CHERI`

This week I had the pleasure of watching Cheri`, starring the beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer and the handsome and talented Rupert Friend. Here is the synopsis from the novel by Colette:

Cheri, first published in 1920, is considered Colette's finest novel. Exquisitely handsome, spoilt and sardonic, Cheri is the only son of a wealthy courtesan, a contemporary of Lea, the magnificent and talented woman who for six years has devoted herself to his amorous education. When a rich marriage is arranged for Cheri, Lea reluctantly decides their relationship must end. Cheri, despite his apparent detachment, is haunted by memories of Lea; alienated from his wife, his family and his surroundings, he retreats into a fantasy world made up of dreams and the past, a world from which there is only one route of escape. In her portrait of the fated love affair between a very young man and a middle-aged woman, Colette achieved a peak in her earthy, sensuous and utterly individual art. Cheri caused considerable controversy both in its choice of setting - the fabulous demi-monde of the Parisian courtesans - and in its portrayal of Cheri. ( From The Nile)

I had been longing to see the recent movie adaptation of this romantic drama, and was so pleased with this Art Nouveau visual feast and wonderful costume extravaganza. Being that my favorite period in fashion is the Edwardian period, I was in seventh heaven with the lovely ensembles and millinery. Below are some wonderful images from a film that I highly recommend.