Indigo and Identity

The blue face veil is closely associated with the Tuareg, Amazigh communities whose cultural traditions extend across the Sahara. Its connection with indigo, clothing and identity has also made it a recognisable subject in North African art.

The Tuareg and the Tagelmust

Among Tuareg communities, men traditionally wear a long piece of cloth known as the tagelmust, which is wrapped around the head and lower face.

Unlike many other forms of face covering, the tagelmust is traditionally worn by men. Its use is connected with social customs, personal identity and protection against the sun, wind and desert sand.

The way it is wrapped can vary between communities and individuals. Although blue is strongly associated with Tuareg dress, tagelmust cloths are also worn in other colours.

Why Indigo Became So Important

Indigo has a particular place in Tuareg textile traditions. Historically, deeply dyed fabrics were valued for their appearance and the craftsmanship involved in producing them.

Traditional indigo-dyed cloth could transfer pigment onto the skin, contributing to the popular description of the Tuareg as the Blue People of the Sahara.

The colour also became associated with status and ceremonial clothing, although its significance varies across communities.

Today, indigo remains an important reference in Saharan textiles and artistic representations.

From Cultural Tradition to Contemporary Art

Portraits featuring blue face veils can be found among the paintings and illustrations sold in the medina of Marrakech.

These works often draw on cultural references associated with Saharan communities, although the identity of the subject cannot always be established from the painting alone.

The distinction is important. Without knowing the artist or the circumstances in which a work was created, it is difficult to determine whether a portrait represents a particular community, an individual or a broader artistic interpretation.

Understanding the traditions behind these references provides valuable context when discovering North African art.

#Marrakech #ArtAndCulture #TuaregCulture #Indigo #NorthAfricanArt #MoroccanArt #CulturalHeritage #SaharanCulture #LesCouleursDuMonde

Brigitte Bardot remains a familiar subject in the art galleries of Saint-Tropez. Her portraits appear in pop art, contemporary painting and photography, reflecting the lasting connection between the French cinema icon and the village.

The Many Portraits of Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot's association with Saint-Tropez has made her an important reference in the village's contemporary art scene.

Artists including Russell Young have explored celebrity portraiture using techniques such as screen printing, often working from photographs associated with cinema and popular culture.

Other artists reinterpret familiar portraits through painting, collage and mixed media. Their work connects Bardot's cinematic legacy with the contemporary art market, where images of cultural icons continue to attract collectors.

Galleries Worth Discovering

Sasha de Saint-Tropez

Located near Place de l'Ormeau, this pop art gallery is known for portraits of cultural personalities, including Brigitte Bardot, Marilyn Monroe and Steve McQueen.

Its approach connects celebrity portraiture with colourful contemporary art.

Galerie Paul Janssen

At 11 Rue de la Ponche, Galerie Paul Janssen presents modern and contemporary art.

In 2026, the gallery organised Hommage à Brigitte Bardot, a group exhibition featuring works by artists including Russell Young, Jacques Héripret and Isabelle Scheltjens.

The exhibition demonstrated how different artistic approaches can reinterpret the same cultural figure.

Bardot Through Photography

Photography has also played an important role in preserving Bardot's connection with Saint-Tropez.

In 2026, an outdoor exhibition organised with Paris Match presented approximately 50 photographs at Place Blanqui and Square de Lattre de Tassigny.

The selection explored different periods of her life, including her cinema career, private moments and commitment to animal protection.

For visitors interested in photography, such exhibitions offer another perspective on the relationship between celebrity, portraiture and the village.

Discovering Art in Saint-Tropez

The galleries around La Ponche and the historic centre provide opportunities to explore contemporary portraiture alongside other forms of modern art.

When visiting, it is worth asking whether a work is an original painting, a limited-edition print or a photographic reproduction. The artist's technique, edition size and provenance can make a considerable difference to its value.

Exhibitions and available works change, so checking a gallery's current programme before visiting is recommended.

#BrigitteBardot #SaintTropez #ArtGalleries #ContemporaryArt #PortraitArt #FrenchRiviera #ArtAndCulture #LesCouleursDuMonde

A City Shaped by Music and Art

Vienna's cultural identity is closely connected to classical music, influential art movements and a coffeehouse tradition that has played an important role in the city's intellectual and artistic life.

A European Centre of Music

Vienna became a major centre of European classical music during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Composers including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms lived and worked in the city, contributing to its international reputation.

The Vienna State Opera remains an important institution for opera and ballet, while the Musikverein is internationally recognised for its acoustics and its association with the Vienna Philharmonic.

Classical music continues to be part of Vienna's cultural programme, with performances ranging from major orchestral productions to chamber concerts in smaller venues.

The Vienna Secession and Modern Art

At the end of the nineteenth century, Vienna became an important centre for artistic innovation.

In 1897, Gustav Klimt and other artists founded the Vienna Secession, challenging the conservative exhibition practices of the established art institutions.

The movement promoted greater artistic independence and encouraged connections between painting, architecture and decorative arts.

Today, visitors can explore this period through Klimt's Beethoven Frieze at the Secession building and his painting The Kiss at the Belvedere.

The Cultural Importance of Vienna's Coffeehouses

Vienna's traditional coffeehouses developed into meeting places for writers, artists, journalists and intellectuals.

Figures such as Stefan Zweig, Arthur Schnitzler and Peter Altenberg were associated with the city's literary café culture.

Café Central and Café Museum remain well-known examples of this tradition, combining historic interiors with a continuing role in Vienna's social life.

In 2011, Viennese coffeehouse culture was included in Austria's national inventory of intangible cultural heritage.

Discover More of Vienna

Explore Vienna's musical heritage, historic coffeehouses, architecture and cultural attractions in the second edition of Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine.

Read Music, Coffee & Imperial Charm in Vienna →

#Vienna #Austria #ArtAndCulture #ViennaSecession #ClassicalMusic #EuropeanArt #CulturalHeritage #LesCouleursDuMonde

Costume design combines fashion, performance and artistic direction. In theatre, dance and live entertainment, costumes are developed to support a production's concept while meeting the practical demands of performing on stage.

From Creative Concept to Costume

The design process usually begins with the artistic direction of a production. Costume designers work with choreographers, directors and production teams to establish how performers should look and how their clothing will function within the performance.

Materials are selected not only for their appearance but also for their flexibility, durability and behaviour under stage lighting. A costume designed for an energetic dance routine requires different construction techniques from one intended for a theatrical character.

Fittings and rehearsals are essential. Designers must consider movement, quick costume changes and the practical requirements of repeated performances.

The Relationship Between Costume and Stage Design

Costumes are developed alongside lighting, choreography and scenography. These disciplines influence one another throughout the production process.

Lighting can significantly change the appearance of fabrics and colours. Reflective materials, sequins and metallic finishes react differently under spotlights, while costume silhouettes need to remain recognisable from different positions in the audience.

For productions involving several performers, costume design also helps establish visual coordination without necessarily making every outfit identical.

Mouv’Event | Bringing Performance Elements Together

Live entertainment productions bring together several creative and technical disciplines. Artistic direction determines how costumes, performers, music and staging contribute to the overall concept.

Mouv’Event, featured in the second edition of Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine, provides an opportunity to explore the creative world of live performance and event entertainment.

Discover the feature and learn more about the people and ideas behind the production of live entertainment.

Explore Mouv’Event in Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine →

#CostumeDesign #PerformingArts #StageDesign #LivePerformance #CreativeDirection #ArtAndCulture #LesCouleursDuMonde

From Acrobatics to Creative Direction

Thomas Hubener's career connects professional acrobatics with filmmaking and creative direction. Having performed with Cirque du Soleil, he brings first-hand knowledge of movement, timing and physical performance to his work behind the camera.

Working as an acrobat requires an understanding of choreography, spatial awareness and the precision needed to execute complex movements. These are also important considerations when filming performers and athletes, where camera positioning, timing and coordination determine how an action is captured.

Hubener's transition into photography and film has allowed him to apply this experience in a different creative role. His projects cover sport, travel and lifestyle, combining an understanding of physical performance with the technical and artistic decisions involved in visual production.

His work also demonstrates how experience in one creative discipline can become relevant in another. A background in live performance provides practical insight into working with performers, understanding their movements and translating an action into a sequence of images.

An additional chapter in his career is his involvement in the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games. Large-scale ceremonies bring together performance, choreography, music and production design, making collaboration between different creative disciplines essential.

Les Couleurs du Monde has featured Thomas Hubener in two magazine editions, offering readers an opportunity to discover both his photography and film projects and his involvement in an international performance production.

Explore the magazine features

Thomas Hubener | Photography, Film & Creative Work →

Thomas Hubener | Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games →

#ThomasHubener #ArtAndCulture #CreativeDirection #CirqueDuSoleil #PerformingArts #Filmmaking #MilanoCortina2026 #LesCouleursDuMonde

Palais Galliera

Paris has a museum dedicated to fashion as an important part of art, design and cultural history. Palais Galliera brings together nearly 200,000 works, from historic garments and accessories to photographs, drawings and archival material.

Located in the 16th arrondissement, the museum presents exhibitions exploring fashion from the eighteenth century to the present day. Its collections document the work of designers, illustrators and photographers alongside changes in clothing and society.

Rather than maintaining a permanent display, Palais Galliera regularly changes its exhibitions. Visitors can discover different subjects, from the influence of individual designers to the relationship between fashion, art and social history.

The museum is particularly interesting for those who want to understand fashion through original objects and historical documents, including the artistic work that accompanies fashion design.

Plan Your Visit

Palais Galliera
10 Avenue Pierre Ier de Serbie, 75116 Paris

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. Fridays until 9 pm. Closed Mondays.

Admission starts at €14 for a standard exhibition ticket. Advance booking is recommended.

Explore Palais Galliera and its exhibitions →

#ArtAndCulture #PalaisGalliera #ParisMuseums #FashionIllustration #FashionHistory #ArtInParis #LesCouleursDuMonde

Fashion Photography in Museums

Fashion photography has an established place in museums and photographic collections. Images originally commissioned for magazines and advertising campaigns are now exhibited and studied for their artistic, historical and cultural significance.

Photographers such as Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Guy Bourdin and Helmut Newton helped establish fashion photography as a creative discipline extending beyond the presentation of clothing. Their work introduced new approaches to portraiture, composition and visual storytelling, influencing both commercial photography and contemporary art.

Where to Discover Fashion Photography

The Helmut Newton Foundation, Berlin

Located in the Museum für Fotografie, the Helmut Newton Foundation presents exhibitions and preserves the photographic legacy of Helmut Newton. His work includes fashion editorials, portraits and photographs commissioned by international magazines.

The Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The V&A holds an extensive photography collection that includes work by important fashion photographers. Its exhibitions explore the relationship between photography, fashion, design and visual culture.

The International Center of Photography, New York

ICP presents photography through exhibitions, education and research. Its collection includes fashion and editorial photography alongside documentary and contemporary photographic work.

From Magazine Pages to Museum Collections

A fashion photograph can have several lives. It may begin as an editorial commission, appear in an advertising campaign and later enter a museum collection as an original photographic print.

Museums preserve these works alongside contact sheets, publications and archival material, allowing visitors to examine the creative decisions behind influential images.

Exhibitions also place photographs within the context of their period, showing how changing ideas about fashion, beauty, advertising and society influenced the work of photographers.

#ArtAndCulture #FashionPhotography #PhotographyMuseums #HelmutNewton #RichardAvedon #IrvingPenn #PhotographyExhibitions #LesCouleursDuMonde

First published in Sweden in 1945, Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking challenged conventional ideas about children's literature. The independent young character went on to become an international success through books, television, film and theatre.

The Story Behind Pippi Longstocking

When Astrid Lindgren introduced Pippi Longstocking, children's books often emphasised obedience and good behaviour. Pippi offered something different: a girl living independently in Villa Villekulla with her horse and monkey, Mr Nilsson.

Her unconventional behaviour initially attracted criticism from some adults, but the books became enormously popular with young readers.

The original illustrations by Danish artist Ingrid Vang Nyman also helped establish Pippi's recognisable appearance, including her red plaits, oversized shoes and colourful clothing.

From Books to Television

Pippi reached an even wider audience through the Swedish television series first broadcast in 1969.

Directed by Olle Hellbom and starring Inger Nilsson, the production introduced the character to generations of viewers across Europe.

Much of the series was filmed on the Swedish island of Gotland, particularly around the historic town of Visby. The original Villa Villekulla filming location was later moved to the Kneippbyn resort, where visitors can still see the famous house.

Visit Astrid Lindgren's World in Sweden

In Vimmerby, the Swedish town where Astrid Lindgren grew up, visitors can explore <Entity category="point_of_interest" location="Vimmerby, Sweden" value="Astrid Lindgrens Värld"/>, a park dedicated to her literary characters.

The park recreates settings from stories including Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga and Ronja the Robber's Daughter.

Live theatre performances are central to the experience, with actors bringing the characters and their stories to life throughout the visiting season.

It is an opportunity to discover how children's literature continues to inspire theatre, performance and cultural experiences.

Plan Your Visit

Astrid Lindgrens Värld
Vimmerby, Småland, Sweden

The park operates seasonally, so check opening dates and performances before travelling.

Explore Astrid Lindgrens Värld →

#ArtAndCulture #PippiLongstocking #AstridLindgren #ChildrensLiterature #SwedishCulture #CulturalHeritage #VisitSweden #LesCouleursDuMonde