PARIS
I talked my friend, Jan, while visiting me in Portugal in March, to fly to Paris to attend four of the largest and most jaw-dropping fashion exhibits ever mounted in the City of Lights…and Haute Couture. In the 3 days we were there, besides the exhibitions, we saw as much as we could possibly see, and of course, did a little shopping for a pair of my favorite shoes, and dining!
Here are just a few photos to pique your interest.
Instead of trying to post the 100’s of photos I took, I am giving you access to the photo collages I assembled of each exhibition attended. Just click on Paris Fashion Exhibitions to be taken to my site. Double-click the top file on the list – D&G The Leopard. You can now view the entire group by clicking the arrows on the left or right side of each collage. And don’t forget you can click on an individual photo to enlarge and see details up close.
You will start with the Dolce & Gabbana exhibition at the Grand Palais. I cannot even put into words just how mind-blowing this exhibition was. Fashion! Jewelry! Art! Shoes! Coffee pots!! These two Italian designers not only do high fashion, they design also for the theater, the latest award-winning Netflix production of The Leopard, plus costumes for many Italian opera productions. Unfortunatley, this exhibit closed on March 31, 2025.
The House of Christian Dior has been synonymous with high fashion since he presented his “New Look” at the end of World War II. Galerie Dior, located next to his Paris salon, welcomes visitors to an exceptional exhibition of his and the others who have designed for his house over the years. Yves St Laurent, John Galliano, Gianfranco Ferře, and Marc Bohan, to name a few.
Netflix has an excellent movie, The New Look, about his life. And treat yourself to a viewing of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, also streaming on Netflix. You will get an insider’s view of what the House of Dior was like in the ’50’s, and enjoy a truly lovely movie at the same time!
This exhibit is open to the public with no closure date listed.
The next set of photos is called The Golden Thread. This exhibition at the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chiric focuses on how actual gold is used in the textile arts from Antiquity to the present day, with exceptional creations by Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei. The exhibition remains open until July 26, 2025.
Louvre Couture – Art & Fashion: Statement Piece is the first exhibit of its kind to be held in the hallowed halls of the Louvre Museum. Sixty-five garments and accessories by the world’s most well-known designers are exhibited over a 9,000 sq. metre space encompassing the Decorative Arts Department and throughout Napoleon III’s private apartments. This exhibit is open to the public until July 21, 2025.
SEVILLE
As my 3-month allotted stay in Portugal was coming to an end, my good friend, Barbara, who is now living with her family in Madrid, suggested we meet up in Seville for a few days of sightseeing, shopping, and tapas! Transportation in Europe is so good – and cheap! Seville is just a 3 1/2 hour, $36 RT bus ride from Ferragudo, onboard a lovely, modern coach. We had four fantastic days and didn’t let a little ‘rain in Spain’ dampen our fun!
This will be my last post for a while as I must pack my bags for my move to Belfast, Northern Ireland, in two days. Looking forward to a different climate and lifestyle from what I have had here in the Algarve. I’ve reached out to The American Woman’s Club of Ulster and American Expats in Belfast, and of course, I’ll meet lots of the locals as a guest of my friend Ruth, starting with celebrating Easter with her family, and a typical Sunday Roast.
Until next time….
My Home on the Roam 