Monday, March 8, 2010

From London To Paris, Fashion Week 2010. I Did It!

My very first blog entry has a mention of my very best friend and photographer extraordinaire *Alex. Alex and I met several years ago on a photoshoot. Not mine of course, at the time I was accompanying a sweet friend who was sent by her mother agency Models 1 to get some tests done for her pitifully blank portfolio. She was nervous, the shoot had nothing to do with me, I was there for support so brazenly I rang the doorbell three times in a row. The window above opened and a voice poured out "just because you can ring the shit out of my doorbell doesn't mean I will get there any quicker". We giggled at his doorstep shivering slightly in the light rain that begun to spatter.

Well, to cut  a long story short, the shoot went magnificently, why wouldn't it? After all the model I speak of has now several years later reached the top of her game, she's a big deal in the fashion industry and walks season after season for the most prestigious shows. She has been photographed countless times and is a bonafide glossy cover star. The most visited fashion forum on the internet has over 1000 pages dedicated to her all made by fans who post images and comments on a weekly basis. So with the shoot over, my friend had to race off to yet another appointment. I stayed behind to help clear up the props and offered to get us some sandwhiches. OK, *Alex was (and still is) a cutie. I really didn't think I had a chance since he was so accustomed to being around preternaturally beautiful women but crushes however silly, do fill us with giddy hope. So I stayed, lingering, making myself useful. We talked and laughed about this and that and pissed around, both of us realising that a friendship was forming but never for a second guessing the impact we would have on each others lives years to come. He is still the person I go to when I need a shoulder to cry on and when good advice is thin on the ground *Alex always has surplus, sans the bullshit of fake friends who only tell you what they think you want to hear. I was dissapointed when he said he wanted his boyfriend to meet me but I guess I always knew somewhere inside that he is gay, *Alex is just too damn cool and too damn knowledgeable and too damn passionate about fashion and too damn gorg than most women I know to ever be straight.

He has also given me the best compliment I have ever recieved in my life. Being a photographer, it was not long before he picked up his camera and started shooting me. I was young and not nearly as camera shy as I am now. I remember to this day, the solemn look he gave when for a moment he stopped clicking and looked me square in the face and said "honey, you know something? You really are a strikingly beautiful girl. Not pretty. No one could ever call you that and nor should they. You are stunning and exotic and only a blessed bone structure can seperate the stunnings from the pretties." To get a compliment like that from a total stranger, without an angle or agenda, from a professional photographer who works with the top names! I love my husband dearly but I rank this compliment as my #1. I still have the prints from that day and they nestle nicely on top of my flea market find french table, right next to baby pictures of my darling son and my wedding day. Funnily enough, those pictures helped to secure me my own agency deal and whilst not nearly tall enough for the catwalk, I nevertheless earned good money from catalogues and beauty editorials. Ah, another life. Another time.

So, *Alex covered London Fashion Week which went off like a sky rocket on February 19th and like the good friend he is, allowed me to tag along. We took the red eye from JFK airport to London Heathrow. It is always electric to set foot on British soil. I love travelling and I love living abroad but London is and always will be my home sweet home.

The cocophony of noise that surrounds the shows, which start way before the audience are even seated, with throngs of people waiting outside dressed in black and talking short and sharp on Blackberries is nothing if not amazing. One has to be there to know of the fever of which I speak. It's insane. The shows which I enjoyed the most were:

(1)Sass & Bide who did gorgeous embellished pieces showcasing black and gold and white and gold - some of my favourite combinations.




(2) Paul Costelloe  who dressed men for winter the way I see them in my minds eye: chiselled 1940's street glamour. Pomade slicked hair worn short and neat. Woollen coats that are both roomy and tailored at the same time, generously cut trousers tucked into workday boots. Smashing! I bought this one piece as a "just because" present for my husband:






(3) Maria Grachvogel whom I have long admired for her graceful eloquence, wit and panache. High class syle and unapologetic glamour are her stock and trade. She cuts beautifully with a firm understanding of the female figure, not as it is, but rather as it should be which allows even the most imperfect figure to look and feel its best. Always running the gamut with new and intriguing materials and print, Maria Grachvogel never dissapoints her loyal followers. I loved her entire show, especially these pieces which I long to see hanging in my own closet:










(4) Mulberry. I had love for them this season because they gave us a taste of the 60's with Bardotesqe romance in rich warm fabrics. Hemlines were kept short and sassy.








(5) Antonio Beradi for the use of structure and form, paired down glamour with a minimalist twist that cleverly incorporated peekaboo lace inserts and deep necklines. The show was breathtaking.







(6) Amanda Wakeley for her drapery and sweet use of silky flowy fabrics and unashamed use of fur. Worn with thick opaque tights and peep toe ankle boots, it was very easy to imagine wearing these pieces before 6pm. The models hair was left looking self-styled and lush. It was all very natural and organic.











(7) Burberry Prorsum was hands down my favourite LF show. I knew I would fall in love again and again as each model paraded perfectly formed, perfectly fitted sheepskin aviator style jackets and they were thick too, lush and so warm looking I felt snug just gazing! I collect Burberry distinctively as I know each piece will long outlast me and if cared for will become staples in my grand daughters wardrobe. I cried with glee as I saw how they channeled my most cherished 1960's style - short hemlines, hip length thick coats, OTK boots. Heaven IS Burberry Prorsum.


















Currently, I am in Paris and the shows have been Très Magnifique! As soon as pictures are available I will update this post. It has been quite an experience and a whole lot of fun and now I cannot wait to do it all over again. Not everyone I met were pretentious as I had first anticipated, of course there will always be the try-hards and the poseur assholes who attempt to stand aloof with a failed air of self importance but hey, the music, parties and rain of champagne more than made up for them. Due to fly home to Frisco on Thursday 11th and as much as I have enjoyed myself, I miss my family terribly and can't wait to give out the presents so thoughtfully picked out. I do so hope they will like them and find them useful. For now, here is the schedule list:

Tuesday, March 2010, the 2nd


6:00 pm ANTHONY VACCARELLO

Joyce Palais Royal - 168/173 galerie de Valois - Paris 1er

7:00 pm NICOLAS ANDREAS TARALIS

Palais de Tokyo - 13 avenue du Président Wilson - Paris 16e

8:00 pm QUENTIN VERON

Culée du Pont Alexandre III - Paris 7e

9:00 pm FATIMA LOPES

BETC EURO RSCG - 85-87 rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin - Paris 10e

Wednesday, March 2010, the 3rd

10:00 pm DÉVASTÉE

BETC EURO RSCG - 85-87 rue du Faubourg Saint Martin - Paris 10e

11:00 pm MOON YOUNG HEE

Garage Turenne - 66 rue de Turenne - Paris 3e

12:00 pm TIM VAN STEENBERGEN

Door Studio - 9/9bis rue de Lesdiguières - Paris 4e

1:00 pm ANNE VALÉRIE HASH

Espace Commines - 17 rue Commines - Paris 3e

2:00 pm LIMI FEU Garage Turenne - 66 rue de Turenne - Paris 3e

3:00 pm DRIES VAN NOTEN See invitation

4:00 pm FELIPE OLIVEIRA BAPTISTA Lycée Turgot - 69 rue de Turbigo - Paris 3e

5:00 pm ROCHAS

7 place Vendôme - Paris 1er

6:00 pm GARETH PUGH

Palais de Tokyo - 13 avenue du Président Wilson - Paris 16e

7:00 pm PEACHOO+KREJBERG

Garage Turenne - 66 rue de Turenne - Paris 3e

8:00 pm RUE DU MAIL (by Martine Sitbon) 5 rue du Mail - Paris 2e

9:00 pm DAMIR DOMA Lycée Henri IV - 1 rue Clotilde - Paris 5e

Thursday, March 2010, the 4th

10:00 am

BALENCIAGA See invitation

11:00 am LIE SANG BONG Hôtel Westin - 3 rue de Castiglione - Paris 1er

12:00 pm HIROKO KOSHINO Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*

1:00 pm MANISH ARORA Lycée Henri IV - 1 rue Clotilde - Paris 5e

2:00 pm SHARON WAUCHOB Les Beaux-Arts de Paris - salle Mélpomène - 13 quai Malaquais - Paris 6e

3:00 pm BALMAIN Intercontinental Paris le Grand - 2 rue Scribe - Paris 9e

4:00 pm BARBARA BUI Le Showcase - Pont Alexandre III - Paris 8e

5:00 pm RICK OWENS Palais de Chaillot - 1 place du Trocadéro - Paris 16e

6:00 pm LUTZ Garage Turenne - 66 rue de Turenne - Paris 3e

7:00 pm AF VANDEVORST Les Beaux-Arts de Paris - salle Mélpomène - 13 quai Malaquais - Paris 6e

8:00 pm NINA RICCI See invitation

9:00 pm BLESS Loft Sévigné - 46 rue de Sévigné - Paris 3e

Friday, March 2010, the 5th

10:00 am

RM BY THE DESIGNER ROLAND MOURET

Gymnase Japy - 2 rue Japy - Paris 11e

11:00 am ISSEY MIYAKE

Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Le Nôtre

12:00 pm GASPARD YURKIEVICH Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*

1:00 pm BERNHARD WILLHELM Palais Brongniart - place de la Bourse - Paris 2e

2:30 pm CHRISTIAN DIOR Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries – Paris 1er

3:30 pm ISABEL MARANT Couvent des Cordeliers - 15 rue de l'Ecole de Médecine - Paris 6e

4:30 pm VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

5:30 pm LANVIN Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

6:30 pm MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

7:30 pm VÉRONIQUE LEROY Garage Turenne - 66 rue de Turenne - Paris 3e

8:30 pm YOHJI YAMAMOTO Lycée Carnot - 145 boulevard Malesherbes - Paris 17e

Saturday, March 2010, the 6th

9:30 am

JUNYA WATANABE See invitation

10:30 am

HAIDER ACKERMANN Les Beaux-Arts de Paris - salle Mélpomène - 13 quai Malaquais - Paris 6e

11:30 am

TSUMORI CHISATO Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*

12:30 pm CHAPURIN Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Le Nôtre*

1:30 pm VIKTOR & ROLF

Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries – Paris 1er

2:30 pm CACHAREL 7 place Vendôme - Paris 1er

3:30 pm SOPHIA KOKOSALAKI Hôtel Westin - 3 rue de Castiglione - Paris 1er

4:30 pm ANN DEMEULEMEESTER Couvent des Cordeliers - 15 rue de l'Ecole de Médecine - Paris 6e

5:30 pm COMME DES GARCONS See invitation

7:00 pm JEAN PAUL GAULTIER 325 rue Saint-Martin - Paris 3e

8:00 pm LOEWE Ecole de Médecine - 12 rue de l'Ecole de Médecine - Paris 6e

Sunday, March 2009, the 7th

10:00 am

KARL LAGERFELD Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries - Paris 1er

11:00 am

ANDREW GN Les Beaux-Arts de Paris - salle Mélpomène - 13 quai Malaquais - Paris 6e

12:00 pm AKRIS Palais de Chaillot - 1 place du Trocadéro - Paris 16e

1:00 pm CÉLINE See invitation

2:00 pm COSTUME NATIONAL Ecole de Médecine - 45 rue des Saints-Pères - Paris 6e

3:00 pm HUSSEIN CHALAYAN Couvent des Cordeliers - 15 rue de l'Ecole de Médecine - Paris 6e

4:00 pm SONIA RYKIEL Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

5:00 pm

JOHN GALLIANO Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

6:00 pm MARTIN GRANT Chapelle des Petits Augustins - Les Beaux-Arts de Paris - 14 rue Bonaparte - Paris 6e

8:30 pm GIVENCHY Voir invitation

Monday, March 2010, the 8th

10:00 am

STELLA MCCARTNEY See invitation

11:00 am

EMANUEL UNGARO Hôtel Westin - 3 rue de Castiglione - Paris 1er



12:00 pm LÉONARD Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Le Nôtre*



1:00 pm GUY LAROCHE Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*

2:00 pm GIAMBATTISTA VALLI 7 place Vendôme - Paris 1er

3:00 pm ZUCCA Couvent des Cordeliers - 15 rue de l'Ecole de Médecine - Paris 6e



4:00 pm KENZO Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries - Paris 1er

5:00 pm COMMUUN Palais de la Découverte - avenue Franklin Roosevelt - Paris 8e

6:00 pm VANESSA BRUNO Palais de Chaillot - 1 place du Trocadéro - Paris 16e

8:00 pm YVES SAINT LAURENT Grand Palais - entrée avenue Winston Churchill - Paris 8e

Tuesday, March 2010, the 9th

9:30 am

MARIE BISHARA Ambassade d'Egypte - 56 avenue d'Iéna - Paris 16e

10:30 am CHANEL Grand Palais - avenue du Général Eisenhower - Paris 8e

11:30 am

THIERRY MUGLER Palais de Tokyo - 13 avenue du Président Wilson - Paris 16e

12:30 pm JEAN-CHARLES DE CASTELBAJAC Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Le Nôtre*

1:30 pm INGRID VLASOV Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*



2:30 pm CHLOÉ Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries - Paris 1er

3:30 pm JUNKO SHIMADA Hôtel Westin - 3 rue de Castiglione - Paris 1er

5:00 pm VALENTINO Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

6:00 pm MARITHÉ & FRANCOIS GIRBAUD Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

7:00 pm

SHIATZY CHEN Les Beaux-Arts de Paris - salle Mélpomène - 13 quai Malaquais - Paris 6e

Wednesday, March 2010, the 10th

9:30 am TALBOT RUNHOF Hôtel Westin - 3 rue de Castiglione - Paris 1er

10:30 am ELIE SAAB Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries - Paris 1er

11:30 am

WUNDERKIND Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*

12:30 pm VALENTIN YUDASHKIN Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Le Nôtre*

2:30 pm LOUIS VUITTON See invitation

3:30 pm PAUL & JOE Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

4:30 pm HERMÈS Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

5:30 pm CERRUTI Halle Freyssinet - 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol - Paris 13e

7:00 pm MIU MIU See invitation

* Le Carrousel du Louvre, 99, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

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