Have Some Decorum: vintage

Label whore, I am not.

However, I do appreciate subtle chicness, good design and quality craftsmanship. And that is why I am looking forward to the upcoming 1^st Hermès Luxury Vintage Collectors Fair. The event will be held October 23^rd through the 25^th at the Hotel du Louvre in Paris.

The fair will have a bevy of vintage Hermès pieces collected from curators from around the world. For sale! Yes, you heard me, for sale! Rare items and limited series will be on view. Additionally, you can bring your own vintage Hermès pieces to be appraised. Not to be a fucking snob, but I happen to own a vintage Kelly bag that is purported to have been owned by the wife of the original owner of the George V Hotel in Paris. I have had the bag for almost 15 years. My plan was always to pass it down to Gracie but I’m thinking now that I should probably sell it to pay for my ALS medicine (that doesn’t work) and my caregivers. Such is life. Who cares? (Well, Gracie might.)

Also on hand at the collectors fair will be Geneviève Fontan and Paul-Henri Studler signing their new book, Carrés d’art II: Dictionnaire Illustré et Cote des Foulards Hermès. Genevieve Fontan will also be signing, Guide et Codes des Sacs Hermès.

And the moment that I am most looking forward to is the “Hermès Collectors Museum” displaying the private collection of the uber rich.

Everything you have ever wanted to know about Hermès scarves is on a blog called Mai Tai's Picture Book.

Let me just state for the record that I would never ever carry a Birkin bag. If you would like to know why, please read my previous posting titled, “Reasons Why I Don't Want a Birkin Bag.” Click HERE. If a Real Housewife of anywhere has a Birkin bag, I don’t want it.… Except Yolanda, because she is lovely, and had a Birkin bag before anyone tacky had one. Just saying.

So if you happen to be in Paris towards the end of October, this is definitely a must see exhibit.

Another excellent source for vintage Hermès pieces is a tiny little shop tucked into the 6^th arrondissement of Paris called Catherine B. Catherine B is the foremost expert and connoisseur of everything Hermès (and Chanel, for that matter) and her shop in St.Germain is chockablock full of vintage bags. Catherine B also happens to have in her private collection the very first Birkin bag ever made. Mon Dieu.

Catherine B. and Ines de la Fressange at Catherine B's Shop.

So if you don’t need (or want) to put your children through college, pop over to Paris and start shopping. I will definitely be going to the collectors fair and will give a full report.

*The October antique sale is this week! I have been busy getting everything photographed, described, priced and ready for the sale. Stay tuned for my next blog for all the details, a sneak peek of my favorite items and the date. You can also follow me on Instagram HERE for updates and more sneak peeks!

This new collection in the shop definitely has a Summer in France vibe.

Reminiscent of an epoque of long, lazy summer afternoons of picnics, pools, sunflowers, beaches… Always with a refreshing apéritif in hand, of course.

Not forgetting French histoire, there are three charming vases in the shop steeped in history! My friend Jane introduced me to this type of folk art called trench art. Thoughtful, historical and très française.