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Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Always Have a Ball Gown at the Ready in Celebration of Your Enemy's Demise

996 replies

botemp · 19/07/2022 14:42

Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset and lots of chatter in between.


Favoured Parisian addresses:

Second Hand Shops

Outlets

Favoured London addresses:

Charity Shops, Dress Agencies, and Outlets

Favoured NYC addresses:

Consignment shops, Vintage, and Restaurants


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CatherineMaitland · 20/11/2022 17:54

Knock knock, shy face, I have not been here for ages for various reasons mainly meaning work stress of different types. Looking forward to catching up - I hope everyone is well.

Thought I'd come by because I'm going to Copenhagen tomorrow to meet a couple of my Ukrainian colleagues, and wondered if anyone had any recommendations for things to do, places to see, where to eat, shops to visit?

CatherineMaitland · 20/11/2022 18:09

Very sorry for your loss XingMing.

XingMing · 20/11/2022 19:12

Thanks, CatherineMaitland. DMIL was 93 and had been deteriorating for a long time, so she would think herself well out of it, and leave the rest of us to remember her fondly and get on with life.

botemp · 21/11/2022 10:18

Hi, Catherine, good to see you back 👋

Mm47 is a more regular Copenhagen visitor so she'll probably have more input than me. It's never been much of a shopping destination for me but I do always like to nose at Yvonne Koné's shop and I always enjoy pottering around in Illums Bolighus. Last time I had a look at some of their secondhand/consignment shops although it all looked very nicely presented it was scarily expensive for what it was. I can look up the addresses again if you'd like though.

Food I find a tricky one to recommend, there's many nice offshoot restaurants of Noma (ex employees or part of Noma group itself), all great and varying from formal to informal but it does get a bit samey (even if it's very different food, not sure how best to explain it, there's a flatness to it all somehow). Then there's the sustainability focused ones who can be great but it's a complete mystery what you'll eat usually. Anything that's not that seems very susceptible to global food trends (think Texas barbeque, poke bowls, etc.) and it's never been stand out versions of those cuisines IME.

Kodbyens Fiskebar is a really nice seafood restaurant in the old meat food hall. Food halls/markets generally good places to grab a bite IME. The Ukrainians I've met though all seem obsessed with sushi (apparently they're even getting it to the front lines Shock). I remember when Sticks 'n Sushi was the it restaurant (probably almost two decades ago now 😳) and they still seem to be going strong, they have a new restaurant in the Tivoli hotel on a high floor with a really great view.

Not in Copenhagen, but definitely worth the short-ish trip if you've got the time, is the Louisiana museum. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself though, it's very pretty in anticipation with Christmas, keep your eyes out for signs outside churches or similar with craft markets they have some amazing things in those usually. Also, have a sauna but be prepared not to want to do much after that.

OP posts:
Redandblue11 · 21/11/2022 10:39

Hello Catherine! Enjoy Copenhagen. I have been too long ago to really offer any useful advice.
I hope the meet up with your Ukrainians colleagues goes well.

CatherineMaitland · 21/11/2022 14:10

Thanks, everyone.

One of my colleagues has 3 pet rats - all named after something sushi-related. :)

mm47 · 21/11/2022 14:38

Hello Catherine sorry I’ve only just seen this. Second the Fiskebar and the food market itself (small but perfectly formed). Salon on Bredgade.
Hosteg on the corner of Nørre Farimagsgade and Ahlefeldtsgade
Melee in Frederiksberg.

Louisiana is definitely worth going to, for the building and the museum shop alone, let alone the exhibits.

Shopping not sure of your predilections/ budget. Stroget Illums and Illums Bolighus and has usual suspects chains wise and the streets off them are good too. Amazing tea shop called AC Perch, sell fabulous teas, beautifully wrapped. The Copenhagen Aquarium is absolutely fabulous, knocks the spots off the London one, even if you’re not particularly into the natural world it is definitely worth seeing. For crafting there is a fabulous leather shop and bead shop (if only I could find the equivalents in London) leather = Skindhuset - Google (Leatherhouse.eu) for details, beads = Smyks beading store Nb there is another bead shop in CPH but not worth visiting.

amazing amazing amazing knitwear from Andersen & Andersen. Stand-alone shop plus it is stocked by Maritime Antiques (misleading name - sells clothes). Maritime Antiques is in a lovely part near a shop called Klassik selling fabulous mid century furniture (more for window shopping but sigh it is lovely). Also near one of my favourite streets Strandstraede which has Bruno og Joel (stocks really lovely Alberto Fasciani boots) and various other shops which I always go and look at! Emmerys in this street is a chain throughout CPH - serve delicious cinammon rolls (which I call Ken Ell Snell to my Danish friends’ amusement). Juno is supposed to be a great bakery/ coffee place but I haven’t been so can’t personally vouch.

royal Jewels are incredible at Rosenboug castle totally blingtastic.

charity shop Red Cross
second hand Holly Golightly amazing

greenlandic store beautiful crafts

HTH Xx

mm47 · 21/11/2022 14:40

Host not spelt Hosteg
and to clarify Juno is not in Strandstraede

mm47 · 21/11/2022 17:00

Just to say sorry I was rushing out for something so had to get as much info down in one fell swoop- probably a bit too stream-of-consciousness to be of easy reference!

Stroget is the main shopping street, sort of Oxford Street plus Bond Street pretty much rolled into one. Basically all chains but at different price points.

Fil de Fer is another delightful shop, on IG FilDefercph, sells vintage antiques- and they always have the most beautiful Christmas windows. Worth a look on IG if nothing else.

I hope you have an amazing time, I LOVE Copenhagen so so much and when I’m there I wish I lived there (and then I come home and appreciate all over again the randomness of the UK. Denmark is a highly civilised country but there isn’t too much room for individuality - that’s why everything works so well. Bit of a massive generalisation but there are trade offs either way.). But my God they live well.

CatherineMaitland · 21/11/2022 17:57

Thank you for that, MM47 - really appreciated.

I noticed nearly everyone is wearing knee-length down coats and wool hats...

mm47 · 21/11/2022 19:51

catherine some things don’t change! Xx

Floisme · 23/11/2022 10:45

Lovely to see you back on here CatherineMaitland. Were you trying to move house last time we spoke or am I misremembering? I'm afraid everything I know about Copenhagen is from watching 'Borgen' but I hope you've had a great time. (Incidentally did anyone watch beyond episode 1 of Borgen series 2? We couldn't turn on the sub titles or get past the terrible dubbing so gave up.)

A question: Can anyone recommend any books about fashion / fashion history /sewing to put on my Christmas present list? I've already got Justine Picardie on Chanel and Miss Dior, plus all the Merchant and Mills books and I'm struggling. Grateful for any new ideas.

Floisme · 23/11/2022 10:54

Sorry it wasn't Borgen series 2 was it! I meant the new season that came out this year on Netflicks.

botemp · 23/11/2022 11:49

Yes, I watched the new Borgen redux without subtitling issues. I really liked it and desperately want more of it. For one, it was rather nice that the female actors all looked their age to since we saw them last. All seemingly untouched by any sort of procedures which made sense as their characters but feels somewhat unprecedented for actresses.

As much as I loved watching the original Borgen for the interior porn, this time it was the costume choices that were scene stealing. Not in an omg amazing fashion SATC sort of way, but as a subtle narrative of the characters and where they're at in their lives (conflicting, as always).

I assume it was written and filmed pre Ukraine invasion but it plays into themes of that as well, and how a smaller country sits between the exertions of superpowers. I also didn't know that much about the dynamics between Greenland and Denmark so that was very interesting.

It was decidedly different from the original in some ways (the focus shifting from national to international politics) but at the same very familiar and as absorbing as the original. There's also an interesting dynamic of pragmatic older and idealistic younger generations tensions that plays out within her family dynamic which leads to some great moments. I'd thoroughly recommend trying to make the subtitles work. My only gripe was the absence of spin doctor Kasper Sad

It's weird though, I only came across it by accident, I didn't see any press for it. I have my suspicions as to why 🤔 but maybe I've just inadvertently missed all the press.

Books, ehm tough one, I think the only two that I'd recommend as having some advantage over anything you can find on YouTube (video does have a bit of edge over books when it comes to sewing, I find) are

Claire B Schaeffer's Couture Sewing Techniques

Thomas von Nordheim Vintage Couture Tailoring

Despite the Couture in both titles I'd view them more as hand sewing books and how to basically get nice finishes. Von Nordheim's book focuses only on constructing a blazer but there's a wealth of information in there with good pictures and he's also a very entertaining writer.

Alternatively, I'd consider potentially asking for a Scribd subscription. It's a tenner a month, has both the above books and the Justine Picardie books (Miss Dior is an audiobook though). It's like a Netflix of books with loads of titles you can read/listen to without limit (although there is some limit to the audiobooks but I've never hit it despite regularly having one on the go). There's loads of useful sewing books on there as well which has helped me realise a great many of them are rather obsolete with the advent of YouTube. Maybe also worth considering asking for one of the online V&A courses, there's some affordable ones hidden among the scarily expensive ones?

OP posts:
botemp · 23/11/2022 11:51

(I don't know how many M&M books there are in total but there's quite a few of them on Scribd as well, although if you want them for the patterns it's not that useful as you can't print or screenshot anything in Scribd).

OP posts:
ThisNameIsDifferentFromTheLast · 23/11/2022 14:36

Flo, just following on from what Bo said, I'd absolutely recommend the Couture Hand Sewing: Make a Dress in Quarter Scale courae by Rowena Luke King online through the V&A.

It's really well done and they have a spotlight session each week where you get some behind the scenes information from the gallery, including a closer look at some of the Dior miniatures.

I went on to do a few extra classes with Rowena and she's a tonne of fun.

prettybird · 23/11/2022 16:17

At least, something I can add beyond just lurking Wink

Dh and I loved all the Borgens. We binge watched the original 3 series again once we realised that there was a new one, before watching it. We didn't have any problem with the subtitles of the Netflix "new" series, although iirc, we had to choose to watch with subtitles rather than dubbed in English. Much prefer hearing their "acting" in the original language and also the way that their intonation changes naturally when they slip into English or French Grin

I also loved the way that the actors had aged naturally - and had changed the way that they dressed to reflect that (Brigitte, as a more mature woman had changed her style less than Katrine). I'd love yet another a new series but the way that they left the story lines, I don't see it happening.

And I agree - it was criminal that they didn't have Kasper in there, especially as he was the father of Katrine's first child. Although Asger was good, he wasn't quite a replacement. Hmm

botemp · 23/11/2022 18:48

Trying very hard not to spoil anything so will keep things vague but I had the opposite reaction at the end Pretty, it felt like there were two storylines they were teasing us with that could be picked up as separate mini series or even integrated into one running parallel. (We need to go petition MNHQ for that blacked out spoiler script like on Reddit).

I've got another rewatch planned for Christmas. I think they tried to fill the Kasper void between Asger and Laugersen but they're no Kasper 😑 and the actor who played Kasper really needs to redeem himself to me as he was so cartoon villain bad in GOT.

Have you seen Okkupert by any chance, it's Norwegian, it's a bit of a Borgen/Girl with the Dragon Tattoo mashup (as in it's politics but with action). Not as excellent as either of those but still good and very interesting in the current climate with how we viewed Russia's capability. They removed it from Netflix here recently but I think it's still available in the UK.

OP posts:
CatherineMaitland · 24/11/2022 09:14

So far Copenhagen is pretty lovely. I have window-shopped for hours and hours, to the tune of 25k steps a day. :-) All the windows are so elegant, except the ugly-expensive shops (Balenciaga with the weird shoes).

Went to SMK yesterday between work things and was cheered by being offered a cheap ticket for under-25s. I'll be 43 in December and you can see my wrinkles, so I'll take it. (I did fess up)

Food-wise - tried some smorrebrod, and some different buns/pastries - saffron bun from Espresso House, but I have earmarked Emmerys for taking a look at today - and a poppy seed one from a coffee stall - I have no idea where it was because I was lost at the time, but it was in a sort of market up near the university somewhere. So good.

The best thing was meeting colleagues I haven't seen in 3 years thanks to Covid and war. Lots of blue and yellow flags around in the city too.

Once again, thank you for the recommendations, I really appreciated them. I've realised how much I miss even the small bit of travelling I did pre-Covid - just seeing all the tiny differences is so much fun.

I was moving house, Flo, I think, it was a horrid long saga but now all is settled, we are in and staying forever, I hope.

CatherineMaitland · 24/11/2022 09:22

I forgot to say just looking in the windows of people's flats is fun too - they all seem so uncluttered with beautifully organised bookcases and lovely warm yellow lamplight.

One of my colleagues said she didn't appreciate lamplight and candles at all - she says, why use these and not-see, when you have electricity? - but to me, it's very cosy.

botemp · 24/11/2022 09:35

Good to hear you're having a great time Catherine. I too had forgotten how much I enjoyed these little trips away (and lazing about in a nice hotel). I love the scandi obsession with candles too and try to the same at home, I'm probably the opposite of your colleague in that I really don't like electrical lights much, but my eyes are still good so that probably helps...

If you're still looking for recommendations I've just remembered I really enjoyed the Jewish Museum in Copenhagen. The interior exhibition space was designed by Liebeskind (who else) which is impressive on its own but Denmark has a very interesting Jewish history that's not that well known. It's right by the Black Diamond (Royal Library) which is also worth nosing in for the architecture (and the books, I suppose 😳).

And definitely have a cardamom bun if it's on offer somewhere, although I think they're more of a Swedish thing. Best of the buns as far as I'm concerned.

OP posts:
microbius · 24/11/2022 13:58

Hello everyone! Would like to join to cheer for Borgen. I also loved how the clothes and styling changed, even within the same season, as the main character moved from a more "domestic"-looking woman to the prime minister-looking woman. This was some great acting, styling, costume and makeup changes.

In terms of Denmark, I love MP Denmark wool tights, they are great if you are 180cm like me. Also their Glerups slippers. So basically, comfort items.

In terms of fashion news, I bought a Peter Do jumper, the one styled here in 2021 aw collection. What do people think of Peter Do? The brand seems to be regularly represented in Joseph boutiques and makes its way into Joseph sample sales... My only brush with Phoebe Philo's legacy :)

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Always Have a Ball Gown at the Ready in Celebration of Your Enemy's Demise
microbius · 24/11/2022 23:56

Have I killed the discussion as always?

mm47 · 25/11/2022 09:28

Hello micro 🤗I doubt you’ve killed it, just you know how it goes, this thread seems to ebb and flow. I’m going to look up MP tights (although at 160cm it’s more for taller friends than for me!) and Glerups slippers. That Peter Do will look fab on you and I LOVE how it’s been styled in that photo.

I also loved the latest series of Borgen and particularly appreciated that the characters are “allowed” ’to age / don’t seem to have had surgical interventions.

bo thanks for the recommendation for the Jewish museum, I will definitely look at that when I next visit CPH. We’re on a bit of an economy drive so I didn’t accompany my husband when he went over a couple of weeks ago so I’ve promised myself I will go
the next time.

Catherine I didn’t realise you weren’t already en route to CPH when I wrote my
my garbled list. I’m glad you’re having a lovely time walking around, it’s so beautiful. One of the things I love is how much the Danes use flowers in their shop windows. I remember one January/February visit a few years ago and every shop I passed had Tete a tete (mini daffodils) or some other flower in their windows or on the table. It was almost like a promise of the freshness of spring to come which pierced through the fug of winter (it did help that it was one of those
freakishly sunny crisp frosty mornings- I have experienced the Copenhagen fog so I can see why they moan about it but we’ve been incredibly lucky to dodge it for years!). I remember seeing the very narrow window of a hairdresser (the door was totally glazed, and the window itself was the same size as the door) and they’d filled the window with three different types of silvery lichen or reindeer moss (not an expert but hope you get the idea) - it was spectacular.

Hsve you noticed how most - if not all - of the lamps you can see in the flats are white? I love how there seems to be a lot of air around people’s furniture, as you say it’s not cluttered, they’re quite rigorous (having said that things cost so much and they are taxed so highly they presumably think very hard about what they put in their flats). It’s an aesthetic I love but am not self disciplined enough to follow. The white lamps etc might sound boring but it really is beautiful. It makes me think, round the corner from our house in London, live a Swedish family. Some of the local houses go for that American wrap your house to look like a present, very accomplished if not my thing, some do the flashing Santas, some just have an overburdened real Christmas tree with 45,000 trinkets on them (ahem this could be mine). But the most beautiful is the Swedish family’s offering of a real tree in the window with a few plain white fairy lights, incredibly simple and very effective - or maybe it’s just the contrast to rest of us which makes it so extra special, like putting lemon juice on steak! I realise Swedish and Danish aesthetic are different (although I would find it hard to put into words where they differ) but they are far closer to one than to UK aesthetic.

end of stream of consciousness ramble…

mm47 · 25/11/2022 09:31

Swedish and Danish aesthetic far closer to one another than to UK