On our last visit we had finally gotten to the Musee Guimet, an Asian art museum. As we walked back to the bus stop in the pouring rain, we glimpsed the Musee Galliera, but did not have time to go in. The Musee Galleriera features displays of fashion, but does not have its own collection. This visit we arrived just in time to see the "fashions of the 50s" before it closed. In some ways it was a rather uninspired collection of evening gowns and day dresses and a handful of swimming suits. In another way it was fascinating -- the transition from traditional couture to "The New Line" of Yves St. Laurent, Chanel and Balmain. In the day dresses I could see reflections of the shirtwaists my mother wore, and in the evening gowns there were suggestions of colors and details of party dresses I wore in high school. There were even a few embellished felt skirts -- the forerunners of the poodle skirts I saw on older girls in the neighborhood. Sadly, no photos allowed.
We headed off to Place Madeleine on foot, passing a gallery with what must be a copy of the polar bear in the Musee D'Orsay, which has always been a favorite of ours.
We also passed the Department of Labor, where a vintage firetruck was being revved and driven into place in front of the gates for the Journees du Patrimoine.
No comments:
Post a Comment