The French have been fashion-conscious FOREVER. It started way back in 1643 when Louis XIV inherited the throne as a child. He learned that he had better establish the majesty and power of the monarchy by dressing opulently, wearing those towering wigs (never a bad hair day, at least) and decorating his palaces using the grandest interior decorators. He never forgot the terror of his childhood when warring factions of the nobility tried to diminish the child-king's authority to grab more of the goodies for themselves. The bitter civil war was called the Fronde.
ANYWAY, Louis decided he was going to use fashion, art, decor to glorify the position of King so those pesky nobles would back off. Now thanks to that very wise and discriminating consumer, Louis, we have the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre's amazing vaulted ceiling frescoes, and eventually Chanel, Hermes, and Gaultier. Thank you Louis XIV. You had great taste (and nice legs too.)
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1 comment:
Hooray for Chanel, Hermes and King Louis XIV! Keep these little tid bits coming. I enjoy very much.
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