Dali Faire!

When one thinks of savoir faire in the art world, you cannot go past Salvador Dali. In everything he did he had immense personal style and savoir faire, which even extended down to his choice of pets. One of his favourites was an ocelot named Babou which travelled everywhere with him, whether across the Atlantic or out to dinner.

The below photo shows Dali and his private secretary Captain Moore in his cabin aboard the SS France prior to arrival in New York with Babou. This is full of surrealism and savoir faire, and would have appealed to Dali immensely.

An amusing story is how Dali with ocelot in tow were dining in a fashionable New York restaurant where Dali had tethered the animal to a leg of the table he was seated at while having dinner. A woman passed Dali and said ocelot and was horror stricken at the fact that a ‘wild animal’ was allowed in the restaurant.

"What is that?" she cried. "It's only a cat," Dali explained disdainfully. "I've painted it over with an op-art design." Looking again, (and recognising Dali) the woman sighed with relief. "I can see now that's what it is," she said. "At first I thought it was a real ocelot."

Schiaparelli Savoir Faire Relaunch?

Constant rumors are abounding over the possible relaunch of the House of Schiaparelli after a hiatus over 50 years. In fact I am sure in some circles it is the only thing on everyone’s lips, if not only for the correct pronunciation of her name.

There is a website floating out there in cyber space http://www.schiaparelli.com/ that does hint of a possible relaunch however there are no links. It is a visual feast of all the things Schiap became known for, however that is it. Owner Diego Della Valle is being very tight lipped.

So the question on everyone’s lips is who? Which designer is going to be given the heavy task of the reinterpretation of Schiaparelli’s style into the 21st century, with enough savoir faire, so that it doesn’t seem a parody of its original self?

The possible relaunch comes at a time when surrealism is hot. The Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto is currently running an exhibition called “Surreal Things”, which prominently showcases some of Schiaparelli’ work from dresses, accessories and perfumes, even recreating (with the original, no doubt) the gilded birdcage that displayed her perfumes in the 21 Place Vendome boutique in Paris. Also on display is the iconic Dali Tear dress of the 1930’s, Dali's lobster dress worn by the Duchess of Windsor and the famous shoe hat.

Gossip has it that Olivier Theyskens is tagged to be named creative director. After stints at reviving Rochas (a bit short lived) and Nina Ricci, we wonder if this is going to last if he is the chosen one.

So style mavericks keep your fingers crossed that this is true and we will see Schiaparelli live again and that it won’t be a complete disaster!