Ad Campaign

The Chanel Iconic Handbag

This Chanel ad campaign gets 5-stars. Penelope Cruz and Brad Pitt are lovely and make quite an attractive pairing. SEE THE FILM

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Meant To Be

When there was a delivery snafu with a pair of Phoebe Philo flats, Paula remarked “it wasn’t meant to be.” And, she was right, of course. Yesterday, while roaming around I spied the newest iteration of the Chanel Mary Janes in the rue Cambon shop window. I’ve resisted the Mary Jane trend, but these were like a siren song. Much more walkable than the flats I’d wanted, and I get why the strap style is popular — it’s practical. A very sweet salesperson informed me that this shoe sold out in three days. Maybe, she said, there is one pair in existence at the avenue Montaigne shop. En route I decided, if so, then they are meant to be. Et Voila! Thank you, Paula, you were right — these shoes were, indeed, meant to be. After Chanel I passed Brigitte Macron in the Tuileries, she was in very high heels and had perfect hair.

I like these Le Monde Beryl Mary Janes a lot, too.  Call me a convert.

I’d, also, resisted the pink trend. But the YSL lipstick gifted to me by a friend put me on a path. I’m going to pick up this Hermès Rosy Lip Enhancer  (& here) to add to my budding collection.

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Carven

Louise Trotter’s debut collection for Carven is trickling into the Paris store. With no e-commerce and just a tiny outpost in Galleries Lafayette (another opening in Harrods soon), I made a beeline for 6. Rond Point de Champs-Elysées. The clothes are gorgeous and the manager Fred is delightful. I bought a black, light-weight, waterproof jacket, which is chic, yet practical, for these early spring days. The rest of the SS24 collection will be delivered in two weeks.

On my radar

Bits & Bobs

The fashion world’s top news items — Dries Van Noten’s retirement announcement, Pierpaolo Piccioli’s impending exit from Valentino, and Gucci sales down 20% — are a trifecta of sad headlines that say a lot about the state of fashion today. Commerce, more than ever, trumps creativity. To cheer myself up, I’m going to see two exhibitions of photographs by photographers I worked with. Many of Irving Penn’s (Mr. Penn to me) pictures of his wife Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn are included in Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn Fashion Icon at MEP. And Palais Galleria has a retrospective of Paolo Roversi’s stunning photographs. I am an avid short story buff and I’m joining a book club devoted to the genre. That said, I’m eagerly awaiting the release of Amor Towles’s Table For Two available April 2. I doubt I’ll start wearing blue eyeshadow, yet the makeup in the Chanel FW24 collection is lovely and certainly eye-catching. Whole design lines have been devoted to stripes, however I have not ventured beyond a traditional mariner style in years. This navy and white A.L.C. top has my name on it. I picked up these Monoprix ballet flats to wear around the apartment and I’m going to tuck into April Vogue France. Happy weekend! xp

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Feeling Blue

These The Row satin pumps in navy are stunning and quite versatile. With jeans and an oversized sweater would be chic.

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Buckle Up

Miu Miu’s big double belt moment appeared on the runway March 2022 for the FW22 collection. I was instantly smitten and bought the belts in both black and brown. I wear them all the time. For the SS24 collection, Saint Laurent has this equally terrific Motorcycle Belt in black and brown (and here.) It would, also, be perfect doubled up.

Michael Kors, me in Miu Miu, JW Anderson 

On My Mind

Packing Procrastination

We head to Paris soon for a month and I cannot motivate myself to pack. I’ve decided to take items that rarely get worn, with a few go-tos thrown in. My reasoning is, if I don’t wear it in Paris, where will I? I ordered the Phoebe Philo ballet flats for the trip, but I received, erroneously, a leather hat and leather wrap skirt. Sadly, the flats were sent to someone else. On the bright side, they’re one less thing to pack! Only one pair of winter boots and a parka for a one-night trip to Tromsø, Norway to see the northern lights. Seeing the Aurora Borealis in Tromsø is my one and only bucket list item and I am on top of the world — I will be, literally! Tromsø is above the arctic circle and a prime viewing location. March 25 is a full moon, which is said to be ideal. Here’s to clear skies!

In the meantime, I’m going to ignore packing and go preview the Whitney Biennial and see the Klimt Landscapes exhibition at Neue Gallerie.

Paris FW24 Collections

Celine: Capes & Coats

The Celine FW24 collection film was released yesterday and there are some gorgeous capes and coats. I have two Hedi Slimane pea coats — a grey Saint Laurent and a black Celine — and I cherish both. They are beautifully cut and timeless. Since I’m on a bit of a cape binge, the one above right caught my eye — love the hood. And the coats below are perfection. In a nod to the Swinging Sixties theme, I’m wearing my triple strand of pearls as I write this.

A lot of items in the fall collections dovetail nicely with my personal style. My penchant for refined and elevated daywear — and a pulled together sensibility — will be rewarded with an abundance of options come fall. Refined, elevated, sophisticated and feminine seem to have superseded restrained (read boring) quiet luxury – hurrah!

Beauty

Leaning Into Lipstick

Last evening my très chic friend Géraldine gave me a YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Baume #44 Nude Lavalliere. Géraldine is brunette and 20 years my junior, yet the shade suits us both. Perhaps it suits many since it’s a lip conditioner, not an opaque lipstick. Regardless, it is lovely, and an even lovelier gift that I will happily wear as I am currently leaning into lip color.

On my mind

List Topper: A Cape

One thing I know for sure is that I will buy the Carolina Herrera FW24 grey cape. And, perhaps for spring, the Loro Piana cape and matching skirt in Harper’s Bazaar France. Mrs. Prada’s cape suit is the pinnacle of chic and I hope she reissues a version of it at some point.