La Forêt Noire

This past weekend our Critical Theory program took a trip to Germany. We enjoyed various activities that included eating for free, not understanding a single word of German, and visiting Heidegger's Hut. Martin Heidegger, a philosopher we are studying, often secluded himself up in the mountains of the Black Forest in Todtnauberg, so naturally we hiked to it, read some of his most profound passages, and took in the fresh mountain air.

Finally Twenty-One

All photo credits: Lucia Radder

On Wednesday, October 17, Alyssa turned 21! While Tuesday night we celebrated like the rowdy Americans we are, Wednesday was reserved strictly for the classiest of festivities. Kylie, Tori, Lucia and I ascended the private elevator of Le Jules Verne to le deuxième étage of the Eiffel Tower to dine at one of the most well-renowned restaurants in Paris. We sat in the very location where Tom Cruise proposed to Katie Holmes. Needless to say, it was a night to remember.

Cheveux Cheris

Buste de Marie-Joséphine de Savoie (1753-1810) & Chilpéric 1er, Roi des Francs (539-584)

Série African Spirits, Samuel Fosso, 2008

Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon, 1958

Nu sous les Branches, Albert Auguste Fourié, Vers 1892

J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere: Ogun Pari, 1970 & Back Parting 1968

Trois Capes, YI, Yunnan, Chine, début du XXe siècle & Tête Réduite, Tsantsa (AKA shrunken skulls)

"The Art of Hair" exhibit posters had been hanging in the Metros for a couple weeks before I finally felt compelled to read one. It looked kind of weird. And by kind of, I mean really. So naturally Alyssa and a couple friends decided to check it out. Turns out the exhibit, located at musée du quai Branly, was actually extremely thought-provoking. And weird. The debut of the exhibit showcased statues, paintings and photographs of hairstyles throughout the centuries. Normal, and super interesting. The exhibit took a turn for the bizarre when hair started being featured in jewelry and clothing. It got disturbing when we encountered a room of shrunken skulls and other artifacts I care not to discuss. Okay they were scalps, I know you were dying to know.

Anyway, back to the thought-provoking portion of my visit. We all are conscious of our hair. In the exhibit my friends and I actually acknowledged how much we care is quite vain, yet I have never really examined how hair is part of our identity. Long or short, straight or curly, braided or loose, blonde or brown, altered or natural, done or undone; it says something about us. Hair is a personal statement. The exhibit pointed out how we use hair to either break or obey social norms, express ourselves, and the social connotations that go along with both. It also brought to light how hair can create gender ambiguousness, seduction, and even violence.

Uncomfortable sentiments aside, I would say the strangeness was balanced out by how surprisingly stimulating the overall exhibit turned out to be. Who knew hair could be so interesting?

Munich: The Aftermath

After just one day of Oktoberfest debauchery, a group of our friends decided to see the few sights  Munich has to offer. As you can see above, it wasn't much, but at least we were able to experience an authentic German meal consisting mainly of Käsespätzle, otherwise known as a Mac 'n' Cheese 2.0.

Confusion from Trocadero

We didn't really know what to makes of this man in a velvet suit filming a music video in front of the Eiffel Tower.  Asian tourists were gawking, we felt awkward...it was quite a spectacle.  The most confusing part of this whole bizarre situation was that while he looks like he would be performing some variation of a ballad, he was really lip syncing to Rasta music. Just to clarify: he was serious, this was not a joke.

Paris Fashion Week

Stalking Elie Saab

C-Looks Image Consultant Cynthia Saad

Designer/blogger Gabriela Atanasov (left) and friends

Today was the last day of Paris Fashion Week.  We stopped by the Elie Saab show in the Jardin des Tuileries for an incredible afternoon of people watching. 

T. Swift

 Photo Credit: Diana Tseng

Photo Credit: Diana Tseng

We are sorry to report that with the mass of crowds and body guards surrounding her, we could only get a pic of the back of Taylor.  But we were there.  In her presence.  Thanks to our friend Diana, we have some front shots of the star in her fantastic pale blue Elie Saab dress.  To stalk some more (better quality) pics of Taylor from the day, check here.