Giambattista VALLI for Impulse at macys.com

                                                                                                                                                                    After Karl Lagerfeld it is now Giambattista Valli's ( one of my favorite designer ) turn to do a capsule collection for Macy's.

Paris-based Valli is known for his extravagant red carpet designs and feminine looks.

The collection includes cocktail dresses, jackets, skirts, tops, tights, clutches and even a candle.

Impulse at macys.com

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!

Grauman's Chinese Theatre,Los Angeles

After numerous business trips to Los Angeles I finally decided to play "tourist" and go visit the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre

 Also known as Mann's Chinese Theatre, it’s a movie theater at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. It is on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Chinese Theatre was commissioned following the success of the nearby Grauman's Egyptian Theatre which opened in 1922. Built over 18 months, from January 1926 by a partnership headed by Sid Grauman, the theater opened May 18, 1927, with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's film The King of Kings. It has since been home to many premieres - including the 1977 launch of George Lucas's Star Wars[ and three Academy Awards ceremonies. Among the theater's most distinctive features are the concrete blocks set in the forecourt, which bear the signatures, footprints, and handprints of popular motion picture personalities from the 1920s to the present day, nearly 200 of them.Here some of my favorites.

There are many stories regarding the origins of the footprints...

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!

Montparnasse Cemetery

An other thing I like to do when in Paris is to visit the Montparnasse cemetery.I particularly love the colors of the old fashion ceramic funeral wreaths.  

                                                                                                                                                                       

Created from three farms in 1824, the cemetery at Montparnasse was originally known as Le Cimetière du Sud. Montparnasse Cemetery (3, boulevard Edgar-Quinet; 33-1-44-10-86-50) is the eternal home of many of France's intellectual and artistic elite as well as publishers and others who promoted the works of authors and artists, holding the graves of Maupassant, Beckett, Jean Seberg,Duras and Man Ray, as well as Susan Sontag and Serge Gainsbourg.

Because of the many notable people buried there, it is a highly popular tourist attraction.

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!

Oskar Gustin for Emmanuel Ungaro

To celebrate Fashion Night Out in Paris the Emmanuel Ungaro couture house did open their archives to share the jewelries pieces that Oskar Gustin designed in the late 60’s for Mr. Ungaro ready to wear and couture collections.

Known for his theater sets and costume work,Suisse borne Oskar Gustin created from 1968 to 1979 some unusual pieces,a cross between sculptures and jewelry; necklaces, belts, breasts plaques or bracelets in brass and nickel.

The exhibit is such a success that it has been extended.

You can also see the pieces in vintage photographs by Peter Knapp.

 Emanuel Ungaro
 2, avenue Montaigne 
Paris VIIIe

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!

Porte de Vanves Flea Market,Paris

Each time I am in Paris for work or pleasure I try to visit the flea market at the Porte de Vanves...I am a born collector and I always find something here; a new pottery, a trinket, a vintage piece of jewelry for a friend or an inspirational sample.

Here some pictures from my Sunday outing.

                                                                          

      Every weekend of the year, 350 stall holders await you.                                                                                                                                                                                       

http://pucesdevanves.typepad.com/

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!