The year was 1961, the height of the Balenciaga couture house in Paris and salons like these only opened their doors to the most exclusive ladies who lunched. Here they viewed exquisite shift dresses, pearls that were sometimes layered on top of one another for a stronger statement, bolero jackets, incredible hats, and a ruffled train or bata de cola of the flamenco dancer, a touch for which Cristobal Balenciaga had been renowned.

Hudson captured part of the video now on display at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute. I love the intimacy of the room, a handpicked group of hens who can whisper and take notes.

Maybe Hudson’s designer Ben Taverniti should think about launching some modern day salons starting with Georgia Jagger and her pals. It would be very haute and very rock n’roll.