Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we deep dive into pool floats, haute couture, Elsa Schiaparelli’s home in Paris, and Scalamandre’s Jour de Juin. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
Pool Time
July means sunshine, salt water, and the sounds of summer fun being had! We are always on the hunt for chic summer goods including pool items. This week Sasha Bikoff, go-to interior designer for society-set millennials, released a colorful collaboration of luxury pool floats with Oliver James. Coming in five funky color ways, we are clamoring to get our hands on one.
If candy colors are not your cup of tea, Oliver James offers a variety of pool floats in classical colorways that are sure to complement any outdoor setting.
Haute Couture
July also marks the beginning of Haute Couture week in Paris where each member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode shows their Fall-Winter collections for the following season. While I am an interior designer by trade, fashion was my first love and an ever-enduring element of inspiration for my work. Each couture season I am giddy with joy to see the artistry produced by the renowned Parisian houses.
Before diving deeper into the beauty of this week’s spectacle, allow me to provide greater context to Haute Couture. Notoriously misused, the term directly translates to ‘high fashion’ and only applies to the fifteen members of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. 19th Century Englishman Charles Frederick Worth is known as the father of Haute Couture, establishing his couture house during France’s Second Empire leaving a lasting legacy on the elusive industry. The federation was founded in 1868 and works to protect the exacting skills and standards of French fashion. Admittance to the strictly governed group entails profoundly specific rules in order to maintain official Haute Couture house qualifications.
A Look into Elsa Schiaparelli
One of the most celebrated Haute Couture houses, Elsa Schiaparelli, kicked off the week showing a breathtaking collection that I cannot cease thinking about. Known for its eccentric persuasions, connection to Salvador Dali, the invention of the color “shocking pink“, and surrealist designs, the eponymous house founded in 1927 quickly became the gold standard of French fashion closely rivaling Chanel. Following World War II and the rise of new houses such as Christian Dior, Schiaparelli went bankrupt in 1954. Elsa then went on to form a new company to sell her perfumes under the namesake. Between the resolve of the original couture house and Elsa’s death in 1973, the Haute Couture house was dormant and dusty.
In 2014 Diego Della Valle purchased the rights to Schiaparelli, reestablished the workrooms of 21 Place Vendôme, and began to etch away at its revival. The first few years were rocky and largely unsuccessful with the house cycling through several creative directors. In 2015 Bertrand Guyon was brought on and in 2017 the house regained its Haute Couture status. American fashion designer Daniel Roseberry, appointed in 2019 as Creative Director, then took the house in a new direction making it more relevant than ever.
Each look paid perfect homage to Elsa Schiaparelli while looking modern and fresh. The jewelry and accessories in particular stole my heart. But while the show was a visual feast, I fell down a rabbit hole of discovering Elsa Schiaparelli’s home, an 18-room hôtel particulier in Paris. Located at 22 Rue de Berri in the 8th Arrondissement, Elsa’s had Jean-Michel Frank, the father of the modern interior, as well as the founder of formidable firm Jansen, complete the interiors. Replete with antiquities, chintz, and sublime color, this home would go on to define her style and would often serve as a backdrop for photoshoots.
Take a look inside!
a model in the home of Elsa Schiaparelli, Paris, 1953 via Kristen Laird
Jour de Juin
Poring over the intricate details of Elsa Schiaparelli’s home and lusting after bright summery colors has me longing for the revival of Scalamandre’s Jour de Juin print. Timeless and true, the print has always been a TGP favorite. Scalamandre unfortunately discontinued the print which will forever haunt us.
Take a peek at some of our favorite Jour de Juin interiors moments!
Architectural Digest Archive via The Glam Pad
Atlanta Homes Archive via The Glam Pad
Tim Proctor
Shop our obsessions inspired by this week’s tidbits!
x Natalie
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Follow Natalie on Instagram: @natalieealdridge
Fascinating!! Thank you!!
How interesting and totally delightful. Thank you for reminding me that I actually had a couple of Schiaparelli designs in the early 60’s!
I loved seeing in Elsa’s apartment in Paris! What a treat, thank you!