Shop At Maison Bertaux

Bye bye....

2008-12-22T22:02:00.003Z

Max and Madame have had the best two years at Shop at Maison Bertaux...mostly because of you lot!!!! So this is a little tribute to the good times. Please stay in touch you can chat to us both on Facebook and http://www.maxkarie.com/ and http://www.madamesays.com/ are our websites so feel free to check them out.

The combination of cakes, frocks, you and us was such a blast.......

Love love love, Max and Madame xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It goes without saying...

2008-12-08T23:52:00.002Z

....of course, but I would love you to come to my birthday party at the George and Dragon, 2 Hackney Road E2 this Thursday!!

Madame x

Ambition Realised...

2008-11-23T11:32:00.003Z

I spent a lot of time in Heaven in my youth....fantastic memories of Pyramid on Wednesdays and when Saturday nights were strictly men-only I used to "pass".....teetering past the doorman with heavy false eyelashes lowered under at least a couple of wigs and gravity-defying platforms striding confidently into the fray.....

So it was an ambition definitely realised on Friday night to be djing there for the Kitsune party! I literally got back from Alexander Palace, got the boys ready for bed, slipped into high heels, slicked on some lipstick, grabbed my record bag and trundled off to Heaven....had such fun in the dj booth with the Ponystep massive, danced myself dizzy, flopped onto my bed at 3am and went to sleep with a huge smile on my face!

Madame x

Magic

2008-11-23T10:00:00.005Z

Friday was such a magical night! Remember back in September I told you about a day out on Clapham Common with Superduck, my boys and a bunch of their friends where he filmed them "lip-synching" to imagined backing vocals?

So glad to have another reason to publish this photo which I LOVE! Anyway, Friday night was the night of the actual Sigur Ros gig at Alexander Palace. Now, the boys have never been to a proper gig before and the fact that their first one would feature themselves is quite a bizarre and of course wonderful experience (I hope they don't expect that from every gig in the future!!).
Superduck was slightly nervous as to how his films had been edited for the show....would all the children feature? Would they be distorted and rendered unrecognisable? Would there be a mass meltdown of the under tens before they even got to see their tiny moment in the spotlight???

Here's Duke and Grace demonstrating to anyone who'll listen their excellence in the field of "oooh"s and "aaaah"s...

When the moment actually came it was magical....as Jonsi Birgisson asked the audience to join in, there all the children appeared projected behind him, all the kids started to gasp "it's US!" and clambered up on shoulders to get a better look. It was so perfect.

Here's the svengali himself with his cast.....

It would have been great to stay for the whole gig but we'd already done pretty well and thought it best to cut our losses, plus it was quite a schlep home so off we went into the night.....big thanks to Michael, Melanie, Ness and all the kids for making the night go so smoothly, to Johnnycakes for playing daddy and being an extra pair of shoulders but most of all to Superduck for asking the kids to get involved in the first place. His visuals with Sigur Ros really meld into something quite extraordinarily poetic and beautiful and I leave you with the trailer for his documentary "Vid Spilum endalaust" which is going to be available in limited edition to accompany a new book about the band...I've seen the whole film and it's breathtaking!

If you want to check out more of his work....http://www.nicholasabrahams.com/

Madame x

Last of the goodies....

2008-11-19T15:13:00.002Z

The news that we are closing next month should sound sweeter when you know that we are starting our closing down sale TODAY! Here's a reminder of some of the luscious goodies you might want to get your mitts on.....all at 30% off!!!

Westwood perspex trinkets in neon pinks and greens with crystal highlights.....

Polka dot APC PJs make the best Christmas presents....not to mention the slippers....

Plastic and enamel Sonia remainders to brighten up your olds with a bit of new...

Cosy A.P.C. jumper dress to team with woolly tights...we've got a few pairs of them left too!

Spriggy teamed with cardigan is a favourite combo of mine from A.P.C....

Uncharacteristically pretty Westwood jewelry would make anyone smile for Chrimbo....

Can't go wrong in a boyish A.P.C. cap, you know you lose a lot of heat through the head this time of year...

Nothing to wear to that party?????? Not anymore...

You know where you are with an orb....and we've got them on everything!!!

Seriously, you've been great, ladies and gentlemen.....thanks for battling your way through the chattering classes upstairs, supporting our bijoux emporium and being part of our niche....

We'll stay in touch.

Madame x

WINO!

2008-11-14T13:12:00.003Z

This is on tonight, and apart from being the best flyer I've seen in AGES, it's run by my dear friend and coffee-morning regular Jonathan. For he is Dr Kemp....yes, he's a doctor....very highbrow! Anyway, he's also a damn fine dj and tonight he's joined by Joe Pop so it's going to be cracking! I think the girl on the flyer looks a bit like Sophie Dahl...wouldn't it be great if it was her? Get on the piccadilly line people!!!

Madame x

So often I'm asked....

2008-11-11T21:39:00.002Z

"Do you have any men's clothes?" And I'm somewhat hesitant to answer in the negative. For this reason...

Who's to say an A.P.C. 'womens' peacoat wouldn't look smashing on a chap?

Or indeed, why wouldn't a confident young man feel like slipping into a cheeky Eley Kishimoto bunny sweat? The answer is never say never, never doubt yourself and go go go for it!

Madame x

Rock The Cabaret

2008-11-09T09:21:00.004Z

Saturday the 29th November I'm DJing at my lovely friend Tryg's "Rock the Cabaret" extravaganza! His band My Lady Jane are headlining and Volvere and Cecily Pearce are also doing shows....

I'm looking forward to playing at Leicester Square Theatre (6 Leicester Square), as I've never been there before, I think there's very few tickets left but they can be booked on Ticketweb.....
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/

It'd be great to see some of you there!

Madame x

Who's coming to this on Friday Night?

2008-11-05T18:05:00.003Z

My friend James' film is being shown at Tate Millbank on Friday night from 7pm. I missed the last screening so I'm so excited to see it, especially since part of it is set in the Tate.....

It'll be on a loop so you can drop in throughout the evening, I'm going early because I'll be with Duke and Joe....do come along!

Madame x

I am Lucky

2008-11-05T17:45:00.003Z

First of all to have Stevie Stewart and David Holah as friends (in fact Stevie's more like family, she's Joe's godmother and one of my best friends).

We all know their label, Bodymap was GENIUS...we don't have to bang on about it here...

But what a treat in ONE WEEK for Stevie to make these incredible shirts for the boys....

And for David to invite us to his private view of prints on mirror of his alter-ego Lola?!

This photo doesn't do it justice...for some reason there's a yellowy tinge I wasn't planning on....

This is turning into such a great week!!!!

Whoooop!

Madame x

Thursday

2008-11-05T17:31:00.003Z

Following my absence last Thursday due to a previous engagement (Antony and the Jonsons with the London Philharmonic....hard to express the beauty of the performance or how a man of his stature could write and sing such tender, beautiful, heartbreaking songs. Utterly unique, utterly riveting, moving and pure......sweet....gush gush, I'll stop now....), normal service is resumed as Madame takes her rightful Thursday position. If you get there before 8 you'll experience the added treat of Richardette's Hippy Hour.....

Madame xx

A new day....

2008-11-05T15:11:00.003Z

This is me watching the election last night in my Obama t shirt...I slept in it actually...and I'm wearing it today too, so if you come by the shop don't get too close!!!

The boys came and got into bed this morning and watched his speech to America before getting ready for school. It is such a great result for the USA but also I think for the world...my sister's in Kenya and his being half Kenyan means they take his success very much to their hearts.

The end of the Republican era is so much a cause for celebration and a President to look up to and admire feels such a novelty....and good riddance to that lunatic, Palin! It could've all gone sooooo wrong!

Wednesday 5th November 2008....where were you?

Madame x

Noted 2: Cozette

2008-11-04T18:16:00.002Z

Quote of the night: "Watanabe Vetinary" !!

Cozette was wearing her silver Junya Watanabe shoes and became determined to team them with this silver vetinary emergency blanket!

But.....how come she looks so amazing in it???!!!! A freaking vetinary blanket!!!!!!

Madame x

Noted 1: Richard Mortimer

2008-11-04T18:02:00.003Z

Special mention is due to Richard Mortimer who managed to make this 1950's number work for him....

I love Richard!!!

Madame x

Woweeee!

2008-11-04T16:05:00.002Z

Goodness, the Junkstallation was a ROARING success!!!!!!

I hardly know where to start or which pictures to pick as it was such a MARATHON day! There's a couple of looks that warrant a separate post altogether....

Once again, the pub was completely transformed, practically wallpapered in all manner of clothing, nick nacks and pictures. The George and Dragon is a shrine to clutter already, so with another layer of stuff, if a person stood still too long they blended into the surroundings!

There are several people and a small child (mine) in this picture.....

Nathaniel tried to make the entrance look as enticing as possible..

The boys stayed for a while, long enough to set up a little stall in the corner with some fabulous "stock".

As usual, my decks got covered in all manner of tempting items to purchase...

Jonjo popped by to pick up a bit of fake Versace we had on lay-away for him....

As drinks-o-clock came around, people entered into the proceedings with renewed gusto and enthusiasm...

Gender became blurred as the revellers went with the flow....

The smoke-machine, still in residence after the Halloween party, gave an interesting, if slightly panic-inducing atmosphere to the already claustrophobic effect...

This lady piled on so many layers of cardigan, fabric and hattery and even sang us a song!

Definitely a case of too much not being nearly enough!
Gwen treated us to a costume change - luckily she was wearing thigh-high boots which were the perfect accompaniment to the nylon slip she spied hanging from the bar!

Thanks all for coming and remember M. Goldstein's is open on Saturday and Sunday, 67 Hackney Road.....

Madame x

Halloween Pt 2

2008-11-04T14:49:00.004Z

So....we do like to be beside the seaside I'll admit, but we picked a corker this time!!! Actually, I like the beach rain or shine, or in this case stormy!!!

I joined the family in Herne Bay, taking Nahid and Rudy to show them the delights of the Kent coast - the rain started to pour the moment they parked and opened their car door! Nahid was steadfast in her Westwood boots to the end, whereas my wellies which I keep in the boot of the car came very much into play....

We decided to go straight to Wheeler's in Whitstable, probably my favourite restaurant. Duke and Joe had picked our guests some beautiful items from a clearance the week before and bless Rudy, he kept his lurid green belt on ALL WEEKEND! Understandably Nahid found her nylon number harder to work into her look....

So...back to Wheeler's....which only has four tables and a similar vibe to Maison Bertaux...except that it's fish. We started with some native Whitstable oysters which were delicious. The best part is when they've just slipped down and you can taste the sea. We all had amazing eats...blackened cod, lobster ravioli....and the PUDDINGS (bread and butter with a caramelised top and toffee ice-cream!!!)...but the Haddock 3-way (really!) was definitely the highlight!

Incroyable!!!!

It was dark when we got back and decided it was fireworks time! Just an intimate display for the six of us (with Nanny Van and Grandad Ray looking on from indoors)...Nathaniel and Rudy did the honours, jamming the fireworks into the pebble beach and then running to join us on the sea wall where Nahid and I obliged with ecstatic "Oooooooo's!" and the boys bounced around like crazy people!

We laughed so much and were blown hither and thither in the stormy rain but it was wonderful!

We were hoping to get a walk to Reculver Castle in on Saturday morning but the weather was EVEN WORSE!!! So we sat by the open fire for a bit and decided to brave the storm and head for Broadstairs which is probably the most beautiful town on the Kent coast with sandy beaches and cllifftop ice-cream parlours! So, as inappropriate with the storm whipping as it could be, we decided to rendez-vous with my friend Laurence and her kids in Morelli's which is my favourite...(for instance, they have a "Leonardo da Vinci" which has a dish in the shape of a palette, with different coloured ice-cream daubs around it!).

The "boys" (Rudy, Duke and Joe!) ran hell-for-leather along the stormy beach, loving the drama of the crashing waves, while I kept Nahid and her boots company on the beachside path....then we met Lo and her beautiful brood and chose our ice-cream cones....

Nahid revealed her cunning snood under the cornet light fixture and proved to be the most sensibly dressed after all!

Rudy carried on the 3 way tradition of the weekend with a Toblerone, Jaffa Cake, Raspberry Yogurt combo....

It was so great to see Laurence, she looked so beautiful, the seaside agrees with her!

Can't wait to go back! Soon!

Madame xx

Junkstallation

2008-10-28T15:26:00.003Z

Following the ENORMOUS success of the last collaboration between M.Goldstein's and the George and Dragon (see my "All Tomorrow's Parties post here if you want to get a taste...) I proudly announce "Junkstallation" this Sunday! Collaboration Part 2!

This time the doors will open at 3pm to give more time for dressing up! And we will be holding court until midnight.

Just remember: Everything's for sale! There will be clothes, bric-a-brac, biddy bits, buttons, beads and finery EVERYWHERE! Fight your way to the bar, enjoy the music and leave in an entirely different outfit to the one you arrived in!

Madame x

"Is it Halloween......?

2008-10-28T14:46:00.003Z

....cos there certainly are a lot of witches out tonight!" That's one of my favourite Pete Burns quotes!

And indeed there were many witches out on Sunday night at Ponystep! Who cares if we were a week early? I was going for a Bonnie Parker-meets-goth look.....gave one of my old wigs a shake out (the boys have been playing with my collection of wigs a little too enthusiastically, I could hardly get a brush through it!), and stepped out gingerly in a beautiful old 20's dress Nanny Van gave me a few years ago but manages to shed sequins with every step....

Rudy and Nahid had surpassed themselves with Burton-esque half-face skeleton make-up - I was so impressed!

Richard chose to accessorize with a pumpkin-coloured Giles scarf.....has to be said he didn't last long, as his head got hotter and his neck itchier he decided to retire it early....

Jonjo gave it subtle-yet-effective-fatal-wound.....

And some (i.e.Jack and Troyboy) gave a nod to the proceedings with a slutty smokey eye...

Gwen's concession to Halloween came by way of Lene Lovich-style screams while gyrating in a black leotard - utterly AMAZING! Here she is hitching a lift to the bar....

This isn't the last you'll hear about Halloween on this blog I'm guessing....I'm off to Kent for some more childish shenanigans at the weekend. Kids are a great excuse to give it a bit of American overboard! But then you don't need an excuse to wig-up and don a bit of black....ask Stella....

Madame x

"Johnny's"

2008-10-28T09:35:00.003Z

This Friday I'm OUT OF TOWN so will be missing the launch of Johnny's - Johnny Blue Eyes' new monthly night!!! Gah! (It should be said that I will be in Kent doing lovely Halloween things with my offspring.....also lovely - but I'm not missing the next one!).

If you can get on the list to this hot hot hot night the theme is "The Photographs of Helmut Newton meets Brideshead Revisited"...now THAT'S a theme!!!

If you don't already know Johnny of The House of Blue Eyes, you're definitely missing out, he's possessor of one of only two laughs in the world that I wish I could bottle for blue-days (the other being Sheila Tequila who frankly out Crusties Crusty the Clown!). One of those rare people who absolutley ooooozes joie de vivre and good vibes and will fill the room with his fabulousness......my ears always ache from sheer smiling and my voice is always a little hoarse after he leaves.

Stylist (Beth Ditto, Scissor Sisters), performer (until you've seen "Clowny" you haven't wholly met Johnny) and artist (amazing huge-format polaroids), his mission is "The Celebration of Goddess Women and Homosexuals". AMEN TO THAT!

If you can't get there on Friday come next time, I'll be posting details on here, it's only on the best street in Soho (Greek of course) so it's well within Madame's tramping ground....I know what the theme will be but I don't know if I'm allowed to say but I'm SO EXCITED!!!

Love that man.

Madame xxx

It's Thursday again...

2008-10-22T21:58:00.001+01:00

Lick on a bit of lipstick...girls, you too....head east and dare to dance in a public house!

Madame x

I never thought I was over Warhol...

2008-10-22T15:09:00.003+01:00

....but it's easy to think you've seen it ALL if you're a fan. The same photos, clips, cow wallpaper....well, apart from the cow wallpaper which has been done to DEATH, I was thrilled by the Hayward's Andy Warhol exhibition.

It's mostly on tv screens, so you crawl along picking up headphones as they become free, your eyes flicking to what others are watching "...is that Divine?! Did I just see Diana Vreeland talking from her geisha-red couch?!....ohhhh, did John Sex just flicker into my line of vision.....Halston???? "

Lots of lovely clips from Andy Warhol TV, lots of footage from shoots you may be familiar with but there was someone there filming the proceedings, so you get to hear the inanities uttered as Andy gets dragged up, or eavesdrop on Liza and Andy as they chit-chat while a society friend is being made up for her polaroid for a later screenprint....

One of my favourite clips is a boring day at the Factory and Candy Darling is half-heartedly manning the phones, becoming aware of the presence of a camera she demands a lolipop and then breaks into a song and dance, her hair not "done" at all and wearing a thrift store forties dress she looks absolutely exquisite of course....

Was this just an excuse for me to post a picture of Candy Darling?

Probably. What a beauty.

Madame xxx

And in other news; Pyjamas!

2008-10-17T10:21:00.002+01:00

Lola is Beauty asked me for a snap in the A.P.C. madras polka dot PJs for her super blog ....she's been whipping herself and her readers into a frenzy over them over the past weeks! This was a new blog for me and it was a lovely surprise to find another soul who thinks as highly of Diana Vreeland as myself; I've only gone as far as immortalising her on one of my Madame flyers, Lola takes it to a whole other level whereby you can put questions/problems to La Vreeland and she will quote D.V. appropriately and solve your query!

So, check out my pic....you'll see I'm averting my green face! I was suffering from a sicky bug on that day and felt like death-not-even-warmed-up but you get the gist of these wonderful PJs. My advice: for £55 you can buy the jim jams, keep the top to wear out - it's classic peter pan collar is all over this season's A.P.C. collection - and wear the bottoms with a vest for bed! The slippers are also A.P.C., I've been slip sliding around my flat in them all cosy.......

Madame xx

Femme Realness

2008-10-17T09:58:00.002+01:00

I was so pleased to sell the last gold A.P.C. "Rolling Stones in Marrakesh" dress to the lovely Jack....

This is a boy who can swish in this and a gold Marc Jacobs wedge yet fully intends to casualise the garment and introduce it into his daywear attire over a black jean and heavy boot for instance. If you want to see the dress debut, you should turn up to his "Femme Realness" night at the George and Dragon tomorrow night for that is when he shall be wearing it.

Madame xx

Do come!

2008-10-15T21:31:00.001+01:00

I'll be there tomorrow night.....of course......you?

Madame x

Happy Monday

2008-10-13T11:25:00.003+01:00

I was feeling very serious and more than a little blue today (I actually love this picture of me by Alistair Allan, but it is a little "serious" so illustrates my point...), but this cheered me up!
. It's the interview I did with Madamoiselle Robot for her lovely website. Nothing like being called High Priestess of the Temple of Fashion to give one a spring in their step of a Monday morning!

Madame xx