Ever since I knew about the Rene Gruau exhibit at Somerset House in London, I had to go. If you read my blog regularly, you will know that I simply adore fashion (though maybe not as much as food), and that I am a huge fan of Dior, both past and present. Gruau was a fashion illustrator who designed some very iconic images for the brand during his lifetime. Hopefully you will recognize the illustrations in the borders of my blog as Gruau’s. I just love his designs. They are feminine, fun, and totally whimsical. Below are a few of my favorite pieces at the exhibition.
Does this picture look at all familiar to you? I love it how many of Gruau’s images hint at a story, but also leave much to one’s imagination. They evoke a sense of glamour and mystery. What do you imagine when you see this image? Is it your favorite housewife, coming home from an evening at the ballet? Or has she simply removed her gloves so she could punch out the mail man who left a “while you were out” card, without even bothering to ring the door bell? Nah, I’m not still angry about that (okay, yes, I am).
Ah, but why ruin a perfectly good manicure?
Seriously, I think the mail man is jealous of me. He can’t stand it that I get so much male attention. This is the fate of the world’s great beauties though. It’s not easy being so super model stunning. Still, I mustn’t dwell on the haters, I don’t want to rile myself up.
Mr P says that this one looks like me when I’m cranky and having a tantrum. I have no idea what he is talking about though. Moi does not have tantrums (much).
What can I say though, I am a creature of delicate sensibilities. I guess I am easily offended. And speaking of delicate, “Dude, I do not need to see your crack, okay??!” Dior or not. Crack kills. Remember that. This guy looks like a gay Pierce Brosnan. Please sir, shut the damned door.
Now I know that some of you think I use these Cake & Culture posts as an excuse to stuff my face with goodies. I don’t know how you can think that. Moi is truly a lover of the arts, and nothing makes me happier than browsing through a fabulous exhibit such as this one.
Mr P says he can always tell when I’m lying. He says I often hide my face.
Come on dears, a girl has got to eat (treats), right? And if I do turn into a little pot bellied piglet…
Nothing says over indulged housewife better than a Dior kaftan.
…. ahem… so for the “cake” segment of my Cake & Culture post, I thought we should look to John Galliano, Dior’s current designer. Right now, Laduree is offering a special edition Galliano box which you can fill with your favorite selection of macaron flavours. The inspiration behind the collaboration is Dior’s latest perfume, “Parlez Moi D’Amour.” Just as an aside, I can’t believe they are using Taylor Momsem as the face behind the fragrance… ewww. For the life of me, I can not begin to fathom why they’d choose a starving looking homeless girl who looks like she is in desperate need of a bath to represent their newest scent. Oh don’t look so horrified, you know I speaketh the truth. Someone please send Miss Momsem a much needed bar of soap. It’s one thing to feed a starving child in Africa, but charity really should begin at home.
If you plan to be in London, do check out Somerset House’s exhibit, Dior Illustrated: Rene Gruau and the Line of Beauty. It runs until the 9th of January, 2011. Excuse me now, it’s time to indulge in some nom noms…
You basically covered everything I hold near and dear to me in this post – fashion, art and Laduree Macaroons! I think we truly are twins HH. No really!
I’ve also been known to have temper tantrums here and there but only for really good reasons! Like not having any more chocolate in the house. Valid, right?
I Love Dior! But I do not love crack. Crack certainly does kill and I second the request for a certain someone to shut the door.
I love the style of these pieces and how the images trail off to blank spaces. As you said, you can imagine your own story for each. And, I’d love to fill a Galliano box with my choice of macarons!
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the one where she has her back to us
And yes I too love fashion but I love food more 
I am mad for those old Dior paintings… you should give a gaze to an interiors artist with that same remarkable flair — Jeremiah Goodman… he has that same remarkable sense of flourish like a great Sargeant painting. You know, the funniest thing was I saw a great old Dior coat at one of my favorite vintage stores just this afternoon… thanks for sharing these vintage beauties… like an early Christmas present!!!
John Galliano macarons! How chic. I love the illustrations with the the Dior caftan and the ‘crack’ one (its unique).
Haha… what a fun post to read! So, Mr P going to get you something from DIOR this X’mas huh? Guess, you going to jump with joy! Have a great day and thanks for everything. Love the chocolates. It does made my day a little easier!
Blessings, Kristy
Ah your love of Dior knows no bounds… nothing wrong with stuffing your face with macarons after all that loveliness in fact I encourage it.
J’adore Dior!
My mother absolutely LOVED Dior! I have 12 Dior suits from the mid sixties she bought and had tailored at the ‘City of Paris’ department store in San Francisco. Sadly, the ‘City of Paris’ department store has been replaced by ‘Neiman Marcus’ in Union Square. We’re talking serious suits ladies, pencil slim skirts, boxy or peplum jackets, exquisite beading and ornamentation. White kid gloves and painfully pointy toed stiletto pumps to match also. Dior lives on! Superbe!
Happy Holidays!
Bibi of Shangri-La
P.S. I totally agree with the Taylor Momsem debacle.She looks like a sickly, anorexic ,12 year old heroin addict. This ’speaks to me of love?’ Hardly.
Gosh that crack photo is cracking me up! And I totally agree with you about the Taylor Momsem thing – grunge and Dior don’t exactly go together in my mind. Enjoy your Laduree macarons, daahling!
Love your love of Dior…and your post cracks me up big time, including the crack pic! LOL HH!! BTW, the Laduree macs looks exquisite!
You are IT, my dear. In every way. Gruau illustrations are deeevine.
And could that possibly be a purple (excuse me, lavender) slipper on Pierce’s right foot? Are you absolutely certain he isn’t gay? (I’ve never cared for him, obviously.) I know, I know, he’s married. I met them actually, once.
There’s nothing like a kaftan to cover the macaron damage.
What a fun post. I love those illustrations! Right now I could use a Christmas kaftan!!
Hello HH
This is one of my favorite posts of yours so far…and believe me I love them all! But there is so much pretty, pink and fashion/art going on here today that I can’t take my eyes off of your blog! I adore Dior, Laduree, and art. I love the Dioressence Illustration and all the fabulous colors in it…I have a lot of color in my home, I love it! Especially anytime I see black and pinks near each other. I need to get a box of the Galliano macaroons! I hope Gruau’s divine collection comes to New York??
Have a wonderful day & Weekend
xx
Lucky lady! The exhibit sounds fabulous. And I agree with you about Taylor- love the line about giving her a bar of soap and charity beginning at home. Such wit!
What incredible art. I, too – adore exhibits… and drawing, and painting. I am get so inspired when I travel and go to galleries. I then have to draw and paint myself. I do not have or make enough time for that. At all. And I love it. And am pretty good at it… well, continually growing when I work. These vintage pieces are incredibly inspiring and gorgeous. So was your writing. I look so forward to reading your writing, HH. It is always bright and funny and deeply thoughtful. The macarons, at the end, were hard to look at. I want to eat them.
Valerie
Love those beautiful sketches. Taylor Momsen is plain ugly. It’s beyond me why Dior would choose someone who is anything but elegant to represent their brand. Those macarons on the other hand, are the essence of elegance!
I can’t get over how gorgeous those illustrations are! And to be able to score a box of those macarons…Le sigh.
Hey! It’s Christmas time which means we must all stuff our faces with cakes and goodies! I love all those illustrations too. I wear all that stuff when I’m baking.
What a great exhibit !! Pity I’m so far away…BUT here you have another reason to come to Paris…The Bulgari Exhibit, at the Grand Palais, particularly I was stunned by Liz Taylor’s Collection….How could she have so many jewels !!!! Where IS my Richard Burton ????!!!!
Those macarons look delicious! Love the art exhibit pictures too!
Love these old Dior engravings! Reminds me of the glorious period for Parisian fashion.
This is gorgeous art! Thanks so much for sharing!
Stunning sketches, witty commentary and then lovely treats to top off an already DELIGHTFUL post. You are such a gem, and I’m glad that I found you. I loved the last sketch you posted. She is so ethereal. Thanks for sharing, my dear!
It’s always so fun to read your post.
) That does look Pierce Brosnan…I connect Dior more with women….and Boss with men…
Enjoy your macarons and have a wonderful weekend!
Angie
You really crack me up! “..looks like a gay Pierce Brosnan” heheh
He really does!
I’m with you on the Taylor Momsem thing by the way.
Kisses my Dior-loving daaahling!
Magda
oh you are tres fab
i have the same affection for betsey johnson (and some vintage chanel and a touch of mizrahi)
a gay pierce brosnan LOLOL so true tho
thanks for giving me even more reasons to make my way to London
Not going to make it in January, but still on a lookout for tickets in May for the Flower show!
These are so much fun! I have to admit, I don’t always keep up on the latest fashions as much as I should. If I had to choose between Dior or a macaron… The macaron would win out nearly every time. It’s easier on the pocketbook too. ;D
Love your cake and culture posts, HH! These pieces are gorgeous, I think my favorite is the woman arranging flowers…love her updo!
These pictures are beautiful, although maybe some Renaissance women would make us feel better about our food-loving curves! And I think the gloves were tossed aside as she waltzed into a bubble bath with a glass of champagne!
My graduating Interior Architecture thesis surrounded the awe inspiring Dior…and what a success it turned out to be. Wow, that remainds me how young I’m getting. LOL
Great read and of course how could I not appreciate the art and treats of course ;o)
Excellent and unique post.
Ciao for now,
Claudia
LOL – this post made me laugh.
What beautiful illustrations! And I love the Galliano box.
Dior….the stuff I cannot afford or fit into…hahaha
Love these images, too! Happy Holidays!
Beautiful artwork (and beautiful macarons!)
Art, fashion and food in one place? Lovely!
Looking at these makes me feel so feminine…and sexy! They have a playfulness to them that I love. And an ethereal quality.
I love all the artwork in this post! So beautiful and inspiring.
Your photos of the exhibit make it seem especially fascinating. I wish that we could go to London right away! I’m not usre that I understand your objection to the gay Pierce B. Less is more, if you ask me. Cheers!
They’re so retro and elegant!
Very cool to see so many the vintage Dior photos this photo. Chomping on macarons and looking at these photos are a perfect pair of cake and culture. I won’t be in London to see his collection but I will be in Paris soon to devour the macrons!
Oh my gosh, what gorgeous and elegant illustrations, and lovely macarons! Thanks for sharing, and happy holidays to you!
Oh your divine, I love the entire post…beautiful illustrations and stunning macarons…..the images suit you to the tee..your adorable..happy holidays!!! btw crack kills…you crack me up!lol
sweetlife
Fabulous imagery! I love it all!
Hi, I found out about your blog from my mom’s website. I just love the site you’ve got here and I really enjoyed this post! I love the art and especially macaroons!! London is such a great place, and would love to visit the exhibition. These drawings are fabulous, it’s so classy and sophisticated. Reminds me of Audrey Hepburn, who to me, is the epitome of class.
I just love these engravings
I would love to visit London one of these days