The Photodiarist

Before the Christian Dior Show: Olivia Palermo

Paris: Musee Rodin

Inspiration:  I've never seen anything like the scene outside of the Christian Dior show.  The show is held in Musee Rodin, which is located on rue de Varenne, a narrow street in the heart of Paris. The street was lined, almost wall to wall, with a mix of photographers trying like hell to get a clean shot of the fashion insiders and anyone else who looked interesting, fashion insiders trying like hell to get into the show through throngs of photographers, people who dress for fashion week trying like hell to attract the attention of photographers, police officers trying like hell to clear the streets of people so that cars could get through, and tourists and passersby who were trying like hell to figure out why the Rodin museum was closed to them and what the hell was going on in the middle of the street.  

Near the entrance to the museum, people became sardines - squashed one upon the other, yet moving in different directions, adding to the chaos that was the prelude to the Christian Dior show. Maybe the rumor (has it been confirmed?) that Marc Jacobs will leave Vuitton to take the helm at CD added to popularity of the event.  It was in this environment -- one in which I was almost no longer a photographer but a harried and stressed human (in high heels that had suddenly become the most painful things on earth) just trying to find a place to stand in agony but in peace -- that I spotted Olivia Palermo making her way toward the entrance.  My lens was so close to her face that I was sure it would not focus.  But focus it did. My trusty 5d Mk II and 50mm 1.2 delivered me just one portrait shot of Olivia before her bodyguard created a space for her in the crowds and she disappeared.

For the color version of this photo, check out The Photodiarist in Color.

Before The Ann Demeulemeester Show: Taylor Tomasi-Hill

Paris: Couvent des Cordeliers

Inspiration: Taylor Tomasi-Hill never misses when it comes to her personal style. Ever.

After The Ann Demeulemeester Show: Leaf Greener

Paris: Couvent des Cordeliers

Inspiration: Leaf Greener at Paris Fashion Week. Such a cool name, no?  For the color photo, go here. By the way, photographing the fashion cognoscenti at the Ann Demeulemeester show was challenging. The space was tight, the light was a bit dull, everyone wore black (which was cool from my fashion perspective but not from a photography point of view) and hardly anyone smiled. And so many more photographers than in New York or Milan combined! I have to admit that after this foray into fashion week photography, I am most definitely returning to photographing musicians and squirrels in Central Park. Paris Fashion Week is not for the faint of heart! So to ease the pain of bruised toes (which were stepped on more times than I care to count) and my inability to get a clean shot . . . I skipped the Balmain and Rick Owens shows and went shopping instead.  After all, I am in Paris!

After the Guy Laroche Show: Hair Stories

Paris: Jardin des Tuileries

Inspiration: Even though she was wearing a beautiful peachy Guy Laroche dress, her hair drew my attention. It's cut so beautifully -- to look wild and undone. I don't have the extra something it takes to whack up my hair (I was just whining that my stylist took off a 1/2 inch too much of my hair last week when she only cut off a 1/2 inch). But man -- it looks so cool on her.

Hanne Gaby Odiele After the Missoni Show

Milan: Via Festa Del Perdono 

Inspiration:  I arrived in Paris this afternoon.  Got to my hotel in St. Germain des Pres (the cutest and artsiest place ever) only to find that my room is itty bitty munchkin tiny. I mean itsy bitsy teensy weensy. Since my clothes were mangled after the flight, I asked for an iron and ironing board to be sent to the room. When the board was installed in the only area near the bed that could accomodate it, I had to roll over the bed at an angle to get from one side of the room to the other.  I am laughing now since I've managed to find a place for everything and the neighborhood is one of my favorites in Paris.  So the closet (itsy bitsy teensy weensy) stocked three hangers.  Really?  Even if you don't give a damn about what you wear and you only brought a carry-on, you'd still need more than three hangers! I asked for more hangers three times.  Each time, even though I asked for "lots", they brought up three (what's up with the number three in this story?) But now, it's all good. 

Have to admit that I am nervous about photographing Paris Fashion Week.  As you know, my blog is not a 100% true blue fashion blog except during NYFW, which is comfortable territory for me.  But after years of staring at other bloggers' photos from Milan and Paris, I thought I'd give these cities a go this one time.  Milan Fashion Week was daunting (getting from one location to the other was not easy!) but I met great people and experienced some wonderful light, which made that trip so worth it.  Hope Paris works out well too.

About the photo . . . its Hanne Gaby as she raced from the Missoni show on the moped of her BF.  It was hysterical to see how much attention she receives from the photographers.  Some of them raced like Usain Bolt to get in front of the moped . . . but then the moped got trapped between cars while the photographers were down at the bottom of the street.  As I walked by, observing the scene, I said hi to her.  And she turned and gave me this shot.  I guess it pays to walk sometimes (rare for me).

Wish me luck in Paris.

Before The Marni Show: Prada Glasses

Milan: Via Alserio 22

Inspiration: I first spotted these glasses at Liberty when I was in London this summer. I was (am) on a budget and decided to buy a pair of Balenciaga sandals I had been searching for in New York (and miraculously found in my size on the sale rack in Liberty) instead of the glasses (as opposed to buying both and even more stuff that I wanted).  I cannot tell if I made a mistake.  On one hand, I love them and when I see them on other people, I wish I'd snagged them (especially because I cannot find them now).  But on the other hand, so many people have them -- which attests to how awesome they are but I don't want to wear the same thing as everyone, you know? In any case, they look great on her and at the moment . . . wishing they were mine! 

Before Dolce & Gabbana: Natalie Joos

Milan: Viale Piave 24

Inspiration: There are some people who, when they arrive on the scene, capture the attention of almost all of the photographers on site.  Natalie Joos is one such person.  As she walked down the tram line, she was quickly bombarded.  I had to join the fray! Some folks give you two seconds, if that, for a photo. Not Natalie. She gives photographers so much time and is incredibly gracious -- even going as far as replicating her walk down the "runway" that is the tram line!  Maybe that's partly because she's a photographer herself with a gorgeous blog, Tales of Endearment.  By the way, lets talk sunglasses for a moment.  Hers are by Karen Walker. I have a pair of the same glasses -- but in tortoise shell.  They are my favorites!  For a color photo (because as you can imagine, she's not wearing any black!), head to The Photodiarist in Color.

Before The Marni Show: The Glamourai

Milan: Via Alserio 22

Inspiration: Kelly Framel, creator of The Glamourai, totally glammed up in Lanvin shades.  For the color version, check out my other blog, The Photodiarist in Color.

After the Emporio Armani Show: Sheer, Pt. 2

Milan: Via Bergognone 59

Inspiration: The light in Italy is like no other.  And the fashion week fashions are on another level here in Milan.  I cannot wait to see what Paris Fashion Week has in store! By the way, to see the beautiful blues in this photo, go to The Photodiarist in Color.

After the Jil Sander Show: Model Off-Duty

Milan: Via Beltrami 5

Inspiration: I've made my way to Milan Fashion Week and all I've gotta say is: WOW! It's pretty fantastic. I've been to Milan twice before but never for fashion week and each time without my camera.  I have to admit . . . I wasn't impressed with Milan during those earlier visits.  I was here for work then and wasn't able to explore much. This time, however, the city has grown on me. Maybe it's because I've got my camera with me this time around, the light is incredible, the food is even better and the fashion is quite divine!  But alas . . . my internet connection is less than incredible and definitely not divine, so I may not be able to post as much as I'd like. Indeed, I've been waiting an hour and a half to post this photo! And about the photo . . . she's one of the models in the Jil Sander show snapped just outside of the Jil Sander headquarters. I love the photo because of the 60s vibe it evokes.  Those glasses!