Illustration: Konstantin Kakanias captures Paris Couture with wit and flair

Date
17 July 2013

The New York Times style magazine, T, has found a new and decidedly charming way of approaching the festival of all things luxe which is Paris Couture week. Artist and contributing editor Konstantin Kakanias has made a series of illustrations showing her alter ego, a high society dame named Mrs Tependris, indulging in the endless parade of shows and parties. “She hadn’t been for years,” according to Konstantin, “things have changed, so she was a bit confused when she arrived.” It seems she soon settled back into the the high life though.

The series is called Complicated Coats and Cabinets of Curiosities at Paris Couture (gosh) and consists of Mrs Tependris’ reflections on the things she did and saw, alongside whimsical drawings of her many encounters. Highlights include Donatella having to be lifted off down from the Versace catwalk because her outfit is “too tight, darling”, and a charismatic rendering of go-to architect for luxury retail Peter Marino arriving at the Dior show as his own alter ego, Pedro. Quite frankly, Mrs Tependris looks like a scream; here’s hoping she makes a reappearance at the ready-to-wear shows come September.

Above

Meeting Gareth Pugh and Michele Lamy at the airport (Sunday, July 30, afternoon) “These are the really good people. This is Mrs. Tependris’s introduction, her welcome to Paris. Her friends came to pick her up.”

Above

Peter Marino entering the Christian Dior show (Monday, July 1, afternoon) “He has this alter ego — he calls himself Pedro. So I called him Pedro of Finland. All the leather he wears, it’s not leather you buy at the sex shop. It’s made for him. The people go crazy when he shows up.”

Above

A visit to the Christian Dior showroom (Wednesday, July 3, evening) “Mrs. Tependris went to the salon for an appointment. This coat is so complicated to wear. It makes her feel that life is complicated.”

Above

Donatella takes a bow (after the Versace show) “When Donatella Versace came out, what she was wearing was so tight, she couldn’t bend a leg! So there was a bodyguard who took her, like an inflatable doll.”

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Maisie Skidmore

Maisie joined It’s Nice That fresh out of university in the summer of 2013 as an intern before joining full time as an Assistant Editor. Maisie left It’s Nice That in July 2015.

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