CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Paris: Life & Luxury

Portrait of the Marquise d'Aguirandes. 1759 (Credit: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of John L. Severance 1942.638)

What is it about 18th century France… more specifically, Paris… that has made it stand the test of time as the cultural epicenter of society? It seems as if even today, we are still striving to emulate elite 18th century Parisians, with their extraordinary fashion, beautifully crafted home furnishings, and nuanced lifestyle.

Opening today at The Getty Museum is Paris: Life & Luxury: A gathering together of approximately 160 objects, half of which come from 26 museums and private collectors, the remaining are part of The Getty Museum’s extensive French decorative arts collection; the exhibition will include a wide range of paintings, sculpture, applied arts, drawings, metalwork, furniture, architectural fittings, lighting and hearth fixtures, scientific and musical instruments, clocks and watches, textiles and dress, books and maps.

The exhibit’s goal is to transport visitors back to Paris in the mid-1700s, conjuring up the “charm and gallantry” of the era and of the city’s elite at that time; providing a sensory immersion for the viewer. It will also provide viewers with the opportunity to learn about the major contribution made by Parisians to the humanities at large.

Hangings for a Bed (Lit a la duchesse), about 1690 - 1715 (Credit: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

The beauty lies in the exhibition’s details. The “life after sunset” night-time gatherings are recreated by lowering the light levels in the final gallery to give the feeling of illumination cast by candlelight and firelight. In the installation depicting the act of rising in the morning, a bed with side curtains and a “flying” canopy are displayed. The set of deliciously embroidered yellow silk-satin hangings will be displayed for the first time since arriving at the Getty Museum in 1979.

As part of Paris: Life & Luxury, the museum will be offering a wide range of related classes, workshops, lectures and films. A complete list can be found at The Getty.

When: April 26 to August 7, 2011

Where: The Getty Museum: 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Crumpets, Scones, Clotted Creme and Hendricks Gin… Life is Glorious!

Hendrick’s Gin has brilliantly come out with a new gift set that features a Tea Cup and recipes for cocktails that can be created in a tea pot and served in the cheeky Hendrick’s Tea Cups! This is a divine idea! I shall be making myself a Tea Time Martini as soon as I finish this post! Thank heavens I have all of the ingredients on hand (perhaps I need to write a post on the importance of having a well appointed kitchen)!

Source: NOTCOT  

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Our List of Lust-Worthy Fall 2011 Accessories for Ladies… and Gentlemen!

Accessories can make or break a look! Bold, Luxe, Statement Making pieces are what we are after! The following accessories make us dizzy with delight!

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DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

Hello Kitty x Doc Martens… Super Cute!

Albertine & Odette are lifelong Sanrio junkies. Everything having to do with Hello Kitty and her world of fabulous friends piques our interest. The latest product launch is a follow-up, limited edition mash up of Hello Kitty and Doc Martens… I mean, afterall, Deathrock and Goth girls and boys have always been known to rock serious Sanrio. Today is the first day that you can pre-order  yourself a happy pair of Shoreditch Boots or Carnaby Mary Janes. The estimated ship date is May 16. While we are seriously gushing over the boots… we are also feeling like we have come full circle. We wore Doc Martens in Middle School in the 1980s… I would be interested to know who the target audience is here!

Pre-order yourself a pair before they disappear: Sanrio.com – Home of Hello Kitty.

 

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Happy Easter.. Perhaps You Would Like To Try This At Home

The video entitled Chocolate Bunny, directed by Lerner & Sander is marvelously charming. While we love cute things and we certainly love chocolate, we cannot help but see the beauty and poetry in the slow eradication of our happy friend. The ripples in the hairdryer scene are simply stunning!

http://vimeo.com/13906163

 

 

 

DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

The Octopus Chair

The first in Maximo Riera‘s Animal Chair Collection, The Octopus Chair is stunning in it’s ability to be both biologically accurate while maintaining a graceful, thought-provoking elegance.

SCHOLARLY MUSINGS

Venus in Furs

“My company was charming.

Opposite me by the massive Renaissance fireplace sat Venus; she was not a casual woman of the half-world, who under this pseudonym wages war against the enemy sex, like Mademoiselle Cleopatra, but the real, true goddess of love.

She sat in an armchair and had kindled a crackling fire, who’s reflection ran red flames over her pale face with its white eyes, and from time to time over her feet when she sought to warm them.

Her head was wonderful in spite of the dead stoney eyes; it was all I could see of her. She had wrapped her marble-like body in a huge fur, and rolled herself up trembling like a cat.”

♦Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch: the opening of, Venus in Furs (1870)

DEGREES Of HYSTERIA

An Invitation Sets The Tone

RSVPHRH is a coming together of Europe’s most exciting visual artists…. Their mission… to design the hippest, most design savvy royal wedding invitation. We at Albertine & Odette think this is just grand! We cannot wait to see the marvelous results.

If you happen to be in East London on April 7, head on over to The Rag Factory from 6:30 P.M. onwards for the proper show!

www.rsvphrh.com – The Alternative Royal Wedding Invite.

 

 

DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

Fresh Kicks

April brings us the latest collaboration from Nike and Liberty. After the success of their collaboration two years prior, they felt the public was ready for some stylish prints this Spring and Summer.

Get yourself a pair at: Nike Liberty 2011 Collection at Liberty.

DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

Paper, Plastic or Lambskin

We like combining highbrow and lowbrow… When done correctly the results can be incredibly chic. At the top of my list of must-have handbags for the Spring is Cast of Vices reinterpretation of those generic corner store bags. The bags are made of lambskin and are the furthest thing from disposable. Each bag is lovingly handcrafted right here in Los Angeles; which only seems appropriate!

Get one or all four at: A+R Store – Corner Store Leather Bag