L’Illustration, French Journal – 1843-1944 This remarkable weekly French news publication ran for just over 100 years until its final editor, Jacques Lesdain, was convicted of collaborating with the Nazis and the magazine was shut down in August 1944. He managed to destroy one of the greatest French periodical informative journals ever produced. He escaped … Continued
Traditional regional French costumes Vintage French costumes are still traditionally worn for special fete occasions and celebrations all across the country. New modern versions are also worn created by specialists and amatuers alike. They are really colourful and elaborate designs, showing crests of coats of arms and French emblems of every kind. A huge range … Continued
National Youth Orchestra playing Messaien Trangalilia Symphony BBC Proms I recently saw a brilliant performance of Messaien’s Turangalila symphony on a BBC Proms Podcast. The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain was playing this incredibly difficult yet very exciting masterpiece conducted by the brilliant Russian conductor Vasily Petrenko . It has two major soloists normally … Continued
Finding my first fashion image in France. While walking around a peaceful village in south-western France some l5 years ago, my long time interest in design fabric and actually making clothes, also a love of paintings and drawings in this subject attracted to me to all the stalls set up in a busy street market … Continued
Winter’s on it’s way! Watching Vintage fashions I found this recently and thought immediately Winter’s on its way, and what will it bring this time round. The trees are beginning to turn and shed their leafy green. Fashions for this time of the year I adore – new and old combined they give an inner … Continued