Armchair Culture Part 3 - Paris & Milan
Places To Escape To …
Welcome to the third instalment of our globetrotting cultural tour.
We’ve been travelling across the world in search of virtual cultural experiences, and stopping by at museums along the way. There’s definitely a bias towards some beautiful Vintage Couture! We’ve already been across the Atlantic to New York. And experienced the swinging sixties in London.
So let’s potter across to St Pancras and catch the train. Paris and Milan, we’re En Route…
The clock at St Pancras Station
PARIS
Champagne and macarons? Or crepe au chocolate and café au lait anyone? And perhaps a little bit of Edith Piaf in the background?
We’ll begin a short hop from the Champs-Élysées (of course after we’ve admired the macarons at Ladurée !!)
Window shopping at Laduree ©To Gather And Stitch
Gates to the Petit Palace Paris © To Gather And Stitch
The Musée de la Mode at the Paris Galleria
The Haute Couture collection includes dresses by Lacroix, Balmain, Dior, Chanel and more.
I fell in love with an exquisite evening dress by Grès from AW 1956-1957 in pleated dusky pink silk velvet which is heavenly. I could always wear it to put the wheelie bin out!
Evening Dress, Grès © Eric Emo / Galliera / Roger-Viollet
And here’s Madame Grès again, with another gorgeous dress in “jersey de rayonne mauve rosé” . Exquisite!
Robe Du Soir, Grès © Stéphane Piéra / Galliera / Roger-Viollet
And what about the skirt from this day dress by Jacques Fath in houndstooth checked wool from 1948. I’m inspired by the high waist and those buttons!
Robe Du Jour Jacques Fath © Eric Emo / Galliera / Roger-Viollet
Musée Des Arts Décoratifs
I first went here when my daughter was five, I have some wonderful sketches that she made during our visit there. The collection catalogue is online. I found it easier to navigate if I added something specific in the search box first, e.g. Christian Dior, Chanel etc.
The Bar Suit, Christian Dior New Look 1947
And because I simply can’t resist Dior the museum has just launched it’s “Designer Of Dreams” exhibition online .
Garden Room, Dior Designer Of Dreams Exhibition ©Adrien Dirand
Saunter across to the Gare de Lyon and catch a train to…
MILAN
You can conjure up an expresso or pour a glass of Limoncello, (well you can always dream, in my house it might have to be supermarket Pino Grigio!) Oh and you definitely need some biscotti too for a truly authentic experience! And Puccini!
Armani / Silos
A visit to Milan wouldn’t be complete without stopping by here. Giorgio Armani himself set up the Silos, deciding what to exhibit and how, focusing on the themes that best represent his way of thinking and style. There’s a glimpse of the museum on the website and you can get a glimpse of the stunning architecture too!
Stars, Permanent Exhibition, Armani Silos
Duomo Di Milano
Duomo Di Milan ©AndreaBocelli
Did you see Andrea Bocelli’s Music For Hope live from the Duomo di Milano on Easter Sunday? There’s beautiful music to enjoy and stunning cityscapes.
Beware, this would should come with a warning as it might just leave you emotionally overwhelmed, but definitely in a good way!
I have to confess I’m becoming a little addicted to Google Arts and Culture. So whilst on a virtual exploration of Italy I found this:
Galeria D’Arte Moderna Milan
Where I fell in love with Hebe by Antonio Canova . Just look at the way that her skirt drapes.
Hebe By Antonio Canova, Milan
Modern technology does allow us to curl up and escape the news for a few hours. It’s true the you can spend hours exploring the museums of the world, especially now that we are confined to our homes. Enjoy your lockdown cultural journeys, and wherever you go on your armchair travels “Bon Voyage”.
Take care, stay safe and have some fun!
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