Sleek #29 Spring 2011 paris|texas

Did you know that „Dallas“ is making a comeback? The legendary TV show about tawdry life on a Texas ranch? We wouldn’t want you thinking we’re losing our touch, picking a theme for this issue that references a film that came out a quarter of a century ago. Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas, exactly. Although the film really has nothing to do with Paris, and only very little with Texas. Which infuriated the people of Paris, it should be added. Not the French Parisians, but the inhabitants of the second largest Paris in the world (see p. 72). Their French counterparts also get infuriated – about their own city. City of love, lights, and accolades? Hardly. Paris can really piss you off, excuse my French, but even its own population will tell you so (p. 50). Yet there is no way of getting around the place when it comes to fashion (p. 94). People might be switching places in the couture houses right now like a game of musical chairs, but if you want to make a career here (p.64) you have to be as brave as a bull rider and as patient as Prince Charles. And he and his family don’t only have fond memories of the French capital either.

Recently, while passing the time with one of our favorite activities – shooting pigeons from the balustrade of our 14th floor balcony, lost in existential thought – we suddenly felt all Texan (p. 173). But that’s unfair, because guns are used just as much in other places. Switzerland, for example. But there, people tend to shoot themselves, and more so than anywhere else in Europe (p. 164). Now you didn’t know that, did you? And you probably also didn’t know that lots of nineteenth century cowboys were black (p. 142), or where Ed Ruscha enjoys his Texas Barbecue (p. 62), or how you can see the world’s most famous monuments in one hour (p.56). But that’s exactly why we’ve made this edition – from sleek with love.