Stephanie LaCava: Memoirs of an Outsider in Paris - Vogue Paris in English

As I'm currently reading and loving journalist Stephanie LaCava's recently released book, An Extraordinary Theory of Objects: A Memoir of an Outsider in Paris, you could understand my delight when at work this morning, I was assigned to translate and adapt the Vogue Paris write-up on the author and her adolescent memoirs.

Her story is beautifully written and inserts you to the time of her struggles. For the free spirits and deep feelers, you really connect with Stephie and how the whimsically different thirteen year old didn't quite fit in. Raw and wistful, LaCava's writing style captures the emotions perfectly and gives you a feeling of understanding.

She narrates in objects, opening up her cabinet of curiosities, removing each precious item one by one as they appear and tie into her story. Each object is poetically illustrated by Matthew Nelson and has a footnote in which she gives a small anecdote of its history or importance. These stories and her memoirs combine "to make sense of the nonsensical."

I've posted excerpts from my Vogue Paris translation below along with a few images from the article. For those who prefer to read in French, see the piece on Vogue.fr. And for those in Paris, Stephanie LaCava will actually be holding a few book signings in the coming weeks at Bookmarc and Shakespeare & Co. Dates and times are posted at the bottom along with a link to buy the book.

I am very excited. "Consider the source."

Stephanie LaCava: Memoirs of an Outsider in Paris

In December, New York's fashion and literary scene applauded fashion journalist, blogger and contemporary art activist, Stephanie LaCava and her adolescent memoirs, "An Extraordinary Theory of Objects - A Memoir of an Outsider in Paris". The recount of her years spent with her family just outside of Paris in Le Vésinet, France, as a teenager has steadily gathered a stylish fan club which has followed the author to her book signings from Miami to New York. Coping with her family's expatriation to Paris in the 1990s, the young American cultivated a veritable cabinet of curiosities with intimate, spellbinding objects including a carved scrimshaw whale's tooth, iridescent beetle shells, an old skeleton key and a spotted, red-capped mushroom. The book studies her semi-baroque, semi-grunge reliquary through descriptive passages and a clandestine collection of illustrations.

.......... 

"As humans, we crave beauty and we attempt to hold onto this experience through physical evidence," she muses. 

Promoting the release of her memoir, Stephanie LaCava directed two trailers which were revealed on YouTube. The first, Realism Deficieny, was filmed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman of Catfish, Paranormal Activity 3 and 4, and featured a snake in homage to the eccentric Marchesa Casati who refused to leave the house without her living snakes wrapped around her as jewelry. The second is a lyrical amble through scenes and images created by the independent filmmaker and Sundance Film Festival favorite, Ry Russo-Young.

www.youtube.com/user/stephanielacavavideo

The next signings by Stephanie LaCava in Paris: 

January 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM - Bookmarc, 17 Place du Marché St-Honoré, 75001

February 1 at 7:00 PM - Shakespeare & Co bookshop, 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005

By Carole Sabas, Translated by Quinn Connors

Read the full piece on Vogue Paris in English. Check out Stephanie LaCava's website to find out more on the author, read her blog, see her videos and more.

Buy her book on Amazon. A must read.

xx, Q.

[image: Vogue Paris]

2013 Agenda Update

The Quinntessential Style Agenda has been updated with Parisian events and Fashion Weeks from all over the world. More to come...

xx, Q.

[image: Style.com]

New York in Paris: A Pop-up Dinner

Well readers it's time for another Fashion Week season, kicking off with Men's Fashion Week. Don't be mislead though, I'm not covering the men's shows in this post, but the events surrounding them in Paris this week.

After their first highly successful and fashionista studded pop-up dinner in September during Paris Fashion Week with New York City restaurant The Fat Radish, the lovely Tara Gilson and Jenny Capano of the incredibly creative agency The Sporting Project are at it again. Hosting their second dinner series this week from Wednesday, January 16th to Sunday the 20th, TSP have invited the ultra-cool NYC West Village hideaway restaurant Hudson Clearwater to join the fashion foodie event. Chef Wes Long will serve a four course tasting menu at either the 7:30 pm seating or the 10:00 pm, while bartenders Nick and Jonathan fill our glasses until 2:00 am with their signature cocktails specially created for the event held at vegetarian hipster haven Bob's Kitchen in the Marais. Also on the event's program is live music, shipped in from the Big Apple as well.

Photo via Sporting 101

Bringing the New York dining experience to Paris, The Sporting Project makes sure to add a little bit of Paname into the mix, welcoming Parisian collaborators Terroirs d'Avenir, providing fresh produce for Chef Long's dishes, and La Dernière Goutte, contributing a selection of wine pairings.

I unfortunately missed last season's dinner, but I am booked and ready for the second installment. If you're interested in making a reservation, you should do so as soon as possible as all the seatings are almost full.

Reserve a table: reservations@thesportingproject.com


Hudson Clearwater at Bob's Kitchen
74 rue des Gravilliers, 75003


Follow The Sporting Project on Facebook and Twitter.

See you there.
xx, Q.

John Galliano Spring/Summer 2013: Bold Romance, Timid Adventure

Designer Bill Gaytten, of John Galliano, presented a voluminous collection of “Edwardian elegance” during Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013. Models appeared in oversized tent dresses with front folds and gathers that were paired with large brimmed hats by Stephen Jones, inspired by millefeuilles and birds’ nests. The designs, in cotton, technical taffeta, crepe and cotton poplin, featured a muted palette of stone, coral, navy, white, black and pale pink, as well as “demure yet urban” prints with a flying man and traffic jam jacquard.

Although the collection was pretty and poetic, the designer’s looks lacked the adventure of his fall collection and of Galliano, as WWD remarked, “Gaytten moved away from the founder’s theatrics in favor of a cleaner, more architectural sensibility…” Bill Gaytten seems to be coming into his own at John Galliano with this romantic, though at times lackluster collection. Next season, I'm looking forward to a collection with a greater balance between quiet romance and the adventurous spirit of the fashion house.

Jourdan Dunn

Beauty look: White Eyeliner

See more photos from the show on Vogue.fr.

Contributing photographer for Quinntessential Style: Phirak Kok

xx, Q.

[credit: Vogue.fr]

Liu Fang Spring/Summer 2013: Sculpted Cashmere (for Prête-moi Paris!)

Blogger and my Parisian big sister Melissa of Prête-moi Paris! asked me to attend Chinese designer, Liu Fang's Spring/Summer 2013 show for the China in Paris Initiative this past Paris Fashion Week. Below I've posted the article I wrote for her site.

Dubbed “the sculptor of soft gold” by Vogue China, Liu Fang was the chosen designer for the China in Paris Initiative this year, showing on the runways of Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 for the first time. Liu Fang presented a collection of three dimensional, geometric cashmere pieces that were sculpted by using a special knitting technique. On the cream-carpeted runway, taught cords stretched from ceiling to floor, suggesting the instrumental strings of the simple soundtrack and framing the ethereal beings who floated on sky-high platform shoes that tapered forward without heels. The designer meticulously played with shape, tailoring the cashmere and draping panels of different knits. The models were like otherworldly warriors with sculpted dresses that resembled futurist armor and hairstyles that elongated their heads. The dresses featured vertebrae-like, 3D-relief vines that snaked around the models’ torsos and sensual cutouts that added sex appeal. The sculpted knits were paired with gossamer knit tights. As the artistic director of PALUOPO, a cashmere company that provides fine knits to top European fashion houses, it was no surprise that Liu Fang’s cashmere sculptures were well received. Using cream knits, the immaculate collection suggests futuristic purity and a promise of rebirth.

See more photos from the show after the jump...

xx, Q.

Dita Eyewear x Flaunt Magazine x Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Dita Eyewear joined forces with Flaunt Magazine to bring us an exclusive video featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and his thoughts on mainstream vs underground.


Dita x Flaunt x Joseph Gordon Levitt from The Confluence on Vimeo.

Jitrois Spring/Summer 2013: Stained Glass, Ribbed Vaults and Leather

Jean Claude Jitrois welcomed guests to the private presentation of his Spring/Summer 2013 collection held in his own beautiful home overlooking the Louvre and the Tuileries during Paris Fashion Week SS13. Known for their signature perforation and fringe detailing, Jitrois is viewed as one of the preeminent high-end luxury goods houses specializing in leather and fur, which quickly became apparent in the radiant collection presented. This season, the arches and stained glass of the recently renovated Sainte-Chapelle church on Paris’ Ile-de-la-Cité inspired the designer’s collection that showed off his experimentation with leather and other materials such as broderie anglaise, crocheted knitwear and crystal embellishments, adding lightness and delicacy to the heavy material. In ultraviolet, padparadscha, indigo blue, beige and black, Jean Claude Jitrois achieved a “seamless transition between leather, exotic skins and silk” in form fitting dresses at various lengths and classic leather jackets that took new forms with zipper-detailed lapels and belted waists. In the intimate setting, statuesque models strode out in garments inspired by the Rayonnant Gothic church with design details reminiscent of its ribbed vault and intricate 13^th century stained glass windows. As one skirt made of silver leather fringe embodied the effects of sunrays fragmented by the stained glass covered walls, the last dress out was the chapel’s dominating rose window bursting with red and white crystals. Some looks acted as the support of the collection like the columns of the church in sleek silhouettes; while other looks in rich colors and elaborate crocheting paralleled the polychrome décor. Each look out resembled a part of the acclaimed royal chapel, and built layer upon layer an equally acclaimed collection, featuring the perfect “marriage of structural forms and artisanal expertise”.

See more images from the show:

xx, Q.

[images courtesy of Jitrois]