The Paris Water Bar Blues & The Venus De Milo: Fashion & Lifestyle

The Paris Water Bar Blues & The Venus De Milo: Fashion & Lifestyle

Viewpoint by Andrew Scharf, Head of the WCW Group

"Well, I'm walking down the highway with a suitcase in my hand. Yes, I'm walking down the highway with a suitcase in my hand. I've been gambling so long, I've got nothing to loose. Yeah, nothing to loose."
(Attributed to a blues musician in the Mississippi Delta)

Ever notice that every summer, the news gets sillier and sillier?

In the States, people are focused on the Emmy Nominations, Jay Leno and the Tonight Show. Better to watch the Johnny Carson re-runs. At least these shows were funny. Many Americans sadly consider that the “TV Guide” is the equivalent of the New York Review of Books with their desperate hunger for celebrity news. The headlines are “American Idol Recaps, Dancing with the Stars, TV Hot List, Soap News”. In France, it is a little better, but just. Forget the scandals of Woerth-Bettancourt, Sarkozy, the stupidity of the socialists, and even the world cup. Octopus Paul has already chosen the winner. Somebody must actually inform the teams since the game is scheduled for Sunday.

My advice is take the weekend off from the trivia and head to the Louvre.

This week the Louvre reopened the wing of Ancient Greek Art. The groupings of artefacts and sculpture displayed are more adapted to a contemporary viewing experience.

From an ethological approach viewers can gain a stronger appreciation of the influence of Greek culture and influence across the Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds. The full collection will be complete by 2012. Today, you can see a restored Venus de Milo. It is best to come either early in the morning or when people are eating lunch. The “Venus” is one of the iconic pieces on display and crowds get very thick on the ground.

The pieces on display cover the Greek and Hellenic periods, which include construction of the Parthenon until the Romans. The recent renovation was made possible by a generous donation and sponsorship of the Japanese Nippon Television Network and its current Vice President, Seijichiro Ujiie. As he stated at the inauguration on Tuesday, he did this “for my wife”.

He is currently 84 years old, discrete and eccentric. He is also a keen admirer of France and French culture, where he is known to come at least 3-4 times per year. Apparently, he also sports a deep appreciation for the Impressionists and the Chateau of the Loire Valley.

When you do go to the Louvre, make it a point to start by the section entitled, “Mythology”. There is more cohesiveness to the pieces you will see. One of the most striking points about the permanent exhibit is the fact that just about everything you see is a “copy”. Ancient copies perhaps, but copies nonetheless.

If you really want to see a vast collection of statuary by Praxiteles and Phidias, you will need to get on a plane and go to Athens. In all fairness to the Louvre, only the Venus de Milo and the Winged Goddess of Samothrace impress. The “winged goddess” is due to be restored in the same manner as the Venus.

What makes the “Venus” worth pushing through the crowds and the cues is that this period represents the first time that a culture is able to personify the human form naked in all its splendour and beauty. Not only did it do so with dexterity and grace, but went on to set the “standard” for female and male beauty for Western culture. The marble breathes and is alive. It is clearly poetry in stone. The women are ample and round. There is a feminine charm on display that personifies the human form as divine and not just its obvious carnal charms. No one would be able to carve statues of this intensity until Michelangelo.

The Water Bar Sans Pareil

Once you leave the Louvre, head into the first arrondissement for some serious shopping. Off the rue St. Honore there are a spate of tiny streets known by the fashionistas and other trendy souls, who come here to find the latest and hottest designs.

It is here you will find that iconic shop, “Colette”. The latest trends in everything are here. The shop is an excellent exercise in seeing how designers highlight their branding strategies to the nth power by showcasing unique items just made for Colette.

It can be the latest trend for the new Polaroid cameras, a Tiffany necklace or a pea coat by Thom Browne. The concept store’s ultimate trendiness can be found downstairs at its water bar, the first in Paris, and still one of the chicest in Europe. There are over 90 brands on offer to choose from some of which you would only find on location where the water is from. Expect to pay around six Euros for your treasured water. Sip slowly. The water was never so dear! Current favourites include Shigeta with its sage, camomile, mint, and juniper berry flavour or Vita Coco with the flavour of pineapple.

La Stresa

Somehow in the summer, Italian cuisine seems to hit all the right notes. Why not go to the place that “the Italians” who live here go. Most Italian food in Paris is tourist fodder. Not La Stresa. The family ambiance and general conviviality make the occasion festive. The restaurant is run by four brothers and is packed with regulars. Reservations are an absolute must.

The food is simply “divine” to quote one of my friends. The antipasti, funghi and veal will have you coming back. All ingredients are fresh and the kitchen is very ‘Slow Food”.

La Stresa
7, rue Chambiges 75008 Paris
Telephone: 01 47 23 52 62

Have a great weekend!

About the Author

Andrew Scharf is a regular contributor to WCW inSIGHT on culture, fashion, and lifestyle. He is also the head of the MBA Coaching & Career Development division of Whitefield Consulting Worldwide, whose unique coaching methodologies have helped countless professionals harmonise their professional aspirations with their developmental needs.

Visit: http://www.whitefieldconsulting.com

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