Bloc Notes from Paris...

It seemed to me that the month of September just flew by faster than other months... Between the exhibitions, Fashion Week's runway shows, my friends and all the other things to do, time just went by...

This week, as on previous seasons, I went to the runway show of the Argentine designers which, for some time now, is held in Paris and, in the past two years, is presented at the Pavillon Kleber, just in front of the Argentine Embassy, on rue Cimarosa...

As I'm quite sentimental, every time I go and see my friends, the tango dancers and feel the smell of leather, nostalgic tears just pop-out of my eyes... What can I say? It just happens.

This time it was no exception. We arrived quite late due to the terrible traffic jams of these days during Fashion Week, and everyone was already seated. But Abraao, the outstanding coordinator and organizer of the show, had two seats ready for us. The Tango dancer were at the peak of their performance. I suddenly listen to a "Patricia, Patricia..." I turn around to find Danielle Raymond, a French journalist who worked as Revista Gente's correspondent for many years... Danielle is really charming and the perfect example of the Argentinized French women...

Among the audience, there were many models who are currently working here, such as Milagros Schmoll and Lucho Jacob.

After the tangos by Piazzola, the show began with the colorful collection of Benito Fernández. Then it was the turn of a new designer (at least for me): Nicolás Luzuriaga, who comes from the Argentine Fashion School and I found very interesting and quite unique.

His designs are sexy yet, at the same time, geometrical and rigid. It may sound strange, but it does work. And the result is quite original. 

Then we saw Jorge Ibañez's collection, with Ingrid Grudke as his muse.

I liked Marcelo Senra's work too.

As always, Héctor Vidal Rivas and his daughter, Manuela, did a great job organizing everything. The runway show lasted just the right time (20 minutes aprox). Luckily, long shows are over... 

Afterwards, at the cocktail held at the Embassy, there was an empanada kiosk and many friends and acquaintances. 

Héctor is already preparing the next appointment for Argentine Fashion in Paris: on February 2013...

A new prize in our BEAUTY section!

I invite you to participate in the new giveaway brought to us by my dear dermatologist Norma Palkovska. To participate, go to our Beauty section or click here.

It's raining over Parc Monceau...

Canaletto-Guardi Exhibition...

Paris in September is a storm of events, dinners to open the winter exhibitions of the main museums, parties because the Fashion Week, etc. 

Barely landed in Paris, I went to the Gala at the Musée Jacquemart-André where, till January 14th, we'll be able to admire the amazing works of two of the "maîtres" of Venetian Painting: Canaletto and Guardi.

These two masters were examples of that special style known as "veduta" (view), captivating one of the most sublime and mysterious city in the World: Venice. Throughout the 18th Century, they painted in their own particular manner, but choosing always similar landscapes: the palazzos, the canals, the Piazza San Marco, the gondolas, the sky...

I felt fascinated by the Canalettos, which I consider of an overwhelming beauty. But I must also mention some of Guardi's works. Throughout the exhibition, the visitors will be able to compare their two visions of one same subject. We got to have a private visit before the dinner was served. The Musée Jacquemart-André is a masterpiece in itself. 

The money raised in the Gala will be donated to a Foundation helping children with terminal diseases. 

I congratulated the curator of the Museum, with who I shared the table, for this Gala and for the wonderful way in which he runs the Museum...

2012 Fundaleu's Gala...

I've been so busy before traveling back to Paris, that I wasn't able to write before my post on the charming party organized by Fundaleu on Monday 10th, at the Alvear Palace Hotel. I'm a regular at the  "Famosos por la Vida" Gala, but I don't know why I had a better time this year.

Maybe because of the younger people among the guests, or maybe because of the great music, much more modern and updated, which made me dance, jump and enjoy as never before. I owe you the name of the DJs, they were two. Overall, music very à la Ibiza. I lifted my huge skirt and danced! A note: there are few places in the world were you get to bump on the dance floor with the mayor of the city of Buenos Aires (Mauricio Macri and his beautiful wife), a famous and popular journalist (Viviana Canosa), a rabbi (Bergman) and a football player (Martín Palermo). This speaks of the eclecticism of Buenos Aires' society. And of its generosity. Thanks to the overwhelming talent of Catherine Fulop, who played host and auctioneer, plenty of money was raised to help Fundaleu (a foundation fighting Leukemia). That was the goal of the evening. And, by the way, we got the chance to admire the beautiful dresses of the famous actresses and hosts who "worked" as waitresses. I found them all so very elegant. My favorite looks? Eugenia Tobal's, Analía Maiorano's (by Di Domenico), Juliana Awada's and Mariana Arias'. All of them in "nude" hues, very fitting...

Ménage à Trois' Spring-Summer Runway show...

How wonderful was it to receive an invitation to the Museo Fortabat to see the collections (Alberta Ferreti's and their own) presented by Ménage à Trois. Under a radiant sun, with a stunning view of Puerto Madero, we met (Carla, who took the pictures, and me) with other fashion-loving women to enjoy a different lunch...

And the collections did not let us down. First, I want to point out Alberta Ferreti's, which we have the luck of having in Buenos Aires. Alberta is a very talented Italian designer, famous throughout the world. And Amelia Sabán did a strong bet to bring her clothes to Argentina, given the hard economic times as the ones we live today... But it's definitely worth it. 

The collection was inspired in the 20s, in pastel hues and hems just under the knees. Wise cuts and great "allure." A pleasure to the eyes...

The second part of the show was dedicated to Ménage's own designs.

As usual, very refined, also in pastel colors, such as light blue, pink, yellow and delicate prints. Guipure coats with pop-up flowers, extremely chic.

And as wrap-up, the looks for the night, much sexier, with longer skirts and shorter tops, revealing the waist, or strongly attached to the body, with black lace appliqués, such as the dress presented by Guillermina Valdéz, the star-model invited to close the show.

I loved the hair-dos: an informal bun, with a head-band to make them more elegant.

It was a charming show, with no detail left behind. Congratulations Amelia! That same night I've been at Fundaleu's Gala and I saw many Ménage à Trois dresses, all carried by extremely elegant women...

Carlos do Doménico's Spring-Summer 2012/2013 Runway Show...

As part of the BAAM (Buenos Aires Alta Moda) week, held this past week at the Sheraton Hotel, I attended Carlos di Doménico's latest show.

The collection, presented under the name "Amici," was inspired in many famous holiday destinations around the Mediterranean: Ibiza, Capri, Portofino, St. Tropez, Mykonos. Plenty of color, sexy dresses for the nights of party and Pucci-like geometric prints.

Many looks for women of all ages and some wedding gowns. I really enjoyed the choice of Italian music, mainly Raffaella Carra's songs, and Natalia Lobo performing live a song by Mina, from the 60s: "E se domani..."

Godmother and true friend of Carlos (Who isn't a friend of his? He is so charming...), Mrs Mirtha Legrand, in a black sequined suit, walked the runway with the designer for the grand finale. A true party.

Waiting Anna dello Russo's Collection for H&M...

Thank you Martín Gandolfo!!

Gala at the Museo de Bellas Artes...

The season of the great gala dinners in Buenos Aires is beginning and, as usual, they always have a certain fundraising aim: it could be for a special cause or for museums or foundations.

Last Monday I went to the Gala organized by the Friends of the Bellas Artes Museum, which is annually held the first Monday of September. There's always a special dress-code and this year it was "The Far East." It's a rather broad subjects and guests understood it so... There were Arab Sheiks and Chinese Mandarins, Japanese Geishas and Hindu Maharajas. 

I chose an embroidered Oscar de la Renta dress for many reasons, but the main one was that I DID NOT KNOW about the dress-code!! If I had known, I would have probably fixed a more appropriate look... But anyway, I had lots of fun all the same.

Just watching the efforts made by many of the guests was a total pleasure... Some were hard to recognize!

After the Red Carpet at the beautiful entrance to the Museum (broadcasted live by C5N), we had a cocktail in the future exhibition rooms of the first floor and then, while passing through the other halls, I could have a peek at the magnificent Pissarros and Degas, and the many statues that now look even better with the new dark colors (red, blue, green) used to paint the walls. Gloria César was in charge of the decoration used in the hall were the dinner was held and, as usual, she did a tremendous job.

Amazing center pieces. We were served octopus, lamb (not me! Luckily there was a vegetarian option: vegetables cous-cous) and an exquisite maracuyá dessert. 

We danced to hits from the 80s. I would have preferred something more updated, like Marron 5, but in these parties, people always love listening to the same classics and Héctor Suasnábar, the famous DJ, is well aware of that.

All in all, it was a great party and lots of money was raised to build two new halls. That was the aim, after all.

Roberto Funes Ugarte with Josefina Blaquier, which was one of the organizers. She wore a dress inspired in the painting "The Empress," that can be admired at the Museum.