small pleasures | *pharmacy | *luxury products | *the general public | *little discoveries | *New Caledonia | *cash

Blagues Carambar

If you’ve been into le nid* recently you may have noticed a little ceramic pot filled with these delicious caramel treats just as you walk through la porte*. Well, it was full…

It turns out our Chouchous* have taken to these iconic French treats in a big way, so we’re offering you the chance to win a packet of your own. Be the first person to translate la blague* below and les bonbons* are all yours!

Firstly, though, some history…

Finding themselves with a surplus of cocoa, the Director of the Delespaul-Havez company, M. Fauchille, and his employee, M. Galois, decide to create a brand new recette* as a way of using it up.

According to legend, one factory machine malfunction later the Caram’bar (as it was then known) was born, a portmanteau word combining caramel* and barre*.

Carambar decided to include jokes on the inside of each wrapper. They launched a competition in schools across France asking students to submit their best (clean) jokes with the incentive of winning one’s weight in Carambar. Naturally, they were inundated and the blague Carambar* took off.

Renowned for being des blagues à deux balles* , the Carambar jokes are nonetheless fondly considered in France, much like the ones found in Christmas crackers dans ce coin*.

After an absence of five years, Carambar ads return to the screens with YouTubers extolling their virtues as well as a new strap line: “Carambar, c’est la barre!”

A play on words, the marketers swapped c’est la balle* for c’est la barre*, in reference to the bar shape of the sweet and a whole new generation of enfants français* were hooked.

So here we go, une petite sélection* of des blagues Carambar.

1. Pourquoi les maisons en Angleterre ne sont-elles pas solides ?

Parce qu’elles sont en glaise. (anglaises)

2. Quelles sont les lettres les plus vieilles de l’alphabet ?

A G (âgé)

3. De quelle couleur sont les parapluies quand il pleut ?

Ils sont tout verts ! (Ils sont ouverts)

*the nest | *the door | *Teacher’s Pets | *the joke | *lollies | *recipe | *caramel | *bar | *Carambar joke | *corny jokes | *in this neck of the woods | *It’s awesome | *it’s the bar | *French children | *a little selection

DIOR - Designer of Dreams

If you have just une minute*, it is well worth watching the very beginning of this documentary, “Dior - Designer of Dreams”.

The opening scenes find us at a photo shoot for the image above, and the moment of its capture is pure magie*. Keep an ear out for the unexpected Australian accent off camera, too. It truly is une équipe internationale* who pulled off this exquisite exhibition of 70 years of the House of Dior at Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Paris in 2017.

If you have an interest in la haute couture*, you’ll fall in love dès le départ*.

If you’re more of a sceptic, though, this could be le documentaire* to win you over, as it illustrates in the most intricate detail le dévouement*, la passion* et le travail acharné* required to create things of such beauty.

Currently showing at the Brooklyn Museum in New York, is it too much to hope it’ll eventually find its way aux Antipodes*?

Entre temps*, we have a video to watch… Enjoy.

*one minute | *pure magic | *an international team | *haute couture (literally ‘high sewing’) | *from the get-go | *the documentary | *the dedication | *the passion | *the sheer hard work | *Down Under

Sézane

If someone gave you three bags of old clothes, what would do with them? Pull out anything you could wear and then donate the rest to your local friperie*? Not Morgane Sézalory, who did a few retouches* and then sold them on eBay. In short order, her eponymous label was born (Sézane combines her first and last names), and if you’re looking for un peu de distraction*, I could not recommend this site more highly. Un grand merci* to our Chouchou*, Kirstie, for wearing the beautiful pull bleu* a few weeks ago, which sparked the conversation.

Read Morgane’s story here.

Skip straight to the shopping.