Officially named the Palais Galliera–Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, this incredible fashion museum owes its existence to the Duchesse de Galliera, once the wealthiest woman in France. In 1878 she began building a Renaissance-style mansion to house her treasured art collection. What happened next would change everything for her. Here’s the rest of the story of how this Renaissance-inspired palace eventually became the City of Paris fashion museum.

Located in the northeastern corner of the 16th Arrondissement, until 2020 the Palais Galliera was a sort of fashion vault. The collections of historical costumes and contemporary clothing of the City of Paris were stored here, but were inaccessible to the public except during special themed exhibitions held once or twice a year.

The museum completed a massive renovation that doubled the exhibition space and allowed for regular exhibitions to be staged.

A vast system of underground stonework arches supports the Palais Galliera, but this shadowy area had been given over to mechanical and building service, otherwise unused. In a clever use of available space, these cellars — le cave, in French — were extensively reworked during the renovation to create some of the brand-new exhibition halls. Fashionistas can now look forward to more and regular exhibitions at the Galliera that draw on the museum’s huge collection

I took these videos on my first visit to this great museum in 2022. Sorry to say it has taken me almost 2 years to post them. Oh, well, Au revoir!

www.facebook.com/share/v/Zs259UZ6NZNESGxY/

I’m like a proud parent who wants you to look at endless pictures of her child. Only my child in this case is a set of beautiful blooming trees in my garden!

Above is a full shot of my little weeping crabapple tree.

13 Bronze Figures Reinterpreted from Velázquez’s ‘Las Meninas’ Line Up in a Central Venice Plaza

13 Bronze Figures Reinterpreted from Velázquez’s ‘Las Meninas’ Line Up in a Central Venice Plaza

13 Bronze Figures Reinterpreted from Velázquez’s ‘Las Meninas’ Line Up in a Central Venice Plaza

13 Bronze Figures Reinterpreted from Velázquez’s ‘Las Meninas’ Line Up in a Central Venice Plaza

13 Bronze Figures Reinterpreted from Velázquez’s ‘Las Meninas’ Line Up in a Central Venice Plaza

I am happy to say that I know a lot about Italy. But, I’m smart enough to know there’s even more I don’t know, can’t know, will never know. Not in one lifetime.

This is a fun article about something I didn’t know but am happy to know.

Lovely Patrizia sent me these recent photos from the Bardini Gardens. Scroll to the bottom of this post to learn more about this giardino.

And, honestly, this move is a lot of work and sometimes, I have to admit, I wonder if I’m crazy to do it. But then, I think to myself “Italia!”

The Giardino Bardini is an Italian Renaissance garden of the Villa Bardini in the hilly part of Oltrarno, offering fine views of Florence, Italy. Opened only recently to the public, it is one of Florence’s well kept secrets.

The garden is composed of three separate areas, each created in a different time period, which adds to the architectural and agricultural diversity. The park’s center contains the grand staircase that was constructed in the 17th century. On one side of the staircase you can find the Anglo-Chinese garden created in the 19th century. The other side of the staircase hosts the garden’s agricultural park. The garden boasts many statues and panoramic views over the city. Wildlife in the garden includes rock pigeons, blackbirds and woodpigeons.

Access is gained via the Via de’ Bardi, just over the road from the Museo Bardini in the Oltrarno district of the city, although the gardens exit onto the Costa di San Giorgio, onto which the Forte di Belevedere and the Giardino di Boboli connect in turn.

Source: Wikipedia

Spring finally arrived in Denver!

I took these videos today in my front yard. It is at its absolute peak!

As everyone knows, I love my life in Italy, but I’m so happy I got to see Denver springtime for 2 years in a row! I selected and planted these small trees about 15 years ago, and I love them!