Maeght Fundation...

Under Miró's Arch, at Maeght Fundation, in St. Paul de Vence...

At the Hôtel de Talleyrand...

This June, in the mundane Paris that wishes to leave behind the Winter and see the city under better lights (those of Summer, of course) and meet with friends to talk about everything and nothing, you must attend one of the many gatherings taking place these days...

Precisely this week I had the honor of being invited by Bertrand du Vignaud, President of the WMF Europe, to their Diner held every year in June. The World Monument Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to restore the most important and incredible monuments on Earth and has chapters in more than a 100 cities. This is all possible thanks to the generosity of many donors... many many!

For example, WMF Europe, between 2010 and 2011, was able to restore the Kollegienkirche of Salzbourg, the facade of the Belvedere and the doors and balustrades of the Villa dei Vescovi, both in Prague, and the Roman Church of San Clement de Casauria, in Abruzzo, two years after the earthquake. And so many other projects are on the works... Fascinating!

WMF Europe has its headquarters in one of the most beautiful, historic and important palaces in Paris: the Hôtel de Talleyrand, which has a long, long history.

First it was known as Hôtel St. Florentin, because of Louis-Phelypeaux, Count of St. Florentin and future Duke of La Vrillière, who was Secretary of State to King Louis XV. The Hotel was finished by 1769 thanks to the work of the architect Chalgrin, When St. Florentin died, the Hotel went to the Duke Fitz Roy and later to de Duchess de Infantado. In 1812 it was finally bought by Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, a great politician of his time and a key piece of French History. He would live there until his death, in 1838. Around that time the Hôtel is bought by James de Rothschild, being the Rothschilds the only owners until 1950. 

It it with them that the building reaches its highest splendor. However, the years of war, its many horrors and the German occupation in Paris, pushes the family to sell it to the American Government, which will first use it as headquarters for the Marshall Plan and, later, as US Consulate in Paris. A restoration process is began shortly after, ending in 2007 and taking the Hôtel to its original blueprint.

Today it is rented by a Law Firm and the WMF Europe.

It was in its halls, with such Past and splendor, that the dinner was held... with a breathtaking view of the Place de la Concorde.

Of course all the donors of the WMF were there, mostly Americans, and the "tout" Paris: women in long dresses and men in smoking.

As I love History and its traditions, it was a privilege to me to be able to be in a place were so many important people in France spent their time...

Dinner to honor Archi Lanús...

Apart from Gardel, there are, and there's been, few Argentine so loved and respected here in France as Archibaldo Lanús.

Along the decade he spent in Paris, as Argentine Ambassador, Archi created strong bonds of friendship with an important part of the French society, and his invitations to the residence on Ave. Foch, be it to celebrate the 9th of July or to listen to a Tango ensemble, were all very cherished.

As no one he knew how to interest his French friends in Argentine culture and when he left, in 2005, there's been at least 30 farewell dinners... Never seen before!

Now, he returns every year, in June, and the French ladies call for themselves the right to offer him dinners and lunches months ahead.

This week was the turn of Francoise Gallimard, heir to the publishing house Gallimard, who gathered in her floor on Rue de Lille around 30 guests, among whom were the Princess María Pía de Savoia, Princess Alix Napoleón, the Bragance, Michel de Bourbon-Parme, Prince Amin Aga Khan, his Royal Highness Michel of France, Baroness Hottinguer... It felt like a dinner out of "The Recherche du Temps Perdu," by Marcel Proust, from 1911, not from 2011. It must have been quite hard for the host to arrange the sitting order respecting a certain protocol with so many aristocrats... I was lucky: in spite of being younger than other princesses, I was placed in Archi's table.

Archi brought a latin touch, hiring a band of musicians from Paraguay, who played such songs as "El Rey" and "Guantanamera."

As I left, they were inviting guests to dance to the rhythm of "Marina," a hit from the 60s...

PS: And now that we are pretending to be Proust, let me tell you that I wore an Oscar de la Renta black dress, with huge white sequins details on the skirt... Before you ask!!

Argentine Polo in Paris...

Under a grey and rainy sky, a Polo match was held this afternoon at the Marus Sanctus field, just outside of Paris.

The French have always been huge fans of watching and playing Polo. And, of course, the Argentine players, considered the best in the world, are well-received in this country to play and teach the secrets of such an elegant and elitist sport.

Today, Patrick Guerrand Hermès's team, La Palmeraie, faced La Bamba de Areco.

As special guests among the players were the Pieres brothers, Facundo and Gonzalo, both with a handicap of 10. Also Lucas Monteverde, Francisco Bensadón and Facundo Sola, with handicaps between 9 and 6.

The cup at stake honored Mathias Guerrand-Hermès, who died too young a little more than a year ago and a great Polo lover, as also his father Patrick.

Each of us could help with a contribution to benefit the Coronel Moldes Hospital in Córdoba.

Between the downpours and the rays of sun, which came out randomly, and with a crowd happy to see such Polo stars, the match was fantastic. As it was expected.

Once again, the bonds between Argentina and France proved to be stronger than ever...

My American Tournée...

Et voilá je suis ici... Here I'm, back in Europe, in front of my trustworthy PC, contemplating Paris' grey skies through the corner of my eyes... After so many visual stimulus in the US, it's relaxing and rather dull.

The truth is that New York in June, under a radiant sun and a pre-summer atmosphere, full of tourists, is better than ever.

And there's so much to do... For example, sales-shopping (40% off almost everywhere) and witnessing the twice-a-year show (in June and December) held at the shoes floor in Bergdorf, Saks or Barneys: hundreds of women fighting over their objects of desire, to see if they can get them a little less expensive.

And in a more interesting level, there's always the amazing exhibits at the local museums, so well-organized. Of course, my sister and I couldn't miss the chance to see the fabulous retrospective on Alexander McQueen at the Metropolitan Museum.

And it was worth it... "Savage Beauty," that the name of the exhibit, is a visual journey through unusual, creative and emotional concepts. A bit because McQueen died too young (killed himself at age 40), a bit because he's always been Fashion's naughty boy and a bit because he had an incredible talent... in less than fifteen years he knew how to leave a deep footprint in all those who, like me, love fashion.

The exhibit highlights all the obscure aspects of his personality... Wind, lights, noises... You feel as being transported into the romantic, melancholic and sad fantasy of an English boy...

And the gowns... The red silk cape, the black feathers dress, the lace, the leather sadomasochist bustiers... A different sexuality, weird and yet fascinating...

But enough... all of you passing through New York, don't miss the chance to see it and buy the catalog, specially edited for the occasion, with his face on the cover, which metamorphoses into a skull, depending on how you move the book...

Travelling...

My apologies for not writting...
I'm currently travelling through the US but I will soon return to Paris...
Till then, see you soon!

Harper's Bazaar in Argentina...

This afternoon I went to the cocktail to celebrate the launch of the Argentine version of the magazine Harper's Bazaar. Finally this great fashion and beauty magazine has its local edition.

Her editor-in-chief is Ana Torrejón, who already has a long and interesting experience in the world of fashion magazines for women, because she used to be in charge of the Argentine Elle Magazine.

The cocktail took place at the Faena Hotel, where I haven't been for a long time and still keeps that Argentine-modern charm: a mixture of local-antique with New York futurism. I love it.

But back to the cocktail, everyone was there, of course because the Grupo Mass+ organized it all. From a representative of the American Harper's Bazaar to Juliana Awada, lots of models and other magazine editors, together with many journalists covering the event (even my beloved Roberto Funes Ugarte was there working for C5N).

Everything turned out perfectly and it was lovely to see so many friends again. Before you ask, I wore my blue one-shoulder Lanvin which I took to the Sotheby's Gala in Paris. My sister also chose a Lanvin, but hers, more daring and original, with black feathers.

I hope the magazine meets a huge success here. 

Later, together with Roberto, I went to the Restaurant Tô, at the Hotel Mio Buenos Aires. It was a first for me and I was positively impressed by the decoration and general look of the place. Great food, argentine-japanese fusion. I felt as if being in Los Angeles, with a touch of local tango.

Another restaurant I visited these past days is that of the Hotel Algodon Mansion. Excellent. Both in Recoleta, which has become again an IT neighborhood...

I'm behaving like a tourist in the city where I've lived half of my life... and I can tell it has changed a lot... for the better.

Martín Fierro 2011 (Part II)...

Fighting hard not to fall asleep (I got back from Paris on Saturday, so I was still suffering the 5-hour time difference), I saw almost the entire Martín Fierro Awards ceremony.

I found the general look much better than in previous years, although there was a "surplus" of jewels (which I only like on one-color dresses, with no details or embroideries...) and some dramatic hair-dos. But, I repeat, in general, I liked what I saw.

Natalia Oreiro looked impeccable with the three dresses she chose. With a light and fresh make-up, she looked charming and comfortable in her hosting role. I would only criticize her first hair-do, a chignon to one side, only because I don't like it myself. I usually prefer something more classic.

I liked Verónica Lozano and found Viviana Canosa sexy with her turquoise necklace. Her hair, however, was too long...

Marcelo Tinelli is such a handsome man, but I would have suggested him a classic smoking and not the one he used.

I liked Mike Amigorena and his eccentricities. He makes me laugh.

Now, I'll wait for the photos!

Martín Fierro 2011...

I jumped out of my bed, where I'm watching the Martín Fierro Awards, to write my first impressions... I must have Twitter!

(I do, but I'm still not into it...)

Well, up to now, I've seen very beautiful women and some interesting dresses... Of course, and sorry for not being unbiased, I must mention my sister, with a tight black Oscar de la Renta. She was specially invited to cover the event for her fashion column in Revista Caras, where she's now collaborating. Then, very nice was Natalia Oreiro's green dress, also an Oscar... It belonged to the 2011 Resort Collection... I know it to be so because I have all the catalogs! It reminded me of one I have from 2008, also in green and, of course, from De la Renta too.

I saw lots of red dresses, like those used by Cecilia Roth and Inés Estévez. Charming was the Benito Fernández chosen by Laura Novoa (although she paired it with too much jewels for my taste) and Susana Giménez ruby necklace. I loved Leticia Brédice's white dress, although I found her hair too dyed (she must use it like that for her character in El Elegido), and Catherine Fulop's hair-do. Very modern...

Now, back to my bed and the TV...

Cannes is over...

After 11 days of movies and fashion, this afternoon, with the award ceremony, Cannes Film Festival said goodbye till next year.

As it was predicted, the "Palm d'Or" was given to the movie "The Tree of Life," by Terrence Malick. This American director is not so popular among the great audience (in 40 years he only made 5 movies) but experts and movie critics consider him a unique artist, almost like Stanley Kubrick.

The award for Best Male Performance was given to the French actor Jean Dujardin for his role in "The Artist." I love Dujardin, who's good-looking, talented and a great dancer. Kirsten Dunst received the Best Female Performance award... I don't like her very much, but I'm sure she deserved it.

I want to point out again the supreme elegance of Jane Fonda, who handed out the Palm d'Or. She wore a long, nude and embroidered dress that looked perfect on her. Très chic.

Also beautiful (again!) was Uma Thurman's look: a French blue dress, opened in the back with a sexy cleavage... A true goddess!

Tonight we'll have, although more modest but not less important, the Martín Fierro Awards.

I'll be back with my comments... See you.

My "Palms" to Elegance in Cannes...

For a week now in France (and in the rest of the world), we've been following the Cannes Film Festival which, apart from being one of the most important festivals because of the quality of the movies in competition and the line-up of directors (all of them proud to be chosen to participate), it has become a runway to fashion, elegance and unique glamour. 

L'Oreal (French group owning several beauty brands) and Chopard are the main sponsors of the Festival and they both hire models and actresses to show their beauties on the Red Carpet leading to the steps of the Palais du Festival, were movies are daily premiered. So every afternoon it's a treat to watch the arrival of stars, broadcasted live by Canal +, another of the main sponsors.

This year we've seen everything: beautiful women, one or two looking totally ridiculous, and others simply stunning. 

My awards to Elegance this year go to three actresses...

Number one: Jane Fonda

At 73, the American actress shone with her body (slim and perfect), her hair (she is one of the faces of L'Oreal products) and her beautiful dresses (a white Pucci, a golden-green Cavalli), with no cleavage, and long-sleeved, because, in spite of being the queen of fitness, she knows that at a certain age it's best to hide the arms!

Number two: Uma Thurman

With her white Atelier Versace dress, she looked splendid! Her loose, untidy chignon, her long green earrings, her body, her height... Everything, just perfect!

Number three: Angelina Jolie

I found her dress simply beautiful (although I'm not into that color). Also her hair, her face and... Brad Pitt by her arm... Such an "interesting" accessory.

The ones I liked less?

Penélope Cruz (a dramatic dress and a weird hair-do) and Melanie Griffith (a too-detailed look). I did not like Argentine actress Marina Guzmán's shoes. Just not glamorous enough.

There are still too days to go... 

I'll be back with more...

My posts are back!

Blogger kept its promise and my deleted posts have returned!
If you scroll down, you'll be able to find them!
So happy...

Monumenta 2011...

One of the best privileges of spending a lot of time in Paris is being able to witness the many artistic offers in town. These days, at the Grand Palais, you can visit the gigantic masterpiece of Anish Kapoor, "Leviathan," in what is known as Monumenta 2011.

After Anselm Kiefer in 2007, Richard Serra in 2008 and Christian Boltanski in 2010, Monumenta has become an important appointment in Contemporary Art.

Anish Kapoor was born in India in 1954, is British and one of the greatest sculptors of our time. 

His Leviathan can be seen till June 23rd and it fills the entire hall of the Grand Palais. It's made of a transparent plastic material, which feeds itself with the light that enters through the glass ceiling of the museum. You can enter and walk around the inside of it, feeling a warm yet moving intimacy... much like entering into a huge stomach... or at least I felt it so.

You can also, of course, enjoy it from the outside, while a guide will explain the nature of the material used (a special plastic), how it was inflated, how it is fed through very big tubes and why it took 7 days to build it (the same it took God to create the Earth... Duh).

Now, the question is... What is to happen with such structure after the exhibit? Re-use the plastic? Burn it? No, that would be too toxic.

Whatever.
But if you have the chance, it's worth visiting it, before it disappears. 

A note...

Dear readers,

As you've probably realized, my last two posts (as also your comments) have been deleted in the past days. It seems that Blogger had a technical failure and as part of the maintenance process, we've been unable to sign up into our blog. And they had to erase all changes made since Wednesday.

They promise to restore everything back, so I won't be writing those posts again, but I'll tell you (because you've been asking) that the dress I wore for the dinner was a Fall-Winter 2010-2011 Lanvin and that my shoes were Very Privé Louboutins. Also that the party was amazing, that Albert, Prince of Monaco, was there, without Charlene, and that 350.000 euros were raised to help the Association FXB. Everyone was very generous. 

I hope my posts return soon!!!

Gala in benefit of the Association FXB (Part II)

FXB stands for Francois-Xavier Bagnoud, a young helicopter pilot who, in 1986, died in an accident while on a rescue mission in Mali, Africa.

He was only 24 years old.

In 1989, his mother, Albina de Boisrouvray, cousin to Prince Albert of Monaco, created, together with her family and friends, the Association FXB to continue promoting the generosity and compassion that guided the life of her son. With the aim of helping the poorest families in Africa, they've created the Villages FXB, where they provide the necessary to put end to the vicious circle of poverty, illness and. illiteracy. Today, in 2011, there are already 50 Villages FXB, spread in Africa, China, India and Thailand.

How do they raise the necessary funds?

To begin with, Albina is a very appreciated woman and is part of one of the most important families in Europe.

And she works a lot... As she did so last night, in the Benefit Gala to help FXB, were many members of the greatest fortunes in Europe were invited. Incredible prizes were auctioned: from trips to the four corners of the world (donated by Sotheby's, who also lent the rooms for the dinner), to prestigious wines (as the Chateau Lafitte 2001 and Chateau Duhart-Milon 2001... gently donated by the Baroness Philippine de Rothschild) and jewels from Tiffany's... Everything was sold, summing up to 350.000 euros, which is a lot of money. So much can be done with such funds...

A very special night no one wanted to miss... From Prince Albert of Monaco to the most elegant and spectacular women and rich Arab Princes.

It was a great satisfaction to see how generous people can be for a fair cause...

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...