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Les Parisiennes des Mamanset: On the Advent of Newness

991 replies

botemp · 29/11/2023 15:54

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the usual links to recommended shops and other places guides from the OP because I suspect they're getting very out of date at this point)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
248
Galiana · 20/07/2024 12:23

The CO dress was bought last year, can't find it now, but here's my purchase screen shot.

It's just so simply brilliant. With my black Ginzas, Tom Ford wraparound sunglasses and my white hair I look like a robot from the future. I love it.

It's a brilliant look. But I'm a bit bored with it.

Les Parisiennes des Mamanset: On the Advent of Newness
Redandblue11 · 22/07/2024 18:47

Ok, the VW is in my possession. I collected it myself as I had an excuse to go to the V&A and another couple of things.
Someone from the art handling department came in white gloves and showed me the pieces, that were in a heavy cotton clothes carrier with the VW logo. I was super excited and irl looked better and the material felt better than what I thought (pure virgin wool and cotton), certificates etc also included. As I was carrying it myself I said I wanted some protection over it but not a box, so they put all that in a plastic bag (those that you get if you buy a suit) , very heavy plastic (Mentioning for Bo’s benefit). In dark red colour with no logos (which I was pleased).
it has been very hot here so over the weekend I tried it on briefly and, I am so pleased with it as it fits really well, is knitted skirt and jumper. Very very happy. DH told me it looked really cool. Next year we have a special anniversary lunch and I intend that will be the occasion when it will make its appearance. Just a sneak peak photo of the bag and the material.

I wasn’t familiar with the brand Co, way out of my budget thought. The VW purchase was more because of the meaning to me, etc I will have to seriously restrain myself now for several months….

Les Parisiennes des Mamanset: On the Advent of Newness
botemp · 22/07/2024 20:31

Ah, no jiffy bags 😌

It all sounds like a great experience which adds to the specialness of it all. But waiting until next year for its outing, that's some tantric level restraint... From what I can see of it, it looks very special indeed.

Before I forget to share again, Collagerie has a Collab with Zara Home, I'm eyeing a floor cushion and rug. Linking to Collagerie's site as I always tangle with the country settings on Zara links.

And other outstanding admin, as curses in Ireland appear not to be multi generational, sign me up for any hypothetical meet-up.

Good boutiques are a rarity, and in my experience, always in odd spots, and the more out of the way left field, the better the staff. My favourite local boutiques are in another city that's a bit more gritty and those with money tend to be new money but these boutiques don't cater to that at all so I never quite understand how they survive 🤷 I just assume they're able to exist due to lower rents there?

My Google maps is rather sparse in that part of the world, Galina, but I've got three that may be of interest, although two are predominantly catering to men.

JoJo's General Store in Sheffield apparently has some amazing archive vintage pieces.

Old Town General Store, Scandi-esque lifestyle adjacent but not the predictable brands near Manchester.

Rivet and Hide, denim nerd for all your selvedge Japanese denim needs in Manchester.

And have you had a look at the brand Rohé recently? They're Dutch previously of Les Coyotes des Paris which was one of those fake French brands. At first I side eyed them as a lot of it was made in China (to a high standard by MIC standards) with nice enough but not standout materials that just didn't justify the prices even though I liked the minimal designs that clearly sit in that CO/The Row/Toteme space. But they've been upping their game (I've heard they're using the same knitwear factory as The Row in Italy now, not the cashmere though, just the standard knits) and are hitting a sweet spot of appropriately priced for minimal pieces in nice materials without being too basic. Still some hit and miss with some pieces, but that's most brands these days.

Collagerie

Zara Home x Collagerie

This striking collection of sun-drenched interior details blends Collagerie’s colour-rich vision with the cool, calm aesthetic of Zara Home. It’s a dazzling mix, as minimalism meets maximalism and simple meets stylish, capturing the spirit of summer.

https://www.collagerie.com/en-gb/collections/zara-home-x-collagerie

OP posts:
Floisme · 23/07/2024 08:51

My smurf hand is back to normal, only took a couple of days. It really is amazing how quickly skin renews itself - no wonder our house is dusty.

Annoyingly no dye found its way onto the garment. To be fair it was a long shot - 1960s lightweight jacket, no fabric or care labels and I suspected crimplene but hoped that just maybe, if there were any wool fibres, I might be able to tone the colour down a bit as it's a very bright royal blue. Not to be. I could try one of those Rit synthetic dyes but I've not been too impressed with them and I'm in danger of throwing good money after bad, especially as the more I feel the fabric, the less I like it. So will probably either re-donate or take it apart and try and make a pattern from the pieces.

@Galiana for smooth hands, I recommend idleness, it's the best treatment I know.

It's no secret that I've always preferred real shops but that's a thoroughly depressing story CrkdLttrCrkdLttr Flowers

My independent shop tip isn't in the north west, not even open yet and the prices will be guaranteed to give anyone a nose bleed, but anyway: Pollyannas which I've read is re-opening in Barnsley. (Yes, Barnsley and yes I am absolutely serious). I don't know when or exactly where it's happening but definitely one to look forward to:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-68935822

JoJo's General Store by the way is very interesting but menswear only.

So excited for you Red. I do like the idea of making its first appearance a special occasion but after that, beware of Keeping for Best Syndrome - I wrote the book on it so trust me.

Rita Britton

Barnsley: 1960s Pollyanna designer Rita Britton returns to fashion

The high couture boutique Pollyanna first opened in the centre of Barnsley in 1967.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-68935822

Papyrophile · 23/07/2024 09:06

The return of Pollyanna is amazing news Flo. I still can't afford it, but so pleased to see Rita Britton making a comeback. Alicia Kite next?

Thank you for the introduction to Rohe, bo. I liked the Collagerie/Zara Home colob too when I got their newsletter.

Floisme · 24/07/2024 10:37

Yeah I'm normally quite wary of comebacks but for Rita Britton I will make an exception. I used to go sometimes in the 80s - never bought a thing just wanted to look. It was an amazing place and she was always friendly and very generous with her time, even when it was obvious I wasn't going to spend any money there.

She must also have a top drawer business brain because how that shop survived the miners' strike, when half the town was eating in soup kitchens, will always be a mystery to me - it was before internet shopping and yet not only did she stay open, she went on to thrive.

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 24/07/2024 11:04

I always meant to visit Pollyanna but never got round to it before they closed!

Rohé looks interesting. This is so exactly Great British Sewing Bee! (Final tonight I think?)

Les Parisiennes des Mamanset: On the Advent of Newness
Les Parisiennes des Mamanset: On the Advent of Newness
Les Parisiennes des Mamanset: On the Advent of Newness
Floisme · 24/07/2024 11:13

I'll have to have a Sewing Bee binge. I was so disconcerted by that first episode, with candidates who appeared not to know what top stitching was or how to put in a zip, that I lost interest. (I'm crap at both but then I'd never dream of putting myself forward for a TV show.) But maybe I was too harsh when they were up against time scales that are unachievable.

I'll check out Rohe - thanks for the tip.

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 24/07/2024 11:29

I’d never watched any of GBSB until halfway through this current season. Then I kind of fell in love with the candyfloss colours and Esme and Patrick and the actual building it’s filmed in - and binged all nine previous seasons.

Season 1 was utterly depressing, dark, poorly lit building, miserable contestants … And subsequent seasons varied in terms of talent and entertainment. But … somehow almost obscenely addictive even when disappointing.

What is rather amusing is the fact that for 99 out of a 100 contestants, winning or losing makes no material difference to their lives or careers. (So very different to, say, Masterchef or whatever.) The post credits What They Did Next bit is golden.

Floisme · 24/07/2024 11:37

Sorry, Esme's not on the preview for some reason but she should be there if you click on the link.

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 24/07/2024 11:43

Yes, I’d seen! (Though I don’t think it suits her as well as her extreme t shirt dress show wardrobe.)

I should say, Claudia Winkleman hosts the early seasons and is just stellar.

botemp · 24/07/2024 11:50

Esme doesn't look particularly pleased to be roped into the photoshoot of her namesake shirt 🙈

I have mixed feelings about the Sewing Bee, I started watching it before picking up sewing again and liked it well enough as light entertainment. When I got reacquainted with sewing it could really bug me how bad some of the contestants are and it does feel like they're production picks and held on for longer than they should because they make good TV rather than sewing projects (the male picks have been particularly bad, the latest season is a marked improvement on that).

I also feel that if you don't sew by conventional means it's difficult to compete (I remember there was a really talented woman early on who never worked with traditional patterns and it was really held against her despite making amazing things).

I didn't really like the last presenter (blonde woman whose name I forgot) and got a bit meh about it but I am enjoying Kiell now (probably helps that I recently discovered Ghosts and really enjoyed that) but still massively behind on watching. I do feel this season they're trying more for rewarding creativity/design skills than sewing skills. Ideally the winner (of task/episode/series) has both but previously sewing skills weighed heavier and they seem to have let go of that a bit.

OP posts:
CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 24/07/2024 12:01

Sara Pascoe? The blonde former host?

The camera people never could fathom how to edit out her patently obvious boredom during the Now tell me as if I’m the audience what this task involves sections.

I’ve never seen the current host in anything. He’s relatively ok. I was unfamiliar with Joe Lycett too, before his stint on the show. Bit place holder-y. Nice to the contestants but a bit robotic and unengaged.

I’m not a ‘sewer’. But I’ve asked my mother, who confirms that she and all her seamstress ancestors cut by eye and never used patterns. I did sympathise with that former contestant, @botemp.

Floisme · 24/07/2024 12:15

Esme always looks cross, it's why I like her and I'd have been deeply suspicious if she'd been smiling - it would have been like a hostage photo.

I wasn't watching the show when Claudia was hosting but I found both Joe Lycett and Sara Pascoe intensely annoying, and how none of the contestants ever told them, 'Fuck off with your stupid jokes, I'm busy!' is another mystery. Or maybe they did and it didn't make the show.

I've only seen Kiell in that first show so I'll reserve judgement but I think I read that he'd been a contestant on a celeb Sewing Bee and hoped that meant he at least had a basic level of interest.

botemp · 24/07/2024 12:21

Yes Sara Pascoe, I disliked Joe Lycett so much on TGBSB I seem to have completely blocked out his brief stint I fast forwarded through a lot of it Blush

I have seen that previous contestant on YouTube and she's made her anti pattern making thing into a thing she now teaches, think she has a book too so good on her. I just remember it as being a weird thing to be marked down on, I can't recall if she was an immigrant or a child of but I think she was taught it this way and it's fairly normal in lots of countries (patterns are quite an expense as well and until you've made something, no idea if it's any good). Sometimes it did give off this vibe from the judges that the standardised ways in the UK were superior which I disagree with and probably why I was so annoyed on her behalf. I think the whole added advantage of making your own clothes is to make things that fit you specifically while standard patterns just produce more standard clothes (maybe with a bit of alterations but still) which you can buy anywhere 🤷

OP posts:
banivani · 24/07/2024 12:22

Here’s me popping back in - where does one watch the sewing bee as a foreigner, precious?

sorry for long absence, I have not been much interested in style because whatsthepoint etc.

botemp · 24/07/2024 12:33

Bani!

Try here some sifting through required and I'm not sure they're all there. Might need to get creative with the search terms, there was an account on YouTube uploading them but I think they got taken down. Alternatively, a VPN allows you to watch them on the BBC site or just illegally download them 'somewhere' like me 🫥

Speaking of annoying presenters, I gave the Canadian version of the pottery throwdown a chance which is hosted by Seth Rogan, not even fast forwarding through his bits worked, it was awful.

OP posts:
banivani · 24/07/2024 17:20

Seth Rogan might be the most overrated man on the planet.

Will give channel a look, ty! Pity everything is taken off YouTube - I follow an account who puts taskmaster on daily motion but posts links on his community page, have been hoping for years to find a similar for sewing bee!

have never had the energy to learn how to vpn or download illegally haha.

botemp · 24/07/2024 17:37

Deffo, I have never understood his appeal.

I do find that in the dedicated subreddits someone usually has a Google drive with episodes available but didn't think to look there first but here they all are together for season 9, older seasons are probably on there too, just not pinned.

Is Taskmaster not available in Sweden?I have access to them on YouTube the day after it airs in the UK. And for the Australian and New Zealand versions you can watch them all on south hemi tv.

OP posts:
botemp · 24/07/2024 17:38

Sorry not paying attention, that's the previous season 🤦

OP posts:
banivani · 24/07/2024 18:29

well I stopped checking the official
youtube channel because when they promised it would work it didn’t. So I rely on Ozmrtin ;) (*=a). thank you for links!

Sadly I have not read through everything I missed. A fabulous coat I gather? Smurf hands I gather? Any other greatest hits?

yesmen · 24/07/2024 21:52

Galiana · 20/07/2024 10:35

Bloody hell @Floisme! That's some hand dyeing there.

(I'm also impressed that your hands look younger than mine, years of gardening have given me the hands of a well-worn woman!).

I met Fran L once through a friend, I liked her more than she liked me, I was of no interest to her. And that's no bad thing. I'm not that interesting...

There was a timely article in the Telegraph last week by Lisa Armstrong about the death of Internet shopping. I've been feeling it for a while, availability used to feel great, now it feels 'ho hum'. I'm feeling in the mood for finding a great independent boutique and developing a relationship. I live near footballers wives land though so most indies cater to that very specific crowd.

Any suggestions for the NW, I'm all ears!

YES YES YES!

Back in the day there were a few really good boutiques near me that had us covered.

I long for that now - even though I live in the middle of nowhere ville now and the boutique would only have cows and a few sheep as clients!

😂

Floisme · 25/07/2024 09:41

bani I must have missed you by about 5 minutes! How are you?

You've also missed Red's Vivienne Westwood purchase - from Vivienne's own wardrobe.

Floisme · 25/07/2024 09:46

For independent shops in the north west, what's Hebden Bridge like these days? It was always a bit too hippy for my personal taste but I remember that it used to be very proud of being chain store free. The last time I went the town was just getting over major flooding and since then they've had the pandemic so I don't know how it's fared since.