Ines de la Fressange

 She exudes power, elegance and a certain freedom that French women always seem to naturally possess.  Ines de la Fressange is a woman of pure beauty, grace and inspiration.  From her start as a muse for Karl Lagerfeld to her creative revamp of Roger Vivier ~ Ines has followed her passion for fashion throughout her 52 years.

 

She was the first model ever to be signed to an exclusive contract with an haute couture fashion house ~ which just so happened to be Chanel.

 

Her style is so chic and effortless!  Its no wonder that she has been spending her days designing, opening boutiques, consulting for the likes of Gautier and most recently reinventing the iconic French shoe company Roger Vivier.

 

And reinvent she did!  Ines put her heart and soul into making Vivier's name become known loud and clear.  She built a stunning office (which was much needed) and began doing all of the PR, operations, directing and sales meetings herself.  What I find most fascinating is how unconventional the whole thing seemed to be.

 

She was quoted in Interview magazine saying "It was very funny to be putting together a luxury brand on all fours. Even when we moved in here, one minute I was letting in Anna Wintour, and the next I was going to buy garbage cans. I was going to the flea markets to buy furniture."

 

 Everything was on a very small scale, very grass roots and Ines is not afraid to work hard for what she wants.  I also love the fact that she would hold sales meetings over lots of wine and delicious food inviting a myriad of personalities along ( "a writer, a psychoanalyst, a banker, a lawyer, a mind reader, a fashion journalist and an actress").  These lunches were filled with intriguing conversation, lots of laughter and visual collages that I'm sure made quite an impact.  Not following the protocol whatsoever the clients wouldn't even get a press package but all of this because she knows exactly what makes a memorable moment ~ or a memorable name in this case and it seems to be paying off.

{Ines de la Fressange's inspirational office on The Selby}

{Photo sources: 1. Paolo Roversi for Interview 2. photobucket 3, 4, 5. madame lefigaro 6. The Selby}

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The 9 Muses

 The Nine Muses in Greek mythology, poetry and writings are the women who inspire the creation of literature and the arts.   Bringing kings and poets their source of knowledge through theater, songs, myths and poetic lyrics.  The daughters of Zeus (King of the Gods) and Mnemosyne (Goddess of Memory) each muse presided over a particular portion of literature, art or science.

The muses are also the spirit within all of us that sparks the creative process.  They are inspiration, embodying that which fills us with prosperity, abundance and joy.  That buzzing energy of excitement and motivation that moves you is the muse within.  Honour her and the rewards will be abundant!  

Muses in Myth

Calliope | Muse of Epic Poetry

Clio | Muse of History

Euterpe | Muse of Lyric Poetry

Melpomene | Muse of Tragedy

Terpsichore | Muse of Choral Dance and Song

Erato | Muse of Love Poetry

Polyhymnia | Muse of Sacred Poetry

Urania | Muse of Astronomy

Thalia | Muse of Comedy

{photo sources:  The Muses by Eustache Le Sueur, Terpsichore Muse of Music and Dance (1739) by Jean-Marc Nattier,  Apollo and The Nine Muses (1856) by Gustave Moreau,  Hesiod and the Muse (1891) by Gustave Moreau, Parnassus (1496) by Andrea Mantegna}

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Avedon's Muse

Dovima

"She was the last of the great elegant, aristocratic beauties...the most remarkable and unconventional beauty of her time." ~Avedon

 

In their most famous piece together "Dovima with Elephants." (Paris, 1955)  Here, Dovima is wearing the first Christian Dior gown designed by his then, new assistant Yves Saint-Laurent.  Timeless.

Dovima has said of her relationship with Avedon that they were so connected on an artistic level that she would know exactly what look/pose he wanted before he'd even ask.

Ms. Dovima in Balenciaga.

Richard Avedon truly changed fashion photography and portraiture forever.  He encouraged models to be expressive and create emotions, rather than maintain traditional static poses, bringing the clothes to life. He knew how to capture the true essence of his subjects.

Dovima had a supporting role as Marion in Funny Face with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn (another Avedon muse) which was loosely based on Avedon's early career.

Classic Elegance.

{photo sources:   The Richard Avedon Foundation, My Vintage Vogue}

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