Culture

Lucie Retail, Quadruple Amputee: ‘I Feel More Woman Than Ever’
InterviewsLucie Retail, Quadruple Amputee: ‘I Feel More Woman Than Ever’

“Can’t dance standing up? Dance on your knees.” When Lucie Retail utters these words on the Paralympic stage, a hush falls over the audience – followed by a thunder of emotional and admiring applause. There is nothing pitiful or theatrical in her statement. It is raw, direct. It tells the truth of an amputated body that still stands. It ...

Paul McCartney’s Second Act: From Beatles Split to Wings Glory
Paul McCartney’s Second Act: From Beatles Split to Wings Glory

“I used to be a music demigod—now I’m unemployed.” That raw line sets the tone for Paul, a touching and intimate graphic novel by artist Hervé Bourhis. The book captures the emotional and artistic rebirth of Paul McCartney in the early 1970s, following the painful breakup of the Beatles and his return to form with Wings. The Beatles ...

Karl Lagerfeld’s Private French Villa Heads to Public Auction
Karl Lagerfeld’s Private French Villa Heads to Public Auction

Hidden from view, once a creative sanctuary and reception venue, a former residence of iconic German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld is headed for public auction this Tuesday under France’s notarial system. Purchased by Lagerfeld in 2010, the “Domaine de Voisins,” located in Louveciennes (Yvelines), was dubbed his villa outside Paris. The ...

Once Upon a Time, the Shiraz-Persepolis Festival: A Symbol of Iran’s Former Glory
SpotlightOnce Upon a Time, the Shiraz-Persepolis Festival: A Symbol of Iran’s Former Glory

In the late 1960s, Iran sought to project a new image to the world. Ruled by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the country was determined to embrace modernity. A bold idea thus took shape: to create an arts festival capable of bringing together artists from all backgrounds, traditions and disciplines. The Shiraz-Persepolis Festival of Arts was born in ...

Jonathan Anderson teases Dior debut with Mbappé, Basquiat and Marie Antoinette
Jonathan Anderson teases Dior debut with Mbappé, Basquiat and Marie Antoinette

It’s the most eagerly awaited show of Paris Men’s Fashion Week. And for the last few days, Dior’s new creative director Jonathan Anderson has been dropping clues on social media about the contents of his first collection for the fabled French house. In a virtual version of Hansel and Gretel, the 40-year-old Northern Irishman has been ...

Anna Wintour’s Bold Exit as Editor of US Vogue: Fashion Icon Forever
SpotlightAnna Wintour’s Bold Exit as Editor of US Vogue: Fashion Icon Forever

Anna Wintour is stepping down as editor-in-chief of Vogue US after 37 years, but she will continue in her global leadership roles as chief content officer for Vogue and Condé Nast. At 75, she’ll now focus on shaping the group’s worldwide strategy. A legendary figure in fashion and the real-life inspiration behind Meryl Streep’s role as ...

Hokusai’s Masterpieces on Display in France for the First Time
Hokusai’s Masterpieces on Display in France for the First Time

For the first time, 160 works by Japanese painter and printmaking master Katsushika Hokusai are leaving Japan to be exhibited in France. The Nantes History Museum, in western France, will host the show starting this Saturday, running throughout the summer. The collection of prints, paintings, drawings, and folding screens comes from the ...

Napoleon Collection Auction Fetches Over $10M in Paris
Napoleon Collection Auction Fetches Over $10M in Paris

A massive trove of artwork and curios linked to Napoleon Bonaparte, including one of his iconic bicorne hats, has sold for more than $10 million in Paris, an auction house said. Sotheby's said it had originally estimated the more than 110 items of Napoleonic memorabilia that it sold on Wednesday at around $7 million. Famous paintings of the ...

Léa Massari, Quiet Elegance of European Cinema and Silent Memory of the Silver Screen
PortraitLéa Massari, Quiet Elegance of European Cinema and Silent Memory of the Silver Screen

Léa Massari, the delicate and unforgettable star of the silver screen, passed away in Rome at the age of 91. Born Anna Maria Massatani, she embodied Italian cinema through and through, and won over French audiences with her subtle performances and enigmatic presence. Her filmography was defined by integrity, restraint, and an irresistible ...

Denis Villeneuve to Direct Bold New James Bond Film
Denis Villeneuve to Direct Bold New James Bond Film

Fresh from his success with the Dune saga, Denis Villeneuve has been tapped to direct the next movie in the storied James Bond franchise, Amazon MGM Studios announced Wednesday. The online retail giant has chosen a filmmaker very much in vogue in Hollywood as he makes his first foray into the world of the now-iconic British agent 007, first ...

Matcha: The Japanese Tea Taking Over the World
Q&AMatcha: The Japanese Tea Taking Over the World

Matcha is the new drink of choice at hip cafes worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea. Here's what you need to know about the drink beloved of weekend treat-seekers and "wellness" influencers: What is matcha?  The word matcha means "ground tea" in Japanese and comes in the ...