braxton and yancey: Moulin Rouge Muse

Showing posts with label Moulin Rouge Muse. Show all posts

Friday, August 5, 2011

THE MOULIN ROUGE CIRCA 2002

The actual Moulin Rouge taken in 2002 - not exactly Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge......but still.

I promised you a personal story about Paris....

What I'm about to suggest may sound obnoxiously privileged but here me out. To any of you who have small children... if you have the opportunity to take your children on their first trip to Paris, do. Braxton and I had never been to Europe, and frankly probably would not have gone in 2002 if not for the fact that our daughters ~~needed~~ wanted to so very badly. They were both interested in pursuing an artist's life and had been oil painting and studying art and art history for most of their lives...so, Paris was logical.

We are not wealthy people and frankly it took months and months to pay off that trip, but Paris is something you never ever regret. It changed all of our lives. (It's really difficult to write about this without sounding hopelessly geeky.)

If not for Paris, none of us would have thought it possible for our daughters to spend the year between High School and College studying art in Florence Italy....but they did.

If not for Paris we wouldn't have visited some of the greatest museums in the world, which inspired all four of us to pursue our passion for art.

Proof that Braxton is a truly silly guy.

If not for Paris, those six days in 2002 would not be so clearly etched in our minds. It's true, once you've been, you'll always have Paris.

This has been a truly fun week immersing ourselves in Moulin Rouge! and remembering Paris. Join us next week when we introduce a new muse.

Have a beautiful weekend.

YANCEY

Jules Cheret (1836-1932)– French Master of Belle Époque Poster Art

When I was researching Toulouse-Lautrec I found another painter of his day, Jules Cheret, whose art works perfectly with the Moulin Rouge! roomscapes we would love to create! Wikipedia reports that his art freed women of the day. “…previously depicted in art as prostitutes or puritans (,the) women of Cheret’s posters (were) joyous, elegant and lively.” Women influenced by his art, ‘Cherettes’, as they were popularly called in Paris...were recognized for wearing low-cut bodices and smoking in Paris in this new more open atmosphere. A writer of the time said he could not imagine Paris without its Cherets. For this reason, Jules Cheret has been called the father of women’s liberation.

Here is a quick snapshot of his art – again, perfect for the Bohemian Chic or Parisian Artist’s Loft Décor:

Henri Marie Raymond du Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa (1864-1901) – Post-Impressionist Master

Art to Adorn the Moulin Rouge! Decor Muse

Because of their close association, any discussion of a Moulin Rouge! Muse would be incomplete without Toulouse-Lautrec. He was such a great character in the movie. Since his art would be so perfect for the home décor muse we are spinning this week, I thought we should share some of his work.

Born in France to an aristocratic family, Toulouse showed an early gift for painting and drawing, a gift that was encouraged by informal lessons by a family friend. Due to inbreeding (his parents were cousins), Toulouse suffered from a number of maladies which contributed to the fracturing of both of his thigh bones at 13 and 14 years of age, causing his legs to cease to grow. He also suffered rickets and later died at 36 from various ailments including alcoholism.

He was drawn to Montmartre for its bohemian lifestyle and because it attracted artists, philosophers and writers. For 20 years he created art, and was incredibly prolific. He made a living from his family and by doing mainly poster art, but other artists of the day apparently looked down on him (sorry) and his work. Today he is recognized as one of the greatest painters of his day. For more, see Wikapedia.

A small sample of his work follows.

Enjoy! Braxton

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

THE MOULIN ROUGE LOOK - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LIPSTICK

Today I thought it would be fun to discuss something never before discussed on this blog; makeup, more specifically, red lipstick. You really can't talk about the "look" of Moulin Rouge (Parisian brothel circa 1899) without going into the importance of the makeup. Put the incredible wardrobe aside and what you have left is endless red curls and lots and lots of face paint.

The next time you have 5 or 6 hours to kill try googling "how to wear red lipstick." I'm not kidding, there is soo much (read tooo much) written on this subject. The question I naturally asked myself is what can I possibly bring that is new to this conversation? The answer; experience. Lot's of experience.

I began wearing makeup when I went to college, where I wore it on special occasions.....date night, parties, parents weekend. After college I got married and spent a brief period being terribly sophisticated (as young married women tend to be, ha ha) and wearing makeup daily. Soon enough along came baby number one, soon followed by baby number two, and I considered myself heroic if I managed to shower and brush my hair. Once the girls got older I went back to work and ta-da was a sophisticated makeup wearer once again.

My life at the moment does not require me to look any particular way.....makeup - no makeup....yoga pants - skirts......tennis shoes - heels...it's all good and acceptable (sort of). Yet, I wear makeup everyday now! Yes, everyday. Makeup makes me look better which in turn makes me feel better. While makeup is not essential to my self esteem, it helps. Sorry if that was all too much information - just wanted to say that I actually know what I'm talking about here.

Back to Moulin Rouge....of course you've noticed that Nicole Kidman wears red lipstick in almost every scene. Red lipstick is synonymous with french chic, prostitutes, and sex, all of which play rather prominently in this movie.

One of the things I learned by reading some of the red lipstick chatter on the net, is that there are rules people! Lots and lots of rules. Let's discuss a few.......

There is a perfect shade of red for everyone. Well, in my considerable experience this is true in theory, yet, I've never quite found MY perfect shade of red. I've learned that some qualities are better suited for my skin color (vampiric white) than others. I tend to look better in pinkish red and will run away when faced with a orangy or brownish red, but the PERFECT shade, I'm still waiting.
Red ages you. On this one, I must reluctantly agree. Yes, we've all seen pictures of Helen Mirren rocking the red lipstick, but remember she probably has hers professionally applied , not to mention perfect lighting. Plus, our lips tend to get smaller as we age, and red just accentuates this sad fact.
Red lipstick tends to bleed. Again, true. Here's where my personal experience might help you. Most "experts" suggest you use a lip liner when wearing red. I really have an aversion to lip liner (more on this later) so I take a fluffy makeup brush, dip into a face powder that matches my skin tone, and brush around my lip area. I have found that the powder will stop the lipstick bleed in it's tracks.
Red makes your teeth look discolored. Experience to the rescue again......it all depends on the shade you choose. A bluish or pinkish red will help, orangey or brownish red does pull out the yellow tones in your teeth. This may also be why bold red tends to look best on those under 35.
Never accent your lips and eyes at the same time. Either choose red lips or smoky eyes, never both. Who says you can't wear bold lips and bold eyes at the same time? Try telling that to Dita Von Teese, the late Elizabeth Taylor, or anyone named Kardashian! There is something about the word "never" that just makes me cranky.

This is exactly why I don't like lip liner. The liner tends to last all day, while lipstick only lasts until your next cup of coffee, so at some point you look like this.....not good....at all.

Here are some modern beauties who get the whole lipstick thing right....and a few who don't.

With her pale hair and complexion I believe la Kidman looks best in this more natural makeup....pinkish lips.....less dramatic eyes.

This is certainly a bold look to pull off, and most of us shouldn't even attempt it. Dita makes it work because of her strong coloring, and her attitude, plus, she is in fact a burlesque dancer! How she manages to look both sweet and slutty at the same time must be an art.

Are you frightened? I am.

Yes, she's a beautiful woman, but I think the red lips make her look tired, or perhaps it's the six kids, either way, this woman needs a nap.

Again, a truly bold look. Pale skin, pale hair, shocking red lips, soft but noticeable eye makeup. In my opinion she owns this looks.

I have no idea who this is, but she appears young and pretty and not too made up and age appropriate. Well done you.

This strikes me as a wee bit scary. I generally love Gwen here, but I think this would look so much better with Moulin Rouge hair....long and soft, not the severe updo she has here.

Rule Breaker! She's wearing bold lips and eyes at the same time. Her coloring helps her pull this off, I think she looks great.

The peachy red lips works with her skin coloring. Taylor Swift nails it.

I can't believe I had so much to say about lipstick! Thanks for sticking with me.
Do you wear red lipstick? Do you follow the rules? Was this helpful?
Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Moulin Rouge! Inspired Room Décor

Bordello Chic - The Accessories...

We have loved this movie since we saw it first in the Old Grandin Theater years ago. I will admit it blew me away the first time I saw it. The opening scenes were so rich and fast paced that it exploded my senses – I got way over stimulated. But the story was great, the visuals fantastic, and the music was wonderful. Loved the juxt of a musical set in 1899 using modern pop music. Too cool!

Using the Moulin Rouge! as a muse this week, we thought of the elements that we could pull to tell this story in home décor – Bordello Chic, elephants, hearts, rich reds and oranges and pinks, gold, curtains, fur, French furniture, Indian and Kama Sutra, French stripes, satin, diamonds.

If you are not going for the high octane, extreme design look of a 1899 French Bordello, you can more gently, and perhaps more tastefully transform a room toward a Moulin Rouge vibe simply with art. You can also layer over this some great wall paint on the cheap, hot pink and red pillows, tryout some over the top lampshades and maybe a new rug. I love the idea of having great bones to a room, and with a smallish investment, transform it at will into a new muse, keeping the same furniture. Makeover baby!

I’ve pulled some images below that might find their way into a roomscape that tells this passionate and opulent story.

Hope you enjoy!

Shine On! Braxton

Let's start with Wall Art Makeovers to begin telling the story...