at the Musée des Arts décoratifs

Apologises for not checking in as it’s been two weeks since I squealed and almost threw up in happiness because…Team Family not only found themselves in Paris, but better still found themselves at the Musée des Arts décoratifs.  Thankfully just cross the way from the Louvre, which easily distracted the hoards and enabled us to have that very rare experience, a gallery space almost to ourselves and bursting with the most exquisite ensembles a girl from suburban Sydney could dare to imagine.

I accept that adoration of glorious pieces of apparel might not be where you wish to be, but for one whom used to stuff her mini suitcase before heading off to kindergarten with an extra outfit, exhibitions like these are worth the journey. Particularly when you enter the 1920s room and you see your very first live Vionnets and Schiaparellis and realise it’s very OK not to own it, just to have 20 minutes with it, admiring its creativity and construction.

I would have been honestly satiated with this, but thank the Lord for we had another 95 years to go with choice offerings from Dior, Balenciaga, Westwood and Izzy Miyake put into the mix. You name it, they were there. So the Wonka Chocolate Factory experience continued, not just in fantasy devising but, ‘Oh Mein Gott – there it is’ up super close, as luckily the gallery has said non (or is it pas?) to glass-cases and oui to mind-blowing opportunities for examination of stitching and cut.

Adding to the thrill, I’d spent a happy 12 weeks last year attending a course at the V&A which focused on these very pieces, so party all round and I was loving my husband a little more.

It’s on until 14 August 2016, so if you are anyway near Paris – do it!

Plus double bonus…Barbie features in the same museum with her very own exhibition, on until September. She’s as you remember – but she’s also got a lot more going on…