Brigitte Bardot – the expo!

If Brigitte Bardot’s life were to flash in front of her eyes – it would probably look something like this exhibition. It’s a strong and rather detailed account of her life portraying  a large selection of artworks, photographs, outfits, posters and accessories she touched, used, appeared in/on and loved….

Amongst the many, 2 rooms which I enjoyed exploring –  was one dedicated to all her husbands and lovers and another which is a remake of what her childhood bedroom looked like including the bottle of perfume she used (L’Heure Bleue by Guerlain),  a self-portrait she sketched and stuck up on her wall, and her beloved ballet leotard lying neatly on her bed….

Through this exhibition (which coincided with her 75 Birthday this September) we get an insight into her life as a model, a mother and a movie star – not to mention the women who popularized among many: the bikinis, the slightly messy beehive hair-do, the fashionable wide-open neck line in sweaters that expose both shoulders known a the ‘Bardot neckline’, and the sexy city of St Tropez…

 Apparently she also did more for the French international trade balance than the entire French car industry? Sigh….the power of a beautiful blond!

…For just 2 euros one can step into a photo booth and have your face inserted into a choice of a Brigitte Bardot photograph (cheesy yes, but which I just had to do!) 

There is also a boutique that sells everything BB (chairs, pillows, posters, key-rings) and I bought myself a pink BB coffee mug which I have to say makes my coffee taste  sexier now…  

While shopping for further BB souvenirs, I met Mr Bruno Ricard – who is probably one of Brigitte Bardot’s biggest admirers – proof is tatoo’d on both his arms….

  The exhibit (or homage) titled The “carefree” years (or in French les années “insouciance”) I think may refer to the years BB ‘ruled the world’ – where she could and did whatever she pleased, even today’s generation seem captivated by her then fresh charm and unrivaled beauty….(who incidentally was a natural brunette and also one of the world’s most photographed women next to Jackie and Diana)

Let’s just say that this Parisian born and star of the famed 1956  And God Created Woman (Et Dieu… créa la femme – directed by her first hubby Roger Vadim) –  has left a very sexy legacy in French history…

Entrance to the exhibit costs 11 euros  – and is purely in French!

It’s showing until 31 January 2010 at the MA 30 – Espace Landowski, 28 avenue André-Morizet in Boulogne-Billancourt – Exposition Brigitte Bardot les années “insouciance”