Jewels for Hope...

I first heard the name "Safra" almost 20 years ago. I was in Montecarlo, at a dinner. It was August and many of those who shared my table had been at a party in "La Leopolda," the mythical mansion of Edmond and Lily Safra in Cap Ferrat. I remember that Princess Caroline of Monaco, then with his late husband Stephano Casiraghi, wore a Chanel dress. Many years went by till the news of tragic death of Mr. Safra shocked the entire world.

Last week I came across that name once again, when I received an invitation from Christie's to attend a luncheon with a select group of people to have a glimpse at the splendid jewels which Lily Safra, widow of Edmond, would place in auction on May 14th in Genève.

I love jewels, although I'm well aware that, in this complicated decade of the 21st Century, it's not precisely the time to wear them, and even less, buy them... But I could not refuse the chance to dream a bit...

The jewels I saw are unique pieces, specially designed by the best jewelers of all time: the great JAR (so mythical that it is him who decides whether he'll be selling his jewels to you or not), Suzanne Belperron, Cartier, Bulgari, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Fabergé. All gifts from Edmond to Lily.

And now she has decided to part with these treasures and donate the entire proceedings to twenty different charities around the world: from Israel to Rwanda, USA, France, Rumania and Brazil (Lily's home country). Of course, I find her gesture amazing and of extreme generosity. The auction will collect lots of money, because of the rare pieces in the catalog.

I loved the pear-shaped diamond earrings, the ruby brooch by JAR, the D-Flawless solitaire and the "Patiño" ruby...

An era comes to an end: that of the parties at the Côte d'Azur, of a certain ostentation that is now domain of the rich Russian and Indian expatriates.

I hope these wonders sell well, to help all those in extreme need...

Rain in Paris...

Thank you, my dear readers, thank you.

Thank you for reading me, for the love you show towards me, thank you for defending me and also fro criticizing me...

I love you all.

Goodbye Istanbul...

One last look from the sky of the beautiful Istanbul, hoping to return soon...

The Gala dinner...

To wrap up this two days of celebration and honor the 600 guests arrived from all of Europe, the parents of the bride offered a sumptuous dinner at the Ciragan Sarayi. This antique Ottoman palace in now a Kempinski Hotel and has lost none of its splendor. Its position by the Bosphorus makes it unique. 

As it was a Gala, men had to wear tuxedos and women, long dresses. They were all extremely elegant. The room was decorated with tall vases with white flowers over the tables, illuminated only by candles. As for the menu, it was so exquisite that, even a professional dieter like myself was able to eat without committing many "sins."

Afterwards, a true Turkish orchestra made us all dance.

Well, I will be returning to Istanbul to know more of this incredible city...

Now it's time to get back home... 

The Ceremony...

I loved Istanbul. I have no words to describe how well I was treated at the Four Seasons Bosphorus, which is a sensational hotel, with the best of SPAs and a gym equipped with state-of-the-art machines. Everything was just perfect. Sadly, I could not see much of the city... We had no time, but the little we saw, I really liked. I'll certainly be back.

The wedding was fabulous. Not a detail left unattended. Refined and exquisite menu. The bride and groom, lovely, young and deeply in love. The ceremony was touching, with a choir and an excellent soprano. The ladies were so elegant, all of them wearing hats (as it should be) and mainly nude shoes. However, I've seen an explosion of colors in their dresses: neon green, orange, fuchsia, pinks.

It's Spring, so flowers seem proper in hats. 

After the ceremony, we run back to our hotel to change for the great Gala Dinner at the Ciragan Sirayi...

Dinner in Istanbul...

After a three-hour flight, and one-hour delay, I've finally reached the modern and chaotic Ataturk airport in Istanbul. It's my first time in this country and in this city. Rudolf de Liechtenstein is marrying Tilsim Tanberk. The West meets the East...

500 guests from all parts of Europe, all staying in magnificent hotels by the Bosphorus river. I'm at the Four Seasons, with is amazing and has a breathtaking view.

In 25 minutes I wash my face, re-apply my make-up and jump into my Oscar de la Renta outfit. The pleasure of being organized and having everything prepared...

Several ships come to pick us up and take us to the Dinner at Esma Sultan Sarayi. It's all a mixture of "1001 nights" and state-of-the-art modernity...

This city, which I don't yet know, intrigues me and moves me deeply...

I meet dozens of acquaintances and some friends... I feel like in the pages of Hello Magazine (the Spanish version). We are guided towards the 40 tables. I'm in number 19. I have the honor of being seated with Princess Isabelle, mother of the groom, Marie Christine de Kent and Prince Philippe of Belgium, among others. To my left, Michel of Yugoslavia, which is an old friend of mine. We chat all night to catch up with our latest news...

The food is of a fabulous refinement and taste. Prince Philippe asks me which is my occupation... I'm about to tell him I'm a blogger, but I answer with a vague "I handle my things" (which is true, of course).

I'm too tired and have no strengths to stay for the ball. I go back to my hotel. Time for bed. Tomorrow, the wedding...

On my way to Istanbul...

Dear readers,

I want to apologize for this week of absence, but I've been very busy running from one place to the other...

I promise to tell you everything about Istanbul as soon as possible...

New York, New York...

  
Since I am spending some days in this amazing city, and some of you had trouble reading this piece in our press section, I post here the article on New York that I wrote for Mustique's coming issue...

For many years, many many, I've been madly in love with New York. It is understandable that for a girl of Tuscany like myself, brought up in the love and admiration for American cinema (I've seen Woody Allen's "Manhattan" at least 10 times) and literature (mainly Edith Wharton, but also Henry James... His "Washington Square" is among my favorites... And more recently, the works of Philip Roth), the Big Apple symbolized a true dream. The first time I visited it, I was barely 20 years old, and walking along Times Square, as the kids of "Fame," made me feel on top of the world.

Since then, every time I could, I caught a plane from whenever I was, just to spend some time in my paradise. The most intense of moments was certainly when leaving the airport in a taxi... As the skyline revealed itself in front of my eyes, and New York was offered to me in all its splendor, I was left breathless. I've been so many, many times that I know every corner, every smell, every street and every tree at the Central Park. I've even dreamed, eyes open, what it would be to live in such a modern Babel... But I've never got to stay more than a week or 10 days. I guess I meant it, so my enthusiasm would remain intact for as long as I shall live...

Source: mitographia.com
  

I've slept in most of its hotels: from the Roosevelt, so old fashion, with its little bathtub with the hanging system to let dry the underwear washed at night, to the luxurious suites of the Waldorf Astoria or the Four Seasons. I've even stayed at the mythical Algonquin. Lately I've been staying in the apartment of a close relative, so it does feel like home... Although one can never stay at home in New York... There's always so much energy around, so much to see...

I can choose to do different things on each of my visitis, or maybe repeat always the same... Walk through 5th Ave, dressed in my best outfits and wearing high heels, of course, to Bergdorf Goodman, my favorite store in the world (I even have a BG Card and I know every sales-lady). Have lunch at the restaurant on the 6th floor, overlooking the Central Park and the Plaza Hotel. Or maybe sit at the small table, all the way back, which they always keep for me, at Cipriani and have their artichokes and avocado salad, the best I've ever tasted. Spend the rest of the afternoon at Barney's, Madison Avenue and Henri Bendel, and then head back home to change and finish my day having dinner at Milo's: another of my favorite spots. Milo's is an exceptional Greek restaurant, where fishes and other produce are brought straight from the Mediterranean. It's always, always full. I guess the economic crisis has never caught up with them. You can bump into Al Pacino, Woody Allen or Rupert Murdoch. I never leave NY without dinning there at least once. This would probably be my Midtown Girl day.

But I can also choose to do a tour around the Museums of the city, starting with my all-time favorite: The Frick Collection. It's smaller than the others, but I absolutely love the works in exhibition. Then, of course, I would go to the MoMA and the MET. They all represent pleasures to the spirit, which NYC offers easily. After these tours, I would certainly go have lunch at Candle Café, one of the oldest veggie restaurants in town, on 3rd Ave.

Flipping the picture completely, I could maybe jump from the Upper Side to Downtown where the most impressive towers arise from the surface. Starting with the new One World Trade, 1 WTC or Freedom Tower, which is being built on Ground Zero, imagined by architect David Childs, from Studio SOM. It is said it will be finished by 2013. It will measure 1776 feet, in coincidence with US' Independence year. The second tower, 2 WTC, also in construction (there will be a 3rd and 4th tower and all will be part of the same Center), was designed by Norman Foster, one of the greatest architects of the world. I do like that this huge constructions can, in a way, mitigate the emptiness left by the Twin Towers... Although the scar will prevail forever. For me, two scars cross Manhattan: that of Ground Zero and that of the Dakota, the building where, on December 4th 1980, a madman shot John Lennon.

However NYC is not a city buried in melancholy. Even still, there's so much energy in the air, that one feels pushed towards the tomorrow. And there's not a better place to feel that energy that Broadway... There, in a clash of neons, musicals and plays captivate millions of people. From "Cats" to "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Lion King," "Les Miserables" and "Sister Act," I've seen them all and some more than once. Another pleasure. After such a bath of magic and joy, nothing better than a late dinner in Sardi's.

By now, it's difficult not to feel like you are immerse in a never-before shot episode of "Sex & the City." Who wouldn't feel a bit like Carrie Bradshaw waiting for Mr. Big? How could one say no to the shopping frenzy? Walk through the 5th Ave and Madison, searching for the last Manolo Blahnik on his boutique on 53st, so chic there's a valet ready to open the door for us. Or have the pleasure to try something at Oscar de la Renta. Or maybe dream with Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

But I also just love walking round the three floors of Abercrombie & Fitch (if there's not a huge line waiting outside). It's like entering to the temple of eternal youth. From the semi-naked guy standing at the entrance, to the teen assistants with minis, its the image of the forever young, healthy and sporty America. It works so well than when buying a t-shirt, you get the illusion of buying a bit of all that...

New York is a huge store of illusions, where we all want to buy something. I always leave town with a sunken heart and the promise to return as soon as possible...

Spring in New York...

And the winner is...

... Comment number 35, belonging to maquiargentina@... Congratulations! Carla, my producer, will be sending you an e-mail requesting all your information so that we can give you the voucher you must take to Norma!

Thank you all for participating!

Happy Easter!

Fashion Trends for Fall-Winter 2012...

Dear Readers,

I post here one of the pieces I wrote for the next issue of Mustique Magazine, which will hit newsstands next week... I hope you enjoy it...

What could be best to bring light and life to the sad days of Winter than a good dose of color? Well, this is one of the main trends of the season... Let's see...

COLOR: Almost all designers have fallen for it, although black still ruled in the streets of Paris and New York.

The one with the richest palette was the collection by Gucci, very 70s. Violet, deep blue, red, emerald green... in tailleurs and also party dresses. Coral red in some Lanvin outfits; orange in short rigid Burbery Prorsum coats; yellow in some of Givenchy's outstanding looks.

(Gucci)

SMOKING: It's been 40 years since YSL first presented a female version of the tuxedo... And since then there's always someone who re-visits it...

This Winter it has been Ralph Lauren's leitmotiv, presenting it with embroidered coats to carry over the shoulders. There were also warmer options in bordeaux velvet. Stefano Pilati made white versions for YSL.

(Ralph Lauren)

MASCULINE: Following the previous trend, men suits by Dolce & Gabbana, "Garcon manqué" by Chanel, black versions by "The Row." Or the very elegant collection signé by Michael Kors, with very sartorial trousers and jackets. A special note for the "femme d'affaire" looks presented by Salvatore Ferragamo, now under the lead of Massimiliano Giornetti.

(Dolce & Gabbana)

PAILLETTES: For the day and for the night. From the green and fuchsia sequin dresses by Dolce & Gabbana to the divine minidresses by Balmain, hand-sewn and true masterpieces. Easier versions by Diane von Furstenberg or long breathtaking designs by Oscar de la Renta, in a patchwork of thousand lights.

(Balmain)

GRAPHICS: Color drawings over black fabrics. The best examples can be seen in Versace's collection. Very sexy and young. But also graphic can be considered the prints shown at Prada's, more in a 60s style. In both cases, skirts and dresses go over the knees.

(Versace)

As accessories, high-heels booties, derbys and richelieux. Square bags, many to carry as clutches.