Talitha Getty, in Zahia...

As I told you on a previous post, here I give you the picture of Talitha Getty posing in one of the terraces of Zahia, the famous riad of Marrakech. The photo was taken by Patrick Lichfield in January 1969.

A view of Marrakech...

More on Marrakech...

When I spend some time in Marrakech, it's normally the muezzin's call for pray at 5 am what wakes me up. The first time I heard it, I jumped out of bed in panic. But now I'm used to this public manifestations of the Islam. So I fall back into sleeping easily, till breakfast arrives, of course, with its Moroccan delicacies: Luisa tea, "cornes des gazelles" (pastries made with almond flour), honey over Arab bread toasts, the true pitta bread.

I have a great passion for the cuisine of this country, specially because I can easily remove meat from many dishes (for those of you who don't know it, I'm a vegetarian). I mean... vegetables couscous, grilled eggplant salad with spices, tomato and sesame marmalade, cumin zucchinis, etc. And many teas: mint teas, jasmine teas, verbena teas...

The souks where spices and dried fruits are sold are incredible, be it because of its many colors or because of its strong and unique smells.

It's also worth visiting the souks of scents and black soaps. The Arabs make a cult of taking care of their body, something which start at the hamman, where they must rub themselves with a glove and the famous black soap (sold by weight). After the hamman, they might also go for a scrub with rassoul, which is a special mud for detoxing the skin. And finally, a massage with argan oil, made of the fruit of the arganier, which grows only in Morocco.

The argan oil has many virtues, a high quantity of vitamin E and Omega 6, and improves dry skin remarkably. There's a variety that can also be used for cooking.

All this wonders can be bought at the souks, open market and neuralgic center of the city. Thousands walk around it daily and tourists come in pilgrimage. You can find almost anything. But beware: you must know how to bargain! Salesmen take it almost as an insult if you pay full price. Bargaining is an art in many Arab countries.

At the souks you can also buy embroidered djellabas, fabrics, bags... Unique crafts.

Yves Saint Laurent loved Marrakech and Morocco and found here many inspirations for his collections. His love for this country was so immense that he chose to be buried here...

Les Milles et une Nuit in Marrakech....

As usual, Marrakech has its particular charme, which makes it unique and one of the most popular touristic destinations in the world. And, as for the weather, this is by far the best time to come: hot and sunny during the day, fresh and windy during the night. 

The house where I'm staying is the famous Zahia, residence of the Gettys during the '70s (a picture of Talitha, an icon during that time, was taken in one of its many terraces) and then owned by Alain Delon. Now it belongs to my friends who are also stupendous hosts. 

It must be said that receiving friends is part of the Moroccan culture and the foreigners who own properties here adapt themselves to the local traditions and also love serving the exquisite Moroccan cuisine.

So coming to spend some days in Marrakech is a total change, much like entering into a new world, so different, in many senses, to my occidental origin.

To walk around the souk, the closed market that resembles Ali Baba's cave, is an experience for the eyes, in wonder with so many colors; for the smell, in awe with the scents of the spices, the perfumes, the rassoul; for the mouth, in joy with the taste of the "loukoums" and for the ears, surprised by the music of the "gnawas." Totally worth it... 

Et voilá, un "riad."

Bal Jaune...

Just arrived to this unusually cold Paris (tonight we had 5°C), I went to the Bal Jaune, the mythical dinner held by the Fondation Ricard to announce the winner of the Best Young Artist in Contemporary Art of the Year Award. From October 20th, and until the 23rd, the FIAC (Foire d'Arts Contemporain) is being held in town at the Grand Palais and all the big collectors of the world, the artists and the curious are here. Of course, the Ricard Dinner is THE event of the week and no one would miss it. This year, the place chosen was the Theatre de Chaillot. Two hundred people were invited to the dinner and more than 3000 to the afterwards dance, which began at midnight and would have performances by the band "The New Beatles."

There were three long long tables, for 70 people each, and all had big center pieces with palm leaves. They looked amazing. I was fortunate enough to be seated near the alma mater of the Fondation, Corinne Ricard, who is also one of my best friends. The greatest lovers of contemporary art were all there, including Francois Pinault, Rita Caltagirone and the artist Gerard Garouste. I was seated next to Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, with whom I had a wonderful time. I've always admired his work as a fashion designer.

Of course, in unison we all toasted for France's Rugby team, which is to face the All Blacks tomorrow morning in the World Cup Final.

The French were well represented by their artists and also by the excellent menu, signed by the chef  Yannick Alléno, who prepared an original and exquisite menu.

The 13th Ricard Award was given to the young Adrien Missika, who will also have the privilege of showing his work during an entire month at the Centre Pompidou.

I did not stay for the dance, but as I left, I saw the long line of those waiting to get inside, in spite of the chilly weather...

Wonderful Tonight...

What a great privilege to have Eric Clapton, once again, in Buenos Aires, after more than 10 years…

Tonight I had the honor, together with other 45.000 people, of witnessing a two-hour concert by the greatest guitar player in the world. And in spite of being 67 years old, he has lost none of his enormous talent. He looks more like an English college professor than a rock star. However, no one  knows how to suck the best music out of a guitar. His band, of course, is also excellent.

Yesterday’s glorious moment came when he played and sang "Wonderful Tonight," one of my top-ten favorite songs, specially after having read Pattie Boyd’s biography, who was his greatest love and also George Harrison’s wife. It was to her that she dedicated this song that is the most beautiful tribute a man can give to a woman. Let’s not forget that, previously, to conquer her, when she was still someone else’s wife, he wrote to her “Layla,” another of his most famous songs.  

In my next life I want to be a talented musician and spend my life on the stages of the world...

Good night to you all...

Chanel in Buenos Aires...

Finally, after many many years of waiting, Chanel's perfumes and beauty products can finally be bought in Argentina! Today, at the Galerías Pacífico, Chanel opened a special space where you can see, try and desire the nail lacquers, the lipsticks, the eye-shadows and much more. I'm a great fan of their products. I've been using for more than 10 years the perfume Chanel N°5, in all its variations: body lotion, gel douche, eau de toilette. All my clothes smell like Chanel N°5. Not to mention the famous nail lacquer Black Satin, which I use constantly, or the rouge à levres Allure Velvet, shade La Distinguée, or the blushes Les Tissages... I consider Chanel's products to be among the best in the world...

And I'm always glad when things like this happen in Argentina.

I went to the cocktail with my sister, who wore a beautiful red Lanvin dress, and met many friends.

As I get ready to travel once again to Europe, my feelings towards Buenos Aires get more intense... and I would love to stay!

Coas Dinner 2011...

I promise not to publish photos of myself for a while... I've posted three in less than a week!!!

It's just that I've come from COAS (Cooperativa de Acción Social) Annual Dinner, which is one of the last charity events of the season, and of the year, before the presidential elections... And I want to tell you who it went!

As usual, an exceptional amount of people and many many donations. Almost all the most important brands and companies of Argentina wanted to be present to support COAS' volunteers, ladies who work, with no salaries, to gather the needed funds to buy and then donate equipments to public hospitals. And they achieve this with private donations, with the Feria de las Naciones, with COAS-Gourmet and anything else they can hold on to... Since they began, many decades ago, they were able to raise 50 million dollars and distribute the equivalent in equipments and machines to many many hospitals and health centers. A true successful cause.

Of course, the night had its share of frivolity, with splendid elegant women, dancing, shows (two songs from Chicago and Rent) and prizes to be drawn.

To my table I invited Argentine, French and Italian friends.

The music of the 70s made us dance and move all night...

Another COAS dinner. For me, probably, the number 15. But, as usual, a classic I never want to miss...

El Camarín...

On such a beautiful Spring day in Buenos Aires, I decided to go to the presentation of El Camarín's new collection, at the Museo Evita.

As you know, I get very emotional when listening to the song "Don't cry for me, Argentina,"but today's performance by singer Elena Roger left me absolutely breathless. Luckily enough, I could hide my tears under my Ray Bans!

Could it be because I love Argentina so much?

Who knows...

So, back to the presentation, I liked what I saw. A very personal collection, not at all "inspired" by foreign designers, with neutral hues, antique laces, very serene and tidy.

I congratulate the designer, because her pieces where able to shine in spite of being presented on such a historic surrounding, as it's the Museum's patio. 

Of course, as it happens on all this events, many beautiful women among the guests, all gathered by Grupo Mass+.

With my friend Georgina Alliata.

Fundaleu's Benefic Dinner...

As it happens annually, tonight we had Fundaleu's Benefic Dinner at the Alvear Palace Hotel, with the presence of many celebrities who, as usual, had no trouble working as waiters for the many tables. If I'm not mistaken, this one was Fundaleu's (Foundation fighting Leukemia) 16th Gala and, judging by the number of sponsors and tables sold, it turned out to be a huge success. Among the celebrity-waiters were Facundo Arana, Mirtha Legrand, Miguel del Sel, models, athletes, football players such as Martín Palermo and businessmen such as Cristiano Ratazzi. 

This year I must point out the incredible salon decorations by Gerardo Acevedo which, as you can see on my picture, where sensational and fairy-tale like. The menu was specially prepared by La Bourgogne's Chef, Jean-Paul. 

There were many prizes and special gifts to be drawn among guests... but I, recently landed from Paris, with a "jet lag" of 5 hours, could not bear my sleepiness, and fled back home... Early Cinderella. 

I can only tell you that the music was great, but my long Oscar de la Renta dress made it impossible for me to move the way I like. 

Many beautiful and elegant women, of course. A special note to Viviana Canosa, who has been charmingly improving her image year after year....

Well, time for bed. I was thrilled to participate in such beneficial event, at least for a few hours...

Don't cry for me Argentina...

Photo credit: Johnny Vilagrain

For the second time in a row, we had an Argentine Fashion Week à Paris.

Thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina and the Fundación ExportAR, seven of the best Argentine designers and their favorite models traveled to Paris to present their collections in a great show on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, at the Gustave Eiffel salon.

Lucky enough, this September 29th proved to be a splendid summer day, sunny and hot. As another tourist of the crowd, I went to the Eiffel Tower and waited in line to get to the elevator... 

With enormous joy I met many dear Argentine and Brazilian friends, all gathered by Abraao Ferreira, who was in charged of the press and guests. 

After an acceptable delay, the show began with the native looks proposed by Cardón, which were then followed by the Haute Couture dresses by Laurencio Adot, Iaia Cano and Claudio Cossano (absent due to a personal tragedy, but well represented by model Liz Solari, beautiful with her new haircut...).

It was then the turn of Carlos di Doménico, always glamorous, of Jorge Ibañez, with model Ingrid Grudke, and of Gabriel Lage, who wrapped-up the show with an amazing embroidered nude dress, worn by Carolina Pampita Ardohain.

All designers tried to show their best: shocking and shining dresses to wear at night. Will Parisians believe Argentine women dress like that every day? That they always go out looking like that? Jokes apart, the runway presented a sensual, mysterious and quite fatale woman.

Photo credit: Johnny Vilagrain

The grand finale came with Madonna's version of "Don't cry for me, Argentina." And I'm so romantic, that every time I listen to it, I cry!

Do to my anxiety to attend the show, I left at home my camera... A pity!

I took these pictures with my iPhone... I apologize for the mediocre results.

P.S.: Thanks to Johnny Vilagrain, official photographer of the show, I can post better ones!

Going out on a night of "Eté Indien" in Paris...

There's a famous French song by Joe Dassin, an artist who died too young and who is one of my favorites, which is called "L'eté Indien." It talks about those wonderful days that, in the northern hemisphere, by the end of September and beginning of October, mysteriously bring back the Summer.

And this year in Paris we seem to be having a lovely "eté indien." Today we had 26°C and it is said that we'll be having a week of sun and days with 30°C.

Paris is, usually, marvelous but now, with this radiant sun, incredible light and amazing dusks, it's absolutely breath-taking.

The best part is that this meteorological phenomenon comes just in time for the Fashion Week, so it's impossible to stay at home!

This afternoon I took my friends Alessandro and Viviana, an Italian and an Argentine model, guests at my house and in Paris because of the runway show of the Argentine designers, to a cocktail and then dinner out.

First, we went to the cocktail at Ralph Lauren's boutique on Avenue Montaigne, where the brand was presenting it's new challenge: a jewelry collection. Many beautiful pieces, big golden bracelets and watches with black crocodile leather straps and diamonds on the face.
It's going to be a huge success.

All of Paris was there. I'd like to point out model Tasha de Vasconcellos, who looked amazing.

Then we went to Galignani, my favorite bookshop, where writer Charles Dantzig was presenting his last novel "Dans un avion pour Caracas." Apart from knowing Charles personally, he's a great and educated writer and I had already read the book, which I absolutely loved. It's always a pleasure to hear someone who knows what he's talking about!

To wrap the night, we went to have dinner at Mathis, which is a restaurant-lounge where you can find the most diverse of people: from actors such as Francis Huster to international artists, high-society women and outcasts of the night.

I go there because of their lentil salad and the sesame-crusted tuna.

After dinner I left my friends to enjoy the pleasures of Paris by night and went back home, as Cinderella... my carriage-blog was waiting for me to update it...

Le Bon Marché...

When it's grey outside, when I'm feeling lonely or when I simply need to rest my mind, I go to the Bon Marché: a traditional, classic but yet luxurious store in Paris.

The Bon Marché is not the typical popular department store, as Galeries Lafayette or Printemps.

Not at all.

To begin with, it's on the Rive Gauche, on the 7eme arrondisement to be more precise. That makes it different. It's less touristic, more intellectual. It's never crowded. It has only three floors, not very large, and everything is in it's right place.

Today, as soon as I heard that the Gala at the Opera, which I had to attend at 6:45 pm, was cancelled due to a strike, I fled to the Bon Marché.

Fall is here and the new collection are in store already. And, till October 15th, there's a special exhibition dedicated to London and a special floor to promote British designers. 

I went straight there to check out two dresses by Mary Katranzou, a new English designer, of Greek origins, who specializes in prints.

Unfortunately, one was too big for me and the other too tight around the shoulders... A pity.

I spent some time admiring the new shoes by Charlotte Olypmpia, one of my favorite designers. The new Smythson's notebooks in (fake) emerald crocodile leather also caught my attention. Still bare-handed, I went down to the second floor.

The Bon Marché is very "tendances," so next to designers such as Lanvin or Pucci, I could check the collections of newer talents, such as Anthony Vaccariello and Bouchra Jarrar (a French-Moroccan much talked-about these days).

I saw a black dress by Vaccariello, super sexy, but with too much cleavage for winter.

Anyway, there's nothing as Lanvin's dresses... It's a pity that my sister already has the one I liked best (a red one with a cape on one shoulder).

I went then to the ground floor, the one with the cosmetics and perfumes, and also accessories.

I bought a superb pair of semi-long gloves in black leather, to have them ready for the colder days. And I came back home to take my tea, listen to a sonata by Liszt and write my post...

Taking the plane to Paris...

With a mixture of feelings (joy, fear, tiredness, curiosity) I jumped into my "plane" dress: a black, super classic, sleeve-less, 1998 Chanel dress. Chanel. together with Lanvin, is one of the few Maisons that include the production date on the labels of their clothes, so you can always tell when they were done and know how old they are...

So, back to my post, with my LBD, my three huge suitcases and my carry-on, I sped to Ezeiza to board Air France 417 flight, the one that every day, in the afternoon, connects Buenos Aires to Paris. For me it's like a branch of my house. I always know where I'll be seating (by the aisles, because I'm claustrophobic), what I'll be eating (I take my own food from home: soy burgers, veggies and fennel tea... what they serve on the plane is usually too salty for my taste...), what I'll be reading (the last issues of the main French magazines will be available on board and I devour them with passion...), etc.

After so many years of "hopping" from one country to the other, this travel routine is part of my life. Luckily I'm not afraid of flying: the plane can shake as a cocktail maker that I won't notice.

This time, the only difference with previous flights was the VIP service I was offered by Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, courtesy of Jorge Lukowsky... a pleasure.

The rest went by as usual and as soon as the "fasten your seat belts" sign was off, I ran to change into my "plane" sweat pants and my black cashmere cardigan, also for "plane use." That's when I realized it needed replacing. This one is from 1997, when my bag was stolen at Roissy's Airport and the one I had, disappeared with it... 

I love the time alone I spend on board. You get to see everything from another point of view, judge what you've been doing, what you'll be doing and what you want to do. That's why I always carry my red Filofax with me, to jot down thoughts, ideas, lists of things to do... In spite of considering myself quite "cybernetic," there are certain things I prefer to write in my own handwriting.

After putting my watch 5 hours forward, one of my secrets to avoid jet-lag, I saw one of the movies, "Blue Valentine" (really sad love story), and fell into a refreshing sleep...

... Which was interrupted when one of the passengers opened his window and the sun invaded the cabin...

We were close to landing.

And there was Paris, splendid this time of the year, by the end of Summer and the beginning of Winter, waiting for me...

I'm listening "Vedo Nero",,,

This is the IT song in the Italian and European Summer. Adelmo "Zucchero" Fornaciari has been one of my favorite artists for many years now and he's a genius.

Enjoy this beautiful video...

I like Lanvin...

I want to share with you this video done by Steven Meisel for Lanvin... A unique piece of humor and style.
Enjoy...

Dear readers...

With so many comings and goings, trips and journeys, I missed to remember our blog's 2nd Anniversary, which was on August 27th. So, today, I want to celebrate it with you and thank you deeply for joining me in this adventure!

Dinner in benefit of Unicef...

Almost two months ago, Gabriel Oliveri, Alma Mater of the Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires, contacted me to invite me to the Gala in benefit of Unicef and the celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Mansion owned by the hotel. Of course I could not refuse, so I scheduled my return to Buenos Aires bearing this event in mind. The dress code asked for looks with details based in the 1920s.

In Paris, my very-creative friend Marc Mahon did to me a headwear with really tall feathers that looked amazing, but maybe too Folies Bergère, so I didn't have the courage to use it tonight. I went with my Cavalli dress in a Tiffany shade and a pair of gloves I bought this afternoon in a rush. Gervasio Larrivey, my make-up artist friend, applied to me some fake eyelashes and like that I went out to the cold night in the city.

The party, which had many important sponsors, was very well organized, specially the room decorations, designed by Gerardo Acevedo, with combinations of feathers (I would have liked them on my head) and stained-glass dragonflies. Really stunning.

Then I must admits most female guests did a hard work to comply with the dress code: from Soledad Silveyra and Natalia Oreiro, godmother to the event, to the many models dressed by local designers with their 1920s inspirations. I liked the looks of Ingrid Grudke by Jorge Ibañez, Karina Mazzocco by Carlos Di Doménico, Jimena Buttigliengo by Fabián Zitta and Lara Bernasconi by Laurencio Adot... I felt like being back in 1929 (a little because of the economic meltdown too)...

Griselda Siciliani and Carlos Casella did a musical performance and sang a couple of duets. 

The food was also really tasty and appropriate.

Many prizes were promised for the night (for example, a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Paris, the famous George V), but my lack of sleep and willingness to write this post were stronger and, like Cinderella, I was off before midnight.

Anyway, I wish to point out that not all were feathers and sequins.... The funds gathered at the Gala will be given to Unicef to improve the facilities in more than a hundred hospitals and thus prevent many health-related issues. It's nice then to wear costumes and feathers (boy, I can't take feathers off my mind tonight) when there's such an aim to achieve...

To my readers...

I want to beg you to forgive me for not writing these past days, dear readers... But I've been traveling and had nothing interesting to tell you about... Just hours spent on airports and flights...

But I've just arrived to Buenos Aires and I will soon go on with my posts.

Thank you for reading my blog!!

The Best and Worst of Ibiza...

Back in the continent, here's my opinion of my stay in Ibiza, this original island, so full of contrasts...

The Best...

1. The Sea, specially that of Formentera: turquoise-blue, transparent... beautiful.

2. The countryside. The surroundings of San Mateu, San Gertrudis, the north. A dream come true, with those estates of the 18th Century, typical buldings with stone walls which, luckily, still remain intact.

3. The sandals at Pedro's. Made of leather, with straps around the ankles, super chic.

4. Vicente Ganesha's shop. I liked everything he had: caftans, beach wraps, echarpes. Just the right look for Ibiza. And he is charming.

5. Eggplants with parmesan cheese, from the restaurant "Las Dos Lunas," and its ambient music. Both excellent.

6. Sunsets from Punta Galera. Breathtaking.

The Worst...

1. The way the city of Eivissa, and specially Sant Antoni, were urbanized... A tasteless disaster, with lack of harmony and aesthetic. A pity.

2. The charters which arrive on Fridays from the north of Europe bringing plenty of teens to the Discos. They stay sleepless till Sunday... and then, off they go back home. What can I say?

3. The Discos. I love dancing and partying, but that huge amount of soulless discos definitely does not interest me. This, in spite of the many artists that perform in them (Jamiroquai, Seal, Moby).

4. The seaport of Marina Botafoch... Too modern in comparison to the feel of the island.

5. The Atzaró... way too many styles (hindi, thai, etc.) all together.

6. Lots of tourists, too many... But, well, it's August after all...