Gala in benefit of the Association FXB (Part I)

Here I am, getting ready for the Gala at Sotheby's... I've got lots to tell you, but forgive me, I'll do so tomorrow... I'm too tired and it's late...

However, here go pictures of my dress (Lanvin) and accessories, just before leaving home...

Ballet from the Bolshoi Theatre at Paris' Opera Garnier...

Gala at the Opera Garnier. I invited my sister yo see the Ballet from the Bolshoi Theatre, which is giving a series of performances here in Paris. And tonight the special Gala is organized by the AROP (Association pour le Rayonnement de l'Opera National de Paris), presenting "Flammes de Paris," a ballet choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky, about the French Revolution.

All Paris was there: men in smoking, women in long dresses and very elegant.

The performance was simply PERFECT. Not a false step, nor a doubting dancer... Virtuosity as I've never seen before. Everyone danced with such grace, coordination and talent, that we were all left breathless.

A special congratulation for Maria Alexandrova, the étoile of the Bolshoi, absolutely marvelous.

And I don't want to forget to mention the splendid set design, costume and lighting...

We went out to the beautiful Parisian night, full of stars and crescent moon, with the sense of peace and fulfillment such artistic expression produce...

As you can see, I wore an Oscar de la Renta I've already used in Buenos Aires, on August 2010...

Met's Costume Institute Gala: Tribute to Alexander McQueen...

You will have to excuse me... no pictures in this post. Carla Mitrani, my fabulous producer and assistant, will be giving birth to her second child, Homero, this morning... 

Congratulations, Carla!

As for the Met's Gala, which took place on May 2nd, I invite you to watch the pictures of the Red Carpet in style.com.

I watched the coverage a couple of times already and I singled out some great looks and lots of hideous ones!

I found Giselle Bundchen, in red McQueen, the very best!

As for the worst... so many!!

I expect your reviews...

Royal Wedding in England...

So finally, William and Kate got married.

I missed no detail and watched the three-hour live broadcast on Antenne 2. Through my HD (high definition) TV, I could see many flaws: too heavy make-ups (Victoria Beckham's, for example), wrinkles and dark circles (even those of the bride, but totally understandable due to the stress and pressure)...

But Catherine, with her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen's gown, looked radiant and the dress fitted her to perfection, with her thin waist. The lace sleeves reminded me of those of Grace Kelly's wedding dress, when she became Princess of Monaco. I wasn't very convinced by her loose hair and found the veil maybe too close to her head, but other than that, she was a beautiful bride!

Very elegant was the Queen with her yellow ensemble (she's forced to wear very defined hues so that she can easily be identified in the crowd, in case of emergency...), and super chic was Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. I loved her beige coat and hat. David Beckham was really handsome, although I would have avoided that hair-do which looked too much like a gel ad. How mean I am today!

Anyway, I cried myself out. It's automatic... I cry in every wedding, even those of people I don't know. But in this case it was extremely moving to think that more than 2 billion people were following the live broadcast, 10.000 journalists have been sent to cover the event... the eyes of the world set on London.

And I believe no one felt disappointed... Everything was perfect: the music, the procession, the organization and the love of the English people to their Monarchy.

Patricia in the States...

Twitteando from Paris...

Rainy and fresh afternoon, back in Paris...

Wonderful article on the Royal Wedding (Do I need to say which?) by Stephane Bern, great French journalist, in yesterday's Le Figaro. Stephane Bern is already in London and will be the special correspondent of many French media.

There are already some 50% off sales in Galeries Lafayette... So soon?

In France it is used to give away lilies of the Valley on May 1st, for good luck. All of Paris is full of these scented and delicious flowers... I've already received mine...

Back home...

After a week traveling around USA and stopping a couple of days in New York, here I am, in front of my computer, watching the Parc Monceau through my open windows and smelling the scent of the first mock oranges to blossom (premature, I must say... they usually appear around May 12th-15th).

As I spent time in the US, I've realized most Americans wished they were somewhere else, based on the amount of articles, magazine covers and special TV broadcasts... In fact, they all want to be in London to witness first hand Catherine's and William's wedding.

I do not remember such a huge and popular frenzy on, what we could call, a "mundane" event.

I even saw in the airport a magazine called "Kate"! And she isn't even a princess yet!

Most TV channels announce live broadcasts for Friday 29th, starting at 4 am in  NYC and at 1 am in Los Angeles... Many won't go to bed to see the Bride and Groom. All top American journalists are to travel to London, from Diane Sawyer to... Barbara Walters!

My friend Roberto Funes Ugarte is already on the plane to London, as a special correspondent for C5N.

I read a piece in the New York Times which said that many tailors (mostly from Corea, China and India) will be ready to copy all the details of the yet mysterious wedding dress. A few days after the ceremony, these copies will be ready, at low prices, around the world, for all those women dying to feel like Kate... to feel like princesses, at least for a day.

All eyes will be also on the 1900 guests that from 8 am (local time) will arrive to Westminster Abbey... Among them, Elton John and his husband David, the Beckhams, Guy Ritchie and many Lords and Ladies. I heard today that the dress code for the event allows women accompanied by men using uniform to wear long dresses. Weird, considering the time of the ceremony. For all others, knee-lenght skirts are mandatory... better if a little under the knee than over. 

Married women should wear hats, single women can go for a feather or flower arrangement.

Of course, no white, nor beige, nor black.

Apart from the wedding frenzy, I found New York ok... Lots of tourists and the usual lines outside Abercrombie & Fitch and also outside Hollister, both on 5th Avenue.

In Paris there's also some madness over the Royal Wedding, specially to find out who will be designing the wedding gown. Many bet on Sarah Burton, from Alexander McQueen. Others believe that Kate herself designed her dress... We'll have to wait till Friday, at 10 am, or even later, to satisfy our legitimate curiosity...

Gala at the Musée d' Orsay...

I want to let you know that yesterday I had the pleasure and honor of being invited to a Gala at the Musée d' Orsay to celebrate the inauguration of Manet's mega exhibition.

(Before you ask, I wore a blue dress and bolero jacket from Oscar de la Renta, which I borrowed from my sister, Rosella, because mine, due to a mistake from the boutique, did not reach me in time. You might wonder why I wanted to dress myself like that no matter what... I don't know... I wanted to do so for Manet...)

Moving on to more important things, let me tell you that before dinner we had the privilege of visiting privately the entire exhibition, one of the most beautiful ones I've seen in the past years. I love Manet. Since my days as a History of the Arts student, his work has always produced on me an incredible feeling of pleasure and admiration. This is why I did not hesitate to accept the invitation to the Gala sent by the Societé des Amis du Musée d' Orsay. The President of the Societé is the Count Edouard de Ribes, a great Art lover, full of friends. More than 300 people joined him yesterday... the "tout Paris."

Just by itself the Musée d'Orsay is unique... But to stand in front of the "Olympia," one of the most disturbing nudes in the History of the Art, or to feel part of "Le dejeuner sur l'herbe," is almost like being in Paradise! Or to witness Manet's particular use of black, the suit in "L'Amazon" or Berthe Morisot's dresses... all that has always caught my attention. The biography of this artist is as exceptional as his entire work. The exhibit will be open till July 5th.

After touring the museum (which I did twice to miss no detail), we were invited to a cocktail in the main hall (which used to be a train station and still has the marvelous antique clock, always à l'heure...) and then we were guided to the first floor, where the sumptuous dinner was held, under a ceiling of frescoes and dorés. Thanks to the kindness of the Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, we were served an exceptional Mouton Rothschild 1999...

Among the most elegant women, of course, the Countess Jacqueline de Ribes, Madame Schwartzmann (with an Oscar de la Renta) and Coco Brandolini, in Prada and Louboutin, but not on her feet... by her arm! Because Christian was her partner... I went to greet him and he had amazing patent leather shoes... designed by himself, of course!

What I carry in my bag...

As you've been asking so much, Carla Mitrani came to my house, before I left for Paris, to take some pictures of what I carry in my bag...

So here they are. But, first I need to clear out some things: as I change my bag everyday, I have a small L. Vuitton purse where I carry everything I need and transfer it from bag to bag.
The green wallet is the one I use for my cards, IDs and money in Europe. The orange one is for South America. One key holder belongs to my house in Paris, the other one to my house in Buenos Aires.
The red "pochette" is a gift from my friend Myriam, as it is the silver pill box with the shape of an Hermès Birkin.
The powder foundation is one of the many in my Estée Lauder collection. I change it from time to time.
I carry a Chanel mini gloss and a Guerlain fard. Also a toothbrush and a small toothpaste. And even a small sewing kit, as those given to guests at hotels... Everything is hidden in the red pochette.
And that's all...

Parc Monceau in Spring...

Concert at the Teatro Colón...

Since its opening, on May 25th 2010, I've been willing to go to the newly renovated Teatro Colón. My last time there was on May 2003 and I cried with Puccini's "Tosca."

Today, after so many years, I entered again the glorious Colón...

Thanks to an invitation from French Ambassador in Argentina, Mr. Jean-Pierre Asvazadourian, and Buenos Aires' Minister of Culture, Mr. Hernán Lombardi, I enjoyed an exclusive performance of French pianist Bertrand Chamayou, a 30-year-old talent that is considered a huge promise by the French. Since 2006 he is touring the world masterly performing music by Franz Listz, Félix Mendelsshon, Camille Saint-Saens... as he did exactly tonight. In an hour-and-a-half-long concert, just him, with his piano on the majestic stage, he delighted us all with his huge talent.

And what can I possibly say about the Colón?

I adore theaters, their halls, their red velvets and dorés, that mystery that surrounds them... I always feel the presence of a ghost moving around, just as in the Opera. And tonight I was not deceived. The Colón still remains as splendid as ever...

A special note for the Tandem PARIS-BUENOS AIRES, which is to bring us many more amazing performances and exhibitions.

Bertrand Chamayou

Patricia in jeans...

Laurencio Adot's Runway show...

And so I'm back, after a few days of mandatory rest, due to my travels, and a virus that almost destroyed my PC. 

In today's warm and scented afternoon, I went to the Sheraton Hotel to see one of the many runway shows presented at the BAAM (Buenos Aires Alta Moda). For more than 20 years now, Héctor Vidal Rivas, famous stylist and Costume Designer, together with his sons, has been working to promote Argentine fashion and designers, and with this in mind, he created BAAM.

Today I went to Laurencio Adot's show who, not only is a dear friend of mine, but also a talented designer, always willing to learn and improve himself in each of his collections.

The one he presented today did not let us down. Many cocktail dresses and black gowns, some with details and others totally embroidered with sequins. Other "tableaux" in greys, greens or goldens. Glitters, feathers, high heels. A very feminine and sexy woman. All models carried the same hair-do: untidy buns that looked really great. 

A special note for MT's jewelry, specially the earrings, which were long and charming.

The show ended with wedding dresses, always a strong point in Laurencio's collections. And there were designs to suit every bride... from lace catsuits, very 70s, to short suits and the classic long ones every bride dreams of. 

Among the models, some famous ones as Carolina Simeone, Ingrid Grudke and Julieta Prandi.

Many actresses that use Adot supported him in the front rows.

See you soon...

An apology to all readers of my blog. An unfortunate series of events has made it impossible for me to write these days.
I promise to do so as soon as possible!

"La Prima Cosa Bella"

What to do on a Sunday in March, when you are suffering from an otitis and are unable to leave your house or travel?

You can only stare at the Park through the window, finally covered with sun and blossoming trees, and watch a movie. As this was my case, I had no other choice than look through the DVDs my sister buys on the Italian Amazon, and with much much luck I found a little masterpiece... "La Prima Cosa Bella," directed by Paolo Virzì.

I've had read its critics last year, all very good, but somehow it has exceeded my expectations and filled me with emotions. Firstly because the story is set in Livorno, which is a Tuscan town where they speak the same Italian dialect than in Montepulciano, where I was born. And second, because the story of Anna, a beautiful and rather thoughtless mother, of the ups and downs of her life, always involving her two beloved kids, till the end, thirty years later... is fascinating and made me cry seas of tears!!

Amazing actors: Micaela Ramazzotti (young Anna), Stefania Sandrelli (elder Anna), Valerio Mastroandrea, Claudia Pandolfi... all of them stupendous. And that portrait of the provincial Italy from the 70s till today, so fair, so "dolce-amaro," so filled with love...

I do not want to forget the music, our music... as that of the band "I Richi e i Poveri," who sang the song that was used as title for the movie...

A visit to a past full of nostalgia...

You can watch the trailer by clicking here.

Happy 150th Anniversary, dear Italy!

Finally Paris' Fashion Week is over, the city is back to its normal self and so is the traffic.

I went to see a last runway show and, to tell you the truth, this year I went to quite many... But hey, I'm no Anna Wintour, though.

I was at the presentation of Moncler Gamme Rouge. which is a sophisticated line of jackets and coats designed by Giambattista Valli.

Giambattista Valli is a very talented Italian designer, who's been in Paris for a while (he used to design for Ungaro) and recently opened his own splendid boutique on Rue Boissy d'Anglas, which I visited yesterday.

But back to Moncler's show, I must admit it was the one I enjoyed best. The setting and the mood, at the enormous room on Rue de L'Ecole de Médicine, was impressive: it all worked around four climate phenomenons... Mist, wind (achieved through large fans that blew our hairs around), rain and, finally, snow. The first Moncler jackets were skiing ones... Models, young and beautiful, boys and girls of long untidy hair, walked around the room, holding hands, as if protecting themselves from the severe weather.

Almost a Chejov's setting.

Black jackets, short coats of neon yellow fur, others in orange... and black ensembles with plastic fringes that I found really nice.

As I sped out, I bumped once again into Anna dello Russo, Giovanna Battaglia, Franca Sozzani... and all the fashion journalists I won't be seeing again till the end of September.

Au revoir...

Yves Saint Laurent runway show...

Happy Women's day to you all!!

I wish this to you from the city of Beauty and Fashion. And do so also by the end of a hectic week full of runway shows, vanity and frivolity, which is all part of life, at least of mine...

Yesterday night I went to the runway show of Stephano Pilati's collection for YSL, at the magnificent hotel particulier Salomon Rothschild.

At 7:30 pm, on the corner of Av. Hoche and Rue Faibourg St. Honoré, the traffic was completely jammed... I had to jump out of my car and walk a 100 meters on paving stones with my marvellous Charlotte Olympia shoes (15-cm-tall heels). But I didn't care, the general mood was festive and delirious. About a hundred photographers and bloggers waited by the entrance, dreaming of getting inside. Privilege for a few...

Once inside, we were seated in different rooms, one more elegant than the other. I was seated in the same Anna Wintour was, as usual looking terribly bored... I guess I understand her: after having witness about 50 fashion shows in six days, she looked cheerful only when chatting with Mario Testino, the great photographer, who sat on her right. 

Kanye West, guest star of the show, was also in the room, and he went with his personal bodyguard, who woundn't keep an eye off of him (afraid someone might rob him?).

Also Kristin Scott Thomas, Francois Henry Pinault, President of the Group owning the brand, and many others...

With a half-hour delay, the show finally started... Thirty-eight models, very à la YSL: Prince of Wales suits, boulle-shaped coats and an all-white finale... SUBLIME!! Catsuits, smoking, dresses... white in all its variations. Beautiful show.

The models had all a tight chignon, almost no makeup and pale faces...

I went out running to reach my car and avoid the traffic jam...

Fall-Winter 2011 Runway shows in Paris (Part II)

Fall-Winter 2011 Runway shows in Paris (Part I)

Paris is hot... Infernal traffic, lots of people in shops and no places in restaurants. It's Fashion Week. Twice a year hundreds of buyers, Fashion editors, models and bloggers land in town... Even Lady Gaga was in Paris and modeled for Thierry Mugler. 

On Thursday, at 10 am (weird time for me), at the entrance of the beautiful and historic Hotel Crillon, a crowd of photographers and black limousines was enough proof that something important was about to happen. And so it was: we were all gathered there for Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga's runway show. Nicolas is considered a true artist by the press and his collections generate much expectations. 

The floor of the room, even our seats, were all full covered with white tiles, bathroom-like. Everyone was already there... Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, Emmanuelle Alt (Vogue Paris' new Editor in Chief) and many French actresses. Balenciaga's owner had the generosity of seating myself in the "front row" and that's very important.

The show was short but intense: thirty-three looks and all models wearing a very original make-up: highlight on the eyebrows, which reminded me of the movie "Blade Runner." Many had their hair bleached, almost white.

Overall a very graphic collection, with some leather, mesh, under-the-knee length skirts, all very original and easy to wear everyday... Without a doubt, a talented collection. Even too much for me, I wouldn't know how to dress like that...

We went to congratulate Nicolas Ghesquière backstage and he was very kind, charming and serene...

No stardom à la Galliano!!

Fall-Winter 2011 Runway shows in Paris...

Invitations to runway shows are starting to arrive...

The Best and Worst Dressed of 2011's Academy Awards.

I could not miss this year's Oscars... although as I'm in Paris, the time difference with L.A. is huge... 9 hours!!!

So I was just able to see something before surrendering to late night sleep. Above all, I got to see much of the Red Carpet that, for us, women, it one of the most attractive parts of the TV broadcast. 

As usual, I liked best the lighter and brighter dresses... As actresses arrive very early to the Kodak Theatre (around 3 p.m.), darker dresses don't look so well under the sun and the light of day.

Anyway, here's my choice of the best and worst dressed:

Best

1. Halle Berry. She wore a nude embroidered Marchesa that was really divine.

2. Cate Blanchett. A Givenchy Haute Couture dress, very original and "très chic." And she had the right haircut, the right height... just perfect.

3. Hilary Swank. I do not like her body type that much, but I adored her Gucci Première dress, grey, with sequins and feathers.

4. Anne Hathaway. Because of the red vintage Valentino (I have one very similar) and because she arrived hand in hand with Valentino himself. Very "top."

5. Michelle Williams. A Chanel, nude and young, very nice.

Worst

1. Nicole Kidman. She wore a 2009 Haute Couture Christian Dior dress that looked too stiff... I hated it... and the shoes... red!!

2. Helena Bonham Carter. What can I say?... A costume by Collen Atwood, black and sinister. We forgive her because she is English and such a great actress.

3. Penélope Cruz. She is one of my favorite and most beautiful actresses in Hollywood, but after giving birth to her son just a month ago, such a shinny dress did not look good on her. A very vulgar L'Wren Scott outfit.

4. Sharon Stone. I usually love the way she dresses, but yesterday, her black Dior, made her look like Morticia Adams.

5. Scarlett Johansson. An awful Dolce & Gabbana purple lace dress, with transparencies... not good...

Just a few words about the men... Not only he's a great actor, but Colin Firth is also handsome and elegant... tall, chic and married to an Italian.

Lousy host, yet very sexy, James Franco is better as an actor and writer than as a showman. 

I loved Jeremy Renner, ugly and tough, but interesting and sexy. He's the supporting actor of "The Town," which I've already seen twice.

My beloved Javier Bardem has gained too much weight... Does not look good on him...

Spring-Summer 2011 must-haves...

Although on a day like this it sounds impossible, Summer is near and will soon be here. It's hard to imagine it so after this rainy afternoon and with 4°C outside, but it is already here... Or at least it's so in all fashion magazine, store racks and boutique's windows.

A few days away from the beginning of 2011-2012 Fall Collections on Paris' Fashion Week, let's point out what we'll be using in the next months, before Fall trends mix up on our minds or, at least, on mine!!

Let's see...

1. Color. Is the "IT" feature of season. Mostly monochromatic, although also seen in a mixture of two-colors, three-colors or four-colors (see Gucci).

The key hue is orange, present in most collections in suits (Prada) and dresses (Céline, Hervé Leger, Costume National). Then comes blue... from marine (Chanel, Pucci, Prada, Lanvin, Rochas) to French (Armani, Versace, Pucci). Also Kate blue, which is the hue of the dress Catherine Middleton used to announce her engagement to Prince William.

Anyway, all colors matter and work... Fuchsia, yellow, green...

(Gucci)

2. Lines and stripes. Vertical (Versace, Kenzo) and, above all, horizontal!! Revamped in a stupendous way by Prada, who was included them all over her collection, they were also seen on the runways of Sonia Rykiel, Moschino, Isabel Marant, etc.

Use with precaution... They can widen your shape.

(Prada)

3. Trousers... They are everywhere. Go for "flare," that is, wide and high-waisted. They work perfectly when paired with high heels or platforms. Check out Dior, Fendi, Etro...

4. Hippy. This means long, printed dresses as those in the 70s... Very romantic. Divine those designed by Pucci and Cavalli. Marvellous those presented by Dolce&Gabbana, white and with lace...

(Pucci)

5. Strass y paillettes. Dresses with sequins in all sizes and shapes. To use during the say (Manish Arora, Marni, Ferré).

6. Long skirts. For the say, as seen on Lanvin's y Hermès' runway. Interesting.

7. Shorts. Again. To pair with a blazer of the same length and high heels. Or done out of jeans destroy, with a red leather jacket and a "tye-dye" tank top, as presented by Balmain.

(Balmain)

8. Men's shirt. Best if closed to the neck, as shown by YSL. Or white and severe,  as Prada's. A new way of being sexy, yet revealing almost nothing...

9. Beige or nude. For a total look. Could be seen on Thakoon's, Oscar de la Renta's y Dior's runway.

10. Hawaiian imprimé. It's joyful and summery. Best examples? Those presented by Dior, Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier and Moschino.

(Dior)

And mini-dresses... They are still hot.

But above all, just use whatever looks best on you and fits your personal style.. 

That is my advice.

Cranach at the Musée du Luxembourg...

What a privilege to go on a Winter afternoon, in Paris, to a Museum to visit an exhibition exclusively dedicated to Cranach! And it seems I'm not the only one... I arrive around 5 pm on a Monday and there's a long line of people waiting patiently outside... I thought that Lucas Cranach l'Ancien was a German artist (even if the Germany of the 16th Century barely existed as a country) few people knew. The exhibit at the Musée de Luxembourg is the very first dedicated to Cranach, although there's 6 paintings of his at the Louvre and they recently organized a public fundraising so that the Museum could buy "Trois Graces," another marvelous work by this incredible artist.

So back to Monday's afternoon, luckily I had bought and printed my tickets through Fnac's site, so I was able to get inside fast, followed by the look of "hatred" of all those waiting outside in the cold. 

I loved the exhibit a lot, I was charmed by the erotism of his nudes, the definition of the colors (reds, oranges, greens), his almost pre-surrealist style, the eternal beauty of the women he painted... with those serene faces, blond hair, porcelain skin, small bust and round hips...

To think that Cranach was a friend of Luther, lived in Friedrich the Wise's court and faced a ferocious competition with Albrecht Dürer, another master of the time. In fact he usually used Durer's work as inspiration: there are two or three of his paintings to compare.

It's so stupendous that such masterpieces can endure so many centuries and provoke so many feelings on us...

A fun detail... the American producers of "Desperate Housewives," in California, used one of Cranach paintings for the opening titles... that of Adan and Eve...

Cranach would have never imagined it would be so, never ever...

Escape to Milano...

With just a few euros is possible to buy a plane ticket on EasyJet and travel in the morning from Paris to Milano, and return the next day. It's one of the many advantages of living in a central city as Paris... I can do the same with London, Venice or Madrid (vueling.com in this case). And with a minimum internet knowledge, I can get round trips for the same day at a very low cost.

Thus, two days ago I decided to spend the day in Milano. First, because as a true Italian, every once in a while I need to breathe the air of my country, smell its perfumes, hear its voices. And second, because I love Milano, which is the most cosmopolitan, central and interesting city in the peninsula. And I always have willing friends ready to lunch with me at "Baretto" in Via Senato, my favorite restaurant in town.

EsyJet's plane departs form Orly's airport at 11 am and I already have my boarding pass and my SB, which stands for Speed Boarding: for 9,50 euros I have the right to be among the firsts to board the plane and choose my seat. EasyJet does not give-out seats when checking-in: families with small children and SBs have priority.

The plane is full: tourists, businessmen and women. I read my newspapers and before you know, we are ready to land, a little more than an hour later. In Milano the sun shines fiercely and in the air you can already breathe the smell of Spring. The florists on Via Manzoni have mimosas, violets and scented hyacinths. 

The four streets of Milano's Fashion center (Via della Spiga, Via Montenapoleone, Via Sant'Andrea and Via Manzoni) are busy with extremely elegant women, all pedaling their bikes (bicycles are Milanese people's favorite way to move around, for the city is completely flat). Their Hermès bags in the basket, a short fur coat, ballerinas (Do they carry their heels in their Birkins perhaps?) and an impeccable brushing. The guys from PETA know that Milano is a lost cause, Milanese women love fur...

In just a small ratio it's possible to find the biggest concentration of luxury stores in the world... You can go into Prada, cross over to Gucci, return through Pucci and then stop by Dior, YSL, Etro, Ralph Lauren, Missoni, Dolce & Gabbana, etc... Enough to drive any fashionista mad. Now, there's only one place to go for a coffee: the mythical Cova, which exists on the corner of Via Montenapoleone and Via Sant'Andrea since 1817 and everyone stops by. They sell the best "pasticcini" on Earth!!!

I go visit my buyers at Prada and see the last trends. Lots of horizontal lines and strong colors: orange, green and blue. The shoes are either too tall or flat, like some very original leather-braided ballerinas. Few clients around, some Russians from Georgia... I can tell because they want to have something shipped and the saleswoman explains to them that DHL does not go all the way to Georgia.

Dolce & Gabbana is the emporium of lace: in black or white versions, lace is all over their Summer proposals. 

I go have a look around Gio Moretti's, which is multi-brand boutique I love. Something from Balmain, Ermanno Scervino, Lanvin, even some clothes still on sale... It's a pity the Jimmy Choo's booties I like  are size 40... too big for me.

The sun is fading and the twilight is beautiful... my favorite moment of day.

It's time to head to Linate and take my plane with the privileged workers that go or return to Paris...

By Security Control there's a line of at least a hundred people. No stress. I'm not wearing heels... ça va.

In few hours, I'll be in my bed in Paris...

First week in Paris...

Suddenly, it's been a week since I got here, to Paris. The weather is much better, 9°C... almost hot in comparison to the chill of the first days. I did lots of things already, saw many friends and got up to date with the latest Parisian trends. There's not much out there yet... February is a very calm month, a month for Winter escapades to some, a month to stay at home reflecting on things to others, all far from the effervescence of Christmas Season.

Spring-Summmer collections are timidly beginning to appear, but I must say I'm not at all enthusiastic with what I've seen. The economic meltdown still weights over the heads of American and European citizens and this is reflected in the poor, luxury-free fashions hanging in the boutiques in Paris. Where are the amazing dresses seen on Lanvin's runway? Have they not yet hit the stores? Or the ones I saw yesterday are the street version? And what about Peter Dundas for Pucci's marvellous designs? Do tell me they are not just those two black ones I saw yesterday? So sad and banal... 

Let's give them all some time. The only ones that really caught my attention were some Céline dresses in furious orange (THE color of Summer 2011), which had much more light and joy. Céline's new designer, Phoebe Philo, previously worked at Chloé, when Stella McCartney left. I can tell she's talented and has a certain air very chic. 

I also stopped by Christian Louboutin's, who is mu favourite shoe designer, and much to my surprise classic, black, pointy, platform-free shoes are back! They were seen already at Balmain's runway, paired with worn-out jeans and corsets. A look to bare in mind.

Evidently trousers are back... They were seen in many collections and most fashion magazines want to make them the item. But not to me... I won't wear trousers again! I'm fine with jeans but I no longer want trousers... don't know why. I'm happier with dresses and skirts.

Well, it's all for now. Just some final words to tell you that I'm eager to go visit Cranach's exhibit in a few days and it was a pleasure to see a TV adaptation of Marcel Proust's "La Recherche du Temps Perdu:" a marvelous work of Nina Companeez, with great French actors... a must-see.

Back in Paris...

Et voilá, as the French say... I'm back in the cold Paris. I left behind the 32°C of Buenos Aires and was received by -3°C and grey skies. But this doesn't bother me at all, I love changes, even if they are a little abrupt as this one!

Women in the streets still wear their Winter uniforms: mini skirts or shorts, dark leggins, Uggs, feather jackets or doudounne, hat and gloves. Everything rigorously black. However, the French seem to feel rather happy. Winter is about to finish... a month and a half to go and soon Spring will be at the door. Parc Monceau, just in front of my house, already shows some trees with flowers.

On February 11th Winter holidays will begin and the most important ski resorts, such as St. Moritz, Gstaad or Courcevel, already have no vacancies.

There's no reason though to leave town, for there's plenty of interesting things to do here too. In few days, at the Musée du Luxembourg, will open the exhibit "Cranach et son temps," very awaited and extremely interesting. At the Centre Georges Pompidou is "De Stijl et Mondrian," which I've not yet visited and will be open till March 21st. Also in theaters there's plays worth seeing, such as "Une Journée Ordinaire," a modern comedy by Eric Assous, written specially for Alain Delon and where he'll be sharing stage for the first time with his daughter Anouchka Delon. They've already worked together on TV, but never in theatre. And although everyone thought it would be the typical play specially written to attract Delon's fans and show him in a familiar situation, it seems it's actually quite good and both do a great job.

As for the movies, I went to see Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan," with Natalie Portman. I liked it very, very much. The story is strong and distressing, the cast amazing and Natalie Portman deserves the Academy Award! But in fact the entire ensemble works perfectly: Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder (in a small but decisive role), Mila Kunis (I didn't know her, but she's an actress with a great future). I strongly recommend it to you!

And now I'll get my coat and will go out to the big city... There's always so much to discover...