Chanel Mobile Art Museum

I absolutely can't wait to see this exhibit. Chanel has created a Mobile Art Museum, in other words, a moving museum, that will be traveling the world. Having already exhibited in Hong Kong and currently in Tokyo, it will make its way to New York, London, Moscow, and finally ending in Paris. In a nutshell, the entire project is described succinctly below:


The ingenious aspect of this project is that not only will the objets d'art in the museum be traveling, but so will this entire structure, the building (or pavilion) that was designed to be installed and uninstalled from city to city. You can view the structure being put together on their website.

Since different artists have contributed to this show, I'm not sure how relevant these pieces below are, as some of them come from their actual retail line. However, since they appeared on their site, I thought it was worth showing as well.


I love how Karl Lagerfeld continues to excite and dramatize the brand, but through very unconventional avenues, and not through obvious marketing ploys. Unlike the Murakami introspective, which thrived to profit through their art exhibits by selling as many limited Louis Vuittons as possible (no, that is not contempt you are hearing...or is it?!), not only are these Chanel-inspired art pieces not for sale, the admission to go in the museum (as I'm checking the Tokyo listing) is free of charge. Absolute Chanel heaven!

The exhibit will be in New York in October of this year, so I will definitely make a trip to check it out.

Chanel Mobile Art Museum - exhibiting around the world until February 2010 - check for city nearest you

more exquisite shots of the V&R exhibit

In a follow-up to my post on "The House of Viktor & Rolf" exhibit in London, Elle UK has a nice video piece on the opening night.

Also, Dazed Digital has more photos from the exhibit. The more I see of the exquisite porcelain dolls and gowns, the more I wish I could be in London right now to partake in the collection! See the new images here.

welcome to the dollhouse

I never run out of reasons to visit London again, and how I wish I can right now! Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf are exhibiting what they hope to be the world's largest doll house, and what is so insanely adorable about this exhibit is that a lot of their runway work has been miniaturized and will be modeled by dolls.


The House of Viktor & Rolf presents each of the designer’s signature pieces from 1992 to now, shown in a specially commissioned and characteristically theatrical installation that dominates the entire Gallery. Highlights include pieces from Atomic Bomb, 1998–99, featuring dramatic mushroom cloud-like cushioned necklines and Russian Doll, 1999–2000, in which a single model was painstakingly dressed by Viktor & Rolf until she was gasping under 70 kilogrammes of exquisite haute couture. For the collection Bells, 2000-2001, models emerged from a smoke-filled space in clothes embroidered with hundreds of brass bells, so they were heard before they could be seen.

Also, for you V&R fans out there, you might want to head to the gift shop to get some limited edition V&R pieces.

As well as selling the book that accompanies the exhibition, a specially commissioned silk scarf by the designers, limited edition versions of their famous perfumes and exhibition postcards, Viktor & Rolf have also selected a unique range of designer objects, books and curiosities that have inspired them. Omigosh, I wish I could buy the scarf!!!!!


I just emailed them about getting the book, seeing that I can't possibly make it to the exhibit, but they don't ship outside of the UK, so we shall see what happens.


If anyone does go to check out the exhibit, please let me know how it went!!! :)


Also, V&R have been guest bloggers and have documented the entire process of putting the show together here. It's a great read, and has loads of photos. Enjoy!

The House of Viktor and Rolf - Barbican Art Gallery
June 18, 2008 - September 21, 2008

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The Darcy of all Darcys?

If you know the history of Jane Austen, you will know that at around the time she was 21, she fell in love with a man named Thomas Lefroy. However, due to their circumstances (both of their families were considered poor), although they were in love (or at least starting to be in love), they were separated by their families, and never saw each other again, as they both needed to find more suitable families to help with their financial situations. Tom Lefroy went on to marry an heiress that his family approved of, and became a chief legal justice in Ireland. He had a daughter who he named Jane, but it is not known if she was named after Austen. Austen received one proposal from another man, accepted, then the next day, rescinded and never married.

Historians and scholars differ on their analysis of whether or not this short flirtation that took place became the inspiration for the character of Darcy in her novel "Pride & Prejudice." Some say that it fueled the great romance between Lizzy and Darcy, noting that despite the gap of wealth, Darcy accepted Lizzy nonetheless and married her. However, Tom Lefroy in real life was not considered proud, silent, or passionate (traits of Darcy). He was considered a pleasant, talkative fellow, and a penniless law student at that, so this is where the discrepancies start sneaking in.

Despite that, fans of Jane Austen will surely want a piece of him, as a miniature portrait of Lefroy will be available for sale at the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair in London between June 12th-18th, sold by Judy and Brian Harden. It is considered only the 2nd known painting of him as a young man out there; the other version is in the possession of his descendants. The asking price, you ask? A cool £50,000!!!

The watercolour is painted on ivory and measures just 3 inches by 1 ¼ inches. It is by George Engleheart, the great English miniaturist, and the only one which is dated and signed with the artist's distinctive cursive E.

While they are totally trying to profit from the Austen-craze, if you can't own a piece of the man, you can see a portrayal of him on film. James McAvoy played Tom in the film "Becoming Jane," which also starred Anne Hathaway as the author. (I haven't seen this film yet so don't know if it's any good.) The film is loosely based on their short romantic affair, so it's probably full of inaccuracies, but it could give you more insight on the man that might have been Darcy.


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Anglophile, bibliophile, Janeite...

You can call me all of those things, as my recent purchases completely support these statements! It is no secret on this blog that I have a slight obsession with "Pride & Prejudice" (ok, maybe more than slight), as I've watched the 1995 BBC TV series more times than I can count while in high school, and after the 2005 film came out on DVD, I've watched that at least 10 times. The TV series is truer to the book, but I loved the chemistry in the film more, so I love them both equally.

Lately, I've been obsessed with trying to find a copy of the book that is lifted directly from the original 1813 text, as the current versions that are published now have been revised since sometime around the late 1800s/early 1900s. (The original also happened to have been published in three volumes, but now they are all combined into one book.) Even if it's difficult to read, I want to try, but it seems that no one has bothered to create this version, aside from a collector's miniature set, where the books measure 3"x 2". That's too small to really read from! And frankly, I don't have £7,495 to buy the original; really, a copy would suffice!

Anyhow, on a whim, I purchased an 1895 illustrated copy of the book, and I love it. This is not the first time that I've purchased antiquarian books, as I did that when I was a child at local flea markets (what I did with them, or where they are now, I have no idea), but this is the first time I really pursued a book that I loved. Although this copy isn't in any mint condition, I still love it for all the whimsical illustrations. I can't wait to re-read this book!


In addition, while I was perusing the Regency period on eBay UK, I came across this fashion plate, which is equivalent to their version of fashion magazines back in the day. I love the look of this woman, where she looks back at you with such clarity, and she looks so proper in her day dress, which is similar to what I imagined Elizabeth Bennet might have worn, minus the bonnet and purse (I see her touting a book with her hair in a loose bun, curls unfurling in the wind as she wanders through Derbyshire). I purchased this as well, and plan to frame it and hang as wall art.


Although this was not the most glamorous or romantic period in history, I must say that from both film, TV, and books, it's become romanticized, and I like the simplicity of the times, that it wasn't very gaudy, vulgar, or over-the-top in regards to the way that ppl acted or dressed. Women sewed, read, played music, danced...it was all very un-posh, which is why the human mind and connectivity were so important. It is more and more difficult to capture that feeling in this day and age.

mantra for life

While "Keep Calm and Carry On" has always been my mantra in life (I am most calm during crises), I love that this was also the mantra used in a poster that was created during WWII in Britain, but was never issued until it was discovered and reprinted by Barter Books in the UK.

That being said, I definitely want to buy it, but in what color? The classic red seems most appropriate, as it brings to mind the color of England (double decker buses, telephone booths, guard uniforms), and the red was there as sort of an alarm to remind folks to calm down (maybe in case of an air strike?). However, some entrepreneurial folks have created silk-screened versions in all different colors, from duck egg blue to metallic gold. These are softer, more muted colors that are most would fit in great with my bedroom, which is more on the white/sky blue theme, or even my office, if I chose to decorate that space.

Also, going with just the red poster from Barter Books is a lot cheaper, since it's a mere reprint. The silk-screen versions are all a lot more expensive, but I actually might prefer that, even if I'm going for the red.

So what will it be? Help me decide! Red, gold, or blue? Go cheapy-cheap (£3.60) or go for the upgrade (£18.00)?


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Totes for a Cause #2

I have not been shy advocating my love of tote bags, as they are not only practical and fashionable, but they also lessen the use of plastic bags. Now you can own a one-of-a-kind design, and it's for another good cause!

Out in New York, there is an exhibit (ending today) called, appropriately, "TOTE/BAG" showcasing specially-designed canvas totes by 125 local artists. 90% of the proceeds benefit the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, a New York based organization committed to environmental advocacy and education.

Even if you can't be in NY, don't fret, as you can purchase the bags online. My faves include the following:


"Tote/Bag" Exhibit and Benefit Show
April 12th - May 3rd
Open Space
510 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508

Designs can be purchased here.

Miu Miu Taipei 101

Following her Harlequin bags, Miu Miu is furthering the clown theme by creating a limited collection of hand-painted leather bags for the spring opening of the Miu Miu store in Taipei, Taiwan. Only 50 bags will be made, all of them featuring an intricate painting of a woman surrounded and covered by harlequin diamonds. Each bag comes with two packets of hand-painted illustrations, and a special purple plaque in each bag commemorates this edition of the bag.


If you're in the area, try to swing by and see if you can get your hands on one. I'm sure that this will be VERY popular in the Asian market.

UPDATE: Illustrations are by an artist named Liselotte Watkins. See her work here.


Miu Miu Taipei 101 Bag - NT$52,000, or 13,000 Yuan (~$1,860USD)

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Julianne the Muse

Julianne Moore was recently featured in the May 2008 issue of Harper's Bazaar, and while the newsstand cover was deceptively generic, subscribers like me had a more alluring cover that hinted of the gorgeous photos inside. Open it up, and you will see a photo shoot inspired by world-famous artworks. I love how the spread came out, and I really think Julianne was able to capture the spirit of each painting in her own unique style.


My favorites include Madame X, by John Singer Sargent (one of my all-time favorite artists; his work is gorgeous in real-life, check it out at the MFA), and for some reason the photo of her as Degas' dancers really tickles my fancy.


If you also pay attention, I feel like the color palette of the photos cover all the colors of the rainbow. :)


This is definitely a beautiful collection of photos.

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sweet valley high redux

There is no other series of books that marked my youth in the late '80s and early '90s more than the Sweet Valley series. While I was more partial to the Sweet Valley Twins (the cover art to me was less creepy, plus, I was quite young when I started to read them, maybe around 8 or 9 yrs old), it was the success of the Sweet Valley High series that launched all the spin-offs. Fluffy, superficial, at times repetitive to the point of ad nauseum (if you'd ever noticed, every book had at least one and a half pages devoted to the descriptions of the twins, and line by line, were the same in every book), this was a pure guilty pleasure, sugar for the brain at a time when little girls still read for pleasure.

Fast forward 25 years, and Francine Pascal, the creator, is relaunching the SVH series with all new references, bringing my favorite twins, Elizabeth and Jessica, back into relevance. The texts are the same, but any references to the '80s are all but trounced so that a new generation of little girls can fall in love and choose their favorite twin.


I don't know how this repackaged series will fare when it's up against more salacious offerings like "Gossip Girl," "A-List," and "Clique," which are supposed to be much more risqué. Sweet Valley High was designed for quieter, more conventional times, and they are as familiar as apple pie, not sour apple martinis.

Anyhow, I won't be buying any issues, but it definitely brought back memories when I heard that they were going to try to make these books a part of pop culture again. I must confess, the new covers starring soap actress Leven Rambin are kinda icky. I'm not feeling her look at all. There was a (God-awful) TV show that starred real-life twin actresses Cynthia and Brittany Daniel, and while I hated the show, they emit more life into the characters than this girl, who looks kind of snotty in the photos. She looks like she smelled something bad. :p

Leven Rambin above

Cynthia and Brittany Daniel below

Fun fact, all the cover art from the original series were painted by an artist named James L. Mathewuse. I never thought too much about the artwork until they replaced him, and now I'm all fawning nostalgia.


BTW, my fave SVH issue has to be #50, "Out of Reach." It wasn't any classic to write home about, but I remember feeling in awe that there was a Chinese-American character at all (!), and that her challenges were on how to blend in with that very vanilla society. I would say that for a series that hardly ever rhapsodized on the issues of race, this was a defining moment for me as a reader.


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