"Femmes Fatales" at Gemeentemuseum, The Hague

“Femmes Fatales”, the latest fashion exhibition of the Dutch Gemeentemuseum, opened november 17th in The Hague. Practically the whole Dutch fashion scene came by to witness the first exhibition ever of only female fashion designers. There were approximately a thousand guests in the famous “Tuinzaal” (Garden Gallery, opened by Barack Obama in 2014). Present among others: Dutch shoe designer Jan Janssen and his wife Tonny, fashion designer Fong Leng, fashion journalist Milou van Rossum (wearing a black and white Fong Leng coat), as well as fashion designer Iris van Herpen.

The title “Femmes Fatales” might give you the wrong idea about the subject of this art exhibition. Because it’s not an exhibition about sexy or dangerous (or dangerously sexy) women. Instead, it’s an exhibition “that focuses on strong women in fashion”. Femmes Fatales brings together couture pieces designed exclusively by female designers. By women, for women.

You’ll find dresses by Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, Elsa Schiapparelli, Madeleine Vionnet, Diane von Furstenberg (her famous wrap dress), Fong Leng (several coats), Miuccia Prada, Sonia Rykiel, Vivienne Westwood, but also more current slash younger couturiers like Maria Grazia Chiuri (Dior), Phoebe Philo, Mary Katranzou, Isabel Marant and -the incredible- Iris van Herpen.

Dutch designer Sheila de Vries (who has designed for many years for Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands) has her own room, complete with a door bell saying “Sheila de Vries Couture by appointment only”! A very nice touch by the exhibiton designer.

It’s not ‘just’ couture designed by women, there’s definitely a feminist theme present in the exhibition; there a big texts on the walls “We should all be feminists”, “Pink not Pussy”, “Ladies First”, “The future is female” and so on. There are pink beanies or “pussy hats” from the Missoni autumn 2017 collection show. And you can pose for a selfie with protest signs like “Girl Power”, “Love is Love”, etc.

Eighty percent of the exhibition is composed by the museum’s own collection, only twenty percent comes from other museums or private owners who generously lent their precious dresses to the Gemeentemuseum.

Curator Madelief Hohé (in the pink dress) and her team did an incredible job! I will definitely go back to enjoy the exhibition on a more quiet moment and take some better pictures, which was practically impossible with so many people walking around. But you’ll forgive me for that.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.gemeentemuseum.nl/en/exhibitions/femmes-fatales

Read more about a previous fashion exhibition at Gemeentemuseum here:
https://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2017/05/i-looove-lbd.html

Chanel Cruise Collection 2016/17 in Havana

After Barack Obama and the Rolling Stones, now it's time for Karl Lagerfeld to take the spotlights in Havana, Cuba. On tuesday May 3rd, the Chanel Cruise Collection 2016/17 will be shown on the famous Paseo del Prado. This wonderful tree lined avenue in the centre of Havana is a natural runway, used by the locals to talk, walk and strut their stuff. You'll also find many kids playing games and posing like true models in front of the cameras.

Speaking of models... I wonder which models will be walking the Chanel show... Rumour has it that Gisèle Bündchen and her husband Tom Brady will be special guests.

While in Havana for the Chanel Cruise Collection, you cannot miss some of the following highlights! Have lunch or dinner at the most famous restaurant in town (and my personal favourite), paladar "La Guarida": http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.nl/2011/10/paladar-la-guarida-havana-cuba.html

If you want to try something new, opt for another paladar called "Atelier", a stunning restaurant with titillating art and food to match: http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.nl/2013/03/atelier-havana-cuba.html (By the way, the roof top terrace is not bad either!)

For old school showgirls and mindblowing music, you must pay outdoor nightclub "Tropicana" a visit. (This is the place where jazz pianist Bebo Valdés, father of Chucho Valdés, started his career. Other famous headliners included Josephine Baker and Nat King Cole!) http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.nl/2011/06/tropicana-havana-cuba.html

The morning after you need a good cup of coffee of course... and I know "Parisiennes" do like their café... so head over to Cafe El Escorial: http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.nl/2014/05/cafe-el-escorial-havana-cuba.html This is also a great spot for people watching!

If you still have some energy left, take a cab to the Museo de Artes Decorativas. This old villa in Vedado used to be the residence of a countess. It has stunning tableware, ceramics, and other pieces of art on display. There's italian marble and even an Asian inspired room. But the best part is the grand staircase... I can totally picture Karl Lagerfeld shooting one of his muses there for a new photo exhibition or fashion magazine! http://www.lahabana.com/guide/museo-nacional-de-artes-decorativas/

While most of Chanel's guests stay at the Hotel Nacional, I can really recommend the five-star Hotel Saratoga, accross the Capitolio and just a two minute walk from the Paseo del Prado. This hotel has the best swimming pool in town! (Beyoncé and Jay-Z stayed here for their 5th wedding anniversary.)
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.nl/2013/02/hotel-saratoga-havana-cuba.html

For those of you who are not so lucky to be there for the Chanel Cruise Collection show, do not despair... Havana is there for everyone!!!

#ChanelCruiseCuba