Claude Lalanne Jewelry for Yves St. Laurent, 1976

French artists Claude Lalanne and her husband Francois-Xavier Lalanne are best known for their large metal sculptures. He preferred to sculpt animals, while she used botanical references in her work. Yves St. Laurent was a great admirer of their work and had several pieces in his private collection. Claude Lalanne designed jewelry and belts for Yves St. Laurent as early as 1971, but I especially like these pieces that she made in the spring of 1976.

Above, a fantastical copper headpiece consisting of branches and flowers with a large butterfly at the front.

A romantic choker necklace with large butterflies both front and back.

And here, a small image of the gorgeous cuff bracelets, which look like ginko leaves that curve around the arm. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Lalanne also designed furniture. Above, one of the bronze chairs that was commissioned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for the courtyard of the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.


This is a view from above of a 1996 bronze ginko leaf patio table that came with 6 chairs. The set sold at auction in 2008 for $314,500.

If you're lucky enough to be in Florida, you can see many of the outdoor sculptures of the Lalannes at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden this year.

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Exotic Faces - 1976

This dramatic look was photographed for a Van Cleef & Arpels ad in 1976. The wig, jewelry, and feather boa hint at the disco craze that is about to explode onto the scene.

This is an age of exoticism in fashion and make-up. Imagine the trade winds of the Far East.....Persia, the Byzantine Empire, Egypt, Morocco, Casablanca. Imagine the rich colors, the spicy scents, the desert heat. Imagine Cleopatra, the Odalisque, the Queen of Sheba.

After several years of the little-to-no makeup "natural look" inspired by hippies and the feminist movement, the fashion world was knocked upside down with a turn to the exotic. In 1976, Yves St. Laurent showed his famous Ballet Russes collection, and suddenly everyone wanted to wear ethnic inspired clothing.

Colors were dramatic, jewelry was stacked and layered, and heads were wrapped in scarves or caps. Clothing featured embroidered and woven designs inspired by exotic locals. Layers, ruffles, caftans, and fur trim were important.

Eye make-up was noticeable once again with lots of heavy kohl eyeliner inspired by the Far East. Blush was applied under the cheekbones to give a sculpted look to the face.

Gone were the pale lipstick shades of a few years ago. Dark lips were important once again. Esteé Lauder called them "Spice Market Colors".

Here, another hint of the disco craze to come with butterflies in crimped hair. The make-up is pure 1976.

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