Have you ever wanted to live in another era, in another time in the past? Do you feel you were born too late? Do you love to wear vintage clothes, watch old movies, listen to golden age music, or decorate your home with antiques and vintage things?
When I was a young girl I was obsessed with time travel and "olden times". I think this came from a love for my grandmother and her home. To me it was a treasure trove of all the things I didn't have in the home I shared with my parents. Everything was mysterious and glam and funny and interesting. And my grandmother was so kooky and indulgent, and she wore bright red lipstick, to which I have been hooked on since I started to wear make-up.
I have had many favorite eras. For some reason Paris and artists always played a part.
Imaginary scene #1: Paris in La Belle Epoque, picture me a courtesan, a model for Toulouse Lautrec. I didn't exactly know what a courtesan was, but I knew Greta Garbo played one called Camille.
Imaginary scene #2: Paris in the 1920's. I was a madcap, an artists model, a glamorous bohemian.
Real scene # 1: New York in the 1970's. I was an art student (and an artists model, working my way through art school) shopping the vintage clothes stores like Bogies and Trash and Vaudeville, slinking around town in bias cut chiffon dresses from the 1930's, and dancing in beaded dresses from the 1920's until they literally fell to pieces on the dance floor. I furnished my apartments with deco before it was deco, and listened to Billie Holiday on old record players.
Real scene #2: New York in the 1980's. I slowly left planet nostalgia as I segued into my rock and roll life. But no matter what era I felt drawn to, as a young person I felt born in the wrong time and maybe even in the wrong place.
I always imagined myself living my old age looking like Colette and living in Paris surrounded by young people at my feet listening to me tell stories of my interesting life.
Real scene #3: Alberto and I have stolen away for some afternoon delight, which means stealing away to a dark movie theater in New Orleans on a hot humid weekday afternoon. The movie: Woody Allen's 41st film Midnight In Paris.
To say I enjoyed this is an understatement. When you know every location, every artist, every writer, every reference, every Zelig like moment, the delight just creeps in everywhere, until you laugh and glow with recognition.
I know you will all love this frolic, this fluff, this mash note to Paris.
Oh yes, one last scene: New Orleans today, and me smiling at the mantra I picked up from Baba Ram Das in the 1970's: Be Here Now. And I am. Joyously.
And here's a little visual round up of one of the locations that made me smile the most. It is Deyrolle. Since the resurgence of taxidermy in current decor, Deyrolle has become known to decorators and bloggers. What a treat to to see a party scene take place in Deyrolle in Midnight In Paris! It was a perfect mix of fantasy, glam, and wit! I wish I could throw a party for all of you there.
Little animals frolic forever at DeyrolleIt was especially nice to see Deyrolle filmed so beautifully, restored after a tragic fire there just a couple of years ago. Deyrolle is such a beloved place in Paris, that a zillionaire and many artists came to its rescue allowing it to be restored in record time. I love that Woody Allen chose this for a location, perhaps obscure to most movie viewers, but not to my fellow visual vamps!
You can see what a great Parisian house Deyrolle is inSo what is your favorite era in the past that you would like to live in? And did you see Midnight In Paris?
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