Paris - Day One: June 2023

We got dressed and went to Paris!

I have been listening to Dressed: The History of Fashion, a podcast hosted by the two fashion historians, April Calahan and Cassidy Zachary, for several years. It's an informative and entertaining look at historical and contemporary fashion topics, most often presented through interviews with designers, curators and authors. It's hard to imagine more knowledgeable fashion experts than April and Zachary.

The tour was arranged by Like Minds Travel under the able guidance of its founder, Laura Hart.

So when the opportunity arose to travel to Paris on a group tour, "Paris with Dressed: The History of Fashion," I jumped at the chance. My sister, Susan, joined me on our French adventure.

At the historic Art Nouveau Bouillon Racine for our farewell dinner.

Left to right: Carol, Cassidy Zachary, Susan Markel and April Calahan.

I am wearing a Kenzo jacket that I snagged that very morning

 at Les Puces flea market.

We stayed at Hôtel Joséphine near the Moulin Rouge.

Our first destination was La Galerie Dior located next to the original house of Dior on Avenue Montaigne. This elegant gallery has a magical display of Dior creations from several eras. 

Christian Dior showed his first collection for Spring/Summer in 1947. It featured the iconic "New Look," perfectly summarized in the "Bar" suit, a crisp white jacket with a nipped waist and a full, mid-calf black skirt. It created a sensation after the deprivation of the war years.

Christian Dior, tailleur Bar depicted on a

postcard I purchased at La Galerie Dior.

A charming display of cherry-hued delights.

A regal and dramatic ball gown with

a red sash slashing across the bodice.

Perhaps the perfect ensemble for Madame's elegant dinner.

There's something about red velvet. The French do

style details so well as in the

simply tied shawl across the shoulders.

Monsieur Dior's desk.

Two ladies were set up in a gallery to tie white ribbons

around diminutive Dior perfume bottles.Two little

girls were each given a white satin ribbon of their very own.

Susan and I enjoyed  le déjeuner in the Dior Cafe.

La Galerie Dior is maintained at a low 

temperature to preserve the clothes.

To keep us toasty, the serving staff provided us with

 luxurious cashmere Dior blankets.

(Alas, to borrow, not to keep.)

This is an excellent history of the house of Dior:

https://www.galeriedior.com/en/history

À Bientôt!

and more to come!