SCHIAPARELLI & PRADA: IMPOSSIBLE CONVERSATIONS

What everybody is talking about today is the MET Gala tonight for the opening of the new exhibition of the Costume Institut at the Met.

Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, explores the striking affinities between Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, two Italian designers from different eras. Inspired by Miguel Covarrubias's "Impossible Interviews" for Vanity Fair in the 1930s.The exhibition will showcase approximately ninety designs and thirty accessories by Schiaparelli (1890–1973) from the late 1920s to the early 1950s and by Prada from the late 1980s to the present.

Schiaparelli, who worked in Paris from the 1920s until her house closed in 1954, was closely associated with the Surrealist movement and created such iconic pieces as the "Tear" dress, the "Shoe" hat, and the "Bug" necklace. Prada, who holds a degree in political science, took over her family's Milan-based business in 1978, and focuses on fashion that reflects the eclectic nature of Postmodernism.

I am very excited about seeing more of Schiaparelli designs,especially after my encounter with the « Shoe » hat last month at the wonderful exhibition « Hats : An Anthology by Stephen Jones » at the Brad Graduate Center.Not so much about Prada,I have never been a fan…Strange, as I am a lover of kitsch and bad test,but I like my women to be chic.

In anticipation of the exhibition Bergdorff Goodman has dedicated their 5th Avenue window to it.

On View May 10–August 19, 2012 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

http://www.metmuseum.org/

And to see who was best or very often worst dressed go to
http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/olivia-bergin/TMG9251798/Marc-Jacobs-at-the-Met-Ball-2012-I-just-didnt-wanna-wear-a-tuxedo-and-be-boring.html

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!

            

MOOD INDIGO

An all-new range of collecting…

Fiesta in light green

When I first arrived in America 35 years ago I already was an avid collector. I always had a passion for dishes and was already collecting Limoge, Sevres and some 60’s Villeroy & Bosch, when suddenly I was faced with an explosion of colors and patterns with names like Fiesta, Harlequin and Riviera.

This display cabinet full of Fiestaware look like my cupboard

Fiesta in Orange

At the time the 26^th St. flea market was a good source, so were the thrift store. But when researching a specific piece I will go to Mood Indigo in Soho. After 25 years there, 5 years ago they relocated at the Showplace Antique and Design Center.

FireKing

Stangl

Russel Wright

Eva Zeisel

There you will be able to complete or start your collection with pieces of Fiestaware, Russel Wright and Eva Zeisel. If you feel like a “Mad Men” character you will have a huge choice of bar accessories as well as objects from famous NY nightspots as the Stork Club.

One of my favorite things in the store is the extensive grouping of the Lady Head Vases and the novelty Salt and Peppershakers. 

You will also find an extensive collection of New York World Fair memorabilia’s...    

And deco Bakelite Jewelry.

I highly recommend a visit and when there, tell them you did find the store on NicNatChat.

                                                                                         

 

http://www.moodindigonewyork.com/index.htm

http://nyshowplace.com/home/1_0_menu=9.aspx

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!

            

HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY

On my way back to NY I stop ed in Los Angeles and did a little more exploring.This time I combined my love of cinema,stars and cemeteries,paying a visit to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

This is the final resting place to more of Hollywood’s founders and stars than anywhere else in the world. Originally called Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, this is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angeles. It is located in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, adjacent to the north wall, or back, of Paramount Studios. Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is now listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Visitors come from all over to pay respects to Johnny Ramone, Cecil B. DeMille, Jayne Mansfield, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, and hundreds more of Hollywood’s greatest stars.

The cemetery is active and regularly hosts community events, including music events and summer movie screenings on weekends,bringing an average of 3.000 people.

One of my all times favorites

http://www.hollywoodforever.com/index.php

How fitting for all this stars to be buried under the Hollywood sign in the background

A bientôt,

Pierre Candra

for NicNat Chat!