Library book sales are wonderful, and the one here in Greenwich is especially well-stocked. I'm always coming across books that I've been wanting to read but forgot to request from the library or seek out specifically. The two I found last month were Perfection Salad (by Laura Shapiro) and Good Wives (by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich). Perfection Salad examines … Continue reading Perfection Salad
Author: Cassidy Percoco
Les Costumes François, Plate 9
THE GARDENER AND THE PEASANT. Sages pretend that cultivating the ground is never an ordeal for a condemned man at work, but rather the joy and delight of a very happy one, also what there were greater among men had the taste for Agriculture and gardening. Solomon cultivated plants in his gardens, from hyssop, which … Continue reading Les Costumes François, Plate 9
Evening Dress, 1911-1913
Evening dress, 1911-1913; CHM 1975.95.28, pattern available at link For the most part, I stuck to objects of definite provenance while working on the digitization project, but I had to make an exception for this one. The bright fuschia of the silk twill really stands out, and it's in spectacular condition. As you can see … Continue reading Evening Dress, 1911-1913
Les Costumes François, Plate 8
ARTISANS. THE MASON AND THE LAUNDRESS. By Artisans one means a Class of Men who devote their lives to mechanical Arts; one of the most essential to society is the Mason. He builds our homes and works to shelter us from the bad weather of the seasons; those who prepare our Foodstuffs for us are … Continue reading Les Costumes François, Plate 8
Louise Chéruit (ca. 1870?-1935)
Louise Chéruit (not Madeleine) is another of those couturiers that has been forgotten by historical chance, whose style and contributions are almost unknown today, despite the fact that she may be the only designer mentioned in Vile Bodies. Mme Chéruit, by Paul-César Helleu, ca. 1901 Unlike Pingat, we do know where Chéruit learned her trade - though … Continue reading Louise Chéruit (ca. 1870?-1935)
Mimic of Modes 