| Cheries, |
| I write Friday for Play this week from a friend's office in Paris, which also happens to be on Avenue Montaigne right next door to Plaza Athenee where a certain beloved fictional writer kicked off her season finale. My week in Paris has been a whirlwind of over-the-top experiences so it is fitting that from this office, as I glance up from my keyboard, the Eiffel Tour fills my window. I am gleeful to report that I just came from visiting the ever charming, stupendously talented Christian Louboutin and convinced him to be our guest weekend forecaster. Enjoy his answers below and stay tuned for more fabulous designers this year ... |
|
WEEKEND FORECAST BY DESIGNER CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
|
|
|
|
|
|
LA VIE EN TOES - Scrapbook from Paris
Sacre bleu! I've been in Paris a little over a week and I am run completely ragged. Since last Thursday I have dined with head of states, lunched at L'Avenue next to Andre Leon Talley and John Galliano, argued about the merits of Glenn Gould's recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations (I was vehemently pro-Gould) in a smoky salon with a playwright, a symphony conductor, a Tibetan filmmaker, and a sherpa over many, many glasses of red wine and freshly peeled lychees. And bien sur, it would not be a complete trip to Paris unless I shopped with abandon that would make even the French impose moral judgement (apologies to my husband who reads this newsletter). I came to Paris as I do almost every year for my best friend Sarah's birthday. Sarah is an American, nuclear powered socialite whose penchant for socializing makes me look like a misanthrope. I would not be surprised if in fact it turned out that Sarah is the sole energy source behind this City of Lights. But I, her California counterpart, have made a surprising discovery about myself: it turns out that I am a workaholic, gearhead who cannot relax unless I have a wireless connection, a proper cup of coffee (towering, sweet, strong) and TiVo. And as much as I require and crave the cultural and aesthetic fix I get from Paris, I find it hard to function in a place where few people understand the definition of WiFi. It sounds petty, I know. Afterall, who would nag about anything in gay Paree? And don't say the French. They get the same bad rap as New Yorkers. Speaking of Americans in Paris, I was also able to visit the very fabulous Gentry Lane, Splendora's former European Directrice (back when we were flush with dot com hubris and thought we could launch Europe without batting an eyelash). Gentry has designed a most luxurious, super glam line of lingerie called Gentry de Paris. Her silk slips, cashmere panties, and silk thongs are exquisitely made and will hopefully be available in the States soon. My sojourn in Paris ends Sunday so I am trying to muster the energy to have dinner tonight at Benoit's, a jet set favorite. Last night, we had too many cocktails at the Plaza Athenee and made the poor decision to disco down and check out the scene at La Suite where Rebecca Romijn-Stamos sans John was holding court on the dance floor (she was totally gorgeous in a simple white tank top, jeans, and a newsboy cap). One of my friends made the even poorer decision to order a bottle of Cristal at two in the morning. Considering I had a pre-supper martini, steak tartare with frites and red wine for dinner, champagne proved to be the final straw that split the camel's head this morning. Perhaps this explains my gloomy outlook. Well it's almost time for dinner so I better dust off enthusiasm and readjust my joie de vivre. Paris is not the kind of city to take for granted. Tune in next week when Friday For Play hits the Big Apple. |
|
GET YOUR PIN AT PINNACLE
|
Au Revoir,
Splendora
Your Informant
.........................


