In 1972 a dinner was arranged to introduce the drawing instructors at the Inter Mural Department of Hong Kong University.

Next to me there was an empty space. Quite late, a man with dark hair slipped into the seat, exchanged words with people he knew and left. I had no idea who he was, he never said a word to me and we were not introduced.

Henry Steiner visits the School of Fashion

A few months later we met again. His name was Henry Steiner, his company was Graphic Communications and his work was seen all over Hong Kong and recognized worldwide.

I reminded him of that first occasion when he had ignored me completely.

He replied, “I didn’t know you had talent.”

Clearly my talent made some difference because he offered to design a poster for my first exhibition in Hong Kong. After much thought, he called it ‘Strange and Familiar People’.

Later, Henry designed my first book, ‘The Magic Circle of Hong Kong’. We remained friends.

Follow the jump to read more. Read more…

Whenever I go to France, I recall a very special pilgrimage in 1996, to Albi, the home of my favourite artist Henri de Toulouse Lautrec.

Toulouse Lautrec

It was January, the best time to travel because there are no tourists.

In Albi we visited the family seat and the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec in Place Sainte-Cécile.

The museum was set up by his mother after his death at the age of 36 from syphilis and alcohol — because no one in Paris was interested in acquiring the work of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

The next day we drove about twenty miles from Albi to the family’s country house, the Château du Bosc.

It was late afternoon and the sun was turning the snow pink. To our surprise, the Château was open and we saw a tiny old woman in green gumboots pottering about in the garden. She invited us in, we paid the entrance fee and she proceeded to show us around.

She explained that everyone in the family was “born with a pencil in his hand” and after a day of shooting, they drew. Except of course Henri, who was crippled.

We looked at the wall where there were marks to measure his growth (maximum 4’11”). We saw his school notebooks filled with ‘scribbles’ that displeased his tutors. I was happy to hear this as I too was always in trouble for scribbling.

I remarked that it was fortunate that Toulouse Lautrec was a crippled dwarf because thus he spent his short life drawing and painting in brothels instead of riding and shooting in the French countryside.

My husband, whose French is better than mine, looked at me in horror but our guide was delighted, “That’s exactly what we all say!”

When it was time to leave, she told us her name: Nicole Bérengère Tapié de Céleyran, and as my husband surmised earlier, a direct descendant of Henri de Toulouse Lautrec.

Yvette Guilbert

Written by: Gladys Perint Palmer

Click here to read more of “Picture This” by GPP

Gladys Perint Palmer continues her reports from her time in Paris. This time, she shares some pics from a little soiree given by a designer you may have heard about…

July 7, 2010

Valentino gives a party at the Château de Wideville — an hour outside Paris.

Château de Wideville

At night it’s pink

Follow the jump for more pictures — including some of Gwyneth (as in Paltrow).
Read more…

Paris
On Aura Tout Vu
The gardens of Palais Royale
July 7th 10 a.m.

This is the day of Flora and Fauna in Paris.

The fauna continues from Chanel, with crocodiles on shoulders and shoes at On Aura Tout Vu.

On the subject of wild life there was Claude Montana looking quite mellow. In his heyday his bite was worse than his bark.

Follow the jump for more pictures…
Read more…

Paris
Tuesday July 6th
7 p.m. till…. late

Givenchy:

Bust of Jules Hardouin Mansart

In the 17th century, the architect Jules Hardouin Mansart was given a cozy corner in 19 place Vendôme known as the Hôtel d’Évreux. The bust was made by Jean-Louis Lemoyne. Mansart was the the architect behind buildings such as Versailles, the Grand Trianon, the Château de Marly, and Les Invalides. Notice the cross of the Order of St. Michael, which denotes that he is an artist.

Once past the Givenchy securité we are greeted by (the bust of) Mansart. Upstairs, ten Haute Couture outfits by Riccardo Tisci adorn the rooms.

They are fit for princesses from countries under far bluer skies.

Most intriguing is a long dress with the sleeve covering arms and fingers. On close inspection, sleeve is attached at the shoulder with zipper.

Givenchy Haute Couture dress

Sleeve and glove attached at the shoulder

Chanel:

Waiting to get to Chanel at the Grand Palais — now a museum — at 8 p.m., we sit for a while next door at the Ritz.

Anna Wintour walks past wearing a plain beige belted dress. Chanel clients walk by in diamonds, sequins and feathers. Very short men in white linen walk by. Linda Wells’ sons walk by dressed for a party from The Great Gatsby.

Coco Chanel was a Leo

At Chanel there is an anatomically correct golden lion 11 metres (about 36 feet) high and 22 metres (about 72 feet) long. Models emerge from under a paw. Coco Chanel was a Leo and would have enjoyed the sight, after the show, when everyone rushed to congratulate Karl Lagerfeld under the belly.

Follow the jump for more pictures.

Read more…

The buzzword in Paris is “flower power.” Remember you grandmother’s rubber petal swimming cap? Here it is in fabric on a savvy Dior client, blooming all over.

Words and Illustration by: Gladys Perint Palmer

Click here to read more of “Picture This” by GPP

Paris
Tuesday, July 6th 3p.m.

Walked along rue Saint-Roche. On the ground, a shop built in 1638.

In the air, the French Air Force (scaring pigeons) rehearsing for July 14th.

Back in my hotel, the helicopters came by (note the Eiffel Tower: at night it glitters every hour on the hour, like a Valentino dress).

Words and pictures by: Gladys Perint Palmer

Click here to read more of “Picture This” by GPP

Armani Privé
7 place Vendôme
July 6, 11 a.m.

Giorgio Armani knows how to please clients who can afford, not borrow, Armani Privé — with 18th century floating ‘panniers’ in the back. In front, Front Row ladies of a very uncertain age, are on their own with unforgiving cut.

After Armani there wasn’t a taxi left on 7 place Vendôme. The Ritz erected ropes to contain the many hungry angry clients going out to lunch — without limos.

Armani Privé coming

Armani Privé going

Words and Illustration by: Gladys Perint Palmer

Click here to read more of “Picture This” by GPP

Christian Dior by John Galliano
Musée Rodin, Paris
2:30 p.m., Monday July 5

We can all look like Christian Dior Haute Couture by taking Rob Curry’s corset class and Jean Lamprell’s tutu class — and don’t forget a roll of cellophane.

Words and Illustration by: Gladys Perint Palmer

Click here to read more of “Picture This” by GPP

The Haute Couture shows in Paris are in full swing and the Executive Director of Fashion, Gladys Perint Palmer will be giving us some exclusive commentary throughout the week as she attends the numerous shows to expand on her “Picture This” blog posts.

Lanvin by Alber Elbaz
Crillon Hotel, Paris
10:30 a.m., Monday

The show started to the tune of San Francisco, followed by Hair; Alber Elbaz signaled to make “Let The Sun Shine” louder. He said he wants to create a supermarket of fashion. The final exit to enthusiastic applause: two minimalist shifts transformed into frilly frocks. Voilà!

Words and Pictures by: Gladys Perint Palmer

Click here to read more of “Picture This” by GPP