My Man SJP

When my husband first met my friend Cedric Rivrain behind the scenes at one of Martine Sitbon fashion shows, he said, " you look just like the actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Years later, Cedric is finally strutting his stuff for DOUBLE Magazine. Enjoy...

Staying warm in Rome

While Paris sits under a blanket of snow, I have been enjoying the last of the warm weather walking the streets of Rome. When in Italy, I resort to the simple pleasures of life. The most amazing cappuccino awaits my lips every morning (why is the the coffee so bad in France?) I buy a huge chunk of parmesan cheese from a man who wraps it up like a Christmas gift. I sit in the cafes and watch the parade of home dyed biscuit blonde women walk by (all with cigarettes hanging from their lips) and their faces glowing from too much bronze powder. I feel the stares of men of all ages which does more for my ego than a jar of Creme de la Mer. And finally, I end everynight eating pasta with white truffles while sipping a newly discovered red wine from Tuscany next to the man I love. If this ain't heaven, it is pretty darn close! Shalom.

Back in Paris

Sorry for the wait. I was Outre Atlantic for a while. Now, I am back in beautiful Paris back again walking the streets and preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. Happy Holidays.

Printemps does New York, New York

Last night, Printemps department store celebrated Fashion Week with a huge party honoring New York City.We all crammed into another taxi to arrive at the fete way up in its 19th century dome. Courtney Love sang and DJ Bunny mixed the dance music. I forgot how well Courtney Love moves up on stage. She played some good ol' rock and roll which seemed to go down well with the dancing, chic Parisians. Susan Tabak, the very social New York blogger, was there in some strappy number with her breasts perched up high. Susan had her camera crew in tow always ready for her photo op which made the French laugh. It was fun to let loose a bit before taking another taxi home. This ends Paris Fashion Week Spring 2011....Now, I can get some sleep!

"It's Not the End of the World"

Last night, in the midst of our mini heat wave, I stopped by the Planetarium to check out Olympia Le-Tan's latest collection of handbags and minaudieres, "It's Not the End of the World". The cocktail party was in full swing when I arrived. Zac Posen, Christopher Niquet, Lucien Pages, Gaspar Noe, Yaz Bukey, Martine Sitbon, and the rest of the creme de la creme of the fashion world. Olympia did not disappoint in her beautiful and embroidered purses which seem to be from another heavenly world.

Yaz Bukey's INCOGNITO Collection

Woke up early (again) after another late night to spend some time with Yaz Bukey and her sister, Emel, to check out their latest INCOGNITO accessories collection. I always love to see what the sisters will pull out of their creative hat each season. This time there were Plexiglas renderings of thee Karl Lagerfeld plus Lady Gaga and a few lip motifs that are also on sale at the strip tease club, THE CRAZY HORSE.

Just say 'No"

See, I am not kidding about the ever flowing fountain of French champagne being thrown in front of our faces at every turn during Fashion Week. I have learned my lesson. Just say, 'No'.

Off to the world of Sacai

After the Zac Posen show, a few of us weary eyed travelers got enough energy together to cross Rue St Honore and Place Vendome in our high high heels to catch the latest from Sacai. The Spring 2011 Collection was presented like a cinematic production design with the high volume ceiling, clothes as sculptures arranged in parallel lines, and looming white smoke for a bit of Hollywood ambiance. Chitose Abe is a master of creating illusions. What appears to be a cardigan loosely fitting over a lacy skirt is really a one piece ensemble. There were silk slips underneath pleated skirts and beautiful chunky knits a few paces a head of the next trend. The years spent working at Comme des Garcons and Junya Watanabe has proven to be a valuable asset in transforming what seems a classic piece into a twisted and tucked work of art.

Sad Good bye to Sally Menke

During this frantic Fashion Week, I was told of the sad death of one of my favorite film editors, Sally Menke. While working as an assistant film editor for over 12 years in Los Angeles, I really looked up to the few women editors that seemed to fuse their creativity with the perfect director. I had the chance to work with Claire Simpson on SABRINA with Sydney Pollack over at Paramount. Claire had won an Oscar for her work as editor on PLATOON. I was the only female on a editing crew made up of brothers with the patriarch as the head editor, Fritz Steinkemp. Let's just say that it was challenging. When Claire came on board, I was relieved to have a female collaborator. I also worked with Dede Allen on Abel Ferarra's BODY SNATCHERS. Dede started as a East coast editor who started with Robert Wise and edited such 1970's masterpieces like BONNIE AND CLYDE and NEEDLE IN THE PARK. She used to tell me,' You gotta make the film dance, Liza. Make it dance' Sadly, Dede Allen left us this past June. The other editor I idolized was Sally Menke who edited all of Quentin Tarantino's films from RESERVOIR DOGS to the brilliant, INGLORIOUS BASTARDS. I always thought anyone who could close themselves in a dark editing room for months with Quentin Tarantino must have superwoman powers. It is too sad to think what happened to Sally while hiking in record high heat on such an arid terrain near the Hollywood sign. RIP, Sally. We will all miss you......and your brilliant editing....

Early as a bird, Zac Posen

I know Zac Posen is really excited to be showing his Spring '11 Collection in Paris, but did he have to make the curtain call at 11am? I had to arrive at 9:30 am to pick up my invite which means 7:30am wake up call after a night of champagne and taxis. Thank God, Zac picked the Imperial Salon at the old Intercontinental Hotel aka YSL's old stomping grounds to reveal his collection. Dark and inspired from a boudoir salon, it was the perfect ambiance for my tired eyes. I suddenly woke up once the Grace Jone's beat started to vibe the walls down. The collection was a strange mix of sex, feathers and haute couture gowns ready to fit his downtown muses. I sat in the back and enjoyed the show especially the accessories by Yaz Bukey. Now the question is, will Zac continue to show in Paris or go back to NYC?

To be continued......

Post Party, Post Floating, Post Cavalli

After the fashion show, we went back out into the courtyard to congratulate Martine Sitbon and her hard working crew. WE always have a great time with the RUE DU MAIL usual suspects. Now, it was time to go to the Roberto Cavalli 40th Anniversary dinner but I passed on that one. It was time to get back in the taxi and go to bed. So boring, I know. But what's a girl to do?

Martine Sitbon's Color Burst

I ended up bringing several girlfriend fashionistas to the RUE DU MAIL fashion show. Fueled by a couple glasses of champagne, we all crammed into the back seat of the my reserved taxi. Ami Sioux, the fashion photographer, being already 6ft now was 6.4 in her size 11 high heel shoes. We arrived on time at RUE Du MAIL but decided to stop by the cafe right next door since fashion shows are notoriously late. In the cafe, I bumped into David Mallet, the famed hair stylist who took pictures of my hair. He loved how his colleague, Barbara, had crimped my hair previously that day. Now, ready to join the show we walked into the court yard and what do we see, more glasses of champagne pushed in front of our faces. Oh, Oh... The show started with an explosion of color with dresses that floated down the runway. I started to take photos of the models but decided to put away the camera and just take it all in....or maybe that was the champagne having its way with me. Sometimes floating is all we need to make it through the day...or night!

Going back to Lady like.....

For this Autumn, I felt like splurging on a new look in the bag department. I have not bought a new bag for a couple years so when I saw a photo of the actress, January Jones, with the new Yves Saint Laurent CHYC bag on her shoulder, it was love at first sight. I bought the black patent leather version to give the bag a kinky Betty Page feeling to it. The only feature that I do not like about the bag is that it has one of those bloody magnets on the clasp. This tends to erase all my metro tickets and credit cards. Can someone please tell the bag Gods to stop designing bags with magnets????

Tonight, blow your head off....

Sorry, I know this has nothing to do with fashion nor art...but when I come to think of it, cooking is like fine art in my eyes. And I have been looking towards India this past week. I have been cooking up a storm with the great help of www.manjulaskitchen.com. Last night, I cooked my own Paneer cheese to go along with my Bhindi Masala ( Spicy Okra), Toor Dal and Basmeti rice with cilantro. I usually cut in half the amount of chopped red pepper but it still burns my mouth. I love being transported into Manjula's kitchen. Each night I try a different recipe as long I have all the ingredients and spices. Southern India food is very vegetarian friendly but very spicy which does not bother me. Nothing a cold beer cannot fix. "Nobody told me"

Bon Appetite!

Edward Hopper in Lausanne

We took the train to Lausanne, Switzerland for the weekend to see the Edward Hopper Exposition at the L'Hermitage Museum. There is something so strong that resonates in his paintings that leaves one very emotional. Maybe it has to do with his interpretation of the human condition which basks in solitude. It was hard not to have tears in my eyes while I gazed at Hopper's masterpieces.

My Fall Collection 2010

Maybe I am getting old. I think I have seen enough trends go in and out of style to lose interest in the next big thing. I find it harder each season to get excited about what the fashion world is spilling out into the boutiques these days. So, what is a girl to do?

Go back to basics....go back to the land of easy and simple. Kind of like finding an old friend on Facebook. Or maybe NOT.

I went back to order a few pieces from Martine Sitbon's RUE DU MAIL Pre-collection at very affordable prices. All pieces were in black ( a Parisian classic) or in powder rose/beige. Draped and structured is the way to go this fall. Mix it up. I also indulged in the leather craze this season by buying a smooth as butter black leather mini skirt to give my classic pieces a bit of rock-n-roll feel. Add one pair of Isabel Marant's sexy retro black suede heels and this 'old' fashionista is ready to rock.