Halloween in February

A picture from one of the most famous mask stores in Venice.  This mask wasn't even one of the most elaborate and cost 160E or roughly $208.  
Casey with her face paint and me in my mask.  

A woman suspended by a hot air balloon.  
My friends and I covered in confetti in San Marco piazza
Some sweet costumes

Carnevale

Abby, Casey and I.  You can kinda tell I'm wearing a mask. 
Me standing on the beach at Lido with only a sweater!
Beautiful city
My friend Casey, who got her face painted and me.
The crowd outside the train station.

First of all I was happy that I enjoyed Venice this time more than my first visit.  The winter is definitely ideal for a visit.  Carnevale is a huge deal in Venice, but that being said there isn't really anything to do.  The city is packed and we spent most of our time just walking around looking at costumes and shopping.  It was a great atmosphere, everyone is just hanging out in the city.  Saturday there was a mini show in San Marco with a woman suspended by a hot air balloon danced. I also heard there was a clown marching band, but I didn't witness this firsthand.  We also stumbled upon a dj outside in one of the piazzas.  Sunday we went to Lido, one of the islands of Venice.  We walked over to the beach and enjoyed some surprisingly nice weather for February.  We picked up seashells and even found a crab.  It was really relaxing and made me excited for warm weather.  

There's more where that came from

In front of the steps at the Grand Arch.
One of my favorite pictures,  taken by my friend Alex who loves photography.
Alex and I jumping in the gardens at Versailles. 

Tomorrow morning I'm heading to Venice for two days to enjoy their famous winter festival, Carnivale.  I'm not sure what to expect, but I've been hearing great things.  Be back on Sunday.

Paris Pictures

The bag I bought (as requested)  However, mine is black.  Its hard to tell but its a fold over bag in patent leather. 
Rain on the Louvre pyramid 
My friends and I on a boat ride on the Seine. 
Fountain at Versailles
Hall of Mirrors

Paris part 2

So Friday we went to Premiere Vision.  It was huge.  I got to see all the trends for Spring 2010 and I had to interview a vendor for an assignment.  We found a nice guy that worked for a company from Lake Como that specialized in making 3-D fabrics.  You put on your little 3-D glasses and the image would pop out at you.  It was really different idea and cool to talk to the guy.  

Friday night the school trip ended so me and my friend who were staying for the weekend went over to our Hostel in the Montmatre area.  That night we just walked around, went up to Sacre Coeur and went out to eat.  

Saturday was my friend Abby's birthday and we went to Versailles.  It was definitely a priority for me since I've never seen it.  We even got a student discount which was awesome.  The palace was amazing, especially the hall of Mirrors.  Afterwards we walked around the gardens and then went to the smaller palaces on the grounds and the Queen's hamlet.  Marie Antoinette built a tiny village of cottages which were so cute.  There even is a farm there with cows, goats, ducks, chickens and a pig.  It was really beautiful to walk around even though it was February.

Saturday night we went out for Abby's birthday to a dive fondue place. There was no menu, only a choice of red or white wine and cheese and/or meat fondue.  The wine was served in baby bottles and I probably ate a pound of cheese.  The place was packed and at one point a girl decided to get up and sing.  It was a really fun night.

Sunday we went to the Eiffel Tower in the morning but didn't go to the top because the line was huge.  After that my friends wanted to go to the catacombs which I have already been to so I went off by myself.  I walked over to the Hotel des l'Invalides which was built by Louis XIV for veterans and wounded soldiers.  Now it is a museum.  I went to the exhibit on WWI and WWII which was really well done and made me feel more educated.  After that I walked up the the Champs Elysees, had lunch and then went back to the hostel to get my stuff.  Then we just headed the the airport and came home.  

Paris Part 1

 The week in Paris was the crazier than I expected.  I've never walked so much in my life.  By Thursday my feet were so sore that they even hurt when I woke up.  Every day was really busy and I had 6 assignments to do while in Paris.  All that said, it was still a great week and I love Paris.

  The main reason for going to Paris with school was for Premiere Vision (PV) which is the most important fabric show in the world.  A fabric show is where buyers, designers and merchandisers go to see trends, color forecasting and to source fabric for upcoming seasons.  Going to PV as a student is a big deal because it is great experience of the real fashion industry.  We left Sunday night on a 12 hour train ride that was unpleasant the say the least.  The 5:30am passport check wasn't fun either.  We got to Paris at 9am. 

 On Monday we went to Colette, which is the most important concept store in Paris.  Then we went to the Louvre.  Since I had already been there I was able to skip the Mona Lisa and see all the Egyptian Art, the French and Italian sculptures and my favorite thing at the Louvre, the Winged Victory of Samothrace (below).  That night Robin and I went out to eat in the Latin Quarter for some delicious French food.  I had onion soup, lamb and creme brulee.

Tuesday we went to Texworld, which is a fabric show but lower end than PV.  Most people go to PV to see trends and colors and then go to Texworld to find vendors to work with.  Fabrics at PV run $15-20 per meter so only high end designers use those vendors.  Texworld was really interesting, we had to do a stand interview for an assignment and we talked to a denim company from Pakistan who sells to Seven, Replay, Zara, H&M etc.  Since I'm making a jeans line for a class it was really helpful.  After Texworld we went to Printemps which is one of the biggest department stores in Paris.  We had a tour, saw a presentation on trends and HR.  

Wednesday morning we had an appointment at Louis Vuitton on the Champs Elysees.  We talked to three

 different people, one person who showed us their art exhibit on the top floor which featured artist from South Korea, someone who explained the floor layout and display and then a person who designed all of the window displays.  The Stephen Sprouse collection is currently there and the neon flower window displays are amazing.  It was really enjoyable and one of the speakers was even an FIT alum who was really cool to talk to.  Afterwards we went to Marais which is a really cool shopping neighborhood where I got the most amazing bag.  It was one of my friend's birthday so a bunch of us went out to eat and I had the best duck of my life.  The waiter made me speak French which actually wasn't as hard as I expected.  Although sometimes I can only think of a word in either French or Italian and not the other one.  

Thursday morning we had free time so I went to La Defense which is the new part of Paris where the Grand Arch and all the skyscrapers are.  Afterwards I walked around Saint Louis, the smaller island which hasn't been changed in hundreds of years.  After a delicious lunch of stir fry I went to Shakespeare & Company which is famous bookstore.  I got a vintage copy of Wuthering Heights and An African in Greenland which was a staff pick and the next book on my to read list.   In the afternoon we had a tour of the Musee de la Moda to see the Sonia Rykiel exhibit.  

Fries part 2

Some more pictures from Belgium:

I'm leaving for Paris in two hours!  I'm going with my school, we have museum visits and appointments all throughout the week.  We are going to Texworld and Premiere Vision which are two fabric trade shows that are really important in the fashion industry.  We also have an appointment at the headquarters for Louis Vuitton.  The school is leaving Friday but my friends and I are staying until Sunday.  Its my friend Abby's (pictured above) birthday on Valentines day so we are going to celebrate while we are there.  I'd much rather celebrate a birthday than Valentines day anyways.