P'tit Dej at Tiffany's!

Audrey's Croissant, watercolor, 9" x 11"

So what if Audrey ate a Danish not a Croissant...

Audrey/Sabrina ate like the rest of us...

Photos by Bill Cunningham/NYTimes
As Bill Cunningham of the New York Times reminded us this weekend, everyone wants to have breakfast at Tiffany's. The video is even more fun.

Audrey drank coffee out of a paper cup like the rest of us.
In Paris you can sit on Audrey - the French are that crazy about her. This charmante chaise was in BHV.
Wanna sit next to Audrey on the couch..?
There are tons of Audrey posters in Paris. And I just saw one at the Brooklyn IKEA. We all want to be around Audrey. Maybe her 'je ne sais quoi' will rub off?
And carry these Paris bags...
Audrey had "cycle chic" way before the rest of us...
Her little dog, Famous, is the prevailing trend that won't go away. You can buy a faux little dog at Galerie Lafayette Home...
Audrey's ballerinas are a permanent classic in Paris or just about anywhere...

I'm certain Audrey would have adored this black patent cabas. It's got a Velcro closing, the lining is meant for protecting cold things and it's HUGE (13" x 15" - easily hold a small dog) and very sturdy for all of 16 Euros in Paris....
Perfect for CSA veggies and macarons.

This post was inspired by these mini key chains sent by Kat in Japan .
Thank you Kat! Thank you Audrey!
BONJOUR P'tit Dej at Tiffany's!

Balenciaga & Spain

This has been a Balenciaga + Spain week...
I visited the Balenciaga exhibit at the Queen Sophia Spanish Institute at 684 Park Avenue on Tuesday (on through Feb 19 so don't miss it)
Three floors of exquisite examples of the maitre/master of couture..
Plus designer sketches and catwalk videos. Here drawings by Rene Gruau.
Everywhere evidence of Balenciaga's Spanish background, as an altar boy at the Church of San Sabastien...
Plus influence of the great Spanish painters like Zuniga...
Picasso, Goya and of course Velasquez.
*Note the infanta's multi satin bows!
Bows are everywhere on Balenciaga's creations...
Bows both fore and aft...

The bow acts as a feminine touch to soften a simple, austere gown like this one covered in red carnations, the national flower of Spain.

Deep red gypsy roses show up on Balenciaga's amusing hats...

"Wit was on the head, where it should be."

Rose Champagne, original watercolor 9" x 11"

Inspired me to get out my paintbox...

The bullring was a favorite inspiration source, though Balenciaga did not like to attend the slaughter. But 'the suit of lights', the tiny hats, the rituals fascinated him, and French women were delighted to follow where ever he led them.

"A ruffle must be intelligent," he told his protege, Givenchy.

Certainly Audrey benefited from Balenciaga's tuteladge to her chosen designer...

The flavor of Joquin Sorolla's flamenco dancers is evident in richly embroidered mantilla dresses...

Last night at FIT, Vogue European editor, Hamish Bowles gave a lecture on the exhibit he helped curate and his new book on Balenciaga & Spain, coming out March '11

Seen side by side, the Spanish source of inspiration + the unique creations endlessly amazed.

Do go to the exhibit and immerse yourself in an elegant world long gone...

"Working sometimes on the cut of a sleeve, he would neglect all else and go without food or sleep for days and nights." said Gloria Guinness, couture client.

BRAVO BALENCIAGA!