Charles Baudelaire & winter fashion
LES FLEURS DU MAL FASHION
Children’s stories: classical tales revisited
OF TALES & COLORS DESIGN
LFG’s collaboration with great designers
FASHION & EVENT EXCLUSIVE
MEDIUM FASHION GALLERY FOR YOUNG ADULTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2010-2011 PHOTOGRAPHED BY C ARL-OSKAR LINNÉ ACNE / AMERIC AN APPAREL / ANNIE GREENABELLE / A.P.C . A.P.C . MADRAS / CHEAP MONDAY / EDITIONS 0fr / FARAH FEIYUE / FISH AND CHIC / HUNTER / LE MONT ST MICHEL LEVI’S / NIKE 6.0 / PETIT BATEAU ADULTE / POLDER PYRENEX VINTAGE / SESSÙN / SOEUR / SPITFIRE TATTY DEVINE / TIMEX / VIVETTA / WOOD WOOD WORN FREE / YAZBUKEY WWW.MEDIUMFASHIONGALLERY.COM
EDITOR’S LETTER BY MARIE SOUDRÉ-RICHARD
Annette and Philippe, both antique dealers, invite us to be their guests. Here is the story… Often wooed by art & design magazines, Philippe and Annette, the geniuses in the art of staging, have always refused to let a camera enter their weird world, this cabinet of curiosities- curious yet lively and soothing. While children entered the place without any difficulty we as grownups remained shy, fascinated and baffled. This couple whose universe and talent resemble those of Jacques Garcia lives in adequacy with nature. Between Philippe,
Annette, the setting and the children an intense connection was born – even these free aesthetes who live in their own world got hooked by Clara’s fashion design. Supernatural, natural, sometimes antinatural Gaëtan Bernard’s light magnify the children who have been dropped into this setting. We once again invited the colour experts from Nacarat agency to work on the book. Once again looking at the contrast and relationship between natural vs. anti-natural; the natural colours being linked to nature vs the synthetic and bold colours. Shot outside in a natural setting (by the way the logistics of that photo session is worthwhile writing a dedicated newsletter!!!) the design scenes are inspired from childish tales – though they have been utterly revisited by Clara’s imagination- and they shall be read with the whole family gathered. To shoot these design artworks we worked once again with Carl-Oskar Linné this amazing
light-catcher. One day I will take the time to explain our encounter; this crazy Swedish, researcher, artist, friend of Mattias Pettersson… He’s waiting for you on page 30 for the Little Denim Gallery contest! For the first time Agnès b. accepts to sell outside their stores and gives us their cult products- from the studs cardigan to the sailor top the brand naturally finds its place in our selection. Santa Claus’s atelier: our selection offers toys and objects that perfectly complement the usual consumer offer while being maybe more ethic and original… Fill in your shopping bag in just one click! Who is this child on the cover with a copied head? Who’s the photographer hiding behind Paul? Paul facing Swirc, Swirc facing Paul – supernatural, anti-natural meeting? Yes indeed. What about the natural side? The connection between the man and the little boy. 3
EDITOR’S LETTER DEAR READER FASHION BEAUTY CULT PRODUCT MAAN FASHION THE IDEAL CULT PRODUCT NATHALIE VERLINDEN FASHION SHOPPING FASHION THE DANCING SNAKE CULT PRODUCT HUCKLEBONES FASHION EVENING HARMONY CULT PRODUCT BAGHÈRE FASHION SHOPPING SHOES SELECTION LFG EXCLUSIVE LITTLE DENIM GALLERY COATS SELECTION LFG INVITES MATCHES FASHION LFG MEETS ANNE VALÉRIE HASH LFG MEETS APRIL SHOWERS BY POLDER LFG MEETS TSÉ & TSÉ LOOK BOOK 4
3 5 6 9 10 13 14 16 19 20 23 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 63 64 66 68 71 72 75 76 78 80 82
BABIES LOOK BOOK LFG INVITES NACARAT AGENCY FURNITURE BLUEBEARD FURNITURE HANSEL & GRETEL FURNITURE TOM THUMB FURNITURE PUSS IN BOOTS FURNITURE GOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARS TOYS & DECORATION SELECTION CHRISTMAS SELECTION CULT PRODUCT CRITIQUES LIVRES EDITIONS BOOKS SELECTION LFG EXCLUSIVE AGNÈS B. FASHION INVITATION TO VOYAGE CULT PRODUCT KID BY PHILLIP LIM FASHION SPLEEN CULT PRODUCT LILI & THE FUNKY BOYS FASHION SHOPPING LFG EVENT LFG’S COM MITMENTS TO YOU OUR BRANDS
DEAR READER BY CLARA DAYET
“To drown in the abyss – heaven or hell, who cares? Through the unknown, we’ll find the new.” (Charles Baudelaire, The Voyage ) Charles Baudelaire discovers this new via subtraction, willing to find what has not been tackled ever in the field of poetry. That is the very substance of Les Fleurs du mal. As for the field of children’s fashion? It’s the same desire for abstracting ourselves and approaching this new in our own way. We become immersed in the peculiar universe of this amazing house
that we chose as the setting for our photo sessions. Each place for one thing, each thing for one place; speaking of place the children find theirs easily, as they are supernaturally staged by Gaëtan Bernard in this setting which is so much more than that. What about Baudelaire’s poetry? It is blooming in every page of this Little Fashion Book, it is the golden thread that subtly links all the themes of the seasonal collections. You will have to read the poems to really appreciate the stories and understand who is who. And that also concerns your children! I have written these mini-tales especially for them: the poet’s icons get more human, they get bored and shout. They are alive. In the furniture section they meet Mouffetard Street’s witch and chubby Blue Beard. What about the Albatros? It’s a winged shoe! Welcome to you, poetry-lovers... 5
BEAUTY
Once upon a time there was Beauty. Beauty lived on the top floor of a building at the heart of a bustling city. Beauty collected mirrors, paintings and antiques. Everything was always carefully arranged, staged and set in place. She laid her things perpendicular or parallel to her mood and always equidistant from her armchair. She liked to sit down and admire the work. Beauty hated movement for it displaces lines. When Stone’s Dream touched her personal belongings she would frown. But her forehead always remained smooth. Only if you knew her well would you guess that she was angry. Beauty had pride of place in her apartment and hardly ever went out. She was presumptuous and gloomy. She would not cry, nor would she laugh. She would sulk. She barely spoke and that really bothered the poet. He would have liked to discuss and have long conversations with her about various topics but instead when Beauty opened her mouth she told riddles. One day someone rings the doorbell. It’s Stone’s Dream. What has a little head and stings? Beauty asks him with her eyes wide open. Stone’s Dream doesn’t reply and puts a chess game onto the table. Beauty looks at him; she finds him a burden, so big and so tall. He didn’t understand her riddle. Or at least he pretended not to- what a scoundrel! She believes those who do not answer her riddles should not be allowed in her apartment. She got this idea from a mythology book. She delights in this thought. But soon she is bored and she would like to play. The poet is willing to play now but she turns her head away and is facing the wall. She hears the door slam. She turns her head to discover they are gone. When they’re back she will re-tell the riddle. And if they don’t answer she’ll chase them away. In a hurry she prepares to distort her mouth. But that’s not a piece of cake for sure! Text by Clara Dayet, english version : Marie Algoud, freely inspired from the poem « Beauty » by Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of evil. Photos : Gaëtan Bernard 6
I am fair, O mortals! like a dream carved in stone, And my breast where each one in turn has bruised himself Is made to inspire in the poet a love As eternal and silent as matter. On a throne in the sky, a mysterious sphinx, I join a heart of snow to the whiteness of swans; I hate movement for it displaces lines, And never do I weep and never do I laugh. Poets, before my grandiose poses, Which I seem to assume from the proudest statues, Will consume their lives in austere study; For I have, to enchant those submissive lovers, Pure mirrors that make all things more beautiful: My eyes, my large, wide eyes of eternal brightness! « Beauty », Charles Baudelaire, translated by William Aggeler, The Flowers of evil 7
MAAN
CULT PRODUCT
THE IDEAL
The Ideal is in a hurry. Here she runs there she slips and her cheeks are on fire. The butterflies on her hat are flying all over the place, it’s even worse than mosquitoes. They are restless seeing her restless. She chases them away with the back of her hand since they prevent her from being focused. She tries hard to remember what she’s done this morning. She woke up at 5am because of the boisterous bird, she ate toast, put on her dress and pampered hastily. Something was missing. She investigated everything. She retraced her steps meticulously as to not forget anything. At 5 o’clock she was holding it in her hands. And now with her hands on her face she’s swearing like a trooper. I have nothing to do with that story, replied Little Night who was suspected. The Ideal turns to Michel-Angelo. He shakes his head nonchalantly. You helpless creatures, she cries. She rolls up the frills of her dress and grumbles that she can only count on herself. As she heads to the door Little Night keeps on searching under each and every object, looking inside the vases and lifting up the carpets. The Ideal is now in the hay. Michel-Angelo dares crack the joke that it is like a needle and a haystack. The Ideal glares at him. She’s looking around, going up and down and making piles. Nothing. She came here this morning to find two little wisps of straw to tie a beautiful bouquet of roses that she put at her window. The bouquet! She runs back, leaving her two sidekicks sitting stunned on the stack. She frenetically tears every flower, covering the floor with petals. She’s stamping her feet, she’s getting angry because among these pale roses she can’t find her Ideal Red.
Text by Clara Dayet, english version : Marie Algoud, freely inspired from the poem « The Ideal » by Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil. Photos : Gaëtan Bernard 11
It will never be the beauties that vignettes show, Those damaged products of a good-for-nothing age, Their feet shod with high shoes, hands holding castanets, Who can ever satisfy any heart like mine. I leave to Gavarni, poet of chlorosis, His prattling troop of consumptive beauties, For I cannot find among those pale roses A flower that is like my red ideal. The real need of my heart, profound as an abyss, Is you, Lady Macbeth, soul so potent in crime, The dream of Aeschylus, born in the land of storms; Or you, great Night, daughter of Michelangelo, Who calmly contort, reclining in a strange pose Your charms molded by the mouths of Titans! « The Ideal », Charles Baudelaire, translated by William Aggeler, The Flowers of evil 12
NATHALIE VERLINDEN CULT PRODUCT
BEAUTY
SNOW WHITE TREND
The ice field transforms into a catwalk for the penguins dressed in wool coats and the polar bears wearing angora. The Great North sweeps colours away, preferring to play hide-and-seek with the fabrics. It is a celebration of contrasts with shaggy wool clothes mixed with glossy outfits shiny like ice cubes. The monochrome figures only bare one shade of grey for each party: white chooses a smoky one while black naturally turns to a dark one. Our snow-hearted Beauty prances in delicate tulle. The icy winter wind sprinkles the skirts with iridescent sequins; they are very long this season, down to the floor. Here comes the graceful swan ballet and the majestic White-Rose. 14
Finger in the Nose Mohair dress
Le Tour de Force Butterfly headband
Caramel Baby & Child Tweed coat
Finger in the Nose Shiny legging
Luco Tulle skirt
Finger in the Nose Corduroy trousers
Little Marc Jacobs Fake fur collar
Tuss Smocking blouse
Maan Flower print dress
April Showers Suede ballerinas
Maan Silk dress
THE IDEAL
NUTCRACKER TREND
Anne Valérie Hash Mademoiselle Astrakan coat
Lili & the Funky Boys Buttuned dress
Le Tour de Force Layer cake headband
Anne Valérie Hash Mademoiselle Astrakan and leather gloves
Lili & the Funky Boys Wool hooded cardigan
Max & Lola Lace dress
Luco Cashmere sweater
Kicokids Cloud-shape pocket cardigan
Max & Lola Two-tone cardigan
Nathalie Verlinden Two-tone leather shoes
Anne Valérie Hash Mademoiselle Tweed skirt
The autumn costumes for the ball of the falling leaves invites the Astrakhan to ornate the coats and the gloves. The elegant fur is adorned with yellowish brown hues that go perfectly with the ranges of chestnut brown- whether it be ice, tobacco or walnut. And speaking of nuts... The veins of the shells are mimicked by the hound’s-tooth cloth and fine cloudy knitwear. The textures of the clothes are rich – next to one another it’s a symphony! From shell to sea shell the taste becomes more iodized: pearl grey and puddle blue soften this colourful palette. The Sugar Plum Fairy illuminates the ball with her bright coral pink dress… just look at the sugar butterflies flying away! 15
Indolent darling, how I love To see the skin Of your body so beautiful Shimmer like silk! Upon your heavy head of hair With its acrid scents, Adventurous, odorant sea With blue and brown waves, Like a vessel that awakens To the morning wind, My dreamy soul sets sail For a distant sky. Your eyes where nothing is revealed Of bitter or sweet, Are two cold jewels where are mingled Iron and gold. To see you walking in cadence With fine abandon, One would say a snake which dances On the end of a staff. « The Dancing snake », Charles Baudelaire, translated by William Aggeler, The Flowers of evil 16
THE DANCING SNAKE
King Snake is lounging. He’s combing and admiring his golden hair and his curls that gracefully ripple. He’s softly singing a song that he knows off by heart though sometimes there are slips of the tongue. He immediately pulls himself together-good boy! He thinks his voice is like a melody that could lull him to sleep. He’s adored because he is the King but is he loved for his voice? He’s flattered for his elegantly marbled skin and his scales that he shines so much they glisten. For his next appearance he’ll sing for sure. Relieved by this thought he yawns. Laziness discreetly puts her fingers in her ears. This hissing is unbearable. She wonders whether the sound that comes out of the King’s mouth is more like a fire alarm or the hoarse sound of the cricket. Laziness stays in the corner. She is in fact the King’s muse but she dislikes this position. When she walks at his side she’s reserved whereas she’s naturally bouncy and full of energy. She slowly waves a long palm tree branch above the King’s head. It looks like a snake dancing around a spear, she thinks. With his eyes half-closed he yawns again. The old snake skin shedder watches carefully. She’s hidden well behind a clay pot. She’s tiny and nifty. In a flash she moves to a straw basket. She remains hidden because her arrival is usually like a bolt out of the blue. She’s always arrives when she is least expected. Of course there are seasons but this old snake skin shedder doesn’t follow them. She watches the King. Her time has come. She knows his reputation. She’s aware that he won’t easily let that beloved skin go. Nonetheless the old one has got to go. The old snake skin shedder will be ruthless on this. She’ll have to be quick and throw up a smoke screen. Here goes! Text by Clara Dayet, english version : Marie Algoud, freely inspired from the poem « The Dancing snake » by Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil. Photos : Gaëtan Bernard 17
HUCKLEBONES CULT PRODUCT
EVENING HARMONY The weather is gloomy outside. The sky is sad and beautiful like an immense altar, sighs the Melancholy Waltz. She stands before the huge fireplace and stares out the window. Next to her Mrs Periwinkle is sitting straight like a beanpole with her bun neatly tied with hairpins. They prepared tea a while ago. The clock heavily strikes 4 o’clock. The flower suddenly appears and whirls out of a smoke screen. Dishevelled and looking baffled with her dress still rumpled by the journey she cleans the dust off her outfit. Breaking the silence with her dramatic voice she proclaims: « The sky is sad and beautiful like an immense altar! » Her two fellows nod. The Flower opens up a cardboard suitcase. The Arc de Triomphe! she yells pulling out an old postcard. The violin quivers like a tormented heart. The Melancholy Waltz is serving tea and gives a cup to Mrs Periwinkle who thanks her. Every flower exhales perfume likes a censer, she whispers. As for the Flower she belts out, makes huge gestures and tells her epic stories. She takes a china trinket and dangerously waves it over the floor. Mrs Periwinkle turns to face her. The trinket is broken in a thud while the Flower bursts into boisterous laughter. The violin quivers like a tormented heart. Mrs Periwinkle vigorously sweeps the china fragments. She unintentionally hits the feet of the Flower who then starts shouting. She looks very offended. That is not the proper way to welcome guests, she says. She stands up, walks onto the armchair and wiggles the tip of her nose. And then she vanishes in a smoke screen. The Melancholy Waltz nods: Every flower exhales perfume likes a censer, she slowly repeats. She watches the fire slowly dying and has a sip of tea.
Text by Clara Dayet, english version : Marie Algoud, freely inspired from the poem « Evening harmony » by Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil. Photos : Gaëtan Bernard 20
The season is at hand when swaying on its stem Every flower exhales perfume like a censer; Sounds and perfumes turn in the evening air; Melancholy waltz and languid vertigo! Every flower exhales perfume like a censer; The violin quivers like a tormented heart; Melancholy waltz and languid vertigo! The sky is sad and beautiful like an immense altar. The violin quivers like a tormented heart, A tender heart, that hates the vast, black void! The sky is sad and beautiful like an immense altar; The sun has drowned in his blood which congeals... A tender heart that hates the vast, black void Gathers up every shred of the luminous past! The sun has drowned in his blood which congeals... Your memory in me glitters like a monstrance! ﾂｫ窶右vening Harmony窶可ｻ, Charles Baudelaire, translated by William Aggeler, The Flowers of evil 21
BAGHÈRE CULT PRODUCT
THE DANCING SNAKE ARABIAN NIGHTS TREND
Here is the belly dance of the little pearly flat pleats. Swaying over the skin, gracefully overlapping each other the fabric patches gather to form layers. Langoustine pink gets washed out, flirts with mauve and finally turns to lavender purple, covered with beetles. Skinny cuts are mixed with enormous volumes: shoulders are exaggerated, skirts are puffy, figures are nicely structured, at once shifting and contemporary. Should we only keep one print for the whole season it would be the python print: it starts with small touches on skinny leggings then conquers a piece of long-haired fake fur. Ziggy will like perfecto jackets, in black with a perfectly close-fitted cut. 24
Yazbukeyt David Bowie brooch
Antik Batik Beatle print dress
ChloĂŠ Silk dress
Finger in the Nose Leather and ship wool Perfecto
Antik Batik Printed fur waistcoat
Kicokids Broad-shoulder blouse
Popupshop Plain t-shirt
Antik Batik Python print legging
Kicokids Layered pleats skirt
Finger in the Nose Slim cut jeans
Bang Bang Balloon motif dress
EVENING HARMONY
FANTASIA TREND
Paul Smith Junior Wool coat
Hucklebones Printed silk dress
Paul Smith Junior Flower print cardigan
ﾅ置f Knitted butterflies and frame
Fafa Tokyo Chenille wool cardigan
Paul Smith Junior Flower print dress
Caramel Baby & Child Frilled collar dress
Caramel Baby & Child Flower print dress
Start-rite Leather babies
Luco Ribbed tights
Fafa Tokyo Fake fur shopping bag
In the little Spooky Store we grow winter flowers. The new trend is to experiment: with a pipette buds are tinted with methylene blue, and strange specimens are blooming. It is the quest for an enormous flower and the accumulation of petals which creates a new print; layering, pretending, illusions. Fluorescent yellow crocus are associated with the purple snowdrop to form a chemical yet poetic bouquet. The fabrics are flimsy: chenille wool is sneaking out of the test tube! And instead of a blouse comes a fuchsia winter coat, staggeringly graphic. Time to play the mad-scientist! On the wall of the laboratory butterflies are hung- made of wool of course, that goes without saying. 25
26 The Albatross : Petite Maloles ballerina; the lucky sailor : Petite Maloles derbie; the crew (from left to right) : Start-rite slip-on shoe, Petite Maloles boot, Petite Maloles golden derbie, Petite Maloles silver babies, Little Marc Jacobs mouse ballerina with studs, Little Marc Jacobs sneaker, Antik Batik leopard print boot, Nathalie Verlinden yellow leather boot ; the hands : mirror supports Tsé & Tsé ; the setting: Marina Vandel poster.
THE ALBATROSS
SHOES SELECTION
Rainboots Zoom
Leather boots Zef
Rainboots Hunter
Often, to amuse themselves, the men of a crew Catch albatrosses, those vast sea birds They throw meters of rope off into the blue To slowly trap their wings. Leather boots Nathalie Verlinden
Buckle shoes Pépé
Suede shoes Pépé
Suede babies April Showers
Buckle shoes Start-rite
Leather babies Pépé
Babies Zef
Organique cotton booties Victoria Christmas
Scratch shoes Tip Toey Joey
Once upon a time a bold sailor In a bounce tried to catch the prince of cloud Pointed at by his fellow seamen full of fervour The poor man fails and falls into the flood. The albatross prances and praises the view Watching from above the feet of the crew And proudly strutting in silver leather I’m a Poet, he says, knocking them down with a feather. Italics taken from « The Albatross », William Aggeler, Poems of Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil Styling and text : Clara Dayet, english version: Marie Algoud Photographs : Carl-Oskar Linné 27
TSUMORI CHISATO x PETIT BATEAU
Photos: Carl-Oskar Linné and Style.com
LFG PREVIEW
« TSUMORI CHISATO, MORE THAN A MERE DESIGNER, A ROMANTIC DREAM CATCHER, WHO EMBROIDERS ON CLOTHES DREAM-LIKE, JOURNEYS SPARKLING WITH STARS AND LITTLE CATS. » STYLE.COM
FINGER IN THE NOSE x LFG
LFG EXCLUSIVE: THE IT POUCH
Photos : Carl-Oskar Linné
« OUR EXCLUSIVE CREATIONS HAVE BECOME A SEASONAL RENDEZ-VOUS. » FTN & LFG
CONTEST
It’s all a panic in the Little Denim Gallery theatre! Log in to littlefashiongallery.com. Tell your story on the page entitled “Contest”. The writer of the funniest story will win a full year of free denim and the toy of his/her choice!
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Illistration: Mattias Pettersson for Little Fashion Gallery
THE MASK
COATS SELECTION The real, true head, the sincere countenance Reversed and hidden by the lying face. In the lining of a sleeve causing an offence, It’s hide-and-seek between the heads Hidden in the pocket on the front While the tail is on the back. The coats are climbing up A long golden rope In despair to outstrip This painful reflection, Half-friend, half-fiend. The faces of the coats remain expressionless They observe this weird half in a sigh, Staring at the sky, looking helpless, Trying to figure out the reason why, They are cut in two and in such a way lie. Italics taken from « The mask », William Aggeler, Poems of Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil Styling and text : Clara Dayet, english version: Marie Algoud Photographs : Mary-Swann de Oliveira 32
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(from left to right) first duo : Finger in the Nose down jacket, American College USA teddy; second duo : La Petite Luce cloak ; Anne Valérie Hash Mademoiselle jacket ; third duo : Paul Smith printed down jacket, Zef duffle coat ; fourth duo : Anne Valérie Hash Mademoiselle coat, Little Marc Jacobs coat ; fifth duo : Maan coat, Bellerose coat ; sixth duo : Chloé coat, Chloé parka ; seventh duo : Imps&Elfs parka, Paul Smith duffle coat.
MATCHES FASHION LFG INVITES
This season it is Lisa Gardener, fashion editor for the adult online fashion store matchesfashion.com , who gives us her guide to the latest trends. With Matches we share a sharp eye and a passion for fashion. We have in place several joint ventures between our two sites sharing with you our top product selections, trend reviews and childrens and adult collections. To indulge in the most elegant and upscale on-trend fashion of the moment go to matchesfashion.com !
TRÈS ANGLAIS… TOWN & COUNTRY TREND I admit I love the summer collections more than fall, call it a fashion pick-me-up, but the bright colours and vibrant prints are just more appealing. 34
But this autumn/winter, the international shows had a lot to fall in love with and now I can’t wait for the temperature to drop. I delighted in the banishing of the usual mood-dampening greys and black in favour of splendid autumnal shades; delighted in the stunning assortment of wrap-up warm coats, and swooned over the new heritage accessories that are so timeless, they’re worthy of being handed down to future generations. In the mean time, the little ones can join me in revelling in a delicious fall colour palette of rust, burnished orange, preppy navy and soft dove grey. This adds up to one of the strongest trends to emerge for the season: country heritage. Never before have I been so excited by the return of camel to the fashion fold (Chloe, Celine and MaxMara all perfected the look), luxurious shearlings (Burberry Prorsum showed both trench
Erdem
Burberry Prorsum
« THIS LOOK IS THE PERFECT FUSION OF PRACTICAL DRESSING WITH AN ULTRA-CHIC UPDATE. »
and flight jacket options), and an all-new approach to tweed (Marc Jacobs tailored three-piece suit is a favourite). Add to that the accessories; the tan bridle leather riding boots at Yves Saint Laurent and structured caramel bags at Celine and Chloe are forever investments.
While not all grown-up trends work for children, this is one that really does. Little girls will look delightful and so on-trend in sweet Fair Isle knits (seen on the Givenchy catwalk), ribbed tights and felt princess coats (in an homage to Marc Jacobs’ most recent collection). And as for the boys, well, I love that Just William look, which is luckily perfect for Autumn Winter! They’ll look heartmeltingly handsome in tweed coats, shorts and shearling trimmed aviator-style jackets...I can’t wait! It’s a chic, modern take on that beautifully old fashioned way of dressing children,
Chloé
Yves Saint Laurent
From the school run to the office to weekends in the country: this look is the perfect fusion of practical dressing with an ultra-chic update.
which makes me think of the story books illustrations, country piles, blustery autumn days and crumpets by the fire. This new mood is one of cocooning yourself against the elements in the most luxurious way possible. And with endless options; it really is the stuff fashion dreams are made of, both for us grown-ups and our little ones.
Lisa Gardener, fashion editor at Matches Fashion www.matchesfashion.com 35
ANNE VALÉRIE HASH
DESIGN WORKSHOP
LFG MEETS
In the DNA of the brand, says Anne Valérie, there is a transformation. Giving back a sense of movement, she adds. To the designer it is the most natural thing in the world to pick up the scissors and slash the pyjamas of Albert Elbaz for her latest collection. A tribute. The designer manipulates, reinvents and redefines. The pyjamas become a lining, in spirit a cocoon. The nautical striped top from Jean Paul Gaultier becomes a collar, the dress from Bettina Reims from the house of Massaro transforms into a pair of boots.
PORTRAIT It is in such an incredible space, the old Marguery café that we meet Anne Valérie Hash. On the walls golden and undulating mosaics hang, perfectly complementing the sparkles and sequins of her latest collection Couture. When she first launched her label, Anne Valérie Hash needed a masculine strength to reign in this domain where few women succeed. Using clothes borrowed from male changing rooms as her starting point she added her feminine edge and succeeded in naturally creating a must have label. A designer must explain, write and conceptualize. This was clear when she met the little girl Lou Lisa Lesage who became her muse. By modeling her initial designs on the little girl, juggling structured cuts and the poetry of the fabric, she created an androgynous wardrobe. 36
« ANNE VALÉRIE HASH MADEMOISELLE COLLECTIONS? LESS CONCEPTUAL, JOLLIER, SWEETER AND ROMANTIC… »
Exclusive outfit for LFG, autumn/winter 2010-2011
For the Mademoiselle collections, the children’s line of the brand, Anne Valérie catches her breath: less conceptual, jollier, sweeter and romantic. Whilst at the same time preserving the poetry of its elders.
TICK TOCK Clara : An unusual source of inspiration? Anne Valérie : Everything and nothing, a flower. A timeless piece of clothing? A blouse. The touch of cotton on the skin. A colour? Black An artist? Picasso. For each new collection I take inspiration from his work : the colours, the shapes, the threedimensional vision. A must-see film? La Leçon de piano, Magnolia… and many others! An icon? Marilyn Monroe. Inspired by Coco Chanel! Such a dilemma, the whole concept of my brand. A compromise between the two: an intense femininity and an assertive masculine side. A designer you admire? Alaïa, the master. As well as Yamamoto. They are completely different but equally both similarly poetic. A project? Couture 2011, which I am working on now, it again has a conceptual base but I can so no more! Interview written by Clara Dayet, translated by Francesca Evans, prepared by Clara Dayet and Caroline Nedelec Photos: Carl-Oskar Linné 37
APRIL SHOWERS BY POLDER LFG MEETS
FREEZE FRAME Polder, literally meaning a tract of low land particularly found in the Netherlands has a Nordic touch to its name. Madelon and Natalie, neither of them completely French nor completely Dutch, have a unique creative edge from studying in France and a quintessential influence from their native Holland. After a decade of experience in the Parisian fashion world, at Hermès and with Anne-Marie Beretta, the two sisters launched their own label: a collection of sleek handbags in a range of colours. Ten years later, a few children and a great wealth of knowledge and experience behind them Polder presented April Showers, a children’s line– a miniature version of the women’s collection, where prints and freedom have authority. 38
DESIGN WORKSHOP
SNAPSHOTS
Natalie takes her time to observe and absorb all: a painting sets the mood, a photograph is the pretext for the colour range. She is not only an artist but also a juggler: balancing the expectations of ten year– loyal customers and the current demands of each season. With the same smile, they tell us about their desire to bring maturity to certain products, their wish never to be parted with one another and their fondness for the ballet, which they have reinterpreted in the past six seasons of collections.
Caroline : Your mother in one word? Both: love An icon? Madelon: Jane Birkin because of her androgynous style in complete simplicity. A timeless accessory? Natalie: my watch. I forgot it today and I feel naked! Madelon: a watch, that you pass from mother to daughter. A period of history that has inspired you? Both: the modernism of the 1930s and 1950s for the design. A colour? Natalie: rather than one colour in particular I like tints, shades and contrasts. Madelon: Lemon yellow, combined with
« FOR TOGETHER, AS TWO, EVERYTHING IS BETTER. » When we inquired into the work between the sisters, they exchanged a knowing look. From the bursts of laughter, we understood the perfect echo, the permanent ping-pong of ideas between the two. For together, as two, everything is better.
a harmony of white and mustard. In my house I have walls entirely painted in block colour. An artist? Natalie: Fanny Vanoye because of the beautiful colours of her paintings. She is a special favourite of mine. (fannyvanoye.com) Madelon: Marc Rothko, a much more classical reference. I also admire the work of many illustrators. Must-see film? Natalie: anything from the Coen brothers. A designer? Madelon: Akira, a Japanese creation that is extraordinary; they are not just clothes but poetry! Your current project? Madelon: there are many! Perhaps a boutique or a third line. Your dream? Madelon: to have more time to watch, wander and travel... and a little cabin on the beach with my feet dipping into the sea. Natalie: free time… a month of work then a month of holiday!
Interview written by Caroline Nedelec, translated by Francesca Evans, prepared by Caroline Nedelec and Clara Dayet Photos: Carl-Oskar Linné 39
TSÉ & TSÉ LFG MEETS
DESIGN WORKSHOP Catherine and Sigolène thrive on intuition and emotion; like a pair of aces they work
PHOTO BOOTH Going back to the start of Tsé&Tsé, without going back all the way to square one, we find: a bunch of ideas, test tubes, a broken trophy, a burst of laughter, the April vase and a whole lot of pride. The April vase? A spiral vase composed of articulated tubes created with much intuition fifteen years ago by the two associates, then designers in training. Catherine Lévy and Sigolène Prébois like intelligent, practical and multipurpose objects. Tsé&Tsé is above all a laboratory of ideas: the objects imagined have an identity, a personality. Do not look for consistency; the consistency is that there is none. The objects do not look alike, they just resemble one another. They belong to the Tsé&Tsé Bazar!
in tandem and create new objects through an exchange of incredibly crazy ideas. Originally a project or perhaps an accident; an unsuited object, stupid or even ugly, and the desire to transform and interpret, says Catherine.
« DO NOT LOOK FOR CONSISTENCY; THE CONSISTENCY IS THAT THERE IS NONE. » Well-read interventionists enriched by their travels and with a brimming imagination of ideas, they like to work with the light as much as porcelain, with a common desire against alignment, calibration and order. You will come to understand: at Tsé&Tsé they cultivate originality found in the colour of their hair to their professions. To have fun, never to be bored.
PING-PONG Clara : On meeting one another? Sigolène: We both thought it was crazy to have found someone as crazy as themselves! Catherine: We recognised ourselves in one another. A special moment? Sigolène: The creation of the April vase in front of our very eyes, dumbfounded! We thought it was amazing, we danced! An unusual source of inspiration? Sigolène: Meetings. Such as when we met a young person who wanted to make tinkling, jingling music from all our items! (Music can be found on their site www.tstse-tse.com) The place to be? Catherine: Flea markets and markets in general! Design in one word? Sigolène: Use and enjoyment. Catherine: Enjoyment and use. A colour? Catherine: All of them, without exception. A lot of our objects are colourless because it is what you put inside it or next to it which creates the colour. A book? Sigolène: The comic which I have written and comes out in September. Version Live
published by P.O.L. Catherine: Quitter Dakar by Sophie Anne Delhomme. A must-have item? Both: the April vase! A project that takes time? Catherine: Becoming beautiful, wise and rich! A dream? Sigolène: Never to do the same thing twice, have fun !
Interview written by Clara Dayet, translated by Francesca Evans, prepared by Clara Dayet et Caroline Nedelec Photos: Carl-Oskar Linné
Acne t-shirt and cardigan Finger in the Nose jeans Start-rite shoes
Hucklebones hat and cloak Kicokids t-shirt and brooch Acne jeans Pépé shoes
Loppa turtle-neck poloshirt Acne shirts Finger in the Nose trousers and boots
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Petit Bateau pyjamas
Petit Bateau sailor top and jacket Acne jeans Snook shoes
Agnès b. coat, sailor top and slim jeans Start-rite shoes
Tuss poloshirt Max & Lola cardigan Finger in the Nose jeans Start-rite slip-on shoes
Tuss t-shirt American Outfitters sweater Agnès b. jeans Pépé slip-on shoes
Petit Bateau cardigan Marucho skirt and tights Pépé babies
Marucho cardigan and tights Muchacha t-shirt and skirt Start-rite babies
Loppa all-in-one shorts Tuss coat and tights Start-rite shoes
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Petit Bateau pyjamas
Tuss blouse, shorts and tights Start-rite shoes
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Tuss t-shirt Loft Design by sportwear outfit Snook shoes
Loppa dress Start-rite shoes
Max & Lola scarf Finger in the Nose down jacket Petit Bateau trousers Start-rite shoes
WHERE’S PAUL? LOOK BOOK
Find the four hares. They’re running away ! Where is Paul, the little boy with glasses? Paul is dressed like a super hero. Find him. Find the angry skunk. A bee wearing tights also sneaked into the picture. Do you see her? Find a kangaroo with sunglasses. Paul-what a little joker- is dressed like a lion tamer! Find him! There is a croissant somewhere … Find the three Dalmatians doing acrobats! The snake is all knotted up, can you see it? There is a little girl wearing a blue hat. Among all the outfits, which one is your favorite? And now just colour in all the animals. If you look closer, you’ll see letters. Can you read the words? There are three. Photos : Mary-Swann de Oliveira Abécédaire dessiné par Marina Vandel pour Little Fashion Gallery
Franka blouse, cardigan and trousers Pépé babies
Agnès b. hooded poloshirt, parka and trousers Start-rite shoes
American Outfitters shirt and sweater Finger in the Nose jeans Start-rite shoes
Petit Bateau t-shirt and dress Agnès b. duffle coat Tuss tights Start-rite shoes 45
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Chloé
Chloé
Baghère
Baghère
Victoria Christmas
Lili & the Funky Boys
Album di Famiglia
Album di Famiglia
Victoria Christmas
Agnès b. Album di Famiglia booties
Victoria Christmas
Lili & the Funky Boys
Lili & the Funky Boys
Agnès b.
Chloé
Luco Nathalie Verlinden shoes
THE CLOCK
BABIES LOOK BOOK
Caramel Baby & Child Zef babies
Album di Famiglia
Paul Smith Junior
Chloé
Troizenfants Zoom rainboots
La Petite Luce
Imps & Elfs
Little Marc Jacobs
Lili & the Funky Boys
Loica Bonini Start-rite shoes
Loica Bonini Start-rite shoes
Caramel Baby & Child
Three thousand six hundred times an hour, Second Whispers: Remember! – Immediately with his insect voice, You shall prick up your ear to hear it, And be on the lookout to ever catch a glimpse. At close quarters the Second is not single But twenty-eight with twice as many legs That skedaddle! It skims the face and goes even faster Racing past the Minute and soon outrunning the Hours. Three-thousand six-hundred times and no more, With its twelve-hour shoes not to take a break And its cashmere caps not to fall asleep, The Second is in a hurry, the Second shall scurry Italics taken from « The Clock », William Aggeler Poems of Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil Styling and text : Clara Dayet, english version : Marie Algoud Photographs : Mary-Swann de Oliveira 47
NACARAT AGENCY LFG INVITES
PRESENTATION Nacarat is a famous color design agency. Being the very first design office of that kind, Nacarat’s offer ranges from architecture to design and communications with a common purpose: to imagine, create and renew the atmospheres thanks to the mere chemistry between colors and materials. The experts work in that prospect with companies to build strong visual identities or with the local authorities to enhance the local monuments, or again with many architects. Every day the color experts of Nacarat play with proportions, magnify shapes and juggle with their color charts; they give individual and artistic answers using the potential of Color with a capital– that’s indeed such a wonderful means of communications and promotion! 48
We’ve commissioned Nacarat to work on a very innovative project which is an inevitable rendezvous of our magazine as well: staging our furniture.
THE CHROMATIC ROSE Staging contemporary furniture in a natural setting in the countryside implies a complete appropriation and modeling of the place. What about the colors? Here we got another constraining condition: actually we chose furniture with bold, fluorescent colors that stand in complete contrast with natural colors. Even though there is a blatant discrepancy with the surrounding setting, the multicolor patches nonetheless nicely fitted with the place. How come? Nacarat answered this question by creating
a chromatic rose that would epitomize the process. This chromatic palette is based on a core, the sky, and then revolves around the five bold colors.
IS O
C
R VE HI
À FL EU RD ’
ERT UV O IEL
À
A ideal color chart for the children’s room, to create colorful symphonies on the walls or the furniture. Take a look at our furniture staging and its wonderful color ranges
SO LE IL
LÉGÈRE BRISE
« THIS CHROMATIC PALETTE IS BASED ON A CORE, THE SKY, AND THEN REVOLVES AROUND THE FIVE BOLD COLORS. »
PLUIE DE
RS DES S ULEU OU CO S-B
Thanks to an imaginary test tube the experts extracted from each scene– you can see all of them on the following pages- materials linked to nature such as wood, couch grass or pebbles. The result is relevant and aesthetic color ranges, associating synthetic and bold colors with mineral, soft and natural hues…
Chromatic rose and color charts: Nacarat www.nacarat-design.com Text and styling: Clara Dayet, english version: Marie Algoud Photos: Carl-Oskar Linné
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BLUE BEARD SCENE I
Bluebeard has a very long beard. A blue one. There’s no denying it. Every morning Bluebeard puts on his blue striped trousers, sits down in his wicker chair and reads the encyclopedia. Bluebeard cherishes the reputation of being wellread. It makes the story savvier, he says. But instead of reading he always drops off as soon as he opens the book. But that of course is a well-hidden secret. Anyway however educated he may be he’s far from a friendly character. Actually Bluebeard is very cruel. Indeed there is this huge door which he tried hard to conceal behind a pile of plates, and a tiny keyhole. Behind the door is a spooky scene, oh my god!, Bluebeard’s seven wives all turned into chickens. And stuck between two sheets of the encyclopedia you can find the fantastic recipe for curry chicken.
Bluebeard: Lucky Boy Sunday toy ; Bluebeard’s beard: Oeuf costume ; berlingot cushion: Bandit Bambi ; blue armchair: La Maison de Lena ; printed carpet: Bobo Choses ; books: to be seen in LFG library ; foam cloud: Little Red Stuga ; Bluebeard’s wives: Egmont Toys plastic ducks ; plywood bookshelf: Oeuf ; cardboard suitcases: Egmont Toys ; Barbapapa plates: Petit Jour Paris 51
HANSEL & GRETEL SCENE II
Sign and sweets to lure the children: GG* crêpe set ; pink foam clouds: Little Red Stuga ; stairs: Momoll stool ; painted wood desk: Laurette ; books: to be seen in the LFG library ; the hag’s sugar house: alpaga house Lucky Boy Sunday ; white flags garland: Oeuf ; the white bird: Trousselier nightlight ; the hag’s kitchen: Oeuf wooden stall ; pink sweets: Egmont Toys plastic ducks ; cooking instruments: Egmont Toys pastry set ; the hag’s cauldron: Laurette fushia painted wood stool ; Hansel: Lucky Boy Sunday alpaga cushion
The long-nosed witch’s plan started off without any hitches: she carefully displayed pancakes next to the gate and treats in the big baskets of the garden to lure in the two scoundrels. This morning she covered the front wall of her house with sugar and brushed the roof with strawberry jam. In fact she spilled it everywhere, because she tripped over the pot and now she grumbles as her shoes stick to the sugared stairs. She watched Hansel and Gretel through the window panes as they entered the garden. The little blond boy was caught in the trap first. He mistook the old hag’s cauldron for a marshmallow well: head over heels he fell into the boiling pot and out came the witch to dance and sprinkle salt over his nose. He who laughs last, laughs longest, she cackles. 53
TOM THUMB SCENE III
The seven ogresses are staring wide-eyed. Through their glasses they watch Tom Thumb slipping the Seven-League boots on. How come that such tiny feet can fit into such big boots, they wonder. Never mind, Tom Thumb is ready for his great escape. But things are not as easy as he had expected. Run away, as the story goes, Tom Thumb was telling himself. You bet! The slightest step makes him twist his body and strain to move his foot forward with all his might. The boot heavily hits the ground. Actually he stands so high in these hopeless boots that he can’t even see his tiny white pebbles. What a shame, now he’s definitely lost! However, he was moving so slowly that the ogresses luckily fell asleep while they were watching him!
Green foam: Little Red Stuga ; little white pebbles: Tsé & Tsé light garland ; Seven League boots: Egmont Toys stilt ; Tom Thumb: Lucky Boy Sunday toy ; white rabbit: Egmont Toys nightlight ; cardboard nightlights: ¿Adondé? ; wooden bench: Sirch ; baby bed: Bloom ; the seven ogresses: Zoobug glasses ; forest mobile: Bomb Design ; green lights garland: Tsé & Tsé 55
PUSS IN BOOTS SCENE IV
Puss in Boots cheerfully rings at the castle door. He’s followed by a troop of chickens and pheasants. No doubt his master will be thrilled. The King lets the drawbridge down and comes back from his tower, holding his train carefully so that it can’t get dirty. It must be the smart Cat, he thinks. The cat with a moustache brings him delicious presents every day. But what appeals to the King most of all is the Cat’s boots, these gorgeous silver boots that seem so comfortable. He could naturally borrow them from the Cat but he feels ashamed because his feet are quite smelly. The Cat then might notice it and it would not go well with the king’s status- put yourself in his shoes! Then why not buy them? Because he’s too tightfisted to even spend one penny. Too bad! He pulls the drawbridge up and resentfully watches the Cat walking away.
The King’s castle: Calafant cardboard castle ; the King and his daughter: Lucky Boy Sunday toys ; wooden and steel desk: Capucine Cassaigne ; Puss in boots: Le Tour de Force headbands ; Puss in boots’ tail: Oeuf costume ; Puss in boots’ boots: Hunter ; Oeuf racoon and tiger costumes ; red guitar: My Little Home coat hanger; guitar cushion: Oeuf ; cardboard suitcases: Egmont Toys ; apple cushion: Bobo Choses ; Puss in boots’presents: Egmont Toys chicken nightlights ; hot-dog printed wallpaper: Marina Vandel ; the carriage: Bloom transat and Perludi rocking horse ; Le Chat botté de Rouge book: Minedition Editions
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GOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARS SCENE V
The three Bears are hiding so as to surprise the little girl. But Big Bear who’s quite plump makes the bed creak while scratching his ear. Goldilocks suddenly makes a bolt for it and disappears in no time at all. The three Bears raise their head out of the sheets. Big Bear is angry. She didn’t even taste the soup, he grumbles. Neither did she have a seat, adds Little Bear. Big Bear crosses his paws. That’s not acceptable, he says. They indeed spent the whole morning preparing the trap, training to growl frightfully to scare her. That would have made them laugh for sure. Full of disappointment they gather around the table. All of a sudden they notice a shiny thing hanging from the kitchen ceiling lamp. It’s Goldilocks headband! Big Bear carefully puts it into a drawer and rubs his paws together. She’ll be back, he announces with a smile.
Big Bear’s belongings: Bloom high chair ; Bloom baby bed ; Medium Bear’s belongings: Sirch high chair ; Seimi craddle ; Little Bear’s belongings: Casalino chair ; Kids Gallery cardboard craddle ; the bears: Egmont Toys ; mobile: Trousselier ; straw little table: LFG vintage ; the bear’s plates: Funfam bamboo set ; vintage wind map: LFG vintage ; golden headband: Le Tour de Force 59
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Carton Chic Recycled cardboard cashbox
Nonjetable Wool ceiling light
Egmont Toys Rabbit nightlight
Tsé & Tsé Light garland
Donna Wilson Cupcake toy
My Little Home Star coat hanger
Trousselier Musical rabbit toy
Bullyland Caoutchouc elephant
THE BAKERGIRL
THE SHERIF
RABBIT FAMILY
CIRCUS
Kid O Shape game
Dandy Star Poster
Petit Jour Paris Peter Rabbit plate
Bandit Bambi Printed cushion
SONG OF AFTERNOON TOYS & DECORATION SELECTION
Carton Chic Recycled cardboard house
Likeabike Wooden bike
¿Adondé? Cardboard nightlight
My Little Home Heart shape coat hanger
Trousselier Musical box
Though your mischievous eyebrows Give you a singular air, You’ve got two long slippers And a funny beaver hat. Though your big round eyes, Roll behind your glasses Behind the cash box You give out lollipops.
THE GAME
Œuf Knitted balloon
QUEEN OF HEART
La Maison de Léna Double chair
SING A SONG
Vilac Wooden mini-piano
Though your long whiskers Make you look sullen You chase down the villains Riding your white stallion. Italics taken from « Song of afternoon », William Aggeler, Poems of Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil Styling and text : Clara Dayet, english version : Marie Algoud Photographs : Mary-Swann de Oliveira 61
SANTA’S ATELIER CHRISTMAS SELECTION
Santa’s house: Momoll ; elfs: Trousselier toys ; treadmill: Kapla ; musical box: Trousselier ; wooden truck: Plantoys ; memory game with numbers: Kid O ; Mickey action figure: Brio ; Santa’s sleigh: Trousselier basket and Bullyland caoutchouc zebra ; Santa: Donna Wilson toy
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CRITIQUES LIVRES EDITIONS CULT PRODUCT
64
THE OWLS BOOKS SELECTION
Under the dark yews which shade them, The owls are perched in rows, By size by color never in mayhem Left eye wide open, right eye closed they stand in awe. None of them are aware That in the nearest tree A bunch of frantic hands Is trying to break free! Trapped in the bark of the tree The hands were told To transcribe in Morse code The chatty old yew’s own story. Italics taken from « The Owls», William Aggeler Poems of Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil Styling and text : Clara Dayet, english version : Marie Algoud Photographs : Carl-Oskar Linné 65
AGNÈS B. LFG EXCLUSIVE
Agnes b. is a real creative machine. For more than 35 years, the brand has been seen in every wardrobe. Striped T-shirts and cotton cardigans are symbolic of a new range that’s modern and timeless. And children aren’t left out: comfortable clothes, that echo the adult collections and are available in sizes from newborn to adolescent. The association between Little Fashion Gallery and Agnes b. is therefore not just because the two are very similar, but because it makes perfect sense. Our selection is typical of her fashion style: a variety of black and white, graphic and minimalist, enhanced with touches of vibrant colours, zips and bold buttons. And of course, there’s the incomparable cardigan with press studs, miniature version, exclusively from LFG. The brand 66
and its designer have put their trust in us; for the first time, Agnes b. collections will be available somewhere other than in their own boutiques, in a unique environment that’s nevertheless perfectly recognisable.
« CLOTHES THAT YOU CAN MIX AND MATCH AND WEAR FROM MORNING TO NIGHT BY ADAPTING THEM. I WORK VERY CAREFULLY ON THE CUTS AND THE DETAILS, MAKE SURE THAT THE FABRICS ARE PERFECT, THE PRINTS EXCLUSIVE. »
Little Fashion Gallery and Agnes b. have lots in common, over and above her famous cardigan with press studs. For example, LFG publishes Little Fashion Book and Agnes b. has her own publication, which is halfway between a magazine and a work of art. Each issue of « Point d‘ironie » is a blank canvas for an artist, architect, film director, musician or writer; amongst those who have lent their
name to it are Martin Parr, Yoko Ono. The first Agnes b. boutique opened in 1975, at 3 rue du Jour, on the corner of the Halles district, which was then being entirely renovated. Does that ring a bell? The LFG showroom is now located there. Same address, same concept: boutique, office and studio, a place that’s perfect for artistic expression and meetings. Agnes b. and rue du Jour have more than an adventure in common. The Gallery du Jour is testimony to this, when it opened in the street of the same name in 1984, as a kind of Baudelaire-style curiosity shop. But here, there are no wilting flowers, old-fashioned furniture or little ironic items. Instead, the focus is very much on photography, urban culture and avantgarde art, and the place is typical of its designer, dynamic, multi-disciplined, and always perfectly in keeping with a creative world that’s constantly on the boil. Text written by Caroline Nedelec Photos: Agnès b., Gaëtan Bernard
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INVITATION TO THE VOYAGE
On the boat the crew is restless. Today is the day. Order has got up first and woke up her two fellows. Being authoritative as usual she upset Luxury. That one glared at her but got up without making comments. On the deck Order hung flags; she adorned lifeboats with buoys, painted the stage in white and put green nets everywhere. Luxury is not convinced by the sight of the green nets for she’s not found of that colour. She calls for Order. Calm who has put on a lovely red dress reminds them that they are in a hurry. They agree to leave the green nets as long as Luxury can have her lovely dog in the middle of the setting. Done, sighs Order although she is quite annoyed. Luxury is brushing her dog named Jewel. When she says his name he remains motionless. Could he speak he would say that his name is ridiculous, sniggers Order. Luxury pokes out her tongue. So does the dog. Trumpet play and confettis. Welcome on board. Everyone gathers around the stage. Orders fights her way to the front. Calm has sneaked behind her. Luxury stretches her neck as she stands further back, next to her dog. They have been dreaming of this moment for months. The big box contains the name of the lucky one who will win a voyage to the wonderful country, where the setting suns adorn the fields, the canals, the whole city, with hyacinth and gold, they were told. It is at the end of the earth and Luxury tries hard to figure out where this very end can be. Order smiles broadly and retains her breath. Everyone has fallen silent, only Jewel quietly yaps. While the drums roll a hand picks up a piece of paper. Calm shouts for joy: he’s been given the Invitation.
Text by Clara Dayet, english version : Marie Algoud, freely inspired from the poem « Invitation to the voyage » by Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil. Photos: Gaëtan Bernard 68
My child, my sister, Think of the rapture Of living together there! Of loving at will, Of loving till death, In the land that is like you! The misty sunlight Of those cloudy skies Has for my spirit the charms, So mysterious, Of your treacherous eyes, Shining brightly through their tears. There all is order and beauty, Luxury, peace, and pleasure. Gleaming furniture, Polished by the years, Will ornament our bedroom; The rarest flowers Mingling their fragrance With the faint scent of amber, The ornate ceilings, The limpid mirrors, The oriental splendor, All would whisper there Secretly to the soul In its soft, native language. There all is order and beauty, Luxury, peace, and pleasure. « Invitation to the voyage », Charles Baudelaire, translated by William Aggeler, The Flowers of evil 69
KID BY PHILLIP LIM CULT PRODUCT
SPLEEN
When the cold heavy sky weighs like a lid on spirits whom eternal boredom grips, says the Spleen in a gloomy voice. He stops, stares and sighs. Time to rehearse. Standing on his stepladder the Spleen stages himself and today pretends to be an owl. He works on his acting gimmicks and has painted his face to enhance his acting skills. Being easygoing the small Hope strikes a melancholic pose and listens carefully. The Spleen carries on: « And from the all-encircling horizon » – he repeats the sentence twice for he stumbles on the last word, then he goes: « Spreads over us a day gloomier than the night ». He sighs. Miss Rose bangs the door open and vigorously applauds. « That’s good, that’s better! » she claims. The Spleen merrily nods to her. He comes down from his stepladder and devours the piece of chocolate cake that Miss Rose gives him. He is so excited! He tells her about the scary spiders in his favourite strophe and what about the frantic bell as well, he spits. Words whirl inside his mouth; this text might well be the chance of his life, he feels. He goes back onto his stepladder and keeps exercising. He is so dramatic, he opens his arms widely, feigns awful anxiety and whines. That is nearly too much, comments Miss Rose for herself. He plays the role of the owl but I am the one with the most beautiful feathers, she thinks while adjusting her headgear in the mirror. She tosses her hair but the feathers are half fallen and do not lie properly. It is his fault, she groans, for he is so dull that he makes my headgear depressed. She sits down on her chair and listens to the small Hope giving articulation advice. Miss Rose sweeps the chocolate crumbs away with her finger tips and automatically starts tapping the table with her forefinger. He may make the statue weep sooner or later…
Text by Clara Dayet, english version : Marie Algoud, freely inspired from the poem « Spleen » by Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil. Photos: Gaëtan Bernard 73
When the low, heavy sky weighs like a lid On the groaning spirit, victim of long ennui, And from the all-encircling horizon Spreads over us a day gloomier than the night; When the earth is changed into a humid dungeon, In which Hope like a bat Goes beating the walls with her timid wings And knocking her head against the rotten ceiling; When the rain stretching out its endless train Imitates the bars of a vast prison And a silent horde of loathsome spiders Comes to spin their webs in the depths of our brains, All at once the bells leap with rage And hurl a frightful roar at heaven, Even as wandering spirits with no country Burst into a stubborn, whimpering cry.
–And without drums or music, long hearses
Pass by slowly in my soul; Hope, vanquished, Weeps, and atrocious, despotic Anguish On my bowed skull plants her black flag. « Spleen », Charles Baudelaire, translated by William Aggeler, The Flowers of evil
LILI & THE FUNKY BOYS CULT PRODUCT
INVITATION TO THE VOYAGE MARCO POLO TREND
Under the watered grenadine sun frills and pleated ruffles are sailing. Playing the part of the officer is navy blue. Giving up last season’s strictness, the refined colour gets more docile and easily flirts with sweet black liquorice – provided the latter is covered with sequins. Drum roll on the deck adorned with a garland of multicoloured flags: the Pirate in red struts in his cherry outfit from head to toe. During autumn the hue of the love-apple gets tinted with amber then gold gradually getting darker and ending up crimson. Fabrics are luxurious and adorned with gorgeous embroideries. The sea shines like a sea shell – it is so tempting to go fishing in it! 76
Little Marc Jacobs Embroidered dress
Let Them Eat Cake Frilled collar dress
Little Marc Jacobs Frilled cardigan
Chloé Cashmere sweater
Little Marc Jacobs Leopard print cardigan
Troizenfants Corduroy shorts
Little Marc Jacobs Printed tights
Luco Wool skirt
Antik Batik Embroidered silk coat
Œuf Flag garland
Bandit Bambi Fringe bag
SPLEEN
MOONLIGHT TREND
Little Marc Jacobs Corduroy jacket
Hucklebones Wool coat
Daido Knitted dress
Paul Smith Junior Polka dot sweater
Kid by Phillip Lim Ribbon cardigan
Franka Vneck cardigan
Little Marc Jacobs Corduroy trousers
Caramel Baby & Child Knitted dress
Max & Lola Flower print dress
Max & Lola Tights
Wovenplay Feather headband
Knitwear gets decoded with a microscope. Looking like amethyst crystals the polka dot print sparkles on the wool this winter. Irregular stripes run around the dresses, resembling a geode: plunging into the stone the crimson darkens. The range of violet goes from purple to indigo- greedily it enjoys almond green and candy pink, while falling in love with king blue, that marvellous night bird. Feathers worn on the head are a musthave, reminiscent of the bird. We grow purple flowers under the moonlight and tie the bouquets with a bronze ribbon. Skin soft cashmere and velvet like curtains. It is twilight time. 77
LFG x SUPERÉDITIONS x LFG EVENT
LAST NAME : ALGOUD FIRST NAME : MARIE RESIDENCE : LFG SHOWROOM, PARIS 1ER FIELD : PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNICATIONS
LFG is definitely growing: more and more brands, ever-extending fame, daily challenges to take up… The idea bag is always full among the LFGirls! Trying to look for original partnerships and developing new networks, that’s the motto… My mission: to have the little LFG cloud settled where it’s not expected– like in the Parisian palaces where LFG is 78
starting to become the reference for a VIP personal shopping experience in the field of children’s fashion– and to set up innovative events in keeping with the LFG touch. Mission accepted! It was all started by a collection of trendy little books, edited by Superéditions. The concept? It’s all about illustrating, personalizing, imagining the text…like an open story to be continued. We liked the concept so much that we wanted to go even further. The idea would be to launch an event around one of these books…
for/about children….some sort of charity event? That’ was the start of a new mission I particularly cared for! With the little Superéditions book entitled The freaky king and queen– an exclusive book for the occasion. I began listing the potential contributors among our favorite designers and some key personalities more or less linked to LFG. With my Excel sheet on my desk and the phone in my hand, I contacted each of them to invite them to personalize this little book.
« EVERY BOOK THUS CUSTOMIZED BY OUR VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTORS WILL THEN BE SOLD BY AUCTION ON OUR SITE IN SEPTEMBER AND ALL THE PROFITS WILL BE GIVEN TO A CHARITY. » Every book thus customized by our voluntary contributors will then be sold by auction on our site in September and all the profits will be given to a charity
which is particularly close to my heart– Tout le monde chante contre le cancer. It seemed obvious that this VIP/ artistic event should serve the cause of children. Many great designers and personalities were willing to be part of this original charity project! At the time I’m writing this column the book is in the hands of our guests. A good agent usually never gives his sources… Yet I can’t resist jotting down a few names: Antik Batik, Le Mont Saint-Michel, Petit Bateau…among so many others! Mission (nearly) accomplished! The ball is now in your court to make this auction sale an amazing success! Marie Algoud
To become a partner or a sponsor of the charity Tout le monde chante contre le cancer, to donate, please contact the charity at association.visa@orange.fr or +33 (0)1 77 17 42 78. 79
LFG’S COMMITMENT TO YOU ONLINE AND IN OUR SHOWROOM BOUTIQUE
OUR WEBSITE www.littlefashiongallery.com MORE THAN 200 BRANDS FOR FASHION, FURNITURE, BOOKS AND TOYS FREE EXCHANGES AND RETURNS REFINED LFG GIFT WRAPPING FAST DELIVERY BY UPS OR BY COURIER IN PARIS SECURE PAYMENT BY CHECK, BANK TRANSFER OR CREDIT CARD DEDICATED CUSTOMER SERVICE TREND REVIEWS 80
OUR SHOWROOM BOUTIQUE 3, rue du Jour - 75001 Paris, metro station Louvre-Rivoli AT THE HEART OF PARIS LFG WELCOMES YOU FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, FROM 10 AM TO 6PM FIND OUT OUR GREAT SELECTION OF FURNITURE AND VINTAGE FURNITURE AS WELL AS OUR LIBRARY PERSONAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE WISHLIST AND BIRTHLIST CREATION ORDER PICK-UP
FASHION 3.1 KID BY PHILIP LIM ACNE JEANS ADRI AGNÈS B. AGNES VALENTINE AHILYA ALBUM DI FAMIGLIA AMERICAN APPAREL AMERICAN COLLEGE USA AMERICAN OUTFITTERS ANNE VALÉRIE HASH ANTIK BATIK APRIL SHOWERS BAGHÈRE BANDIT BAMBI BANG BANG BB +++ BELLEROSE BOBO CHOSES BONNIE BABY CARAMEL BABY & CHILD CATH KIDSTON CHLOÉ CLIQUOT COQ EN PÂTE DAIDO DANDY STAR DORÉ DORÉ FAFA TOKYO 82
FINGER IN THE NOSE FRANKA HAVAIANAS HUCKLEBONES HUNTER IMPS & ELFS KICOKIDS LA PETITE LUCE LE MONT SAINTMICHEL ENFANT LE TOUR DE FORCE LEE LET THEM EAT CAKE LEVI’S LILI & THE FUNKY BOYS LITTLE MARC JACOBS LOFT DESIGN BY LOGOSHIRT LOICA BONINI LOPPA LUCO MAAN MAISON FABRE MAKIE MALOLES (PETITE) MALOUP MARUCHO MAX & LOLA MINI RODINI MUCHACHA NATHALIE VERLINDEN NATIVE SHOES
NORO OSH KOSH PATACHOU TOKYO PAUL & JOE LITTLE PAUL SMITH JUNIOR PÉPÉ PETIT BATEAU POPUPSHOP QUINCY REINHARD PLANK SHAMO SNOOK SOEUR SOFT GALLERY START-RITE SURFACE TO AIR TIP TOEY JOEY TROIZENFANTS TUSS VANS VICTORIA CHRISTMAS VILEBREQUIN WOOL AND THE GANG WOVENPLAY WOWO ZEF ZOOBUG ZOOM
DESIGN ¿ADONDÉ? ADF DESIGN AIMÉE WILDER AIRDEJE BABY BAROLO BALOUGA BLOOM BOMB DESIGN BUGABOO BYBODESIGN CAPUCINE CASSAIGNE CASALINO CHILEWICH DURIFIFI EGMONT TOYS FUNFAM KIDIMO KIDS GALLERY LA MAISON DE LÉNA LAURETTE LFG VINTAGE LINA FORLINO MACLAREN MADAKET MARINA VANDEL MOZZEE MY LITTLE HOME NONJETABLE NOWALI NUME ŒUF DESIGN
OVALE PEAUX D’AGNEAU PERLUDI PETIT JOUR PARIS SEIMI SILVERCROSS SMILING PLANET STOKKE TERESA GREEN THE COLLECTION THE SNOWROOM TSÉ & TSÉ TOYS BRIO BULLYLAND CALAFANT CARTON CHIC DONNA WILSON GG * GREEN TOYS KAPLA KID O KIDSONROOF LIKEABIKE LITTLE RED STUGA LUCKY BOY SUNDAY MILLER GOODMAN MOMOLL MVOS PAPERPOD PLAN TOYS
RADIO FLYER SIRCH TROUSSELIER VILAC LIBRARY ANORAK MAGAZINE DADA MAGAZINE ÉDITIONS BAYARD ÉDITIONS BE-PÔLES ÉDITIONS BOOKS & LIVRES ÉDITIONS CRITIQUES LIVRES ÉDITIONS DE L’ÉPURE ÉDITIONS DU PANAMA ÉDITIONS GALLIMARD JEUNESSE ÉDITIONS KALÉIDOSCOPE ÉDITIONS L’AS DE PIQUE ÉDITIONS LE GOÛT DES MOTS ÉDITIONS LE SEUIL JEUNESSE ÉDITIONS L’ÉCOLE DES LOISIRS ÉDITIONS MINEDITION ÉDITIONS OFR ÉDITIONS SUPERÉDITIONS ÉDITIONS TOURBILLON KID’S WEAR MAGAZINE MAGGIE & ROSE ROSIE FLO THE PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE
MARIE SOUDRÉ-RICHARD EDITOR IN CHIEF ÉMILIE PAPELOUX PRODUCTION COORDINATOR CARL-OSKAR LINNÉ CLARA DAYET ART DIRECTORS CLARA DAYET ASSISTED BY CAROLINE NEDELEC EDITORIAL & FASHION DIRECTOR MARIE ALGOUD ASSISTED BY FRANCESCA EVANS ENGLISH VERSION GAËTAN BERNARD ASSISTED BY CÉCILE LEROUX CARL-OSKAR LINNÉ MARYSWANN DE OLIVEIRA ASSISTED BY TIFFANY LEFEBVRE PHOTOGRAPHERS
DELPHINE GOICHON HAIR & MAKE-UP CAROLE DAPREY PROOFREADER GREGORY GOUNSE CONSULTANT CLAIRE BLANDIN +33 (0)6 13 61 22 00 CBLANDIN@PRESSPROMENADE.FR PRESS CONTACT A big thank you to the writter Claire Castillon, to the children and their parents and to the LFG team. Thanks to the contributors: Patrick Swirc, Anne Valérie Hash, Natalie Vodegel and Madelon Lanteri-Laura, Catherine Lévy and Sigolène Prébois, Soizic Boucault and Vanessa Lehner from Nacarat Agency, Agnès b. team, First Courses team, Mattias Pettersson, and Charles Baudelaire. 83
Photo : Patrick Swirc for LFG autumn/winter 2010-2011