Les Parisiennes des Mamanset: On the Advent of Newness

[botemp]

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

Previous thread

(I've removed the usual links to recommended shops and other places guides from the OP because I suspect they're getting very out of date at this point)

I'm going to see it on 10 March with my son and a couple of his friends. One of them saw it in Boston, loved it, and is thrilled to be able to see it again. That Guardian review was quite something, wasn't it?

Was it the Ilse Jacobsen Rains71 coat with a faux leather tie thingy at the chin @ShangPie ?

The one I want is only available in a size down from the size I am but if they run big I might try it.

I’m keen to accompany red and anyone else to see that exhibition - I am in London every few weeks with work and can skive off “have a meeting” for a few hours.

Eloise it’s definitely worth a try! I had this one and found it quite roomy even with a chunky winter sweater. I’m between a 10-12 and got the 38, but the fit just wasn’t right for me across the shoulders. The other issue was the length - I’m 1.68m / 5’6” and it caught on my knees when walking uphill (I live at the top of a hill so it’s a real-life issue!) Perhaps one of the mid-thigh styles would be better?

Eloise I also had / still have an Ilse Jacobsen coat (size 38, too; I could have gone for 40 though; I am 10-12 on top and 12 on the bottom). It is a proper knee-length and sleeve- length on me (180 cm) and it didn't have the rubbery feeling Red talks about as the inside is quite fleecy. It has a great hood and properly waterproof. Sadly the zip packed in after a few years (maybe 3 or 4?); I don't know where it can be replaced as it is quite specific. It still lingers on in the cupboard because the coat is unkillable, I have hopes I would be able to repair it some day...

I'd like to join the others for the exhibition if the day is suitable

Thank you for replying @ShangPie and @microbius 💐

I have tickets for an evening private viewing of that exhibition at the Tate Britain - very much looking forward to it and will report back if you’ve not got to it before I go (12 March).

I have a knee-length Ilse Jacob rain jacket with leather neck thing and like it a lot.

That review is one of several reasons why I'm trying to wean myself off the Guardian. Not sure if I'll get to London before it finishes but I'd love to read a more intelligent report if anyone goes.

Let’s see if we can agree on a date then shangpie, micro …
I am sure mm can be lured too 😀
and anyone else, would be great if you can join too Bo.
For me I think it will have to be end of April onwards.

Is it "big fitting" or true to size ?

I would say true to size, for a coat bearing in mind that you may wear a jacket underneath.

Waldemar liked it, Flo:

Sargent and Fashion review — a dazzling dive into celebrity culture.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/e8b5b1aa-ac68-4f05-ac48-f3d60da069f0?shareToken=0792fbbe1f645148c40419e0400d4a5aa_

Is Lady Agnew of Lochnaw present? I don't think you could say she has a bland face. Or you wouldn't recognise her in the street.

Lady Agnew of Lochnaw

Thanks for the share token MmePoppy

Oh Lady Agnew, and her portrait, are beautiful.

There's a thing at the Barbican in the week up to Easter, run by Toast, about mending. It's not very well-advertised so there still seem to be quite a few places available.

I'm on holiday that week so am able to go to the Sashiko workshop on Weds and I'm also off to the darning workshop on Saturday:

www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2024/event/a-toast-circle-pop-up-in-partnership-with-phoebe-english

I wouldn't write the Guardian off prematurely, Flo. I read the letter first and because it had a lot of internet 'activism' buzzwords I thought it might be a bit of faux outrage and headed to the review. When I saw the actual review it just made him look like an out of touch dinosaur (out of touch attitudes, not age related) who wants to keep art for a small elite and everything in chronological order.

That's really no longer relevant to today's audiences and an art critic should really know better. I suppose for the more traditional art shows this approach is new and therefore heresy to some 🙄 anyhow the man's temper tantrum actually sold it to me, I wouldn't have considered travelling for it otherwise. Everything he hated about the exhibit sounded right up my alley and I'm well of private evening exhibition invites.

I'm making no commitments to travel though, there's quite a few public holidays in early May for me Red but best to just plan with the others and I'll see if I can fit it in.

Lady Agnew's grandson Sir Crispin Agnew is a prominent QC/KC. He's a lovely man. I know him professionally but not personally. Lady Agnew is the pin up girl of The Scottish National Gallery.

I was watching Chloe at PFW
Chloe
Chemena Kamali has inspired back on me the feel good boho chic look.
I love the short leather capes and frilly blouses.

I was browsing through the shows too, both Chloé and Givenchy (still no designer but it's obvious the in-house team was very happy to be without MW) felt like a return to familiar form but not in a overly nostalgic way. It was definitely needed at Chloé (I'm not really a Chloé girl but always ended up buying something there but nothing under Gabriela Hearst even though I quite like her 🤷). I do wonder if they'll keep up with all the eco credentials changes GH brought in. I was a bit unsure about the dresses tucked into one over the knee boot though, only saw pictures so far so I'll have a look at the video to see how they managed to walk.

While we're still talking exhibitions, there's one on Biba opening in late March at the Fashion and Textile Museum. It's on till September so I've a fighting chance of getting there - it was an adolescent obsession of mine even though I never visited the actual store.
https://www.fashiontextilemuseum.org/exhibitions/the-biba-story-1964-1975

Also noticed that Clare Waight Kellor has done another Uniqlo range. Nothing that jumps out at me enough to tempt an order but there are a few things I'd take a closer look at if I was anywhere near a shop. I think I felt the same about her last collection too. Also one or two pieces that took me straight back to Jigsaw around 2005 - I'm awaiting the return of the fishtail skirt any time now.
[[https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/collaborations/women/uniqlo-c?ssz=43

Thanks for the Lady Agnew gossip and the Chloe link.

Ooh thanks for the tip about the Biba exhibition. We students of Domestic Science came down to London for the Ideal Home Exhibition circa 1975, and also went to Biba. It was very dark and glamorous. I bought a pot of jam.

Sad to see Iris Apfel has died, although I guess I'd settle for living to 102.

I'll always love her attitude to the notion that dressing well means showing off your figure or complementing your skin tone. Here she is taking up space.

Just don't be sad
'Cause 102 ain't bad.

Quoteth Meatloaf.

(Slightly bastardised).

What a wonderful woman. Loved her attitude and style too 💓

She was a wonderful woman. I can't be sad about a wonderful woman who laid out her store dying at a grand old age.

I'm just happy she did.