La Rentrée

The French have a lovely term for returning to normal life in September after their August vacation.  It's called la rentrée and I think it's a perfect name for today.  It was exactly a year ago today that I returned from Paris. These fabulous photos of Raquel Zimmermann by Terry Richardson shot in Paris reminded me of that wonderful trip.  I also love the outfits which are great look for transitioning into autumn.  I know the old fashion rules dictate that you can't wear white after Labor Day but I think this rule is meant to be broken.  I am actually wearing white jeans today which can be worn for a few more days or weeks depending on the weather.  I think they look great with a blue shirt and navy blazer or an oatmeal colored cashmere sweater.  They are definitely helping me enjoy my rentrée!

Photos by Terry Richardson

Paris in Pastel

If you don't already have the July/August 2010 issue of Australian Vogue Living, run, don't walk to the nearest newsstand!  This issue is one of their best and includes a fun story about eating in Brooklyn and a feature on the Montauk home of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman and Williams which you can also see here.  But what really stopped me in my tracks was a gorgeous Paris apartment designed by Baroness Bruno de Pampelonne for a young Russian woman who received it as a birthday present (must be nice huh?!).  The Baroness whose name is Rose Anne, worked on the space with architect Florence Lopez and what's surprising is that it's so different from her own Paris apartment that was seen in Elle Decor.  The title of the article, Paris in Pastel, suggests that the apartment is full of pastel colors but it's not at all saccharine or sweet.  Lots of black and gold accents and marble, as well as a top notch art collection keep it sophisticated and modern.  It actually reminds me a little of Kelly Wearstler's home.  The photos below are only a few of what is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite interiors.  Enjoy!

Artwork by German artist Katja Strunz hangs above a table by Angelo Mangiarotti.  The lamp with pale blue shade and mounted crystal is by Bagues.

If I had seen this apartment last week, I could have included it in my mirror post.  Here, an Hervé van der Straeten mirror hangs over a mirrored wall panel. The Baroness designed the carpet. 

The sheep desk, "Mouflon de Pauline" is by François-Xavier Lalanne.  The Baroness is quoted in the article as saying, "You know when Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and Peter Marino started to buy Lalanne, the prices for his furniture skyrocketed."  The Ico Parisi chair is covered in a Brunschwig & Fils fabric.

In the guest bedroom, striped leather walls by Elitis are a perfect backdrop for a work by James Nares and sconces by Objet Insolite. 

The black kitchen features a Thonet dining table. 

Photos by Richard Powers

Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris

There is nothing I love more than wandering around a book store searching for a story that is as compelling as its cover and Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris is one of my new favorite finds. Some of the Parisians are famous such as Marie Antoinette and Charles de Gaulle while others could be better described as infamous but all the stories center around the most important character, the city itself. The architecture and monuments and newly created Haussmann streets have a profound effect on all the Parisians profiled including Proust and Zola. Definitely pick it up! C'est magnifique!

Hot Town

We dream all winter for summer weather to arrive and then we complain about it when it does. But in our defense, it really has been hot and steamy in New York this week. I don't want to wish summer away but really I am looking forward to fall when I can wear chic outfits like these seen in Vogue recently. Of course, I probably like them even more since they were shot in Paris. Doesn't everything look better in Paris? Wonder what their weather is like this week.

Photos by Mario Testino

Love, Chloé

My friend Jessica and I are excited that fashion is moving away from the awful eighties and back to the seductive seventies and Chloé is doing it better than anyone! They just launched their new fragrance Love, Chloé in Paris at the chic restaurant Apicius which they even redecorated with seventies furniture. The pièce de résistance though was model and face of the fragrance Raquel Zimmermann driving up to the party in a gold Mercedes convertible with Roman Coppola. He directed the ridiculously chic commercial that will start airing this fall in which Raquel drives the same convertible and prances around Paris looking like a modern day Lisa Taylor. You have to check out the party video online that gives you a glimpse. Chloé has already inspired me to start growing out my hair. Now all I need is that darn Mercedes!