It's my opinion that any time a company does a cartoon-themed collection meant for adults, they have to be careful not to veer into kiddie territory. It's tricky when collaborating with, say, the likes of Disney, and sometimes it goes a bit juvenile. But other times brands pull it off well, and Paul & Joe has consistentlybeen able to elevate themes and characters we usually associate with childhood. This is the case with their latest collection, which features Looney Tunes favorites Tweety and Sylvester along with infamous cat and mouse duo Tom and Jerry. While I'm not the biggest fan of either of these – I wasn't really into Looney Tunes as a kid, and if Tom and Jerry were on before school I'd watch them on occasion but definitely wasn't obsessed – I still thought the collection was Museum-worthy because Paul & Joe did another great job making such things seem perfectly acceptable for a grown-up to own. 🙂
Set against Paul & Joe's signature chrysanthemums, Tweety and Sylvester appear a little more refined than how we're used to seeing them while still engaging in their usual hijinks.
Tom and Jerry also partake in their typical shenanigans (Tom luring Jerry with a chunk of cheese), but are also depicted, appropriately enough, playing with makeup.
I love this little detail on the lipstick cap.
The Looney Tunes makeup collection isn't completely out of left field, as it's basically an extension of the Warner Bros. collab from Paul & Joe's Sister line.
The Looney Tunes collection was even more extensive and included characters other than Sylvester and Tweety.
At first glance I thought the print on this dress was the same as the one on the compact, but if you look closely you can see Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny.
There was also a men's capsule Looney Tunes collection.
Anyway, my only complaint was that none of the Tom and Jerry scenes featured the fancy white cat. From what I remember watching as a kid, there was this super glam lady cat that Tom had a crush on. I don't think she had a name but I loved her! I think my obsession with long eyelashes was influenced in part from this very chic kitty.
What do you think? Did you pick up anything from this collection?
For fall 2014 Paul & Joe released 10 new lipstick cases, along with new lipstick colors and several eye shadow trios. Sadly, I found the inspiration behind the collection to be rather insipid. "Paul & Joe wants to make you feel like a movie star! You'll cause a paparazzi frenzy everywhere you go in any of these Paul & Joe lipstick red carpet favorites. Paul & Joe will make you a star with these 3 eye color trio cinematic classics!" Eh. I miss the days when they actually had a little narrative for each collection. Plus, the theme of feeling like a celebrity through the power of makeup has been done to death by many brands, most notably Stila. Having said all that, do you really think I could resist any of the LE lipstick cases?
I positively loved this bird case. The illustration is so delicate and pretty, it reminds me of something you'd find on an antique Japanese folding screen.
But my favorite was the one with the beautiful Delftware-inspired pattern that included a bear and a little bird.
This pattern appeared in many of the Paul & Joe Sister items for fall 2014. I have to say that this is a rare miss for Paul & Joe. I generally hate wearing prints, but if any designer was going to make me buy a piece of clothing with a print on it it would be Paul & Joe – the ones they come up with are so unique and the manner in which they use them is usually impeccable. As I much as I adore this particular design, I think it's best left to decorative objects and not clothing.
It was nice to see cat-obsessed Paul & Joe founder Sophie Albou toss dog people a bone (see what I did there?) and come up with a dog print for the lipstick case, which also was used extensively in the Sister and men's collections.
I liked the little geometric fox as well, which, again, appeared in both the Sister and men's collections. (Now here the pattern works – I would totally wear this quirky fox-printed blouse!)
While there were plenty of new prints, Paul & Joe re-released some vintage ones as well. I was happy to see these since I don't have any of them in lipstick form. The blue and orange bird print was from fall 2003, and the yellow cat print was from spring 2005 (I only have this in notebook form). The floral print shown immediately to the left of the cat print in my picture above was from the spring 2007 collection. I do have the Color Powder in that pattern but it never hurts to have a a complete set. 🙂
What do you think of the collection?
I didn't think Paul & Joe could top their delightful yellow and grey dolphin printed blotting sheets from last summer, but their latest offering proved me wrong. How adorable are these multicolored shells sporting shapely legs?!
This print is so quirky and fun I was hoping to see it on some of the summer collection items, and Paul & Joe delivered. I'd be happy to have either of these two tops in my summer wardrobe, although I am partial to the yellow shell. I especially love the contrasting print on the sleeves.
I love how it's styled here but I would also totally wear this with white skinny jeans and flat sandals.
The shells also made their way into a anemone-laden under-the-sea-print on multiple pieces.
In looking at this dress more closely I think I need it in my closet – appropriate for a wannabe mermaid, yes? Plus I have the perfect pair of corally-red wedges to go with it. Still, I'm short so it would probably be to my ankles…but I could always get it hemmed.
The rest of the summer collection, which has ice cream theme, didn't really do anything for me. It's a shame because it's a great idea and I could see so many cute things – ice cream cone-shaped lipsticks, little ice cream cones embossed onto powder, etc. – as a result of the ice cream inspiration. However, I think the blotting sheets make up for the lackluster remainder of the collection (even though shells have nothing to do with ice cream).
What do you think?
I realize it's only November 5th, but I wanted to get a head start on holiday goodies! So I'm starting with Paul & Joe's eye and cheek color set in Sugar and Spice.
The set contains an eye shadow duo, cream blush stick and eye gloss all in an adorable pouch featuring three of Paul & Joe founder Sophie Albou's favorite animal.
We've seen the kitty-shaped blush stick and lipstick before but seriously, how cute is it?!
While I feel like this collection was just phoning it in – there was no narrative detailing the theme of the collection, and it's certainly not as creative as 2012's holiday's collection – it was still worth purchasing. I don't think one can ever have too much cat-shaped makeup. 😉
What do you think? Will you be picking up any Paul & Joe kitties this season?
I loved the old-timey quality of Paul & Joe's Carousel collection description. "Join Paul & Joe on 'Carousel' – a thrill ride of fashion that spins beauty, whimsy and enchantment into a revolution of style! You'll be dizzy with delight, when you discover the whirling, twirling assortment of textures and tones that beguile with childhood innocence – and tempt with grown-up sophistication! 'Carousel' spring 2013 – it's a ride you will remember!" The text definitely makes me think of my childhood vacations at the beach. The only place I've ever seen a carousel is a boardwalk, so the association between carousels and the shore is very strong for me – reading this text I can practically smell the caramel popcorn and salty ocean air.
Anyway, onto some pics of this delightfully nostalgic collection!
The collection features three eye color powders in predictably adorable prints.
Here's Calliope (082):
Montmartre (083):
La Belle Epoque (084):
There's also a pressed powder.
The elaborate puff and insert lend a cushy feel.
The powder itself consists of pink, green and gold swirls reminiscent of cotton candy.
Finally, three new lipstick cases were introduced for the collection.
I purchased two of the lipstick refills. Even the refill carton is extravagantly detailed.
Merry-Go-Round on the left, Manège on the right:
Merry-Go-Round:
Manège:
Now it's time to play one of the Curator's favorite games – seeing if the prints in the cosmetic collection appeared in Paul & Joe's seasonal fashions. And yes, we have a winner! The cat print from one of the eye shadows and the face powder is borrowed from several clothing items, including a dress and top.
Paul & Joe once again delivers a solid collection, hitting all their hallmarks – an extradordinary amount of detail in every piece of packaging, a design that perfectly expresses the collection's theme, and a variety of cute prints, including ones made just for the makeup collection but also one that ties into the seasonal fashion lineup.
Did you buy anything from Carousel?
Click to enlarge.
Top row, left to right: 066, 003, case L, 079, 075
Paul & Joe's holiday offering this year is a veritable treasure trove of woodland creatures, a nice departure from the usual overabundance of cats. I love squirrels so I think even if I wasn't a collector I'd be buying this.
The Winter Wonderland set contains a lip balm featuring a sweet little fawn resting among pine branches, a smoky eye shadow with a squirrel about to feast on an acorn and surrounded by snow-like white dots, and an eye shadow duo with another darling squirrel holding a pinecone and sitting under swirling silver snowflakes.
The metallic silver branches against the white packaging are so pretty.
It's funny how I normally hate script fonts, but I find the font on these to be utterly cute – I think it really adds to the charm of the animals and the wintry forest they inhabit.
Here's the lip balm.
With flash (note that the white dots aren't shimmer/glitter – just the dewiness of the balm):
The smoky shadow:
With flash:
Duo eye shadow:
With flash:
Paul & Joe's fall fashion line did not feature any squirrels or deer, but there were a few foresty friends. The sweater on the left shows a family of owls dwelling in a tree, along with a raccoon and fox. The raccoon sweater on the right is positively delightful, although I would have liked to have seen a squirrel instead.
(images from paulandjoe.com)
Did you think this set was as adorable as I did? And do you like squirrels? (The correct answer is yes!)
The second part of Paul & Joe's fall 2012 collection was the release of new paper lipstick cases. They're sold empty so you can put your favorite Paul & Joe lipstick into your favorite case. Pretty nifty idea! I just got them empty since I'm only interested in the packaging and won't actually be using them as lipsticks.
The first case features a melange of grey doves, pink and purple flowers and blue and grey swirls on a white background.
The next one has a showy floral pattern in white, green and bright fuchsia.
You know Sophie couldn't resist having at least one of these cases be cats, right?
I love this one – pink and ivory flowers with tassel tendrils against a baby blue background.
Finally, another cat. Well, a precious-looking kitten.
The initials that appeared on the brushes with the Collection Sparkles items are also here on the lipstick cap:
While I think the paper cases are a great idea, some people want a case that's a bit sturdier. So Paul & Joe created this retro-looking refillable metal case. I have no idea how they got that shade, but it's an absolutely dead-on '50s mint green. Plus the ridges seem more authentic than the lipstick cases from Estée Lauder's paltry Mad Men collection.
I also love how they worked the iconic Paul & Joe chrysanthemum into the cap:
But the 10-year anniversary celebration isn't over yet! There was also this pretty set, consisting of a pouch, pressed powder, blush, blotting sheets and eye shadows. I didn't purchase it given the designs were the same on all the products and I didn't want all of them.
(image from paul-joe-beaute.com)
So that concludes all the goodies from Paul & Joe fall. Did you like the Collection Sparkles or the lipstick cases more? And which has your favorite design out of all?
Armani's summer 2012 collection is the lead inspiration for the Museum's upcoming summer exhibition, but Paul & Joe's summer collection captured my imagination as well. Midsummer Nights evokes the whimsical qualities of fairies and forest nymphs while still managing to feel grown-up.
"Just close your eyes and dream…'cause all the world's a stage…and this season you're the lead player! 'Midsummer Nights' is a sumptuous, enchanted dreamscape of colors, textures, and tones that will convince you that all your secret Paul & Joe dreams and wishes have come true. Join us on this magical adventure to discover how fantasy becomes reality with Paul & Joe."
First things first: I'm in love with the minty green packaging as it's one of my favorite colors.
I like how the Paul & Joe website cleverly separates the collection into play acts, and each item has a little description and quote. They're also beautifully photographed against an enchanted forest-type background. Act 1, "Fairy", describes the pressed powder: "Softly shimmer like moonlight on a fairy's wings with this exquisite, spellbinding, 3D shimmering powder designed to captivate and charm." (As with Armani's collection, there's the fascination with light reflections). The quote is directly from the play: "Tis almost fairy time".
The pressed powder features a pink butterfly, outlined in green, against overlapping rose and pale pink winged creatures (the one in the upper right looks like another buttefly, while the one at the bottom looks like a dragonfly). While the butterfly may not be so detailed in terms of color, the cutouts on the wings are impressively intricate, showing why this palette can definitely be considered a collector's item.
With flash:
Green dots splash across the powder – I like to think they're dewdrops, given the website picture with its fresh blades of grass and soft rays of morning light:
(image from paul-joe-beaute.com)
I also picked up one of the Face Colors, Nymph. I couldn't resist the cheery flowers springing upwards – they look like they're greeting you.
With flash:
Finally, I just had to pick up the nail polish in Fairie Queen, since it would be "like imaginary fairies dancing on your fingertips." That description pushed me to buy it – who wouldn't want to have fairy-like fingertips?
All in all I think Paul & Joe did an excellent job with this collection. It represents the spirit of fairies and summer magic while remaining sophisticated and, dare I say, high-brow – after all, it was based on a Shakespeare play. 🙂
What do you think?
I must say I liked this summer's theme for Paul & Joe. I felt like it totally captured a peaceful, relaxing time at some gorgeous beach I've never been to but am dreaming of. "Paul & Joe invite you to discover L'HORIZON BLEU – a tropical and romantic place where the sea meets the sky and blur into one. You can drift off into the horizon on a tranquil sea of blue or be brave to plunge into the depth of color and tropical delights you never dream existed beneath the surface of Paul & Joe Beaute. This summer dive into the bleu, L'HORIZON BLEU from Paul & Joe Beaute."
Normally I'd think blue plastic packaging was tacky, but I really liked it in conjunction with the fish design and the warm tones of the bronzer:
With flash:
The fish are so cool – they remind me of some kind of elegant fountain you'd find in Rome or Florence, like this.
I also got the whale blotting sheets but was too lazy to take a pic. Oops. They will make an appearance in the MM's summer exhibition, however. 🙂
(images from paulandjoe.us)
(image from dreamsofawardrobe.blogspot.com)
