Real feel outside: -4°F.
Real feel inside: cozy among friends.
January 1st, 2018
Tag: photography
Let there be light
This is it friends – 2017 is almost over! It has been adequately bumpy and all kinds of weird and felt, at times, like going two steps back for every step forward but, on a personal level, it’s been a rather good year. So it is only fitting that we bid it adieu with a splash of colour from one of New York City’s most beautifully restored neighbourhoods, the South Sea Port historic district.
Fulton Street is glowing in a ”Sea of Light”, an installation that will run through March 2018.
Wavertree, the great sailing ship, is decorated with its own Christmas tree, as is tradition in maritime countries around the world. 
Tonight, even the New York Central No. 31 railroad barge pilothouse is bathed in light. 
And so is the Titanic Memorial, the lighthouse erected in honour of the lives lost in the sinking of the Titanic.
From the iconic South Sea Port, my warmest wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year!
May the light be with you always!
December 26th, 2017
Chilling out in Central Park – literally…!
Speaking of arctic chills, that’s how we had to get dressed to go out for a walk in the park – so you see why I can barely move under the layers.
Fighting ice with ice: perhaps some rounds in the rink would have kept me warm.
Although the cold didn’t seem to ruffle this bird’s yellow feathers!
Greetings from an icy cold Central Park
December 28th, 2017
Google play
It is a freezing end of year, here in New York City. We may not have seen much snow, but the weather forecast keeps making mention of an ”arctic chill” and warning merrymakers heading to Times Square to ring in 2018 that they are about to face one of the coldest ball drops on record this New Year’s Eve! As for me, I can barely move under multiple layers of clothes, undercoat, overcoat and headgear and nothing could make me withstand the Times Square agony. So why on earth was I lining up in the frigging cold outside the Google pop-up store, together with a bunch of youngsters half my age?
To meet this photogenic guy? Nope (sorry Chris)!
To play with the interactive pixel board? Nope, nope. 
To dive into the snow globe pool? Yaaaaas!!
Because where else would I get to play Ophelia in the contemporary drama “Death by Selfie”? 
Because kids of all ages wanna have fun.
Made by Google pop up store will be open until December 31st.
December 26th, 2017
Christmas windows in the City
Holiday window displays in Manhattan are integrally connected with Christmas in the collective consciousness of New Yorkers – and in that of the regular, or even occasional visitors too. They’ve become part of the tradition, glitz and glamour and beauty of the holiday season and there just can’t be Christmas in the City without them.
Here, for instance, are some takes from Bergdorf Goodman’s breathtaking displays, inspired by some of the city’s most iconic institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History, Museum of the Moving Image, The New York Botanical Garden, New York Philharmonic and New-York Historical Society (there are also windows for Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and UrbanGlass but I have no captures of them).
Entitled ”To New York with Love”, a celebration of the city’s ongoing love affair with arts, history and music, they are simply spectacular.
New York Philharmonic
The New York Botanical Garden
Museum of the Moving Image
American Museum of Natural History (and an avid admirer)
New-York Historical Society
And back to business with the commercial part and evening gowns – entrance in grand style guaranteed.
A ball in the Four Seasons, maybe? 
At which point I have to move on because I feel I’m turning green; head over heels (image from Elie Tahari)
Midtown Manhattan
December 17th, 2017
Guardians of the Christmas cookies
And yet… I’d swear the cookie mountain was lower this morning. Much, much lower.
Christmas in Manhattan,
December 25th, 2017
LV Loves America
And the feeling is mutual.
Hat trunk in leather, once belonging to Marjorie Merriweather Post
Nicolas Ghesquière embroidered dress worn by Emma Stone at the 2017 British Film Institute Festival
Marc Jacobs feathers headpiece
With this last, highly instagrammable chapter, we end our walk through the history of a House whose name became synonymous with travel. Have you packed your wardrobe/hat/shoe steamer trunks yet? Me too! The question now is… where do we go next?
at the American Stock Exchange Building, through January 7th, 2018.
Admission is free
November 12th, 2017
LV & friends
Yayoi Kusama
Robert Wilson
The Music Room
Since the founding of the House of Louis Vuitton, exacting customers have been able to place unique special orders to fulfill their private purposes and dreams. There is no fantasy or extravagance that cannot be packed. Shower, trunk, altar trunk, bed trunk or cigar trunk – in every situation, Louis Vuitton matched the traveler’s ambition and unique needs with equal expertise. Musical instruments, fragile and delicate, are probably the most vulnerable items to pack. Whether a violin, a guitar or the conductor’s baton, cases were designed by the trunk-maker as protection and enhancement.
Supreme
Skateboard trunk
Cindy Sherman
Studio in a trunk
at the American Stock Exchange Building, through January 7th, 2018.
Admission is free
November 12th, 2017
L’eau de Voyage
Because no voyage is complete unless accompanied by fond memories.
And nothing evokes fond memories faster than an exquisite fragrance in an elegant glass bottle.
As delicate as our very existence. As enduring as the spirit of a true traveller.
***
Louis Vuitton perfume bottles designed by Camille Cless-Brothier in early 1920s.
L’Arbre pleureur, enameled crystal perfume bottle; design by Camille Cless-Brothier, 1922.
at the American Stock Exchange Building, through January 7th, 2018.
Admission is free
November 12th, 2017
LVoyage – Voyage
In the nineteenth century, the evolution of transportation reduced distances. Steam vessels were put into service in the 1830s, linking Europe to the Americas. Railways in 1848, the invention of the automobile in the 1890s, and the advent of commercial airlines in the 1900s ushered the world towards new habits and life experiences.
Travelling by train meant that one could relax in their sleeping car, socialize over a cocktail in the restaurant, daydream, work, test the latest fashion trends on their fellow passengers. And, more importantly, one did not have to travel light. Desk trunks, library trunks, whole wardrobe trunks, designed to make travelers feel at home away from home, were considered an integral part of an experienced, sophisticated traveler’s baggage. 
Portable chest (hasami-bako) in black lacquered wood with gold lacquer patterned using the hiramaki-e technique, Edo period, late 18th and 19th century
Ideale Library trunk in monogram canvas, 1927
Desk trunk in natural cowhide, once belonging to Frank J. Gould, 1928
Jenner & Knewstub Berry’s fitted travel bag in leather, ca. 1864
Client records. For each client the house creates a record detailing special orders and customization requests, 19th to 20th century
Milo Anderson, silk satin nightdress worn by Lauren Bacall in ”Young man with a horn”, 1950
Brettes hat/shoe trunk, vanity case in monogram canvas
Alzer suitcase and Stratos case, all once belonging to Lauren Bacall
Satellite suitcases, vanity case, Deauville bag in monogram canvas once belonging to Elizabeth Taylor
Jeanne Lanvin hostess dress, worn by Mary Pickford, Winter 1948-49
at the American Stock Exchange Building, through January 7th, 2018.
Admission is free
November 12th, 2017
The Humble Fabulist 