Latest news with #Provençal
Daily Maverick
7 hours ago
- General
- Daily Maverick
Souper Tuesday: Prawn bisque and other seafood soups
Bisque, seafood soup, soupe de poisson, bouillabaisse, chowder, chupe, buridda, cioppino, Cullen skink, dashi, sopa de peiche. These are just some of the many seafood soups there are in the world. Among the most prized is bisque. Bisque is a classic French seafood soup or, more specifically, a soup of crustacea, whether prawn, lobster, langoustine, lobster or crab. It involves plenty of cooking and some technique and skill, but it is worth its trouble in the reward it brings you. Most soups are better and richer for the time and effort that goes into them. Reduction, and more reduction, are key to a fine liquid repast, with more and more flavour building up with each new reduced addition. And if you start, at the very beginning, by first cooking up your shells, heads and the like, the very base of your soup is already off to a very fine start. There are so many kinds of fish soup from so many countries that it would take a year to go through them all. So let's whittle it down to bisque, soupe de poisson, chowder and bouillabaisse, even if it could be argued that the last might more accurately be called a seafood stew, given that it has many chunks of seafood in its broth. Wikipedia remarks that a bisque must be highly seasoned, is smooth and creamy, and is 'classically based on a strained broth of crustaceans'. A seafood chowder (there are vegetable versions too), by contrast, is a textured soup of seafood such as prawns, clams or crab with vegetables such as sweetcorn. The Provençal soupe de poisson is a richly flavoured seafood soup topped with toasted rounds of baguette which are in turn topped with a rouille. Bouillabaisse, to quote Wiki, is 'a traditional Provençal fish soup originating in the port city of Marseilles'. But it is made in many parts of France and woe betide you if you make it in a way dissimilar to the way a stern Frenchman will expect it to be made. Wars have been fought over less. I ate soupe de poisson in Cannes when I covered the annual film festival there in 1989. The memory of it has not waned at all despite all the years, nor of the condescension I had to endure from the waiter when I didn't know how I was supposed to eat it. You were presented with a bowl of soup, and alongside it, little bowls of grated cheese, what appeared to be a sauce, and rounds of lightly toasted baguette. If you've never encountered it before, you can't know what to do. On seeing my confusion, he condescended the hell out of me with much frowning, sighing and rolling of eyes. But it remains a happy memory because it was so good that, on finishing it, I snapped my fingers and had him bring me another. What you do is smear the rouille (which is what the 'sauce' turned out to be) on the bread, top it with cheese, and float them on the top of the soup. It's a very happy experience. (Wikipedia: 'Rouille is a sauce that consists of egg yolk and olive oil with breadcrumbs, garlic, saffron and cayenne pepper. It is served as a garnish with fish and fish soup, notably bouillabaisse.') I don't pretend that my fish soup is either a true bisque, a proper chowder, a soupe de poisson, and is certainly far from a bouillabaisse. It may be closer to a bisque than to the others, but mine was textured, purposefully, whereas a bisque is likely to be more refined and creamier. (Serves 4) Ingredients 1 large onion, chopped 3 Tbsp butter 1 glass white wine 1 litre fish/seafood stock (see below) 1 x 400 g can chopped tomatoes 1 x 400 g can coconut cream 16 prawn tails, shelled, deveined and chopped Salt and white pepper to taste 2 heaped Tbsp cornflour dissolved in milk Chopped coriander for garnish For the seafood stock: 1 fish head and any fins, etc you may have Prawn heads and other offcuts, as much as you can get 1 large onion, roughly chopped 2 celery sticks, chopped 3 large carrots, roughly chopped 2 litres water Method Put the prawn offcuts and fish head into a large, deep pot with the vegetables and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook rapidly, uncovered, until reduced by half. Strain into a jug or bowl. Keep to one side or refrigerate until needed. In a soup pot, melt the butter and simmer the prawns until softened but not taking on colour. Add wine and cook rapidly until reduced by half. Add the fish stock and cook on a moderate heat for 5 minutes. Add a can of chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes at a moderate heat. Add a can of coconut cream (not milk) and cook for 10 minutes at a moderate heat. Add the prawn meat, season with salt and white pepper, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Thicken with the diluted cornflour, stirring while it thickens. Serve garnished with chopped coriander. DM
Emirates Woman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Emirates Woman
Jacquemus pays couture homage to his Provençal roots for Spring/Summer 2026
Simon Porte Jacquemus has always worn his heritage proudly, and for his Fall 2025 ready-to-wear collection, 'Le Paysan' (The Peasant), he dug even deeper into his Provençal roots. Staged in the grand yet raw Orangerie of the Palace of Versailles—a symbolic homecoming after his 2023 show in the same estate—the presentation was both a love letter to his family's agricultural past and a bold statement of his couture aspirations. A Personal Ode to the Past The collection's title was more than thematic—it was deeply autobiographical. On Instagram, Jacquemus revealed his connect with old family photographs, particularly those of his grandparents working the land. 'I wanted to pay homage to the past to create something new for the future,' he said. 'This show is a thank you to them.' Social media teasers set the tone, juxtaposing nostalgic shots of his family harvesting crops with modern runway interpretations—think headscarves, crisp cottons, and linen dresses that mirrored the practical yet poetic attire of rural life. Even the show's location, the Orangerie, subtly nodded to his agricultural lineage, with vegetable motifs woven throughout. Jacquemus beckons you to Mykonos for the ultimate fashion-infused summer retreat Couture Meets Countryside Jacquemus has long flirted with couture techniques, and this collection sharpened that vision. The opening look—a deceptively simple shirt dress—was elevated with a voluminous, gathered underskirt, merging his early minimalist aesthetic with grander, more sculptural forms. Full-skirted silhouettes dominated nearly 70% of the lineup, evoking the mastery of mid-century couturiers—but with a subversive twist. Many designs appeared ladylike from the front, only to reveal unfinished backs, cleverly balanced by longline tops. The humble poplin cotton, a staple of his mother and grandmother's wardrobes, was reimagined in geometric constructions: smock dresses, ovoid blazers, and striped tunics that felt both nostalgic and avant-garde. Yet, Jacquemus didn't abandon his brand's sensuality. Delicate batwing chiffon gowns and tulle halters floated alongside structured aprons and leather pieces shaped like Callisons (almond-based French sweets), proving that rustic inspiration could still feel luxurious. Jacquemus brings his dreamy Provençal aesthetic to Los Angeles with a new boutique Strategic Timing & Star-Studded Front Row Presenting on the last day of Paris Men's Fashion Week—just before couture season—was a strategic masterstroke. It ensured maximum press attention without competing with the fatigue of womenswear month. The gamble paid off, with a front row including Matthew McConaughey (who quipped, 'I'm a father, not a king'), Camila Alves, Aya Nakamura, and Emma Roberts, who boldly paired a tutu with a chunky black sweater. The Emotional Finale The show's most poignant moment came when a young boy—echoing Jacquemus' own childhood dreams—opened the runway door, ushering in models who clutched straw hats and leather pouches resembling leeks. It was a tender reminder of the designer's journey: from a boy stitching curtains into skirts to a visionary reshaping French fashion. With 'Le Paysan,' Jacquemus didn't just revisit his past—he redefined it, proving that the most personal stories often make the boldest fashion statements. And as the couture world watches, one thing is clear: there's always room for fresh blood, and Jacquemus is ready to claim his place. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Featured Image: Supplied
Hypebeast
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Simon Porte Jacquemus Turns Personal History Into Runway Poetry With SS26 'Le Paysan'
Summary Set against the stately backdrop of L'Orangerie at the Château de Versailles,Jacquemus'Spring/Summer 2026collection, 'Le Paysan' (The Peasant), unfolds as an emotive tribute to founderSimon Porte Jacquemus' rural heritage. Inspired by his childhood in the South of France, the collection seamlessly blends memory and imagination, transposing the quiet poetry of simple living into sculptural silhouettes and textured tailoring. It channels intimate inspirations from Simon's personal history: family albums filled with photos of harvests, his grandmother's elegant way of dressing up, and the comforting feel of ironed cotton on a Sunday. 'I want to create an autobiographical journey for June: one that begins in the countryside, soft and minimal, with linen as the foundation. From there, it gradually transforms, blossoming into an explosion of bonbon hues, stripes, embroidery, and prints. Various colors emerge, all connected, culminating in a look that is totally couture,' Simon wrote on hisInstagram. The womenswear offering embraces voluminous jupons, tulle aprons turned inside-out and structured jackets shaped by internal half-corsets. Poplin is cut into geometric motifs reminiscent of vintage linens, delicately embroidered, dotted and shines in standout pieces like the rare tulle bobbin dress, composed of 700 meters of cord and a sheer mousseline sheath adorned with silk taffeta diamonds. These tactile surfaces are punctuated by sculptural tassels and handcrafted embellishments that echo provincial elegance. Leather tassels and sculptural details further accentuate the collection's folkloric elegance. Meanwhile, menswear reads like a Marcel Pagnol character come to life: rustic yet elevated. Cropped jackets and wide-legged trousers are rendered in breezy linens and whisper-fine leathers, each detailed with topstitched stripes or subtle herringbone weaves. The palette is carefully curated with milky white, cream and black, alongside fresh shades of blue, pink and yellow reminiscent of sugared almonds and classic Berlingot stripes. Accessories deepen the rural reverie with berets, Arlésian shawls and espadrilles tied with grosgrain ribbons, while whimsical references to market stalls – leather leeks, garlic garlands and fruit-shaped jewelry – add a wink of surrealism. Jacquemus' famed woven bags also. return in Provençal textures, joined by a new ladylike handbag, 'Le Valerie,' named after the designer's mother. Beyond its visual storytelling, 'Le Paysan' represents a personal homecoming for Jacquemus. By revisiting silhouettes and themes from his earlier collections with renewed craftsmanship, the designer circles back to the roots that shaped him, offering a collection that is as emotionally rich as it is technically refined.
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Jacquemus plays the peasant at the Château de Versailles to close Fashion Week
Jacquemus closed Paris Men's Fashion Week on Sunday at the Château de Versailles, with a Spring-Summer 2026 collection that drew on his peasant roots. After presenting his "Le Chouchou" show there in 2023 on the banks of the Grand Canal, Simon Porte Jacquemus this time chose L'Orangerie, Louis XIV's citrus orchard, to unveil his new show entitled "Le Paysan". "It echoes my family, who sold fruit," explained the 35-year-old Provençal to Le Figaro, who conceived this new mixed-gender collection as "an autobiographical journey", as he detailed on Instagram. The show opened with women's silhouettes wearing large, flared skirts reminiscent of Provençal skirts, worn with wide, short-sleeved aprons, and continued with more sophisticated outfits, from sheath dresses to tight-fitting trouser suits and full-length dresses, not forgetting an all-lace dress. Men also wore skirts over pants, as well as soft suits and Bermuda shorts, almost like jogging pants pulled up to the knees, accompanied by elegant jackets, light blouses, and sweatshirts, topped with a beret worn upside down. The palette was essentially black and white, with touches of bright yellow, light blue, and powder pink. Visibly moved, Simon Porte Jacquemus greeted his guests at the end of the show, who included actors Pierre Niney and Matthew McConaughey, singer Aya Nakamura, and footballer Jules Koundé. After several years of staging shows whenever and wherever he pleased, whether in a lavender field in his native South or under the Capri sun, the designer returned to the official Fashion Week calendar in January, becoming the center of attention. This week, he relinquished the spotlight to Northern Ireland's Jonathan Anderson, whose highly-anticipated first collection for Dior Homme was acclaimed. Julian Klausner's first men's show for Dries Van Noten also caused a sensation. Men's Fashion Week will be followed by Haute Couture Week from Monday, July 7 to Thursday, July 10, featuring the debut of Glenn Martens for Maison Margiela. Before that, American Michael Rider will unveil his first collection for Celine on July 6 with a mixed-gender show.
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Jacquemus plays the peasant at the Château de Versailles to close Fashion Week
Jacquemus closed Paris Men's Fashion Week on Sunday at the Château de Versailles, with a Spring-Summer 2026 collection that drew on his peasant roots. After presenting his "Le Chouchou" show there in 2023 on the banks of the Grand Canal, Simon Porte Jacquemus this time chose L'Orangerie, Louis XIV's citrus orchard, to unveil his new show entitled "Le Paysan". "It echoes my family, who sold fruit," explained the 35-year-old Provençal to Le Figaro, who conceived this new mixed-gender collection as "an autobiographical journey", as he detailed on Instagram. The show opened with women's silhouettes wearing large, flared skirts reminiscent of Provençal skirts, worn with wide, short-sleeved aprons, and continued with more sophisticated outfits, from sheath dresses to tight-fitting trouser suits and full-length dresses, not forgetting an all-lace dress. Men also wore skirts over pants, as well as soft suits and Bermuda shorts, almost like jogging pants pulled up to the knees, accompanied by elegant jackets, light blouses, and sweatshirts, topped with a beret worn upside down. The palette was essentially black and white, with touches of bright yellow, light blue, and powder pink. Visibly moved, Simon Porte Jacquemus greeted his guests at the end of the show, who included actors Pierre Niney and Matthew McConaughey, singer Aya Nakamura, and footballer Jules Koundé. After several years of staging shows whenever and wherever he pleased, whether in a lavender field in his native South or under the Capri sun, the designer returned to the official Fashion Week calendar in January, becoming the center of attention. This week, he relinquished the spotlight to Northern Ireland's Jonathan Anderson, whose highly-anticipated first collection for Dior Homme was acclaimed. Julian Klausner's first men's show for Dries Van Noten also caused a sensation. Men's Fashion Week will be followed by Haute Couture Week from Monday, July 7 to Thursday, July 10, featuring the debut of Glenn Martens for Maison Margiela. Before that, American Michael Rider will unveil his first collection for Celine on July 6 with a mixed-gender show.
