Les Docks de Paris

Pierre and I went exploring new areas in Paris this week...and we discovered a beauty.

The Cristobel Balenciaga exhibition at les Docks-Cité de la Mode et du Design, in the 13th arrondissement, showcased designs of the great Spanish Basque couturier.

Opulent, architectural, heavily beaded and mostly in black...the Balenciaga gowns, coats, capes, hats were all 'gobsmacking' gorgeous.

And in the next room, all in white, were the creations of the Japanese designer, Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons fame.  In a word, the Comme des Garcons creations were extraordinary!

I liked the way these two exhibitions were shown side by side...they were both architectural in concept, one black, the other white.....and exhibited in a very modern, new architectural space in Paris.

Les Docks certainly looks interesting...and work is continuing to redevelop these old docklands of Paris.  When les Docks is completed....I'm sure it will be a hit with Parisians et al.  Perhaps another one to put on your "To Do" list.

We caught the Metro to Gare d'Austerlitz...then headed for the strange green building (top right corner below).

This is the docks area being redeveloped.

The Balenciaga and Comme des Garcons exhibitions were shown side by side.

Trés chic Balenciaga gown, bolero and chapeau!

The gowns featured heavy guipure lace, rich embroidery and glass beading.

Loved this petal chapeau from the 1950s.

Guipure lace cape and jacket...and you can see how Balenciaga
drew on the historical fashions of his homeland
for inspiration.

All my colours!!!!!!!!!!  And below,
a little orange chapeau
just like a matador's.

Too difficult to choose..le jaune or le bleu!

Now this would look great at L'Opera Garnier.

Spanish lace and pink silk satin.

Sooooo 1960s.  Love it.

Sketches attributed to Balenciaga.

Commes des Garcon...in all its glory!
Lace and cabbage roses....and a gown for a 'quiet' mood
as one couldn't be too animated in this little number.

The creations were displayed in clear plastic bubbles
which seemed to add to their
preciousness!

The simple industrial setting
was a perfect backdrop
for the exhibition.

Graffiti type art painted directly
onto the finished garment.

Just perfect for a 21st century bride, non?

Commes des garçons showed 'cabbage roses' en masse!

After the exhibition
Pierre and I headed up to
the Moonbar on the rooftop.

A fab place to kick back.

The building (and the surrounding area) is an example
of new Parisian architecture.

It was rust...and I loved it.  Just perfect for my garden in Brisbane.
Now.....who can I get to make me one.  My friend Alan is a very good welder...

Voila.......it was a fab way to spend the morning.

And in the arvo we headed to Jardin des Plantes just across the way...but I'll tell you about this in another post.


You may also like my posts on:
http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/06/london-calling.html
http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/01/my-rusty-haven.html