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Many artists find inspiration in Paris. They often stand at the bottom of the Sacré Coeur and paint in the stalls, like in the picture. Many artists recommend the Museé de Louvre, which is one of the greatest museums in the world. | |
| Pablo Picasso painted this picture. It is called the ''Portrait of a Woman." This famous piece of art can be located in the Museé de Louvre, which is located in Paris. This is the first picture ever to be drawn with cubism. Cubism art shows many points of view on a single flat canvas. Many people find interest in this painting, and cubism became very popular after this was painted. |
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The Museé de Louvre (Louvre Museum) was first constructed as a fortress in 1910 by King Philippe-Auguste to protect Paris against Viking raids. But then Francois I replaced the building with a Renaissance-style building. There-after, four centuries of French kings and emperors improved and enlarged the building. There is many pieces of art in this building, including the Mona Lisa. The Louvre was opened to the public in 1793 after the Revolution. Tourists say the Louvre is a must-see in Paris. |
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Christian Dior was born in Normandy, France in 1905. Thirty years later, Dior moved to Paris & began selling his sketches of clothes he had been drawing. Three years later in 1938, Dior was hired by Robert Piguet. In 19567, he died suddenly. John Galliano is now the chief designer. [This picture shows a Dior model with a Dior purse.] |
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Guccio Gucci was born in Florence, Italy. In 1898 he left there to go London so he could work in a hotel. He was intrigued by the look of the guests’ luggage, so in 1905 he returned to Italy and started selling saddlebags. He was very successful; everyone wanted one of these unique bags. In 1922 he opened his own store that sold leather goods and accessories. Gucci boutiques were appearing all over the world. When Gucci died, his four sons took over the business. [The picture to the right is a Gucci model advertising a Gucci handbag.] |
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Louis Vuitton began making luggage in Paris in 1854. Years went by and he gained international recognition. He is known for his designer luggage: beige on chestnut monogram, “LV”. Louis won two medals for the World’s Fair which were held in Paris. When Vuitton died in 1892, he son Georges took on the company. [The picture to the left is a Louis Vuitton purse. ] |
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Gianni Versace was born in Reggio, Calabria on December 2nd. When he was 25 he moved to Milan to work as a designer. But it was Paris where he got his big break. In 1979 he started a collaboration with American photographer Richard Avedon. Gianni Versace was shot to death outside of his Miami Beach home, and now his sister Donatella is head of the Versace fashion house. [The model to the left is wearing a Versace dress.] |
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| Gabrielle Chanel was born in 1883 in Saumur, in a poorhouse where her mother worked. Her mom died when she was only six years old, leaving her father with five children, but he left them with close relatives. During 1905-1908, she was a café and concert singer, & that’s when she adopted the name CoCo. She wanted to go by Gabrielle CoCo Chanel. She then opened a millinery shop in Paris in 1910. Her hats at her store quickly became very popular. |
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Ten years later, her shop had expanded. She now sold short skirts, relaxed clothing, and casual outfits. In 1922, she introduced her first perfume, Chanel No. 5, which is still well-known today. CoCo Chanel introduced her signature cardigan jacket and “little black dress” in 1925. Chanel was briefly a nurse in World War I. Though the Nazi occupation meant the Fashion Business in Paris was cutoff, it resumed years later when she introduced more purses, pea jackets and bell bottom pants. She worked right up until she died: 1971. Karl Lagerfeld has been the chief designer since 1983. [The picture above is a model in one of Chanel's dresses advertising the No. 5 perfume. The picture to the left is a crystal and PVC wedge heel that Chanel designed.] |
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