Inspirational Imagery: French

Showing posts with label French. Show all posts

Philippe Morillon Wallpaper

Philippe Morillon is a French painter, photographer, and art director who has created some fantastic wallpapers illustrating his favorite art-world buddies. I am 100% in love with them; they're so funny and weird and pretty and perfect.

In the 70's, he created super-glamorous depictions of the Paris party scene (featured earlier on this blog), featuring socialites and celebrities that were part of his crew. Andy Warhol wrote the forward for his 1982 book of art, Ultra Lux.

Loulou & Pierre (Loulou de la Falaise and Pierre Bergé)

Wallpaper Diane de B. (Diane de Beauvau-Craon)

Fred & Co. (Fred Hughes)

Andy's Twist (Andy Warhol)

Wallpaper Inès de la Fressange

Wallpaper, 2013

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Philippe Morillon's wallpapers are being shown May 14 through June 07, 2014 at Galerie du Passage, 20/26, galerie Véro-Dodat 75001, Paris

Cédric Charlier, Resort 2014

Belgian-born, Paris-based designer, Cédric Charlier, launched his first eponymous collection in February 2012,
after working at Céline, under Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, and as artistic director of Cacherel.

Bright colors, interesting palettes, modern shapes, and cool sunglasses;
of course all of these looks will fit right in the context of my closet!

Celine, Spring 2014

Extra-cool looks at the Celine Spring 2014 presentation. I love the bold patterns and primary palette, and the jewelry is outstanding. It's a perfect juxtaposition of crafty-tribal and geometric & architectural.

ZE Records

ZE Records was started in 1978 by Michael Zilkha and Michel Esteban in NYC at a time when the music scene was mixed up, artsy, amateur, creative, and beyond fun. ZE's "Mutant Disco" roster included many of my favorite funky no/new-wave buddies including James Chance, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, Suicide, Ohio's The Waitresses, Lydia Lunch, and Cristina.

Fun fact: Michel Esteban was dating Anna Wintour around this time. Her friend, Chris Blackwell of Island Records, helped ZE get worldwide distribution with a licensing deal.

The label closed in 1984, but was re-established by Esteban in 2003.

Cristina, Cristina, ZE Records US LP, 1980

This is the cover for the US version only.

Lio, Pop Model, Polydor France LP, 1986

Not technically on ZE, but produced by Esteban.

Lizzy Mercier Descloux, Best Off, ZE Records France CD, 2006

Various, Zevolution - ZE Records Re-Edited, Strut UK 2xLP Compilation, 2009

Also not technically on ZE, but produced by Esteban. The taxi illustration is what's used on ZE's generic sleeves

Material ‎with Nona Hendryx, Bustin' Out, Celluloid/ZE France 12", 1981

This cover is not exactly the same as this release, but it's closest to it. I'm not entirely sure which specific release this image is of.

Like a moron, I forgot that I already made a post featuring a bunch of ZE covers, so feel free to check out more.

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Spring 2014

French designer JC de Castelbajac's poems and drawings were boldly printed/painted on his Spring 2014 collection, resulting in a cool, artsy look. I love the palette and the funky juxtaposition of natural fabrics and shiny gold. Also, the shoes are totally my type, but I noticed that many of them hadn't been buckled all the way.

By the way, Castelbajac, the perfume, is one of my all-time faves, but it has been discontinued! What's up with that???? I hate it when my favorites are altered or discontinued. Only the shower gel still exists, and that's not really what I'm looking for.

Rick Owens, Spring 2014

Unbelievable! Could you imagine being there in person??? And how much of a surprise this show would be?
I bet the energy in the room was infectious! I love it when designers do their presentations differently, and I found this to be riveting. Could not take my eyes away the whole time!

Rick Owens was inspired by the girls who do step shows, which is something like a black sorority athletic dance team. I remember girls holding practice in the classrooms at night when I went to school at Oakland University; it was always super cool to see!

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.

Citroen collateral

You know what's cool? Citroen brochures! Some are funny, some are cute, and some cool...and some have all of those qualities. Below are a few items from the 60's.

Right, 1961 Citroen 2CV brochure, exterior; and left, 1963 Citroen 2CV brochure, exterior

1968 Citroen brochure, cover

1967 Citroen brochure, cover

An interior spread from 1966 Citroen 2cv brochure

1966 Citroen 2cv brochure, cover

See many more examples at Citrobe.org

Hervé Van der Straeten, Spring 2012

Below are gorgeous necklaces from Hervé Van der Straeten, a Paris-based designer noted for creating luxurious modern furniture and accessories with superior craftsmanship. The New York Times ran a feature on him in 2005.

Peter Schlesinger

Peter Schlesinger is an artist and photographer, who probably had loads of fun in the 70's taking pictures of all of the favorite artsy-avant-disco champions. The photos below come from his book Checkered Past, A Visual Diary Of The 60's And 70's.

Amanda Lear, Colville Terrace, 1973

When I was in Barcelona, there was an exhibition about Amanda Lear at the Salvador Dali museum. I curse myself for missing it, because she is a fascinating character. She was Dali's muse and lover, a disco queen in Europe, engaged to Bryan Ferry (she was on the cover of Roxy Music's For Your Pleasure,) she dated the Rolling Stones' Brian Jones, had an affair with David Bowie after appearing in his live performance, and in addition to being a model, she was known as Paris' greatest stripper, and was possibly a transsexual. Wiki for more details.

Vivienne Westwood's Shop, London, 1975

La Piscine Deligny, Paris, 1975

La Piscine Deligny was a floating swimming pool in the Seine, built originally in 1801, and then renovated in 1840. It was known as a great place to people-watch. It sank in 1993, and was replaced in 2006 with the Piscine Joséphine-Baker.