How to surrender (with delight) to the seven deadly sins...

Dear readers,

I'd love to share with you one of the pieces I wrote for the last issue of Mustique magazine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed writing it...

I love Oscar Wilde, because of his masterpieces, but also for his devastating sense of humor. He was probable the freer spirit ever.

Of this gentleman, prisoner of his Victorian era, I take one of my favorite quotes: "I can resist everything but temptation."

It is following this wise statement that I give you the list of the places to go when in need to surrender to the deadly sins...

Sloth

Of course, sloth is the mother of all vices... But many, as myself, often dream of places where everything is luxury, calmness, volupta (Baudelaire). To all those potential sinners, here are the addresses of the best resorts in world...

One&Only Reethi Rai (Maldives). An hour away from Malé, capital city of the island, this zen sanctuary is a "paradise" in the middle of many other paradises...  In addition to the joy of a Turquoise sea, its villas with private pools, its many restaurants serving only their own produce, the resort has a 9500 m2 SPA. There you can take a detox program and a relaxing therapy based in the Buddist philosophy.

Amangiri (Utah, USA). At the gates of Arizona, right in the middle of "no man's land," this new minimalist SPA is only lit by candles and gives right to the desert. It offers all possible techniques of relaxation, hydrotherapy, watsu and, of course, yoga classes. But one can also fall into complete sloth and do nothing but stare at the majestic view of Lake Powell.

Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya (Mexico). A mythstical experience between Toltec pyramids and medicinal plants. Located just in front of the Caribbean Sea, this hotel has a number of bungalows spread in the middle of the jungle.The treatments at the SPA are a subtle mixture of Mayan rituals with Asian techniques of relaxation.

Gluttony

The first Christians considered gluttony a sin against God. Today is mainly a sin against our silouette, and thus, against glamour. However, and only if you'll be prudent, here are my addresses...

Cibreo (Firenze, Italy). The nobler cuisine is that of the poor. It is because of this that Tuscany's cuisine, rural by excellence, has become so famous. At Cibreo, hidden in one little street downtown, and next to its smaller brother (Trattoria Cibreino), simpler is better. Beans soup, filled vegetables, delicious salads, refined wines. An unforgetable spot: 
Via del Verrocchio, 8.

Kalita (Mykonos, Greece). To reach this restaurant, forget your heels. It's located in one of the stoned streets in Ora, dowtown the island.

Few tables, weak lighting, the best octopus salad in town and the best tomatos in the world, paired with a full flavour feta cheese.

31 Kalogera Street

Mykonos

Puny (Portofino, Italy). Some people go to Portofino only to try the exquisite dishes of this tiny restaurant. Only the gourmet know that they won't find better fish nor seafood around town. A family restaurant that has become sophisticated and exclusive. And so delicious...

Piazza dell’Olivetta, 5

Portofino

Lust

This is, without a doubt, the most pleasant of capital sins... So, what could be best to sin with that sexy lingerie?

Debora Marquit (New York, USA). Her lengerie line is famous for her use of color. She has been the first to design lace ensembles in yellow, apple green and violet. A must.

158 West 15th Street  

Manhattan

Carine Gilson (Paris, France). She is from Belgium but has her store on a tiny hidden street in Paris. For her designs she uses the purest silk from Lyon, with lace detailing, very refined and glamorous. Impeccable and sexy kimonos to pair with her “chemises de nuit.”

18, rue Grenelle

Paris - 7ème

Ars Rosa (Milano, Italy). It looks like a store from some other decade, few designs exposed and most of the collection stored in huge wooden cupboards. But their hand-sewn lace lingerie is unique and modern.

Envy

Who has never felt a sudden attack of envy when passing by the window of a jewelry boutique? Well, here some address to feel envious of those who can buy them...

Lydia Courteille (Paris, France). Few tourists know this Ali Babá's cave of vintage and comtemporary jewels. You can find rings with skulls, designed by the Venetian artisan Codognato. Also unique pieces by Suzanne Belperron. Not to mention Indian diamond earrings, worthy of a Maharaja.

231 rue St.Honoré

París - 1ère

Arita (Buenos Aires, Argentina). By the glorious entrance of the mythical Hotel Alvear, Arita has pieces by Van Cleef&Arpels, signed English silverware, beautiful diamonds and, sometimes, pieces that seem to be shipped directly from the Place Vendôme.

Avenida Alvear 1891

Buenos Aires

Aurelie Biedermann (Paris, France). She's the most modern and contemporary designer nowadays. She was the one to create the wide golden bracelets to wear on each arm. 

55bis rue des Saints-Peres,

París - 6ème

Greed

Is there something better than paying less for something you want? (or that we still don't know we want?) It's become almost a sport to be greedy and search for the best smart-bargains…

Mustapha Blaoui (Marrakech, Morocco). This is the place in Marrakech to find the best opportunities and prices. A true Ali Babá's cave. Lamps, antique furmiture, kitchenware, exceptional pashminas...

142-144 Bab Doukkala, en la medina.

Century 21 (New York, USA). It's everything but a secret. But I can't help mentioning it. A classic of smartbargains. Sometimes you may find a fantastic designer dress or a Judith Leiber clutch half its original price.

It has many addresses, but I go to this one:

22, Cortlandt Street

Space Outlet de Prada (Montevarchi, Italy). The Japanese share this address as a secret and the Chinese do the trip just because of it. It's in the middle of Tuscany's countryside, 40 minutes away from Firenze and some time ago it used to be a coveted address. It's still hard to find, but shoppers always find their way... 

Bags, shoes, past-seasons' suits, but still very fashionable. Excellent prices. And with great luck you may bump into a unique Miuccia Prada design that could be in any Prada store around the world.

Levanella, Strada Statale 69

Montevarchi

Pride

Those with Pride want to dominate the world. You may find them on a 70th floor in a skycraper. Although most of the time, it's enough for them to walk on sky-high heels. Here, some addresses to get arrogant... 

Christian Louboutin (Paris, France). He is the shoe Emperor. His name has become synonym of high heels and red soles. For 20 years now, women around the world, aged 15-85, have been damaging their souls to use his designs. And those who can and feel no vertigo, climb up stratospheric highs  with maximum pride.

I recommend this address, where you can command a special order, chose the fabric or leather, color and desired model.

19 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau

París - 1ère

Right beside the store, at the Galerie Vero-Didot, there's a shoe-maker that fixes and put back in shape the ruined red soles (only official address...). 

Manolo Blanhik (London, England). He's still famous because of his slingbacks, embroidered ballerinas, les mules, and his 8-cm heels, just like Carrie Bradshaw used to wear them. Manolos are for life... 

49-51 Old Church Street

London SW35 BS

Bastien González (London, England). To be able to use high heels and beautiful yet uncomfortable shoes, trust your feet to this artist of pedicure. He is worldwide famous and a unique professional. 

His last known address:

Cadogan Hotel

75 Sloane Street

SW1 London

Wrath

Nothing can trigger your wrath as bumping in a party to someone wearing your exact same dress, or same perfume or same necklace... To avoid these small dramas and sin not, some exclusive addresses...

Javoy (Paris, France). It's the embassy of unique and rare perfume. A delicious place to find the essence that describes us and makes us different...

4 rue de Castiglione,

París - 1ère

Christophe Robin (Paris, France). He is the colorist able to create a special hue for each customer. Among his devoted followers you can find from Catherine Deneuve to myself...

Hotel Meurice, suite 128-129

228 rue de Rivoli

París - 1ère

Philippeli (Paris, France). To have exclusive looks, two possible solutions only: pay Haute Couture or find a “retoucheuse” to customize whatever you buy and adapt it to your body and taste. 

My secret address is that of Estelle at Philippeli:

5,rue Colisée

París - 8ème