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January saw the closing of “Paris 1900: City of Entertainment” at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville. I really wish I had gone more than once. The exhibit captured the vivaciousness, glamour and even tragedy of life in Paris during the turn of the century. There were sculptures by Auguste Rodin (and a bust of the artist by his mistress and pupil, Camille Claudel), prints by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, art nouveau illustrations by Alfons Mucha and depictions of Le Moulin Rouge, the famous cabaret. Since I can’t make it to Paris Fashion Week, I’m reminiscing about this amazing collection of Parisian fashion and art.

“Paris: 1900” also examined the prosperous Belle Époque era in the City of Light, the enchanting nightlife the city became known for, and memorabilia from the International Exposition of 1900, which over fifty million people attended.

Around the time of my visit I watched the episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel when Midge and her father visit France. I’m also halfway through reading The Gourmands’ Way, which details the lives and early careers of six food and wine writers who called Paris home during its gastronomic heyday in the mid-twentieth century. I am becoming an exemplary Francophile as we speak.

I’ve also never been to Paris—I know! How could this be?? Don’t make me feel worse about it—but this sure did a good job of convincing me to start making it a priority.

Parisian Fashion in the 1900s

Of course, some of my favorite pieces in the exhibit were the items of clothing on display. Being surrounded by the rich fabrics and one-of-a-kind accessories sure made me feel underdressed for the occasion, but I did add a touch of glam with my new Whiting & Davis metal mesh handbag.

Bicycle riding was a trendy hobby of the time, so in addition to the more elegant garments on display, there were paintings that showed the type of specific clothing women would wear while riding bicycles. This usually involved a split skirt for ease of movement.

Evening gowns were made of heavy fabric, with intricate beadwork and embroidery, a stark contrast from the “sober” daytime clothing. Low-cut, sleeveless styles were in fashion.

Fans were a popular accessory for fashionable Parisian women at the turn of the century. There were even shops that specialized in making these beautiful handheld works of art, with all different kinds of decorations including feathers, lace or art nouveau-inspired paintings. Duvelleroy is one fan company that is still in business today, founded in Paris in 1827 by Jean-Pierre Duvelleroy.

Large, puffed sleeves were very much en vogue, and just look at that tiny waist!

Hats were a necessary accessory for Parisian women during every season of the year. The hats were adorned with ribbons, feathers or artificial flowers, like the ones in this straw hat from 1902 with a black velvet ribbon.

This oil painting by Léon-François Comerre from 1905 shows what a stylish hat of the time would have looked like. The bigger, the better, baby! Made of white muslin and pink ribbons, this hat was created by a well-known milliner of the time named Alphonsine. She called the style the “Charlotte.” The model in the painting is Comerre’s own daugther, Géo, who was 15 years old.

During winter, beige or black boots that buttoned or laced up were popular for women. According to the Frist, in addition to protecting ladies’ feet from the harsh elements, boots also accentuated the “elegant lines” of their feet—feet that were ideally small and well arched.

However, the piece that stopped me in my tracks was no work of fabric, thread and hardware. It was this stunner right here:

It’s “Portrait of Madame René Préjelan,” ca. 1903, by Antonio de La Gandara. The oil on canvas is over 50 inches tall, an impressive sight to behold. The photo doesn’t do it justice.

Her smirk! That daring shoulder tease… I learned a thing or two from Madame René that day and I never wanted to be more French than after being hit with her display of grace and flirtatiousness.

You can learn more about “Paris 1900: City of Entertainment” here.

Must-See Art Exhibitions in Nashville

Though I was sad to see this exhibition go, Frist Art Museum has many exciting exhibitions coming up. If you have any plans to visit Nashville this year, take advantage of this! I’m looking forward to next month’s “Van Gogh, Monet, Degas and Their Times,” an impressive collection of Impressionist paintings. March brings the work of Dorothea Lange with vintage and modern photographs, letters and other memorabilia. In late May, the Frist welcomes “Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism” from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection. Finally, “Monsters & Myths: Surrealism and War in the 1930s and 1940s” opens in June with creations from Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, Pablo Picasso, Dorothea Tanning and more.

Until next time!

For those wondering, I’m wearing a Banana Republic t-shirt, A New Day Women’s Satin Midi Skirt from Target, Marc Fisher heels and a Whiting & Davis handbag that I found at United Apparel Liquidators.