Les Robes de Paul Poiret by Paul Iribe

Les Robes de Paul Poiret was a book of illustrations by Paul Iribe,  250 of which were published in 1908 by couturier Paul Poiret. Get this, one copy is part of the internet archive of the Getty Research Institute library, so you can download or view it online!


Paul Iribe was an illustrator and journalist, part of a Parisian, bohemian clique in the early 20th century. Like his illustration contemporaries (including George Barbier, Georges Lepape, George Martin, and Pierre Brissaud,) he drew his subjects in a modernist style, influenced by Japanese painting. In 1915, he went to work for the film industry in Hollywood, as a costume designer, art director, and production designer on various projects. He also dated Coco Chanel, who was with him when he died in 1935.

New York City, shot by Edward Steichen

Edward Steichen had a long career that he filled with tons and tons of beautiful photos of all different subject matter, but to put them in some kind of order, I'm showing you some that he took of New York. The Flatiron is the most iconic, I'm sure, but I especially find the Brooklyn Bridge interesting, particularly when put in a historical context; I'm sure you don't have to be told about all the lights and buildings that surround it now.

The Maypole – The Empire State Building, New York, 1932 

The Flatiron, 1904

Brooklyn Bridge, 1903

Drizzle on Fortieth Street, New York, 1925

Miscellaneous COLOR!

Agatha de la Ruiz Prada, Spring/Summer 2009

I love the colors used in the Bally collection for spring and summer this year. The two-tone shoes (green on the inside, blue on the outside) are great! Below is another shot of them:

Tan Tang Niah house, 37 Kerbau Road, Little India, Singapore. It was built in 1900, and restored in 1990.

It would be so cool if rays of color really bounced off of ping pong balls.

Split Enz

Miscellaneous

Klaus Nomi, a guy whose name I forgot, and Jim Jarmusch, hanging in front of CBGB. Photo by Godlis, who took photos of all my faves in that scene.

I don't know the source of this, but of course I am finding the gold lame in a kaleidoscopic composition addictive.

Family Leisure Arcade, located at 76 West Street, Brighton; East Sussex. I am wondering if this is a gambling establishment, why do they call it Family Leisure?

Bike stunts at Keith's Union Square Theatre, 1902. The theater was the first in the US to show a movie. It was broken up in 1936 to make room for more offices and stores, but when the building was torn down completely in 1992, remnants of the theater became visible. (Read about it here.) It's now the site of the old Virgin Megastore.

Miscellaneous

Dazzle Denim Jeans (men's) byA Child of the Jago.

YSL nail polish

George Méliès, 20,000 Lieues Sous les Mers (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), 1906.

(available to view on YouTube).

George Méliès was a fascinating experimental filmmaker, active during the turn of the 20th century. He was referred to as a "Cinemagician" due to his pioneering special effects. Most of his 500+ films were destroyed and recycled during World War 1, as they weren't particularly valued at the time.

Harry Callahan (1912-1999), New York, 1955