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.

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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

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