The Beginning

OK.  I had to buy a camera, it was not an option, I have to take pictures to savor these unforgettable moments.  Fashion week in Paris has officially begun (for me at least).  Commencing on Saturday, while I was in Amsterdam, today was my first day attending shows.  I had an amazing time with Mr. Wade of ModaMouth.com and met a lot of great people.  Mickey Boardman from Paper Magazine was such a sweetheart, and I met the love of my life, Jean-Paul (seen above).  Ms. Piaggi showed up and showed out at the Manish Arora show (pics soon to come).  Much more to come, I'm off with Mr. Wade to the Jeremy Scott show....

Dilemma

It has been quite a while and I am at a loss right now because sadly, I lost my camera on my way to Amsterdam, apparently it was supposed to be at the Brussels station where I switched trains, but it's not.  

Pictures I wish I had include:

Meeting Christian Louboutin (the man), Virginia Smith, Filipa Fino, Sylvana Soto-Ward, Candy Pratts Price and many more.

Tomorrow, I think I may buy a camera.  I'm meeting Kelly Cutrone and that is a must see moment.

Thursday is Lagerfeld, ok.  I have to buy a camera.

Bisous,

Jennifer Pauline

OMfg

This is for my number 1 (Dré)

Moschino S/S 2009

Gianfranco Ferré S/S 2009

Welcome back ingenuity, i've missed you.

(source)

bisous,

Jennifer Pauline

Quote of the Day:

"So, how are those last season Tory Burch Flats?" - Blair Waldorf, Gossip Girls

I think the writers for Gossip Girl got my Tory Burch memo.  Reason 1,562,000 why I love GG. 

I'll be blogging more soon, Netherlands (Amsterdam), Belgium and Fashion week, beaucoup pictures to come.

Bisous,

Jennifer Pauline

Insert Title Here

It's been some days and I thought I'd share a video of my birthday night at the Eiffel Tower.  It was amazing.  Tilt your head, we took the video the wrong way.  PS. the first part are two girls singing for my birthday in the ET park.

bisous,

Jennifer Pauline

Joyeux Anniversaire!

    It's my birthday. I'm in Paris. God is awesome.  Dreams do come true.

Monsieur Garavani

Aujourd'hui my Haute Couture class went to museé les arts décoratifs to view the current fashion exhibit "Valentino: Themes et Variations".  One word to describe this exhibit, exhilarating.  We started out with pieces from Valentino's first collections and viewed dresses that he built for many great women who were apart of the international high society, from Marlene Dietrich to Jackie Kennedy to Rita Hayward.  I was in awe at the many intricate details that went into all of the constructed dresses, paillettes, ruching, prints from various places in the world, tulle, embroidery etc. etc.  This is what fashion or la mode is all about.  I was reminded once again why I love fashion.  Valentinos constructed garments will truly be missed in the fashion world.  Merci beaucoup Monsieur Valentino Garavani, gros bisou de Jennifer Pauline.  After Valentino, Ms. Sonia Rykiel has an exhibit and I'm more than excited for what is to come.

visit les arts decoratifs: http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/fr/02museemode/valentino/page01.html

Bisous,

Jennifer Pauline

Very First Time

I decided I'd start taking videos here and there of the city.  This is the first one, my practice run. My walk to school at CEA down rue de Braque, across rive gauche to rive droit, and lastly you see the Palais de Justice (they house the ancient structure of the Conciergerie, the prison where Marie Antoinette was kept before she was taken to the guillotine).  Trust me the videos will get better, this was my first video so it's a little all over the place!

Bisous,

Jennifer Pauline

PS.

My school, CEA is next door to KCD Paris and other fashion related businesses and the girl against the wall was having a photo shoot of some kind.

Quote of the Day:

"There is always a heavy demand for fresh mediocrity.  In every generation, the least cultivated taste has the largest appetite."- Paul Gauguin (French painter)

Ode #1: Phillip Lim

Dear Mr. Lim,

I would like to thank you and your team for putting so much love into this collection.  Metallic ruffles, prints, pastels and a hint of black, j'adore.  I was under the impression that you would give me a great collection this season, but I was expecting it to be pretty muted and pretty simple.  I guess you proved me wrong, not to mention the fact that you have me wanting to wear some of your men's collection as well (loving the embellished waist).  I love you for your Christian Louboutin collaboration and I'm thinking that you and Christian are my new Bonnie and Clyde or Michelle and Barack.  The rolled pants cuff (slightly reminiscent of the oh-so popular Katie Holmes folded cuff) is great, the belt constructed into a bow (one of the seasons best accessories), and the swirls (rocked my world).  Thank you for being inspired by your

imagination.

Gros Bisou,

Jennifer Pauline

(images from style.com)

Lim(Let)-Marc(Me) Tell You SomeWang(Something):

Generally speaking, conversations this past week with my best friend André (seen above, I love him), have consisted of non-stop, in-depth discussions of NY Fashion Week S/S 2009.  My position on the NY collections: I was overwhelmingly under-whelmed.  I will not deny the great eye of many of my favorite NY based designers (Rodarte, Zac, Proenza S. etc. etc.) but overall I felt as if I had seen most of these looks before, the collection lacked inspiration and as André said, there was something off about the styling.

When it comes to aesthetics, I appreciate that most designers have the ability to maintain a certain "look", their certain "look", within every collection they present, but some designers left me yearning for more.  Jack and Lazaro (Proenza Schouler) have always given structured looks, which they maintained this season.  Rodarte always presents a slightly messy and disheveled look (with structure here and there), which they brought back this season as well. Zac, never fails to please a woman and those who love a womanly shape.  While I liked most of the looks I saw, I wasn't head over heels in love with them and I won't be skipping any meals to go buy some separates.  Well, I take that back on one account.  Jack and Lazaro always give me what I need at some point in the collection.

Anyways, as I told André, I need a collection to be thought provoking, leaving me wondering what the designers inspiration was, exhilerating, having me scream on the inside from pure joy, and memorable,  at least one piece from the collection or component of the overall show stands out (in a good way) and I can carry that memory with me for a lifetime.

This season, there were 3 men who fancied me and i'm still screaming yesss.  Marc Jacobs (for Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc) Alexander Wang and the newest musketeer, Phillip Lim (3.1 by).

Stay tuned for my ode to these 3 wonderful men (Marc is pictured twice, you already know why).

(images from style.com)

bisou bisou,

Jennifer Pauline

More Comedy: 15s more

So, Nicolas only speaks Greek and French, but apparently he knows about Snoop Dogg.  Great comedy, as I'm saying "oui" in the background.

bisous,

Jennifer Pauline

C'est la Vie

Ce weekend, was my first time actually going to a club in Paris.  Surprising, seeing as how this is my 3rd weekend in Paris, but timing is everything.  My roommate Vicky has a friend in the city who was celebrating his friends birthday this weekend and we were all invited to share in the celebration.  We went to a club called La Bodega (hilarious, seeing as how I used to goto the bodega ((corner store)) by my apartment in NY, all the time this past summer)).  With high hopes of hearing at least one hip-hop song, I was sadly let down, but I had an amazing time regardless.  Most of the music was 80's rock. I could dig it (if you can't tell from the pictures above, lol).

I enjoyed myself on the inside, but had even more fun outside talking to random French people. With nobody speaking english besides my roommates, I was forced to test out my first week of french lessons that night.  Vicky is greek, along with her friend Nicolas so she was the only one having a consistently non-broken language conversation, out of all the roommates.  One of Nicolas' friends was Juilien (pictured in the Le Weekend post).  My question to him, "est-ce que tu aimes les femmes noire?" lolol, cuz he wasss pretty fly for a french guy.

We left la Bodega and headed back to the 18e ((where we live)) and went over to some bars in Pigalle, near the Moulin Rouge.  I give the night a 9 out of 10, because my birthday is this weekend coming up and I'm about to get my liiiiffe!!

bisou bisou,

Jennifer Pauline

Le Weekend: Coming Soon

*pretty fly for a french guy.

Bisous,

Jennifer Pauline

Weekend Wake Up Call: Excuse [the hell out of] YOU Ms. Walters

Click here- to see Barbara "us white folks" Walters, tell Whoopi and her co-host that they'll be taken care of if slavery returns to haunt us.

Personal thoughts:  

If you think the Bush/Cheney regime is bad, think about McCain and Palin (*screams). Apparently, Ms. Walters is apart of the team and I'm petrified.  So, if slavery happens to return, apparently Ms. "us white-folks" Walters will take care of us. (sigh) *expletive*expletive*expletive*.  Ohh the thoughts running through my mind (1. I'm really thinking about this whole expatriate in Paris thing)

watch.listen.comment.stay informed.

Jennifer  Pauline

PS.

This is my blog and I can say whatever I please. 

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008

49s of Comedy: Thank you Paris Metro

I love this.  I hope it makes you laugh as much as I did.  What a great way to start my weekend. 

Bon Weekend!

Bisou Bisou,

Jennifer Pauline

Quote of the Day:

" I will sit in the car on the way to a meeting  and just smile.  I really mean that.  It helps you get through life.  If you have nothing to say, smile.  Look up at the sky and smile.  Just be grateful"- André Leon Talley

Quote of the Day:

"..at the risk of losing forever your so remarkably candid friendship, let me tell you something.  Confusion is a luxury which only the very, very young can possibly afford and you are not that young anymore"- Giovanni's Room; James Baldwin

News:

My birthday is in 9 days.

The end,

Jennifer Pauline

Quelle est la Différence?

O.k. So.  Exhibit A (to the left) is Rodarte F/W 2008 collection.  Exhibit B (to the right) is Rodarte S/S 2009 collection.  I know that Kate and Laura ((Mulleavy, that is)) say that this seasons collection references their love for "landscape art", yet last season, their collection referenced their love for Japan and "the connection between the Kabuki tradition and that of Japanese horror films"(also, according to style.com), et Je ne vois pas le différence? 

Christian Louboutin designed their F/W 2008 runway shoes and  Nicholas Kirkwood designed their S/S 2009 runway shoes (Louboutin killed it, hands down) and that is the only difference I see between the two seasons ((and more structure to their garments?? possibly, maybe)).  I give them 2 points for nostalgia's sake, but ladies (and gent, because Mr. Kirkwood's shoes definitely have certain Louboutin je ne sais quoi ((double platform, double ankle strap, gold chains instead of spikes, open-toe vs. closed-toe etc. etc.))--lets try something new and exciting. 

We're in a recession here, give us girls a reason to spend coins on these collections.

Come Harder This Won't Be Easy,

Jennifer Pauline

*images from style.com

Quote of the Day

"People who believe that they are strong-willed and the masters of their destiny can only continue to believe this by becoming specialists in self-deception.  Their decisions are not really decisions at all-- a real decision makes one humble, one knows that it is at the mercy of more things than can be named--but elaborate systems of evasion, of illusion, designed to make themselves and the world appear to be what they and the world are not."- James Baldwin, Giovanni's Room

Read 3 times and then think about it.

Thoughtfully yours,

Jennifer Pauline

Paris in Black & White (well, sorta)

A day in Paris is never dull or dry, whether it is dreary or sunny outside I always seem to find my "joie de vivre" in the littlest things.  May it be in les enfants walking with their family speaking better french than me or in the old women who walk their petit chiens along Rue Montparnasse with their blue kitten heels, blue croc Chanel tote and oversized sunglasses, or me simply sitting in the window gazing into the courtyard.  I sometimes find myself shouting "Thanks God, you really showed out this time" when I realize that I'm really in Paris, I'm really living in Paris.  

Although there are many paths that I have not walked and landmarks that I have not seen, today I found myself back in my favorite place, Le Jardin des Tuileries.  Returning to my spot around the pond in the center of the Tuileries, with the sun kissing my skin and the wind cooling my neck I found serenity for the second time and I was at peace in my mind (while also continue reading my James Baldwin book). 

As I took a break from reading, I watched the Tuileries pond resident ducks swim around on the hunt for a cracker or bread, and I along with some children around the pond suddenly became duck feeders for a bit.  Children are always so fascinated with the little things in life, comparable to my fascination with Paris and I thought I'd capture some of the intent stares and looks of awe and excitement on these little ones faces (see below).
cont....

I left the Tuileries in search of my next destination, the base of the Eiffel Tower.  After having taken the 12 metro to the 4 metro to the 11 metro for school, I took the 11 to the 1 for the Tuileries and then I hopped on the 1 to the 6 to get to the Eiffel Tower (with my Paris Practique in hand of course).  I made it to La Tour Eiffel around 2:30 pm, just in time to take a couple of pictures before I had my french class at the Sorbonne.  I love my new city.

Bisou Bisou,

Jennifer Pauline

Quote of the Day:

"Be real, it's good for the soul"- Jennifer Pauline

Real

-adjective

     1. existing or occurring as fact; actual rather than imaginary, ideal or fictitious.

     2. being actually such; not merely so-called

     3. genuine; not counterfeit, artificial or imitation; authentic

Gros bisou,

JP

Have You had Your Wang Today? (Just for you André)

Fashion Week season has begun and lets just say I'm quite excited.  I get butterflies in my stomach thinking about the new art work that will be displayed for the upcoming season.  While New York has the first week of the season, Paris will soon have our turn, and I cannot wait!  Some of my favorites, Stella McCartney, YSL, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel, Alexander Wang, John Galliano, Dior, Givenchy, Junya Watanabe , Opening Ceremony, Balenciaga, Nina Ricci, Dries Van Noten, Doo.Ri, etc. etc. and the list could fill up a whole page.) 

Anyway, first up is Wang and if you don't enjoy his collection at least half as much as I do, then your vision needs to be corrected.  (Yes Dré, I seeeeee fusciaaaa)

Alexander Wang. Spring 2009. Look & Love.

(source)

I think I may wear light denim and leggings today ;).

Thats all,

Jennifer Pauline

Jock'n Jay-Z

                                     (picture courtesy of style.com)

Ms. Janowitz [is] Jock'n Jay-Z.

Love. it.

The End,

Jennifer Pauline

Spotted: Kanye

So, if you remember, I had to make the decision between the concert on the Seine with Amy Wino, Justice, The Roots and more, or Kanye in November.  Well, I chose Kanye in November, and thank God, because Amy cancelled her session.  To be honest I really wanted to see The Roots because they are one of the many reasons that I came to Paris just because of this bar in "You Got Me" (one of my favorite songs):

"She said she loved my show in Paris at Elysee Montmartre,

  and that I stepped of the stage and took a piece of her heart"

(And I must re-iderate that I live in Montmartre. hehe)

Anyways, I get a FB message from a dear friend who says:

 

"fyi, ?uest told me that the Roots, Kanye and Estelle have a joint

 show on november 20 or something, so look out for that"

So, I knew I made the right decision.  To make things even better, I was on my way back from the Sorbonne and Kanye('s poster) was staring me in the face. I'm so excited!

Bisou Bisou,

J

Quote of the Day:

Je ne sais pas, je ne comprend pas pourquois les gents veulent, être une autre personne sois vous- même comme le Oscar Wilde dit, tout le monde est pris autrement.- Jennifer Pauline 

The LLife: Louvre and Luxembourg

Louvre, Luxembourg Garden, my first french movie (un Mari de trop) and my first day at the Sorbonne.

More details tomorrow, I'm so tired, so for now just enjoy the pictures.

Bisou,

Jennifer Pauline 

Quote of the Day:

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose & imaginative vision against the play it safers, the creatures of the commonplace and the slaves of the ordinary."

Cecil Beaton (via FB friend page)

Question of the Day:

Why don't you just get up and do it?

"it" referring to the thing you have thought about doing but are afraid to do, due to whatever reasons (riddicule, failure etc. etc.).  Remember, if or should I say when you do "it", do it big.

Bisou Bisou,

Jennifer Pauline

Quote(s) of the day:

"Mamma Mia, I hate modernity"- Dr. Jean Pierre Constant (my Haute Couture professor)

"You have to organize your own show, you are a walking showroom, you never leave your show"- Dr. Jean Pierre Constant (basically, keep yourself well put together)

I love my professor, he's amazing (used to work for Christian Lacroix)

Bisou Bisou,

Jennifer Pauline

Inspiration Found: Déjà vu in a Rococo kind of way

Well, I must say that I thought today would be just an ordinary day but alas, it has not turned out that way (no day is ever ordinary with me actually).  While in Paris, I still stay abreast with most things American (entertainment wise) via my 2 F's, Fashionista.com and Facebook.  Nothing new on facebook today, but definitely something new on Fashionista (had to wait an extra day to get my daily dose of Fashionista.com due to the Labor Day holiday, but it was well worth the wait.

Today was the first day of my art history class, where we focus on the Impressionism and Post-Impressionism era in France.  Upon our introduction to Impressionissm and Neo-Classism, we discussed the famous Rococo (Rocaille in french, meaning shell) movement in art.  A french artist by the name of Antoine Watteau was a premiere Rococo artist whose works depicted what were known as a "fête galante" or a gallant party in english (seen above and below).  

The purpose of the Rococo movement, in the form of paintings, was to go beyond the standards of the french academy (art mainly focused on the church and high court) and depict the pleasures of life (eloquently of course).  In Rococo pieces you notice the bold brushstrokes, curvaceous forms, light color palette etc. etc.

The Rococo movement was not only art in the form of paintings, but it was also in the form of architecture (i.e The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles) where the shell like curves are very noticeable.  This was a very huge movement in the European art world. 

The saying goes "art imitates life" and I say "art imitates life, which imitates art" (clever right? lol) when it comes to fashion.  As if fashionista.com was perched on my shoulder for my first art history class, today they announced Tara Subkoff would be the creative director for FORM, assistin them in presenting their collection for Spring 2009.  It gets better, the inspiration behind their spring 2009 collection, The Rococo Movement.

Thats all.

Jennifer Pauline

Lesson 1: Labels

Today was a pretty relaxing day, art history in the morning, Boulangerie in the afternoon and now I am home.  With the fact that today was pretty dreary, I was not compelled to take any pictures, act touristy or think of something clever to write about, however there is a subject that I have been dying to discuss for quite a while and I thought, eh, why not now?

I entitle this:

 "When you no longer where labels and labels start wearing you".  

O.k so, yes yes tis true that I am quite a lover of fashion and art, hence my art history/haute couture classes in Paris and although I'm a lover of bright color palettes, sequins etc. etc. I am still a minimalist at heart.  I'm very drawn to wearing key pieces by a designer (jackets, coats, shoes, handbags, dresses) minus the logos and keeping the logo heavy pieces (Gucci stamped logo all over a bag, Fendi stamped logo all over a bag, etc. etc.) for a very minimalist outfit (a la noir ou blanc).  A decision not based on budget, but by personal choice.

This brings me to the topic at hand, L-A-B-E-L-S.  Upon commencing my parisian experience I have encountered the Label Junkie species, a species in which I dreamt was endangered, but alas is not.

Label Junkie (lay-bel, Junk-e)

      noun

      1. A person who wears, without regret, more than 3 highly recognizable labels at a time

      2. A person trying to do entirely too much.

      3. A person who thinks they can show you what's in their bank account by putting it on                   their back.

I will say that the naked eye may not be quite as critical as mine own, but one must know when something is a bit much, when one see's it.  

Spotted today was an LJ, wearing: Tory Burch "Reva Ballet Flats" (yellow I might add), Gucci bookbag AND True Religion jeans.  I was so lost in the labels that I forgot her name and decided to name her "Gucci True Burch" (at least all three names came together quite nicely).

**note: Tory Burch flats are no longer poppin' like Lil' Mamas lipgloss (and neither was the statement I just made, but nobody's perfect).  I see the fat cross, gold embellished shoes as the "it" shoe for the fashion latebloomers.  BUT if you must wear them, pair them with a simple skinny and a plain white tee (is that too much to ask?)

This LJ never ceases to amaze me, everyday it is one label too many.  Anyhow, this is not to say that I do not wear or own heavily logo'd items, but this does go to say that I wear them in doses.  

Don't be so open, save something for those who take a closer look and may be intrigued enough to ask you "so, who are you wearing?" you don't have to show everybody all of your goodies.  Besides, Gucci, Fendi and Louis do make plain leather goods as well (that is, if they're good enough for you)

Bisou Bisou,

Jennifer Pauline

*On a History Note

In the 1920's Montmartre (the area which I live in) was known as the "Harlem of Paris" where many great African American writers, artists as well as musicians resided and had the opportunity to openly display their talents.  Nearly 90 years later, here I am.

Thank you..

James Baldwin

Nina Simone

Chester Himes

Josephine Baker

Richard Wright

Langston Hughes

Miles Davis

Charlie Parker

and the many others

Spotted: Jules-Joffrin Metro Stop- This one's for you Andre

Spotted in the Metro, dk. brown leather jacket, leopard print scarf, cuffed denim with white socks and dark brown loafers, man-bag et chapeau.

Enough said.

Bisou Bisou,

Jennifer Pauline 

Joyeux Anniversaire!

I think that I have officially caught up with all of my sleep and jet lag (yay!).  In other news, last night was one of my roomates (Lea) birthday and we celebrated by toasting to her birthday and our new life in Paris with a bottle of wine on the steps of the Sacre Coeur.  The best thing about living in the 18e arrondissement is that we live about 10 minutes walking distance from the Sacre Coeur and from the top you can see the entire city of Paris and it is oh so beautiful.  It is quite an image to capture the entire city of Paris, so I'll have to go back during the day when you can actually see everything.  Mais, at night, there are tons of people sitting on the steps, drinking, dancing and just enjoying Paris.  I have to run to class (my first day!!) so enjoy the pictures (more to come later)!!