Finally Chanel

I finally got to see Coco avant Chanel. Denmark must be the last country on earth where this movie premiered and for that reason the expectations have been building up for far too long.
I thought it was a beautiful and stylish film, but the story didn’t really interest me. Apart from some amazing photography and beautiful colours the story was thin. I mean it was about Coco before the glamour life of her fashion empire, but all we saw was her love life and only a few glimpses of her actual fashion talent. The reason I wanted to learn about Coco Chanel was not to see a story of her failed love interests, but to understand how she became such an influence for fashion designer in the years to come.

Yes, we saw how she had an eye for original style and how she picked up inspiration from men’s wardrobe and working men’s materials. But where did her skills come from? I mean it seemed like she was just born with it and learned to sew a bit and suddenly puff she had her own shop and went on to stardom.

But I guess that’s what the movie business will show of her life – even though I had thought that as it was a French film it would have had more emphasis on her artistic features than on a love story.

Paris, Capital of Photography

On a short stay in Paris last week I had the pleasure of seeing another great example of amazing photography. This is obviously in a completely different genre, but still made a huge impression on me. At Jeu de paume in Pairs I saw The Christian Bouqueret collection of French 1920s-40s avant grade photography.

The 1920 and 30s have had something of a renaissance these days in art and style and this exhibitions really made me want to just travel back in time and be a part of this period in Paris cultural history. These photos bring forward the simplicity of black and white photography and yet opens up new perspectives on the motives and how to look at the world.

Some of the photographs on display are by well known artists such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Brassai who are especially famous for their images from Paris street life. Together with the more experimental pictures the exhibition brings out the very best of black and white photography of that time.

60s cool: Francoise Hardy

I just found my old Francoise Hardy CD and I’ve been listing to it all day. She’s the coolest both in music and in style. I know she still makes music, but I like the 60s stuff the best. I’m also a fan of her general style; this clean cut beauty who writes her own songs has the ultimate combination of the unspoiled girly and the rock look. And she’s sexy and she has this cool intellectual air in her voice. Her simple hair style with heavy bangs has really had a comeback, but I also think her natural and relaxed style is also the reason she’s still popular.

Among my favourite of her songs are ‘Le Temps De L’amour’ and ‘Dit lui non’ – and of course ‘Tous les Gracons et les fille’. I found the sweet video for you just to get that good feeling of weekend and spring started:

The intimate spaces of Serge

Lately Charlotte Gainsbourg has been everywhere and latest as guest-editor of the French Vouge. Of course she’s got the trés cool French effortlessly sexy style – but right now I’m still more intrigued by her papa. However, in Charlotte’s Vouge she talked about making her father’s house into a museum. Wow! Imagine visiting the halls of Monsieur Gainsbourg at 5, bis Rue de Verneuil. The few photos of the interior shown by Vanity Fair hold promises of dark, cluttered rooms with bizarre statues and art pieces. Apparently, the house has remained untouched since Serge died. Nothing has been removed or changed which come to think of it is a little creepy, but still kind of intriguing – very much to the style of man himself.

To top of your day and also to set the Gainsbourg mood quite right I think it’s time for a song. This one is an absolute favorite of mine. This is Serge singing 'Requiem pour un Con'