Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Blue... blue...

Yesterday, Milano's Spring-Summer 2011 Fashion Week came to an end and it will start tomorrow here, in Paris... Last stage, till October 9th, of this Fashion caravan that began in New York several weeks ago...
Obviously Paris always has the last word, but we can start to single out the most important trends already. It's mainly fashion for a hippie / bohemian woman, with lots of long skirts and fringes (see Cavalli's and Pucci's), or a true romantic one, with white dresses with lace (Dolce & Gabbana). The 15 cm-high heels we've become so used to now, are beginning to disappear, replaced by low strappy sandals (gladiators... again!!).
Bold colors still dominate, specially blue and turquoise, seen mainly in Versace's and many American and Italian collections.
My favorites so far?
I liked the gowns of Oscar de la Renta, always excellent when it comes to elegant designs. I loved Proenza Schouler, because of the choice of color and tailoring. I was surprised, as usual, by Prada, with her very original dresses. I felt in love again with Dolce & Gabbana, which had me quite bored lately, because of their white dresses with lace... And I was intrigued by the collection of Peter Dundas' for Pucci.
I have many invitations for the shows in Paris: Lanvin, Giambattista Valli, YSL, Alexander McQueen...
I'll keep you posted...
(Cavalli)
(Pucci)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

About showing respect to others...

With some disappointment I've been reading the comments sent these past days to my previous post on the Argentine runway show in Paris, specially against Mariana Nannis and her daughter Charlotte...
Dear readers, just a question... why such bitterness towards them?
Why can't we accept the diversity of aims in each others lives? Why must we all want and do the same?
I do not know Mrs Nannis, have never spoken to her, but I am conscious that her ostentations and way of life (which I do not share) may feel violent, specially in a country as Argentina (but truly not only there), where living is hard to many and the economic crisis has had its consequences...
But let's try to judge everything with a more enjoyable eye... She has her show, her own reality TV program. And instead of getting angry, laugh if you want, but do not let resentment find its way... 
Better have a laugh and think of something else... There are so many interesting things in the World to see...

Friday, September 17, 2010

Argentine noon in Paris...

With lots of joy and illusion, today at noon I crossed the whole of Paris, from my 8th arrondissement to the unknown (at least, to me) Rue Fontaine au Roi, in the 11th arrondissement... so far away from home! But be it all to witness the runway show of dear Argentine designers and friends, all gathered to participate in this event.
Invited by the French Government, the usual participant of the BAAM, the famous Salón de la Alta Costura, organized every year at the Sheraton Hotel of Buenos Aires by the tireless Héctor Vidal Rivas (mythical stylist to many TV stars in Argentina), showed really good collections, that caught the attention of many...
They were (in order of appearance) Laurencio Adot, who brought Carolina Baldini as guest model-vedette and showed really nice dresses, mainly in salmon and one splendid long black gown, with transparencies, which I loved.
Then came Sylvie Burstein, who in Argentina used to run the Maison Nina Ricci, and has that sheer light style in pastels that looks so chic.
It was then the turn of Claudio Cossano, who dressed Mariana Nannis (Where did she come from? Someone told me from Marbella) and her daughter, whose name I do not remember.
After him, Verónica de la Canal presented her precious and embroidered corsets, all really eye-catching.
A special mention deserves EA MODA (which stands for Escuela Argentina de Moda) with their seven creations, inspired in the essence of Argentina, using, for example, leather of different colors to reproduce the houses of la Boca, or precious stones and crystals in a long dress imitating our flag.
My congratulations to those who did the casting of the models... they were mainly Russian, beautiful, perfect, professionals, all of who knew how to give value to the pieces they were carrying with elegance and grace.
A note also to the hair-dos, classic and perfect, and the make-up, delicate and "soignée."
For the finale, it was the turn of Jorge Ibañez, who I knew little and thought that he only dressed vedettes from Argentina. But how wrong I was! He showed seven really good looks and a "mise en scène" with Ingrid Grudke, dressed as Evita Perón, first with her tailleur of skirt, hat and feathers, imitating the gestures of Argentina's most popular icon. Then she walked a copy of the Dior dress she used when she did an official travel to Europe in the 50s, strapless, with an embroidered corset and a tulle skirt in grey and silver... All this, to the sound of "Don't cry for me, Argentina," in Spanish and English, and with the voice of Antonio Banderas... I was really touched.
Is it maybe because my heart is truly Argentine and misses home? Who knows...
But the thing is I had a really nice time, meeting friends of so many years, and proud to see that, in spite of the many problems, lack of materials and fabrics, and economic crises, Argentine designers were able to show their talent and travel fearless to Paris, the sophisticated capital of Fashion, to show with success their creations in the 11th arrondissement...
A pleasure...

Monday, September 13, 2010

Spring-Summer 2011 Collections...

Precise as a Swiss clock, the Spring-Summer 2011 Collections began, this week-end, their very long journey with New York's first runway shows.
As usual. they'll follow up in London, Milano and finally Paris, by the beginning of October.
Which will the key items be? What will designers propose us this time to push us madly toward stores to spend our savings on a suit, a dress or a pair of sandals?
It must be hard for them... we have gotten so used now to recycling, shortening, modifying or pairing in new ways all the pieces of our wardrobe. Two years of economic chaos have done much to fashion... We no longer buy just because, we double-check before a "coup de coeur," and we privilege smart-bargains over Haute Couture. But the fashion business must go on, it means a stable job for many and it will never end so easily...
So then. let's see what they all have to give...
For now, I've only seen Victoria Beckham's Collection, which was ok, not very exciting though. It felt like a "déjà vu" to me...
But there's still so many collections to see...
And we, women, will always find something to wish for...

Victoria Beckham's runway show...

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Biutiful...

Although I've just got to Paris, where Fall is timidly showing off (18°C), I've decided to go to a private screening of "Biutiful," Alejandro González Iñárritu's new movie.
After Amores Perros, 21 grams and Babel, Iñárritu brings us here a true masterpiece of realistic cinema... but...
Two notes:
1) It is possibly the hardest, darkest and cruelest movie I've ever seen in my entire life...
2) Javier Bardem, the lead actor in the film, is definitely the largest and most talented living actor... He deserves every Academy Awards to come...
As we met outside of the theatre, my sister and I, together with some friends, had our throats choked with tears which we could not let go...
What is it about?
This is the story of a lonely man, Uxbal, who, living in a rotten, dirty and corrupt yet lovely Barcelona, has to face the fact that he is dying of a terminal disease and has nothing to leave to his two children, who he adores. In the need for quick money he mingles with Chinese and Africans. The first produce fake designer bags in a window-less underground workroom. The latter sell them downtown, always avoiding getting caught by the police. A true universe of misery...
The mother of the children, Marambra, is a bi-polar mental woman, totally crazy and unable to handle the kids.
Uxbal is dying but selling fakes, the misfortunes (so many!) of those around him and his need for money leave him no time to pity himself...
And he is continuosly haunted by memories of his father, who he never knew...
I won't tell you more... You must see "Biutiful" although there's nothing beautiful in it.
You have to see it because it is a slap on the face that shows us a cruel reality that, although it exists, we usually don't want to see...
A special remark for young Maricel Alvarez, who plays the role of Marambra, a fantastic actress I did not know but, after reading the press booklet given to us, I found out that she's from Argentina! She's been working in theatres mainly and this has been her first movie. Iñárritu was two days from begining production and still had no actress for this role, when he received Maricel's resumé. In less than 24 hours he made her travel all the way from Buenos Aires and in just two minutes he realized she was the one to play Marambra...
Oh, and I don't want to forget to mention Gustavo Santaolalla's original soundtrack, another Argentinian contributing to create a movie masterpiece...
See, after all, I did find something beautiful, right?

Friday, September 3, 2010

Websites for good shopping...

I think you already know them... but, as you keep asking which are my favorite ones, here's a list of them...!!
Beauty products:
- And of course, sephora.com and sephora.fr!!!
Fashion:
Home Decor:
Ayurvedic products:
Have fun!!!

Oh, and for those who wouldn't believe it... here go some pictures of my desk... in my bathroom!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Fundaleu...

As Winter is coming to an end and Spring draws near, the season of charity dinners is beginning in Buenos Aires. One of the first to be held was this Monday, August 30th: FUNDALEU's (Foundation fighting Leukemia) Gala. As usual, it was held at the Alvear Hotel, but this year a special tent was placed at the entrance, to protect the celebrities walking the red carpet and the army of photographers and press following the event. The "celebrities" were around thirty, many from fashion and showbiz, and, as every year, they wore aprons to serve the guests the delicious dinner prepared by La Bougogne's chef.
Among them were Susana Giménez, Martín Palermo, Facundo Arana (the most eager to attend the needs of his fans), Mike Amigorena and Carla Peterson (the one with the look I liked best).
Many prizes were given and thankfully a lot of money was raised. 
The anecdote of the night was that Susana Giménez's dress, a design by Libanese Zuhair Murad in black lace, was also worn by another of the guests... Katherine Roemmers who, to make things worse, is also tall and platinum blonde! The two of them accepted the fact with humor... what else could they do?
The same thing once happened to me on one of my birthday parties... I had everything planned and one of my guests arrived wearing my exact same white embroidered dress by Azzaro! How awful!! I felt unique with my newly bought dress from Paris... and suddenly I wasn't unique anymore.
Since then I've decided that if that happens again, I will immediately head back and change into something else: a pair of jeans, a minidress, whatever... But I will never again share the scene!!
Have a nice night...
My dress, by Oscar de la Renta.