I would be delighted to show you me new models of lace and silk caraco.

I wish you all a beautiful and joyful year 2012. I'll meet you on January 2. Thank you for your loyalty

This year, this is  through the drawings of Josef Lada that rocked my childhood that I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas.
Josef Lada was  a famous Czech writer and illustrator, he is the illustrator of the popular novel "The Good Soldier Svek". His drawings, full of poetry and humor make for a century the joy of all Czech children and their parents.

In this Christmas time  I had a great desire to present some lovely beaded dresses of the Roaring Twenties! The first that I present (left and on sale at the "party dresses") is entirely chiffon embroidered with black beads. On the right, beautiful model designed by Jeanne Lanvin ... but it is in the museum!

Words fail me in ... but her face speaks.
Smiling and  laughing tenderly  and lovingly in the arms of Dubcek

Mermaid silhouette, like the heroines of the 1930' black and white movies like Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth and Loretta Young.

1930' Mermaid gown in gold lame and black with motifs of leaves and flowers, with a beautiful drape which highlights the neckline and hips. It is on display at the store and waiting for you.

Beautifull  crepe de chine and sublime pink Calais lace sleeps from the 30' inlays chair ..... Sexy at will, to wear below, or above for the most daring .... On sale at the store for today.

Four silhouettes, two very different styles: the pleated jersey dresses that made become Madame Grès , taffeta dresses with puffy sleeves and beautifull colors.

Extravagant wigs, meet at the Colette store rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré...

I met this strange siren met at the Palais Royal in the window of Stella McCartney: butterflies
in the head and scales on the body!

Saw this dress at the FIAC spider Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota
http://www.chiharu-shiota.com/

The multicolored bird flew to leave room for white peonies richly embroidered on this 1920' beautiful black silk kimono.*

The beautiful bird of paradise comes foraging peony on this sumptuous 1900' silk shawl with long fringes .

They started out for a breath .... Takako and Ryo both faithful, always present in my collections.

When I say that I am waiting for you, I mean it ! Saturday 1PM, I just opened the door of my shop. The blind is down to get some shade, the table is outside with its lace's tablecloth, colour roses all over the place with such a fine perfume, the pieces of my new collection on silk hangers, the Rosé champagne is in the refrigerator. What else ?

They loved the collection .... one is Bottière, other jewelry or columnist for for "Elle" Sweden and despite the sweltering heat of 30 ° they said YES for the  Champagne

One of the pleasures of my job is to never know what I will discover when I go antiquing. A few days ago, I find out this beautifull black taffeta bolero. As usual, I could not resist! This amazing clothes will be  soon  on sale in my shop and online at the "favorites".

Saturday 1 october and Sunday 2 october I'll be pleased to present you my fall/winter collection.

The fall/winter 2011 Au fil d'Elise collection is coming soon.

One imagines a young woman dressed in this beautiful corsage getting ready to go to the ball and dancing waltz all the night!

Au fil d'Elise wishes you a nice summer and happy holydays.

I wish today to pay tribute to Mr. Poiret, the talented fashion designer, who revolutionized fashion in the early twentieth century by freeing women from their corsets and creating new forms more, more fluid so passionately and ingenuity.

The notebooks of drawings by Madame Grès are wonderful ... The exhibition at the Bourdelle Museum in Paris is continued until the end of August, you should go before it was too late.

I am pleased to present you the new acquisition of the shop, this wonderful dress from the early twentieth century cotton voile embroidered with flowers and adorned with Valenciennes lace. She reminds me so much Silvana Mangano in Death in Venice.

38 degrees in Paris in this Monday, June 27 .. I would be better at the beach. Come to see how our ancestors clothed to go to the bathroom or to the sea. In ancient Roman baths that are part of daily life, women went there in a bikini like this. In the 19th, they went there  with corset, camisole, panty or skirt!

Francoise Dorleac and Catherine Deneuve in Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. Feminine coquetry is  pushed to the extreme with bicoloured dresses, capelines and bright colors  decorated with organza petals. The ivory model that I present to you,  is certainly less extravagant but charming.

My New acquisition on sale in my shop since today this lovely silk pind nightgown from the 1930s

Evolution of fashion. A century ago these charming dresses were underware. Our grandmothers put them under their dresses, skirts and blouses. 100 years later, they became dresses, feminine and sexy, and which make the happiness of those who cross the woman wo wear them!those who wear them!

Madame Grès said " I wanted to be a sculptor. For me woking with fabric or stone is the same thing.
The Musee Galliera is launching its extra-mural exhibition programme at the Musee Bourdelle with the first Paris retrospective of the work of one of the great masters of couture, Madame Gres (1903-1993).

Sweetness of spring with this beautiful bridal 1900's scarf made of embroidered tulle.

Overview of the spring-summer collection 2011 in the Express Styles June 8 If you have not already, go to discover the collection on the website in the "spring-summer 2011. " You'll find models in lace and broderie anglaise ideal for summer.

The vestals of Madame Gres, the great Parisian fashion designer.

Sweet Pink powder colour, Valenciennes lace, delicate white embroidery for this charming and cozy cushion from 1900.

Which child does not like climbing trees to build his hut, picking cherries in summer or trying to touch the sky? Here's a charming little cotton and lace dress hanging in the leaves of a tree waiting that a child picks it up.

Beautiful evening dress of silk satin orange, with  train and a neckline bordered by lace in a rich twisted raffia.

Deloffre Caroline is a talented photographer, she leaves tomorrow at Cannes for the international films festival to cover the event ..... sexy outfit required! She chosed this beautiful beaded dress of the 30s.

Eléonore still and always in this beautifull white lace dress , combined with white straps suit. I can well imagine the beautiful Italian actress Monica Vitti wearing this dress in the moovie "Eclipse. "
Product available by the website under the heading "Spring / Summer Collection 2011 "

Eléonore with the white broderie anglaise  dress from my spring-summe collection ...it suits her so well. Perfect for a summer party or for a trip to the seaside ....

Here it online since this morning! I am pleased to present my first Spring-Summer 2011 collection . Very inspired by the 60s, clear shapes, with soft materials such as lace, embroidery, English, cotton and silk. For colors, white and ivory are featured, with touches of light pink and navy blue. Come discover.

She has tried many dresses, short, long, sexy and wiser .... Here is the very eighties  pink dress with shoulder pads, sequins and beads.

Beautifull silk negligee of the 1950. On sale next month at Au fil d'Elise store and on the website.

I can't grow  weary of admire the sweet cherry blossom in Paris....

White, ivory, blue, lace, broderie anglaise and guipure. The new Summer collection will be on line very soon.

It's Spring today in Paris. Cherry tree are in blossom.

Dress or lacy blouse. Both suits her so well....

Not to easy to fitt  wedding dress when you mobile phone is ringing every 5 minutes! This charming lady did it!

Beautifull 1900 tull and lace dress, hight neck collar, long sleeves, train on the back, thin waist....

It is this lovely young woman, a client for almost 4 years which is now the proud owner of this beautiful lace negligee that I presented a few weeks ago! She loves vintage and particularly the corsages or other skirts, dresses or nightgowns lace. I am delighted that this wonderful garment revive with this woman who will highlight it and enjoy it!

The beautiful iris ..... I always liked the samples of embroidery, especially those made for the dresses of the 20s. Their brilliant colors and materials, beads, sequins, yarn, blend in great creativity and harmony. That inspires me a lot, and you?

 

I prefer the vintage little nacre buttons than the new ones made of plastic...What about you?

Multicoloroud thread....for sewing or for embroider!

Beautifull colored thread bobin......

I love this Charleston dress, with the small beads and his fringe on the bottom that move while dancing.

Beautifull lacy and embroidered neglegee with long train. This is my new acquisition, you can see it in my shop. It would have been the perfect dress for the famous theater french actress Sarah Bernhardt. 

Why do I love the creations of Olivia ? because she designs "out of the box" as well as "must have practical" bags and accessories : the inevitable and timeless round bag in lambskin that can be carried over the shoulder, the ultra feminine leather wallet with feathers, but also her unique headband with multicolored leather petals, a must ! Last but not least the fantastic pendant with rainbow colors feathers ! I urge you to discover her collection. She is a talent. Olivia has the great idea to organize a pre Sales event on 7 and 8 January 2011. It will take place in her showroom in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Viva Olivia !


 

This pure and beautifull black and white coat created by the french fashion designer Claude Montana, reminds me the cosmonauts oufits. You can see this model at the Museum of Arts Decoratifs in Paris.

Softness of the snow. Snowflakes are flutters, in few hours Paris is dressed with whiteness and delicacy... like silk and lace dress and make  woman voluptuous and full of grace. Oh, I wish the snow falls again on the beautiful Paris!

This beautifull sexy white dress, I have seen at the Art decoratifs museum in Paris reminds me the veey glamorous  french actress Mireille Darc on a 70's french movie.

The wreath remind us of differents things : marriage, communion, and also the rap of Europe by Zeus in the form of a white bul, painted her by Titiano.





 

Caroline, a friend and a talented photographer who made the pictures of my web site is exposing her work on Thursday, November 18 (opening)! An exhibition entitled "nyctalopic" presented on the walls of the cozy and very prestigious private club "Le Cercle" (The Ring")

http://www.leclubducercle.fr/events/profile/138

Just a flavor, a picture made for me of a siren passing by on the Seine's bank ...

Maurizio Anzeri, an Italian artist discovered at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Maurizio makes his portraits by sewing directly into found vintage photographs. The original portait of the photo is transformed by a very geometric sewing art work. It's beautiful and strange !

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/maurizio_anzeri.htm?section_name=photography

Yes, I am inspiring the artist Takashi MURAKAMI who is currently exhibiting at the chateau of Versailles or he is rather inspired by my clothes ! Indeed, he was invited as a special guest by the famous British magazine POP to shoot the singer BRITNEY SPEARS wearing clothes and accessories from my shop. Next step is for "Au fil d'Elise" to become the official Paris vintage clothes provider of Britney Spears. Have a look at the art outcome, very POP isn'it ?

Edit for Lulu, a trendy brand of Baycrews, the Japanese leading fashion distribution group, celebrates its tenth anniversary this september. The brand which distributes my collection in Japan, asked me to join a very nice charity project designed for their anniversary. Ten creators are invited to rethink and rework vintage clothing and accessories to suit their style and fantasy. Sales will be awarded to Ballet dancers with disabilities. 
One of my creations, inspired by the Arum flower's corolla

Here are the other guests creators. They are famous in Japan in the world of design and art. The auction just took place. Some art works were auctioned at very high price. The overall amount of this auction was granted to Ballet dancers with disabilities. When arty fashion can make sense and be useful !

Yoshiyo Abe http://www.petiterobenoire.co.jp
Imoto http://www.leurlogette.com
Yoshiko, vocal of Ego Wrappin group http://www.egowrappin.com
Rey Shito, model and blogger http://www.stylefromtokyo.com
Shinich Mita, fashion designer
Morgan York, fashion designer http://www.no6store.com
Ken Kagami, artist

Antoine de Galbert is going his own way ... for our pleaure ! He presents in Paris in his Maison Rouge foundation his private collection of ethnic headdresses, begun fifteen years ago. As a "sesame entry" to the exhibition, a Yaruba proverb says "this is the head that knows your future". Just enter the space, the spell operates on you. Each coif owns a part of sacred, power and magic. The overall view is breathtaking and each headdress reveals the mistery of a location, of an history, of a human being, usually a chief, who  used to wear the headdress and is given the opportunity to reborn precisely in this space. No injunction from the collector to the visitor. No intention what so ever to show or demonstrate. A gracious invitation from mind to mind. The journey into the head of the collector is an invitation for an imaginary journey in our own heads. The scenery and the text are of great subtlety and intelligence : their purpose is only to outline the headresses origins, materials and ritual functions.

Two gorgeous buttons in glass paste from the Loic Allio's private collection, presented at the Mona Bismarck's Foundation. When the button is a jewel !

1920's shoes with strass designed by Hellstern & Sons. That's the way I imagine the shoe lost by Cinderella on her way back from the ball and found by the Prince charming.

These superb ART DECO buttons belong to Loic ALLIO's private collection. I can imagine them on a Paul Poiret or Elsa Schiaparelli's dress.

She is my best supporter; she encourages me, challenges me, provides with me with great ideas, she reads my blog with indulgence and she is always enthusiastic about my projects. Some days when doubt sets in, her support helps me to rebond. She is a unique friend with whom complicity was established in the first second; she is also an outstanding business woman with the ability to embrace various challenges at the same time. Behind its rigor and iron discipline lies a creative mindset, full of fantasy. My gut tells me that at some point we might pool our talents to design a project ...

Another little gem presented in the cozy setting of the Mona Bismarck's Foundation. This captivating exhibitionis due to Loic ALLIO presenting its own collection, the most eclectic and complete in the world. I have known this wonderful collector for a long time when he used to come into my shop hunting for antiques buttons and when he talked with erudition and passion about the building of its collection. We recently bump into each other at the Vanves's flea market and had the chance to discuss his exhibition project. On Saturday afternoon, he was attending the exhibition, welcoming the many visitors, offering them magnifying glasses to let them observe the details, adressing with patience and sweetness  every question. He was kind enough to offer be my guide and pull the thread over the time between exhibited buttons. I am so grateful to him. I urge you to visit this exhibition while you are in Paris. It is a wonderful journey. Inscribed on each button, as Balzac wrote in "Lost Illusions" a great little story ! http://www.monabismarck.org

It's summer and every weekend I watch the pretty brides in their white dresses getting out of the town hall or the church. I had the great pleasure of dressing pretty young women looking for an original outfit : veil, wedding crown, lace dress, old accessories. It's been keeping running through my head for a long time to create a wedding dress. This will happen for my collection spring-summer 2011. I already have some ideas but if you have any special wishes, just tell me about it or write to me, I'd be delighted !

As it is very sunny and hot in the city of lights, you can borrow Mr GRAU's hand-held fan !

That's how I imagine Penelope'dress waiting for Ulysse's return, surrounded by her frightening suitors. This Odyssey tunic embroidered with pearls is a creation of Madeleine Vionnet.

Just for the colors !

My Divas found in a very old collection of vintage photographs. Here, the mischievous Colleen Moore (American actress, 1910-1988).

Gruau's drawings belongs to my teenager's imagination and have helped define what is now probably my aesthetic and my taste. A sumptuous book pays tribute to him. The great merit of this book, supported by texts of great intelligence written by Vincent Leret and Sylvie Nissen is to draw the mysterious threads of the Master. As he was supposed to draw the lines of fashion, one can realize that, through its unique drawing, he actually influenced the 20th century fashion style.

Indeed, indeed, despite this awful rain, summer is coming and I am thinking of your wardrobe for your vacation at the beach. Allright, I admit it is a little bit old-fashioned but isn't it funny ?

This unique art magazine, published annually and in English presents the creations of great photographers, most of the time accompanied by outstanding texts or interviews. In this original work of the photographer Hellen van MEENE, several models of my shop have been used at the request of the artistic director Vanessa REID. Enjoy !

So glamorous this advertising for the perfume "Soir de Paris"! I love the neckline with the white knot, the big hat, the impression of fairy given by the fountains of the Trocadero, the presence in the background  of the Eiffel Tower. You remember the poem by Apollinaire ? Shepherdess O Eiffel Tower, the herd of bridges bleats this morning !

The originality of this 70-80s fashion retrospective, presented with a clever and sober scenography  by Olivier Saillard, is to trace with an impressionist manner the dynamic of this unique period in fashion : shapes, colors, movements. Its other merit is to put the spotlight on major artists now forgotten - I think of the Master, Claude MONTANA, or to explore the creative world of other less famous in France, such as that of Romeo GIGLI. Some pictures of models now become classics. From left to right, Yves SAINT LAURENT, Azzedine ALAïA, Thierry MUGLER.

Some designers create by filiation, they are disciples of masters... But others echo with their time, they breath the air and trends. But some very few seem to create in a sort of connection with their unconscious and thereby with our collective unconscious. Claude MONTANA - kind of Giotto's in the fashion's world- is one of them. His clothes or rather, his "silhouettes" have the extreme precision and at the same time the blurred shapes of characters that live in our dreams.

Screen shots of Montana's show clips

I owe them the success of my fashion collection's presentation in the beautiful Edit for Lulu shop in Omotesando. It's a dream team, a chamber orchestra where each musician plays her score with professionalism, enthusiasm and humor. Let me introduce them to you ! From left to right, from top: Kayoko Shiba - Head of PR (secret nickname, Speedy Chabu Chabu), Reimi Takahashi-buyer and coordinator of the event, Yuka Kikuchi-fashion advisor, Asako Ohkushi-Store MD, Kanae Koizumi-fashion advisor, Natsuki Maeda-General Manager, Aki Takeuchi-fashion advisor, Ayako Okusawa-junior manager, Mika Amano-fashion advisor, Emi Nakashima-distribution manager.

In a survey last year which established the ranking of Paris Museums, it came first. No surprise ! The Musée des Arts Décoratifs does not blow its own trumpet and yet manages, year after year to elaborate the ideal equation to which any museum aspires : outstanding collections and interesting ways to present them, an harmonious location with well designed exhibition rooms, visitors so closely watched and taken care of and last but not least, a dedicated and professional staff to host them ... The Museum with humility and professionnalism has developed a unique equation that makes you feel at home and happy to come back. You can sense that everyone in the Museum is involved and caring from the cashiers through the charming staff of the locker room up to the lovely attendants that salute you and recommend you not to forget the first floor of the exhibition ... The museum is currently organising the first exhibition retracing the history of contemporary fashion, in two parts. The project began last autumn with the publication of ‘An Ideal History of Contemporary Fashion’, and is continuing in a different dimension with two consecutive exhibitions. The first of this “two-volume” historic and selective retrospective of fashion will cover the 70s and 80s, the second the 90s and 2000s.

Thierry Mugler, défilé prêt-à-porter, automne-hiver 1984-85

© Guy Marineau

She had the most beautiful legs in the world. Indeed, much more beautiful than those of Cyd Charisse. She was a child of the Mediterranean. When she was younger, she was an actor in a band of amateurs who played the classical repertoire. No doubt, she also conceived the costumes. But she was above all an outstanding embroiderer. How many tablewares did she embroidered with devotion and patience for those she liked ? She loved her nephew and niece as her own children. We exchanged beautiful gifts ... a meeting of minds, from the embroiderer to the lace fan. In inheritance, I received this wonderful book on embroidery offered by her niece, Marie-Hélène. She left with discretion and elegance, requisitioned by St Peter to embroider the Paradise's ceremonial tableware where the "pure hearts" gather every night to have dinner.


 

In front of my shop, opposite the wharves of Celestins, there is a flavour of St Tropez! The "front de Seine" looks like a vibrant seafront. It's hot summer. I lowered the awning and moved out the garden table with the tea pots. Elegant walkers stop by and just chat. Around 5PM, I prepare the tea and refreshments. Come and see me, there is so much to talk about !

Shall we pack and get on the tracks of ... Françoise Dorleac in her blue turquoise dress with white embroideries in the movie the MAN OF  RIO, Emma Peel in her sixites little orange dress  standing by Big Ben in THE AVENGERS, Audrey Hepburn on Gregory's Vespa in ROMAN HOLIDAY !

Straw hats in Japan and lace. The latest photos of VOGUE Japan featuring my laces ...

A great advertisement found in a fashion newspaper published just after war II. It is hillarious. The claim: Eating pasta to get a wasp's waist ... Fine, but they do not say that in order to reach this objective, one should get ride of all tasty salsas coming with pastas: ragu, vongole, carbonara ... and tuti quanti. Truth-in advertising !

Who remembers Lucile MANGUIN ? How such a talented fashion designer happened to be forgotten ? By reproducing the front page of Modes et Travaux, showing one of her creations, I want to pay tribute to her memory. I love this elegant silhouette. Don't you ?

One thousand and one ways to wear a headscarf ... Vogue Japan is using here very unique lace pieces from my shop.

Funny coincidence! I was at the hairdresser in Tokyo - yes I know it appears a little bit snobbish - having a little brushing "very kawai" to look good for the presentation of my collection to the press (just an aside, a shampoo with an head massage at a Japanese hairdresser, sat in a chair that turns almost into a bed, is an indescribable life experience). The young woman in charge of me handed me VOGUE and, divine suprise, what do I see ? my camisole models ! 

For those who could not come to Tokyo, due to other major commitments, some pictures of the event. It was "grandiose" ! The classy Edit for Lulu's store in the heart of Ometansado (the trendy fashion district), the first floor devoted to my collection, superbly enhanced by a beautiful decoration around the theme of lemon yellow. The Edit for Lulu team incredibly dedicated, caring and professional: charming and caring saleswomen, an energetic public relations officer, faithfully translating and promoting the spirit of my collection to the fashion medias and last but not least, REIMI as the effective and distinguished master of ceremony. I was profoundly touched by the kindness and delicacy of clients to me. I put a lot of myself in this collection and felt fully rewarded by so much interest and attention. Just back, I need to think about the next autumn-winter collection: wonderful, I am already brain storming inspired by poetic images of spring in Tokyo !

BAYCREWS, one of the most trendy Japanese fashion retail store with which I have been working since many years, has invited me to create a special collection to celebrate their 10th anniversary . It will be presented in the beautiful and cosy EDIT FOR LULU shop in Omotesando, Tokyo's upscale district known to all fashionistas. In a preview, because I hope you'll all be there at the cocktail reception on May 7, here are a few models. From left to right. Cardigan in pink chiffon. Organdy dress and black lace adorned with a purple ribbon. Organza dress with black velvet and black lace bustier and adorned with a pink organza bow.

I designed a lingerie collection inspired by the word "kawaii" (cute) that most of my Japanese clients tend to use when they discover in my shop my lace caracos and shorties. As a preview, some models that will be presented in the Edit for Lulu shop. From left to right : white tull Camisole  with  embroidered tulle yoke. White tull Camisole with a pretty "Valencienne" lace. Pale blue silk shorty with "Valencienne"lace.

The sweet and effective Reimi has made a great spread for the cocktail introducing my special collection. An invitation imitating lace was sent to fifty fashion journalists, Baycrew's website announcing the event to all clients, the EDIT FOR LULU's shop in Omotesando fully "customized" for the occasion around the "lemon theme" : flowers, macarons, drinks.  You are kindly invited to join the party on May 7. It is so easy. No excuse, the volcano has stopped !

http://editforlulu.jp/

The writer Guy de Maupassant is fond of the actress Clémentine Célarié to the point he chooses her to become his favorite reader. She came into my store looking for clothes to play the role. Watching her dressed in a beautiful 1900 lace dress, a lace cap, a corset, I saw her turn into a character from one of the author's famous stories. A gorgeous, determined and generous woman. A solar character that passes to illuminate shadows and give confidence in life.

Clémentine and the wonderful actor Thierry Monfray read few stories of Maupassant in the oldest restaurant of Montmartre, le Bon bock, where there is no doubt that the writer used to come to drink absinthe under the gas lamps still present. With talent and generosity, they do it to support the Chiara association http://association-chiara.over-blog.com/

A delicate smile crosses Maupassant's face ...

"Au fil d'Elise" was asked to show up Friday, March 5 at the Paris Vintage Fashion Show. The event was organized in partnership with the Marriot hotel by Jane May, a charming young, talented and energetic fashion professional. Jane is currently studying a Masters in International "Fashion and marketing". She was surrounded by first class professionals to mount the event: fashion historian, dressers, makeup, models. A large number of spectators wore beautiful vintage cloths for the occasion; hats and evening gowns for women, costumes from the 30s to 50 for men and derby shoes. Such a refined moment of elegance ! The fashion show, with the languorous music of the Roaring Twenties, was conducted with style and rythm including funny episodes created by the models. In short it was inspiring, light and humorous. Jane will soon make a name in fashion.

For the show, I decided to present a selection of lingerie. Some unique vintage pieces of my shop but I also wanted to unveil some models of my new collection CARACO, made from old materials (lace, silk) that will be presented in Tokyo in May.

I had saved her for the end of the parade as you serves chocolate profiteroles at the end of a fine meal. A early 30s dress of black silk lace with floral motifs in pink velvet. Transparent, very, very transparent. Marine, so pretty with her Roaring Twenties style wore it with grace, confidence and humor. Some spectators watching her like the wolf in a Tex Avery cartoon made me laugh a lot ! It's quite strange but this dress was on a hanger lifeless in my shop. As she needed so badly to be incarnated in the body of a woman, she became suddenly so alive and so sexy !

The idea of my first collection CARACO came to me while listening to suggestions from my customers, especially the youngest ones. When visiting my shop, most of them told me their wish of very feminine clothes, made in beautiful materials such as lace, silk or cotton voile that could be possibly worn day and night in all seasons. That's was the starter and the driver of the collection. I first presented it in my shop and over the months, at the request of my clients, I develop a new line by adding small silk shorts. It was an immediate success which suprized me. Here, you can see a combination of a Caraco with lace and tulle and silk shorts in pale blue with satin ribbons that was presented by Marine during the Marriott fashion show.

Nippon TV, the Japanese public TV is devoting a program to the charming Parisian boutiques. My shop has been selected. Appointment is made in the late afternoon. They arrive with a crew of 11 people as if intended to broadcast the Hollywood Oscar's ceremony. The presenter, a very charming young woman, looks at my collection and makes her selection. The shooting starts : "she is shopping in my store". The team returned two days after to film every detail of the shop. The program is scheduled for late March at a prime time. Domo Arigato !

The 60s. Daring cuts, materials, patterns and colors. An elegant woman, in motion ... What does this remind you ? 

I wish you delicacy in all respects, the lightness even in tough moments, the "allure" in each of your intimate movements, thousand refined attentions in your daily life, the surprise and wonder of unexpected encounters, the happiness of descrete elegance, to host with enthusiasm what happens to you, to follow your red thread with obstinacy, the joy of loving and being loved.

ELISE

IN OUR GRAND-MOTHER's WARDROBES
Table-cloths and towels, sheets and boutis, embroidery and lace, fine linen ...
THE BOOK that lovers of the art of fine linen or household were expecting has been published by the Chène Edition. Ines HEUGEL, the author tells us life and history of fine materials that constitute the art of fabrics : linen, cotton, silk, hemp, linen-cotton mixture, ... She evokes in a very lively manner, techniques and traditions to ennoble and ornament fabrics: marking tools and "abécédaires", embroidery, monograms, lace, bleaching and dyeing. An entire chapter is devoted to the outfit of yesterday. Pictures of Christian Sarramon are designed as "tableaux vivants". They restore the grain and almost the smell of the delicate and noble fabrics.

I thoroughly enjoy this publication for several reasons. This outstanding book reflects the importance and variety of this "collective heritage" just as it makes up for each of us so many reminiscences, somehow, our individual memory of family linen. It also participates in the renewal of Home art that I see every day in my shop when I meet young couples, tired of plastic and disposable, anxious to create their sustainable outfit of monogrammed sheets, pillows, sheets. I thank the authors of this book who came into my shop to find sources of inspiration and to photograph many articles presented. As you can see in some pictures below.

Mikeli Kudo is a graceful ballerina in every sense of the term. She is also a mother and a woman liking good living. She is the author of a sophisticated guide for Japanese tourists humorously subtitled as "Economic and Ecological Living in Paris, that's chic life". She walks the readers in her private and unusual Paris over her secrete addresses and favorites. In the chapter "Finding time to do the flea markets, she is kind enough to devote very friendly comments to my shop. Even for true Parisians, this guide includes suprizing and outstanding "Must" adresses. It is written in Japanese with chapter's heads in French and beautiful illustrations, photos or drawings. I'm thrilled with this publication as I have a great deal of affection for Japanese customers. They are curious, sensitive and loyal and also very savy of the antique fabric and clothe's subtleties. My gratitude to the gracious Mikeli and the delicious Miki Yamashita, a talented editor of this guide on behalf of the Asahi Shimbun Publications.

Found in one of my secret trunks, black and white portraits of divas of the Roaring Twenties. These portraits were published as postcards manufactured in France. On the back, messages written in exotic languages, Turkish, Serbian, Arabic, Russian. A recipient in particular makes me dream: a postcard sent to Astra Djidjian, Ile des Princes - Proti Constantinople. For you, I intend to publish on my Diva's series. Let's start with the gorgeous actrice Brigitte HELM

Brigitte Eva Gisela Schittenhelm (born March 17, 1908, Berlin, Germany – died June 11, 1996, Ascona, Switzerland) was a German actress, best-remembered for her dual role as Maria and her double, the Maschinenmensch, in Fritz Lang's 1927 masterpiece silent film, Metropolis. Helm was still a teenager when she essayed the role. After Metropolis, which was her second film, Helm made over 30 other films, including talking pictures, before retiring in 1936.Her other appearances film include The Love of Jeanne Ney (1927), Alraune (1928), L'Argent (1928), Gloria (1931), The Blue Danube (1932), L'Atlantide (1932), and Gold (1934). In 1935, angered by Nazi control of the German film industry, she moved to Switzerland where she later had 4 children with her second husband Dr. Hugo von Kuenheim, an industrialist. After her retirement from films she refused to grant any interviews concerning her film career. Source Wikipedia.

A box of wonders full of gloves and popular expressions: Iron fist in a velvet glove. It fits like a glove. Be flexible like a glove. Throw a glove to someone, ...

But also the glove, as a sign of courtly love. Remember that for a woman to drop her glove before a suitor meant assent. The glove, like a second skin. Each morning, the pleasure of opening the glove box and choose a pair to match the occasion: a ride with the Parisian Velib  bicycle, a hot chocolate at Angelina, a concert at Pleyel ... Elegant ladies, do not go out without a pair of gloves and I assure you that having your glove picked up on the street by a handsome young man is much better than surfing on Match.com !

A wonderful blog exploring the world of textiles. John Hopper, its talented author full of curiosity and erudition offers a broad and incredibly eclectic vision of textiles in all components and origins. Implicitly, he manages to demonstrate how textile is co-substantial with the adventure of human species. With a beautiful iconography and outstanding writting, he performs the miracle of making presented textiles to appear tangible ! These stories of textile are also very moving stories of human beings. When I need to feed my imagination, I get to surf on the textile blog and I walk through it just like within a wonderful
caravanserai. Inspiring ! http://thetextileblog.blogspot.com/

Last week, a rainy day of winter in Paris. To make a fuss, it comes to my silly mind to invent a strange figure made of ribbons and lace. I dress HER up, add an umbrella and stick some needles in her body to avert fate and bad weather. Besides her, I set up a button's box that probably belonged at some point to a marabout. The brand's motto is odd. It says le Sava, nail button, either dies or gets devoted !

November 4, 2009 - January 10, 2010

Heaven on earth for lovers of beautiful threads. Here they are made of silk and sometimes gold. It is indeed a wonderful journey of discovery the fascinating scenes of the great roller woven on a French Jacquard loom by Master Yamaguchi, who died in 2007 at age of 106. I felt a deep emotion in front of his picture, as if he was still alive, selecting his tangles of all sorts of colors. I stayed long minutes admiring his book with the preparatory drawings and silk samples. Large skeins protected by windows appeared to me as invaluable stones of a great jeweler. For your intention, I you have collected fragments somewhat impressionistic of this master piece. To view them I invite you to click on the cover of the book below. The fineness and precision of the weaving make each character and each element of nature alive.   

The “Tale of the Genji” (Genji Monogatari), written by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady of honor at the imperial court of Heian (now Kyoto), is one of the most important iconographic sources in Japan. A mainstay of Japanese imagination, the novel, written a thousand years ago, has crossed the ages and cultures to join the universal literary patrimony, thanks its extreme refinement and modernity...

It has spawned the Genji-e (the “pictures of Genji”), a pictorial movement in itself. Depicted on all sorts of media - scrolls, albums, foiled screens, fans, kakemonos - and in various styles, the Genji-e allows the novel to be read as a figurative expression.

To reproduce the painted scenes from Genji Monogatari or “Tale of Genji”, dating from the Heian Period (794-1185) and kept at the Museum of Nagoya and Tokyo museum Goto in weaving, Master Itarô Yamaguchi, born of a family of silk weavers in the Nishijin district of Kyoto and honoured in this exhibition, used the Jacquard loom. Invented in Lyons, introduced in Japan during the Meiji era (1868-1912), it revolutionized the art of weaving both in Europe and Asia.

A rather sad end of November in a rainy and pessimistic Paris. Why not try to pull other threads somewhere else? Following an inspiring thread in the mysterious labyrinth of Venice: Venitian lace, spaghetti alle vongole, spritz, paintings by Tiepolo and Tintoretto in deserted churches, laugthers of happy waiters and last ut not least the last day ... ACQUA ALTA. That's it, at last re-energized I am pulling my thread again !
serveurs et le dernier jour ... ACQUA ALTA. Ca y est, j'ai retrouvé le fil !

It is an amazing and warm place in the heart of Venice located in a lane leading to the Campo San Stefano. A delightfully eclectic and poetic shop: half drugstore, half colors and supplies store for artists. The window serves also a a small exhibition gallery with creations of Venitian artists selected by the owner, Massimo. Last week, there were beautiful jewelry  made of Murano paste glass designed by a very talented Venetian designer, also amazing bags made from tires. Massimo is himself a very talented painter and also a gentle and solar human being. It is so nice to hear him telling you about his Venice, his family, his art. You wish to buy everything, but if you don't, he wont't bother because what he likes more than anything is to meet people ! Massimo NUBE: Studio San Marco 3700 / A tel 0039 347 71 93 918

Through this sampling tissue coupons from Lyon with technical comments attached, one can realize the extreme complexity of manufacturing a fabric. Samples memories of hours spent at the marché Saint Pierre (the fabric market near Montmartre) with my grandmother, Andrée, "première main" at Chanel, to find the fabric in which she was intending to sew my princess dress.

From time to time he visits my shop. The last time he came a week earlier and thinking of him, I can really state I had found two real pieces of art, worthy of being exhibited in the collections of a large antique cloths and fashion museum. Two 1990 dresses in Irish lace with long trains, made entirely by hand. At some point, I considered letting him know about this "miraculous fishing" and decided to rely on coincidence. And then he popped in dressed in his heavy parka as if we had set up a proper appointment. With a child's insatiable curiosity, he inspected all the drawers looking for unusual patterns. I show him the two spectacular dresses. He knew there were intended for him. I was so happy he took them with him. This visitor is one of the most talented and famous fashion designer. His success has not spoiled him. He has retained his genuine curiosity, freedom and natural sound. He is courteous, generous and caring. I want this mannequin wearing that kinky silk bustier to be a wink and a tribute to his always caring and cheerful visits.

A rare exhibition at the Mona Bismarck Foundation from October 7 to December 12, 2009 presenting the wedding trousseau of the Queen of May, Marie-Jose de Savoie.
First of all, the unique charm of the place on the banks of the Seine. A well proportioned "hotel particulier"giving the impression of being hosted in a private house. Then the scenography of the exhibition of such a subtle elegance that is due to Hubert de Givenchy : models and lighting sublimating each dress; accessories, jewelry and fans, creating life and movement as if the models were still worn. An extraordinary refinement up to the red and white roses, colours of the Maison de Savoie along the perimeter of the two exhibits. Last but not least, the personality of Marie-Jose de Savoie, her charm and the designs of great beauty of her wedding trousseau comissionned by Humbert, Prince of Piedmont and future king of Italy : evening dresses, coats of ceremony from the best Italian fabrics. The wedding gown of Brussels lace made by nuns in the spirit of 18th century lace, is a beauty. This exhibition set up with such style in the Foundation's building dressed up as a casket of jewels, is in a way a great tribute to the memory of Mona Bismarck, herself a woman of great elegance. Click on the poster to see my pictures of the exhibition. MONA BISMARCK FOUNDATION / 54 AVENUE NEW YORK - 75116 PARIS

Vintage Paris Couture, the French woman's guide to shopping
It is worth mentionning this excellent guide about vintage and shopping in Paris. It is very comprehensive and documented with a beautiful layout and great pictures. Jessica Clayton, the author is a true expert in vintage and knows the unique locations for shopping. Au fil d'Elise is presented page 66-67 under the former brand name of the shop Fuschia Dentelle.

A treasure rediscovered when sorting out my lace's boxes. Some advertisements carried by major illustrators and published in the newspapers of the time. Beyond the beauty of the picture itself, I admire the way the product was staged in a story captured in one single image.

Catherine Join-Dieterle imagine a very unique alphabet of fashion by choosing sixty works of art from the permanent collection of the Musée Galliera. Clothing and accessories contemporary or antiques. Works of art are beautifully reproduced on fine paper. The text is a mixture of erudition, poetry and humor. Amazon, crinoline, domino, flounce, wasp-waisted corset, top hat, mittens among others. A beautiful book to read following words that will inspire you. Edition PARIS musées/ACTES SUD

nowTV Hong Kong, the largest TV cable network of Hong Kong showed up in my shop to feature a program about trendy and glamorous locations in Paris. This recording is part of a "wind around the world" program designed to show trends and unusual locations around the globe. The program presenter, Helen Yu Fung, is an icon of fashion and trends in Hong Kong. The recording of the program is managed as a TV show. Helen selects the clothes and presents them playing all the roles at once, model, actress, presenter. Funny, fast and vibrant as life in Hong Kong. After the recording, Helen chose for herself a beautiful velvet jacket with a collar in swan feathers and inspired by the Swan Lake, she Impovised for me a little ballet.

THE HANDKERCHIEF'S BOX
The handkerchief upon which you spread a few drops of your favorite perfume, that which is dropped before a suitor in the hope that it will pick it up, the one wet with tears, hidden in a neckline.

TRIBUTE TO YOHJI YAMAMOTO - Catalog of tissue samples for kimonos (late 19th century), found on a flea market. The blue silks of the archipelago; as one say Prussian blue, blue of France, Berlin blue, blue of the South seas, there are blueprints of the Archipelago with infinite variations. Each printed pattern evokes the living nature: cranes flying in the sky, water drops on a lake, snowflakes in the campaign, swimming octopus with tentacles, falling stars in a summer sky. Click on the blue attached cover to see the scroll samples.

THE RIBBONS BOX
Let the ribbons go, ribbons of silk or velvet, ribbons of Love, may they one day roll us ...

This unique blog reported by "the itinerant haberdasher" who also happen to follow her red thread on the web. Sitting on the sofa which I imagine covered with a crimson Fortuny velvet, I let myself be overwhelmed by a dreamlike world of great beauty. This Bohemian's sofa, as a flying carpet, transports us into a real and imaginary world populated by extraordinary creatures, things, events and locations. The blog includes many unusual stories of fabrics and garments. I urge to lie down on the sofa as soon as you can !http://florizel.canalblog.com/

THE SEWING BOX
I wish to open and share with you my "boxes of wonders", hoping that sooner or later you will share yours with me. Today I open my sewing box with the scissors of my grandmother, a seamstress at the Coco Chanel's Maison. She gave me a taste for fine craftsmanship, elegance and fantasy. Through this box, refurbished my way, she is always present and inspires me.

At the Musée des Arts Decoratifs de Lyon (16 October 2009 to March 28, 2010), an outstanding exhibition dedicated to the glove, its multiple status across time. Besides the fashion accessory, you will discover more functional dimensions such as the archer's glove, the falconer's glove, the boxing glove and last but not least a famous glove, the one used by Buffalo Bill on his last rodeo. The exhibition also pays a great tribute to the excellence of French tawery corporations based in Millau and the creativity of some famous "Maisons de couture" and their designers which managed to position the glove as a sublime ornament. Do not miss the very beautiful film commissioned by the Maison CAUSSE which describes the various stages of a glove's manufacturing process. The staff at the reception of the museum is delightful and helpful. The Museum's attendants are passionate and savy.

In the bookshop of the Museum of Decorative Arts of Lyon, I have found this magnificent book of the photographer Nicolas Descottes dedicated to gloves. An aesthetic and poetic inventory of gloves, whether antique or contemporary, in all shapes and functions. On one hand, the glove with its protective function: the cosmonaut, the gardener, the warrior. On the other hand, the glove with its an ornamental function, the adorning of "les élégantes". The layout of the book, the photographies and styling are remarkable. As such, the idea of placing on next double-page two gloves, very different yet so alike, creates a great emotion. Thus, the silver gauntlet of a knight and the industrial glove of a blast-furnace worker. A very interesting foreword by Christian Lacroix who is taking up the gauntlet with tact and elegance.

Sophie's face appeared in my window like that of Audrey Hepburn in the opening scene of the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Same ingenuous expression, same cool attitude, same timeless elegance. Sophie is a great friend, sensitive, generous and refined. She is also a very fine cordon bleu and the Queen of Paté made of her own best kept secret recipe. That morning for breakfast, we had Sophie's paté on toasts with champagne Rosé !

A headdress with pink rubbons pendeloques hanging like chewable cherries. My suggestion: serve him his breakfast with a matching nightgown. He is going to love it ! 

In this sunny and warm autumn, all the sudden, new faces appearead to me in front of my shop, right on the banks of the Ile Saint Louis. Through the work of artist JR, piers were covered with mysterious glances, quiet or exhales. The 17th century building's architecture and the Seine river have operated as a beautiful makeup for those eyes. Thanks to this young artist who has dared to do the installation without asking anything to anyone, the island, usually a sleeping beauty turned into a "vibrating treasure island"


Some eyes receive the light, others provide it. Paul CLAUDEL

Mylène was accompanied by her parents and grandparents. A little shy, she hesitated to enter the shop. I invited them to come in. She looked at dresses with great concentration, she touched the fabric. She seemed happy in this world. I asked her what she wanted to do later. She said fashion designer.

Marie-France Dubromel,"the itinerant haberdasher".

She is the very definition of tact : to touch without touching. She has a singular and caring look on our world and capture its beauty through humble rejects.  

She is an artist « incognita », strolling leisurely but always following her thread with her bundle full of small objects: rags, bits of thread, buttons found, crumpled paper or torn, pictures, books, paperwork, traces of all sorts ... she gleans and transforms surplus into relics of disappeared living. To follow silently through her mysterious labirinth …

http://mercerieambulante.typepad.com

The Madelaine Vionnet’s exhibit at the Musée des Arts décoratifs



That was an eye-opener ! I came to realize how this creative and somewhat misappreciated visionary liberated feminine silhouette and influenced by his style all the great contemporary fashion designers. I have a  great deal of admiration for his ability to be simultaneously a great designer and an entrepreneur managing with rigour  the production of its workshops as well as  taking the lead against counterfeiting.

A very moving picture of this little wooden model on which she used to design and assemble her new models. I left the show full of inspiration and energy.

Next to my shop in the courtyards of the St Paul Village, a sort of discrete fairy designs and manufactures marvelous objects in straw : hats with acid colors for the young girls of Rochefort (you remember the Jacques Demy’s musical film) black and white for Audrey Hepburn, bags or handbags with incredible shapes and colors, necklaces with colored straw rings ... You would wish to buy it all and on top of that, prices are very sweet. The straw from the fairy is not a flash in the pan !

The sexy Panty that attracts, intrigues and arouses desire. Nickname « Nana ». Maupassant would have loved it. I put it in the window and all day long, I enjoy watching the reactions of walkers on the street. Intrigued, they turn around it to catch its mystery, it makes passing couples talk and laugh. I enjoy it !

Caroline, a talented photographer and generous with her talents. She took the photographs of my web site. I like her outspokenness, humour, creativity and spontaneity. She has managed to translate the imaginary world of my shop with a great sense of poetry,  She takes me on the Seine banks for a photo shoot. We have fun like two little mischievous girls: we climbs the ladder, we hang the dresses to trees and laugh watching the car’s drivers furiously honking as they are passing by.

Beautiful young contemporary woman, she quietly comes in with her jeans, sneakers and T-shirt. She is ready to play the « femme fatale » transformation of the Roaring Twenties. It is moving to see her revealing another part of her femininity ...

Reimi, sweetness, humor and sensitivity. Since 2005, she buys my products for her shops in Tokyo. After New York, Los Angeles, London, she always ends her journey to Paris. Whenever I look forward to our meetings made of laughter and great complicity. She is a beautiful white  orchid on a quite lake.