YSL for Auction

Following the death of Yves Saint Laurent last year, Christie's, the world renown auction house announced the sale of a wide variety of paintings, furnishings and what can only be referred to as "haute" knick-knacks that he and his partner, Pierre Bergé collected and displayed in their residence in Paris.  Fifty years of acquiring great works allowed these gentlemen to surround themselves with paintings by Picasso, Matisse and Ingres; early 20th century furniture.  Not to mention an abundance of tchotkies--and we are not talking souvenir spoons from Niagara Falls. Several pieces did some time in Versailles and other fabulous places before ending up in this beautifully curated apartment.  

This collection is up for auction in Paris at the Grand Palais on February 23rd, 24th and 25th. Over 700 hundred pieces with an estimated value of 200 to 300 million Euros will be made available.  My daughter, the art history girl, is certainly waiting to see how this world class auction fares in the current financial situation that we find ourselves in.  I too am curious to see what the final gavel will bring in.  

Playing around on the Christie's website, I found some of my personal favorites and thought I should share.  You too can play this game if you you head over to the site.  Those of us not able to make it to the actual auction (it is open to the public) can purchase catalogs and place our bids online.  Oh, if I just didn't have to buy those darn groceries..... 

So hard to pick, but these things jumped out at me as I was trolling the site.

A Leger for the library. A little Ingres for the powder room perhaps.  A David for over the mantle. Early 20th century table for the entry way.  Various doodads to put on top of table in the entry way.  For now I think I am done.  

Go forward people and play your own little game of 'what I would buy at the auction'.  If you are looking to waste time online, this should help.  And, if you should find yourself in Paris at the end of February,  please venture over to the Grand Palais and tell me all about it.

Additional information:  

Christie's 

Le Grand Palais

Photo credit:  Christie's

Just Because....

Two of the world's most famous Disney characters, Mickey and Minnie, celebrated their 80th anniversary this past week, with the news of that event in the states for some reason remaining under the radar.  What with the presidential election and our economic crisis screaming at us 24/7,  it may have gotten lost but I think celebrating their birthday would have been most welcome on some of these darker days. Oddly enough, during Fashion week in Paris last month, designers showing their latest spring/summer lines took time out to create one-of-a-kind outfits in honor of the lovely Miss Minnie that were auctioned off at Christie's in Paris with proceeds going to Maison de Solenn, an organization helping young adults suffering from bulimia, anorexia, depression and other disorders. Kind of odd that it was such a big deal in France and not in the states. Hmm.  

Here are my favorites:

Minnie Lagerfeld

My favorite by far.  She and I have exactly the same 'goofy' legs. 

Photo credit:  Jacques Brinon