Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Marie Antoinette in Soho

Yesterday Mr. C and I took a late afternoon walk in Soho, where I bought the June/July copy of Selvedge at Purl Soho (and some fabric too).

Although it's August, it's still midsummer to me via this magazine, which (shameless plug) contains my story on Stella McCartney's sporty aesthetic, as well as her designs for Team Great Britain.  I was relieved to see that I'd written about Jessica Ennis in Ms. McCartney's kit, since the remarkable Ms. Ennis is now the heptathalon champion.

But partway through our walk thoughts of racing, jumping, and swimming gear gave way to images of tall white hairpieces a la Marie Antoinette, by way of a Whit Stillman film, delicate pink cheeks and lacy dresses when we passed by a building under renovation, and masked by a charming canvas of painted ladies and gents (of the politest sort).



I don't know what shop will open here, but I'd like it to be a French patisserie, with a glass case full of colourful macarons, or a shoe boutique, offering only the most flamboyant Emma Hope court heels.

Gawd, I hope it's not Forever 21.



6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh I wonder what it's going to grow up to be? Warm sunny days wandering through Soho are the bees knees, I love sitting outside Bar Italia people watching.
Congrats on the article!

materfamilias said...

Oh, imagine the possibilities! You do sketch a frighteningly wide cultural spread as you gesture (in horror) at Forever 21.
Interesting coincidence (or is it a zeitgeist thing) -- the owner of a small Homewares/Lifestyle shop in our little city (lots of lovely linens, candles, clever Francophile/vintage look tablewares, lamps, etc) told me that she'd just begun planning and collecting for her shop Christmas tree. She's doing a Marie Antoinette theme -- so, obviously not the Stillman aesthetic but that pastel confectionery vibe. . .

Miss Cavendish said...

Tabitha, the streets of New York can be such an engaging living art gallery; it's both relaxing and energizing to people-watch!

Miss Cavendish said...

Mater, your comment reminded me of my efforts to make a Marie Antoinette Christmas ornament, shown here in my "Marie on a Tree" post:

http://misscavendish.blogspot.com/2008/12/marie-on-tree-or-let-them-decorate-with.html

materfamilias said...

Loved it then, love it now! Your tree must be a delight!

Sharon Schartz said...

The art looks classy and playful, so I have a hunch that it may not be Forever21. It could be a vintage shop or a bookstore selling old finds. Like what Mater said, “Imagine the possibilities!”