Some Sad Thoughts...

Yesterday the 40 year old british designer Alexander McQueen passed away. It is always sad when someone dies, but it is even more conspicuous when this happens so often these days. The talents who are in the focus of public, die young, sad and alone. Heath Ledger, Dash Snow, Adam Goldstein, Brittany Murphy and now Alexander McQueen. They all passed away in the last five years under tragic circumstances. What is happening afterwards? Their death is being discussed in every single detail by the media, they earn millions of posts and everybody has to say something. With "everybody" I mean people that are neither family nor close friends. Some weeks pass on and everybody quickly forgets about what just recently happened.

Our world is turning too fast and becomes too easily too free of morals and this could be the reason why tragedies heap up. I hope that these people can rest in peace at another place.

Parisienne Style...Missing

Welcome to the New Year 2010 on my blog! After leaving Paris behind and moving to Vienne, I honestly hope to find more time to take care of my writing.

The New Year started very quiet in our new home at Austria. I am still busy finding my place in this city but at the same time I cannot resist looking back.

As sad as it may sound but from a fashionable and inspirational point of view my New Year started with a strong longing for our post parisian live. Right now I am following regularly the online diary of Olivier Zahm in order to get some views on Paris and parisian style. Who really caught my eye is his girl friend Natacha Ramsay. For me she is the incarnation of a Parisienne. She dresses and poses with sophistication and a certain nonchalance which jumpes into my eyes on every single photo. It may sound strange but for me it is comforting to have a real time report from my favorite city with the most elegant inhabitants I can imagine.

I know that now it is time go on and keep the little parisienne in me. Still I am thankful for the time I spent in the city of lights and especially for the most most precious souvenir I will always have with me.

Seasons Change...So Do Preferences

When I was young, really young (teenage years and early adulthood) I could never imagine wearing polo shirts or moccasins. For me all this was far away, "rich kids parents look" and something I would avoid to get in touch with. When I was 13, I baught myself some Dr. Martens Vintage 1460 8 Eye Boot with flower print in London, when I was 16 I loved vintage ADIDAS sneakers, afterwards I had a faible for the highest heel possible and since I am in Paris I collect Repetto ballerinas. Now that I am a mother flats are much more convenient. Coming back to the beginning, I expressed that I always had a certain dislike for certain fashion elements like the moccasin. Last week, after a discussion with my concubin I decided that I needed one...DESPERATELY. There it was, I went for a marine blue classic suede Tod's model.
Without having any clue where this strong wish came from I read Grazia France and Jalouse magazine. Both mentioned the moccasin as essential piece for the coming season. Jalouse magazine even made a wonderful editorial about the collaboration of luxury shoe manufacturer J.M. Weston with la cool&hip de Paris like Olivier Zahm, André, Olympia Le Tan, Kitsuné and more. Each one had the chance to pick a classic model and re-design in order to give it a personal touch. The result is exclusively available at Colette from 11th to 17th of October.
This is exactly what I like about fashion. Even the most bourgeois and conservative piece has its flexibility. For me this fall there is nothing more unconventional (style-wise) than wearing a traditional moccasin.

Beautiful Stays Beautiful

Sienna Miller once known as a "trend-setter" was one of the first ladies wearing Ray Ban sunglasses before they were everywere. She might have been one of the most stylish women in 2005 before the split with Jude Law. Since then she only got negative press about her love live. Being not so much interested in her affairs, I really love one of her latest pictures, where she looks georgeous with sun classes that would make the majority of people look very unflattering. Very well done and thanks for replacing the Ray Bans.

Coco Avant Karl

I just returned from the cinema where I was watching "Coco Avant Chanel". As always when you return from cinema you reflect the subject. Just a few thoughts I would like to note down before going to bed...Obviously, Gabrielle Chanel's life was complete but sad. For me it is nearly unbelievable how Karl Lagerfeld's life could be so similar. He is also incredibly successful with what he does, which makes him dependend on his work which again makes his live complete in a way. But...and that is a sad fact, he must also be very lonely after the loss of the love of his life. Like Gabrielle Chanel, he was never seen with someone who is close to him (apart from many friends and admirer).

I wonder if, after Karl, the "Chanel curse" will stop here.

Le Baron Experience

“Mostly, models are cheesy and stupid,” Mr. Saraiva said. “They show up with tacky men who think they are kings of the world because they have a driver and expensive clothes. A guy that looks like a bum is more likely to get into one of my places.”
André Saraiva, NYT Interview 2007

After having read that very promising statement, I went to Le Baron Paris the first time last Saturday. After nearly three years in Paris, I always wanted to go but somehow never made it. So I waited for the visit of friends who would really appreciate a night at a unique venue. People at the door were likable and cool and the venue itself was as beautiful as stated in any magazine or on any internet site. The problem on that special Saturday was more in the party crowd itsself. The ones who could be found inside where either beautiful women who tried so hard to look like models, pretentious men and very young school kids. My friend, who organized parties himself, observed that this crowd consists of two types of customers (usage of the word "customer" on purpose): the once who want to be watched and the once who watch. Both are dependend on each other. I was more the watching type I guess because, as I already stated at the door, I did not know anyone who goes to Le Baron on a regular basis. While smoking a cigarette outside, I discovered a stretch limousine for rent on the other side of the street. Right away I remembered the interview and asked myself how this corresponds? Isn't there anything more cheesy then renting a stretch limousine or is it just cheesy going clubbing on Saturdays?

We went home with the in-house english cab at a late time for a new mother and early for a parisian night. In bed I came to the conclusion that any original club needs a permanently cool crowd to be watched and customers who finance the soirées("tacky men who think they are kings of the world because they have a driver and expensive clothes"). There is no space left over for idealism.

Jil Sander Spring 2009 Campaign

The fact that a fashion group with german origins has published an amazingly outstanding advertising campaign for spring 2009 is worth a post. The campaign shot by the belge photograper Willy Vanderperre captures all the characteristic criterias Jil Sander stands for: Timelessness, Classicism and Minimalism. It's a "Natasha Poly only" campaign styled by Oliver Rizzo who is a stylist, consultant and freelance fashion editor.

Soldes In Paris And A New Favorite...

After having given birth to my little baby girl in December, I decided to remunerate myself and go for the winter sale in Paris. In the little spare time I have right now, I went through the shops in St. Germain (rue de Grenelle, Bon Marché, rue du Four, rue Chèrche Midi) and was quite disappointed. The universal french affordable brands like Gerard Darel, Maje, Sandro and Manoush left me with the impression that they create the same type of clothing season by season. The Bon Marché made me smile when I see a pair of shoes (orginal price 400 EUR reduced to 360 EUR). Nevertheless the majority of the consumers seemed to be quite happy and shopped like crazy. The only think I could buy in peace with myself was a pair of Ferragamo Vara low heel ballerines reduced to 125 EUR.

Two weeks later when strolling down rue du Bac with my baby, I discovered a small boutique with the very small sign in the window (70 % for the whole winter collection). As the interieur looked very chic with a quite expensive carpet on the floor, I decided to go there in the evening without baby carriage.

This evening the Paris winter sale started for me. It was indeed true that it was 70 % on any piece (shoes and clothing) of the winter collection. The owner has chosen a wonderful range of different fashion talents like Philipp Lim, Kris Van Assche, A.F. Vanderforst, Alessandro Dell'Acqua a.s.o. I did not find any french name in the whole boutique which explains maybe the diversity of the pieces. Don't get me wrong. I love "french fashion"...but it can be frustrating to see very similar pieces like the "Chloé Style Dresses" season over season again. After a professional consultation by the owner, I decided to go for a Véronique Branquinho lana wool pullover, a Loeffler Randall jacket and a Twin-Set cashemere and silk pullover.

For the futur this shop will be my address for all Paris Sales. According to my opinion it is one of the best designer shops in Paris with the most private atmosphere and the most friendly owner.

Details:

Suite 114 rue du Bac

114, rue du Bac

75007 Paris

M: Sèvres-Babylone

Photos by artist Isabelle de Scitivaux

Perfect Vintage: No Good Store - Paris

Last Saturday I went for a rather disappointing lunch to Rose Bakery on rue des Martyrs in the 9th arrondissement. Afterwards I took a stroll through the quartier and discovered a shop called "No Good Store" which looked quite promising from outside with its 60's mannequin's in the window decoration. They offer a wide collection of contemporary brands and accessoires such as Phamarcy Industry, Lou Doillon for Lee Cooper and they sell vintage pieces by Yves Saint Laurent, André Courrèges and Lanvin for really reasonable prices. I was amazed to see that you would only pay between 200 and 300 EUR for unique evening dress by YSL Rive Gauche. All of the vintage pieces are in perfect condition beautifully arranged and clean. If I need to dress up for a special night this would be first address to look for a one and only piece.

No Good Store
53, Rue des Matyrs
75009
Tel: 01 45 96 00 87
Metro: Notre Dame de Lorette, #12 line

Richard Avedon VS The Sartorialist

Richard Avedon: August 1957

"Homage to Munkácsi" Place Francois Premier Paris

The Sartorialist: September 2008

Ralph Lauren Fashion Show, New York

The End Of Trends...

Being pregnant is a bit the end of trends for at least 1-2 seasons. Right now it makes no sense for me to enquire anything which leads to a "semi-interest" in fashion. As I love fashion I am still following the current happenings (of course) but without passion (unfortunately). Naturally I still consume as many fashion magazines as time allows and I continue reading my favorite fashion blogs and sites on a regular basis. Nevertheless, right now, there is something bigger going on in my live so I am not as emotional as I would be about la mode en generale. This "semi-interest" also lead to a lack of posts over the last months. Having said that, I would like to come back to the beginning of this post where I mentioned the "end of trends".

Today I read an article on JC Report mentioning that the ecomomic situation lead to many mini trends in order to reach as many customers as possible. As a consequence, fashion seasons don't come up with a so called "leitmotiv" but many different ideas. I consider this as a very interesting theory and when I look at the collections for S/S 2009 recently being shown on the runways this thought is perfectly demonstrated. You can see a wide range of trends crossing different decades of fashion.

How should I evaluate the so called "end of trends"? Should I be happy because I can now be pleased having enaugh in my wardrobe which can be worn over and over again or does it also mean the end of creativity. It is no secret that fashion is recurrent, but at least there should be some innovation. If you have too many "mini trends" how can a designer still present a huge innovation? The answer is open.

August In Paris...And Versailles

There are very different opinions on spending August in Paris. Some people like it because Paris is empty, there is less polution and more freedom. I consider it as the sadest time being here because nearly everything apart from the big stores and chains is closed and there are no parisians but only tourists. I will gladly leave this Saturday for a two week vacation coming back at the end of August for la rentrée.

In case someone visits Paris shortly and reads this blog I would highly recommend to reserve a ticket for the Versailles Summer Events. I was seeing the "grand evening fountain display" last Saturday and it was stunning. Some of my photos reflect the magic atmosphere which lasted from sunset to midnight. An exprerience everyone who loves Paris should make.

Time For Lace

I was very pleased to see lace as one of my favorite fabrics back on the runway in Prada's Fall 2008 ready-to-wear collection. Today I was browsing though new photos on Garance Doré's streetstyle blog and I noticed the "lace look" has already made it on to the street. Lace as such is a very sensitive, elegant and aesthetic material that makes you look very very feminin with a wicked touch.

My favorite lace dresses are actually available in Peal Lowe's lace dress collection. All a bit pricy for me so I might go for some vintage shopping shortly.

1 Et 1 Font 3

Being pregnant in Germany can be difficult (fashion-wise). They don't have shops like "A Pea In The Pod" and all that fancy stuff being imported from the US. In France it is much better. So many babies are born here every year that they have to make an effort...and they do, especially in Paris. Fashion and food is very important to any parisian and nobody understands it better to dress as graceful like the French.

To cut a long story short, I discovered the perfect maternity shop yesterday, called 1 et 1 Font 3. The boutique at Solférino was decorated so lovely from the outside that it already caught my attention on Sunday. Yesterday I made my way to it and I discovered that their clothing is as cute and inventive as their name (emphasizing on how you got that way in the first place). The shop is a relief for anyone who suffers from being out of fashion for at least some months (like I stated in a former post). They sell very well tailored linen trousers and jeans with elasticated waists, romantic dresses and comfortable shoes. Prices are reasonable, you really don't need to spend a fortune. Especially their A/W 2008 collection is beautyful, consisting of the most exiting knitwear you can still wear after pregnancy.

Paris Stores:
Paris 4th district : 16 rue de Turenne - 75004 Paris - Tel.: 01 42 71 12 20
6th district : Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche - 22, rue de Sèvres 75006 Paris - Tel.: 01 44 39 80 00
7th district : 3, rue de Solférino - 75007 Paris - Tel.: 01 40 62 92 15
9th district : Galeries Lafayette - 40, bd Haussmann 75009 Paris - Tel.: 01 42 82 34 56
16th district <* fin de serie *> : 1, rue de Sontay - 75016 Paris - Tel.: 01 45 01 74

Europe:
Portugal: Rua Nova de São Mamede, n° 30 1250-270 - Lisboa
Germany : Francfort, Freiburg
Belgium : Antwerpen
Denmark : Copenhagen
Spain : Manresa (Catalogna), Barcelone
France : Albi, Agen Bordeaux, Cannes, La Rochelle, Rouen, Toulouse, Limoges, Toulon
Norway : Bergen, Oslo

USA:
New York

My Window Wants...Lace Curtains

As we recently moved I read a lot about houses and decoration. This led me to a home report on Pearl Lowe's house in the Somerset countryside. The use fabrics in black lace curtains caught my attention. Despite it looks a bit gothic, the black lace creates a cosy atmosphere in a room and I have never seen it before. When I came across her homepage, I found out that she designs the curtains herself.

The House:

The curtains can be ordered on her website pearllowe.co.uk in different colours and fabrics.

The Outfit

I will start my week-end in a couple of hours, actually not before posting this stunning outfit worn by Julia Restoin-Roitfeld. It is amazing that she can pull off shorts and cleavage in one without looking trashy. She has not lost a single bit of elegance and french reticence. This is what I call real style.

Fashion And Pregnancy

Fashion and Pregnancy does not really work together, does it? Some female friends of mine say that the "typical french fashion" like Chloé dresses and wide blouses would match perfectly with pregnancy. This is correct, but what about the "taille haute" which luckily just came back? No way. Once you are pregnant, you are out of fashion. It is hard to say but honest and it is difficult to stay motivated creating cute outfits because there are tons of things just cannot wear (especially pants and skirts). The only part of your wardrobe which is left over for extension are shoes and dresses.

During the last months I collected some inspirational photos of pregnant women looking stylish all the way through the 40 weeks. I dedicate this post to all future mothers and hope they enjoy pregnancy, stay in fashion looking forward to something which is much greater.


Natalie Vodianova with her second child. Age 26 she has three kids.

Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg with two of their kids and the most stylish family I have ever seen.

I was never interested in Nicole Richie's wardrobe but what she wore during her pregnancy was flawless and beautiful.

And who said that pregnancy is not seductive? It can be as well, as soon as you feel and go for it. Eva Herzigova did that provocative shoot for Vanity Fair Italy shortly before giving birth.

Exhibition: Fashion In The Mirror

UK's first independent gallery devotet to photography, the Photographers' Gallery, currently hosts the amazing exhibition "Fashion In The Mirror". It is curated by Michel Mallard and Raphaëlle Stopin (organizers of the annual International Fashion and Photography Festival in Hyères ).

The exhibition features works by 21 world-class photographers such as Nick Knight, Ines van Lamsweerde & Vidoodh Matadin, Steven Meisel, Juergen Teller, Mario Testino and many more. It deals with self reflection in fashion photography and provides a rare look behind the scenes.

In the pictures photographers observe themselves during work, which means they are mainly included in the photo itself. The shoot becomes a kind of self-portrait revealing the secrets of glamour and seduction.

"Fashion In The Mirror": Self-Reflection in Fashion Photography

July 18 - September 8
The Photographers’ Gallery
5 & 8 Great Newport Street
London WC2H 7HY
Tube Station: Leicester Square

Vogue Paris Team...Défilés Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2008 2009

It's always inspiring to see new photos of the Vogue Paris Team being photographed all together. Their style is effortless, timeless and always a great source of inspiration.

From Left to right: Mélanie Huynh, Benjamin Bruno, Carine Roitfeld, Géraldine Saglio

A Parisian Ad...Longchamp Autumn/Winter 2008/09

The french brand Longchamp offering handbags, travel bags, luggage, wallets, briefcases, small leather goods and fashion accessories named Kate Moss face of the brand in 2005. In 2008 they publish the most stunning campaign shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott.

Kate Moss appears as a young and beautiful Brigitte Bardot look-alike and you can hardly notice the age difference between her and french actor Gaspard Ulliel. They make the perfect matching parisien couple spending a lazy afternoon in Café Flore.

Brigitte Bardot, herself, at Café Flore