Marie-France Pisier

Marie-France Pisier (1944 –2011) was a French actress, screenwriter, and director. She appeared in numerous films of the French New Wave and twice earned the national César Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Pisier was born in Dalat, French Indochina, where her father was serving as colonial governor of French Indochina. Her younger brother, Gilles Pisier, is a mathematician and a member of the French Academy of Sciences. Her sister, Evelyne, was the first wife of Bernard Kouchner, a French politician and the co-founder of Médecins Sans Frontières. The family moved to Paris when Marie-France was 12 years old.

The 66-year-old actress died on 24 April 2011. She was found dead in her swimming pool by her husband Funck-Brentano and is believed to have drowned The local mayor announced her death to the news media and President Nicolas Sarkozy made a public statement honouring “her supreme elegance born of the most perfect simplicity.”

Big In Japan

Al Fusco (#2)

More cartoons by J.C. Duffy, portraying boinero Al Duffy.

Al Fusco (#1)

J.C. Duffy is an American cartoonist. He made the "Go Fish" comic strip from October 8, 2002 to October 8, 2007, and currently creates "The Fusco Brothers." 

He also writes and draws cartoons that appear in The New Yorker and other magazines.

And best of all, a bit of reflection for us boineros. 

Gary Smulyan

Gary Smulyan (1956) is a jazz musician who plays baritone saxophone. He studied at Hofstra University before working with Woody Herman. He leads a trio with bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Kenny Washington.

Smulyan has played with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and its previous incarnation, the Mel Lewis Big Band. He has played with the Dave Holland Big Band and Octet, the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, and he has performed and recorded with Carla Bley's Big Band.

Smulyan's biggest influence is Pepper Adams. When Adams died, Smulyan recorded an album entitled Homage, which featured eight pieces composed by Adams. He has recorded for Criss Cross Jazz and Reservoir Records, including the critically acclaimed High Noon: The Jazz Soul of Frankie Laine, featuring arrangements by Mark Masters.

Smulyan has consistently been ranked best baritone saxophone player in the annual Down Beat magazine readers' and critics' polls.

This week: (French) Khaki Special

A colour special this week, or better, two colour specials. 

The Spanish word 'caqui' stands for a light shade of brown with a yellowish tinge. Khaki is an equal mix of sage and buff, a quinary color. Khaki has been used by many armies around the world for uniforms, including camouflage. Boinas Elósegui employs this colour for a large range of berets; from the Civil War replica Clásica, via the Hombres, Super Lujo's to the majestic Txapeldun. 

The colour 'French khaki' is a green shade, sitting between 'olive' and 'loden'; typically used in the (French) military for uniforms and vehicles. Boneteria Auloronesa is the manufacturer of the highest quality - most comfortable berets to be found in the world today.

On SPECIAL this week with discounts of at least 20% (as long as stock lasts).

Vintage French Photos

Ilse Bing, Paris 1952

More vintage photos from France by famous photographers; times when berets were omnipresent.

Vivian Maier, les Champsaurins

Jean Philippe Charbonnier

Robert Doisneau, Kids 1947

Jean Dieuzaide

The Very Last of the No-Nonsense, Classic Workers Berets

The last of the no-nonsense, Classic Workers Berets in 100% merino wool, lined and carrying the decades old labels Bortia and Chirola, especially reincarnated by Laulhère for South Pacific Berets (and not available anywhere else).

Quality 10p/28cm berets that should last you years, available in small numbers in a variety of colours well reduced in price @ only $35.00

Robert Doisneau (3)

Robert Doisneau, "Le travail du bois"

I have posted on French photographer Robert Doisneau regularly on The Beret Project (like here and here), but always "new" material comes up.

Robert Doisneau, "Le temps des bérets", Paris1936

Like these photos here that I had not known of before. 

Robert Doisneau, "Portrait d'artistes - Dany Saval", ca. 1960

Le chocolat des Français

"Le chocolat des Français" is the story of three friends. 

Paul, Vincent and Matthieu have passion for the art of chocolate making and with their entrepreneurial spirit and their penchant for all things gourmand, turned this into a beautiful business: Le chocolat des Français!

The wrappers have to match the feeling of the brand. It's typically friends who share their positive, feel-good attitude that supply the designs and artwork. And yes, a good number show berets!

Vincent: We did a showcase at 'Sergeant Paper'. Over 100 artists were given bars of chocolate with a blank wrapper to illustrate. We sold over 500 bars of chocolate and all the proceeds went to the charity 'un enfant par la main' to fund the construction of a school.

Blaise Cendrars (3)

Blaise Cendrars by Irving Penn

I have published posts on French poet and novelist Blaise Cendrars before on The Beret Project (here and here), but some new found photos well justify another post. 

Salvador Reyes with Blaise Cendrars

Blaise Cendrars by Robert Doisneau

And a museum's exhibition announcement:

An Extra SPECIAL: Tartans 11.5"

An absolute personal favourite beret is the much undervalued Tartan 11.5"; a hybrid beret that can be worn as Basque beret (headband inwards) and military style (headband visible).

It puzzles me why these berets are not as popular as others, as they show excellent craftsmanship, offer immense comfort in an altogether perfect all-round beret.

To share my enthusiasm for these Czech berets, a temporary SPECIAL: buy 3 and get the fourth model for free!

John Joseph Lydon aka Johnny Rotten

John Joseph Lydon (1956), also known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, is an English singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as the lead singer of the late-1970s British punk band the Sex Pistols, which lasted from 1975 until 1978, and again for various revivals during the 1990s and 2000s. He is also the lead singer of post-punk band Public Image Ltd (PiL), which he founded and fronted from 1978 until 1993, and again since 2009. 

Lydon's rebellious image and fashion style led to his being asked to become the singer of the Sex Pistols by their manager, Malcolm McLaren. With the Sex Pistols, he penned singles including "Anarchy in the U.K.," "God Save the Queen," and "Holidays in the Sun," the content of which precipitated what one commentator described as the "last and greatest outbreak of pop-based moral pandemonium" in Britain. The band caused a nationwide uproar in much of the media, and Lydon was seen as a figurehead of the burgeoning punk movement. Despite their controversial lyrics and style at the time, they are now regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of popular music.

Since 2013 Lydon has held British, Irish and American citizenship. He is also a vocal supporter of Donald Trump.