Who is Isabelle de Borchgrave?

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting the Pulp Fashion exhibition by Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave at San Francisco's Legion Of Honors Museum. Other than not being allowed to take photographs, I was not disappointed. Borchgrave's brilliant talent and attention to detail is evident in each piece showcased in the exhibit.

If you aren't familiar with de Borchgrave, she is renowned for creating all her masterpieces made only of paper. That's right, from the costumes to the jewelry and accessories. All paper. If you get an opportunity to see her work in person, I encourage you to do so.

(photo by Rene Stoeltie)

This first stunning 18th century panniers(french basket) dress, one of a couple in the "à la française" collection was created in May 2001 for the Papiers à la Mode exhibit.

(photo by Rene Stoeltie)

It is also featured at the Legion Of Honors, Pulp Fashion exhibit along with the following costumes. The palatial backdrop for de Borchgrave's costumes are from the book "Paper Illusions: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave" by writer and photographer duo Barbara and Rene Stoeltie.

(photo byRene Stoeltie)

This gown was created in 1998. It was inspired by ca. 1780 court dress from the Kyoto Costume Institute.

(photo by Rene Stoeltie)

Gilet d'homme(waistcoat) ca. 1760 in paper created in 2001 for the Papiers à la Mode exhibit in Japan in 2002.

(photo by Rene Stoeltie)

A Charles Federick Worth replicated evening Dress(bottom of staircase) ca.1898.

A noir "à la française" dress ca.1795 inspired by one found in the Kyoto Costume Collection. Both costumes were created in 1997.

(photo by Rene Stoeltie)

Dress(striped) of the Museum of Printed Textiles of Mulhouse ca.1840 was created in 1998 & Dress Venetian Court ca. 1745 was created in 1997.


(photo by Rene Stoeltie)

(Photo by Andreas von Einsiedel)

This work, created in 2006, is a replica of the dress worn by Maria de Medici. Inspired by a ca. 1555 portrait by Italian artist Allesandro Allori.

(Photo by Andreas von Einsiedel)

A close up of the amazing craftsmanship. Yes, even the pearl like beads were created out of paper.

(Photo by Andreas von Einsiedel)

(Photo by Andreas von Einsiedel)

(photo by Rene Stoeltie)

This replica is of the dress worn by Eleanora of Toledo Borchgrave created in 2006.

(Photo by Andreas von Einsiedel)

This piece was inspired by a ca. 1545 portrait by Italian artist Agnolo Bronzino.

(Photo by Andreas von Einsiedel)

Borchgrave(top right corner with blond hair) with collaborating artists painting the details on the Eleanora of Toledo gown.

(Photo by Andreas von Einsiedel)

Elizabeth I court dress inspired by a ca. 1599 portrait by the studio of Nicholas Hilliard.

Isabelle de Borchgrave

A Benefit for the Child Abuse Prevention Center: Part 3

Happy Tablescape Thursday! Finally, the last group of tablescapes from the annual Inspirations charity event hosted by the Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region to benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Center. If you missed the previous tablescapes posted earlier for this event, you can click here for part I and here for part II.

Also, please click here for a post I shared about a flatware design concept I have been working on called Four Seasons Flatware. I would greatly appreciate your feedback about the pros and cons of this idea. This idea was inspired by my participation in Tablescape Thursday and my fellow tablescapers.

Thank you for visiting and enjoy the photos.

Table #7


By EastSac Florist.




Table #8

By Celebrations Party Rentals

Table #9

By Exotic Plants




Table #10


By L Wine Lounge & Resturant




Table #11


By Celebrations Party Rentals

I hope you enjoyed the final set of this wonderful and special tablescape fundraiser. Please don't forget to share your comments about my flatware concept idea.
Also, stop by Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday to view more unique and creative tablescapes.

Who Is Leïla Menchari

(Photo credits: Decraene Antoine-De Laubier Guillaume-Bertoux Quentin-Feith Jean-Louis et Eric-Maty Véronique-Tourenne Patrice)

Above image is Hermes Paris, France flagship store's Spring 2011 window display at 24 rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré . The store has been at this location since 1878. We all know the classic Hermes Scarf as a essential accessory to the wardrobes of stylish (and wealthy) women.

(Paris, France store)

Hermes also manufactures and sells many other luxury items including the famous Birkin Bag (remember the Sex in the City episode when Samantha lied to the lofty Hermes clerk in order to expedite herself on the waiting list for a Birkin?).

(photo of Leila Menchari)

However, many people may not be aware the Hermes is equally famous in Paris for its superlative seasonal window displays at the Maison Hermes store. Leila Menchari has been creating these fantasy scenes since 1977.

(Spring 2009)

Her attention to detail and use of exotic materials bring crowds of on lookers who come back year after year enjoy the art.

(winter 2008)

Menchari uses items like costly fabrics, feathers, fine china, candy wrappers, fur, petrified wood and antique ribbons just to name a few.

(Winter 2000)

Many of her choices such as incense, leather, gold and silks seemed to be derived from her Tunisian background.

(Winter 1998)

She was trained in her native Tunisia at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Tunis.

(Summer 1996)

After she graduated she continued her education in Paris at the l’école Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts.

(Winter 2010)

For more images of previous window displays by Menchari for Hermes, visit the Hermes facebook.

(Fall 2010)

A Benefit for the Child Abuse Prevention Center:Part One

This past Friday, a local Sacramento television station and the Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region held their 6th annual Inspirations fundraiser to benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Center. The main dinner gala event was held in the evening. Prior to the gala, the public was invited to tour the table settings that had been created for the party. From 11:00 to 3:00 you could make a donation and take a leisurely look at the inspired tablescapes. Party planners, florists and party rental companies were well represented in the room. 15 tables were set and I will share my photos for 3 of the tables each week until all 15 are shown.

Table #1

This first artistic table setting was created by Accents By Sage, a local floral design shop.






Table # 2

Here, a dramatic tropical setting was created by East Sac Florist.

Table #3

Table number 3 is a refreshing Spanish-Mediterranean style setting created by Beth Sogaard Catering.

I hope you enjoyed the table settings as much as I did. Please come back next week for another 3 inspiring tablescapes from this event. Also, you can view more unique and creative tables at Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday.