SHOP

Some years ago, during my show at the ‘Salon De La Lingerie’ in Paris, I was having dinner at the ‘Crystal Room’ in the Baccarat Mansion. Walking in felt like entering an exclusive, private Parisian dinner party held amongst all these magnificent crystals. The ambience was overwhelming, in the most refined – only possible- in- Paris kind of way, if you know what I mean. I remember there was a Baccarat perfume bottle exhibition going on at the time - I felt short of breath (as always, when faced with immense beauty). Three years later, having met my beau and been proposed to, I knew it was the only place I would ever have my wedding. Even though they refused: “Mademoiselle this is a museum, we cannot have live music, there has never been a wedding here”….. and so forth. But – “I’m just the kind of girl who needs to get married in a crystal museum, plus, Marie-Laure de Noailles was the former muse of this mansion and she was just the coolest”. As the lovely Raphaelle De Germiny (events organizer at Baccarat)

N De Samim, Mexico, La Purificadora hotel, Royal Court Theatre, London, Miami, Viceroy, Camilla Franks, Marni, prague, Rio, Brasil,The drama of decadent walls, structures, spaces and architecture has always inspired me

Since moving to LA, the city of bling and all things shiny, it has caused me to develop a strict regime of all things matt and anti- bling. I guess I am a great believer in the real ‘person’ shining rather than the accessories. Even with fashion’s metallic trend this season, it was all getting too much for me and even though I appreciated the charm and quirkiness of a lot of designs out there, I wasn’t really moved enough to take part - until I saw these icy beauties by Giambattista Valli. To me they are timeless with all the right ingredients: the shine is just enough, the heels high enough for me to fall over, and yet they are so simple and sophisticated they can almost be matt. Pefect, on ice.

amanda Fatherazi, dolls, couture, embroidery, sculpture, artisan, femme fatale, N De Samim,My kindergarten friend known as Mandy, whom I played with at the age of 4, has grown into the most talented, couture sculpture and embroidery artisan, residing in my hometown Brighton. She is renowned for her figurative costume jewelry and distinctive boudoir dolls worldwide - and her own pretty doll like features, no doubt. A while ago, I commissioned her to make some N De Samim doll brooches wearing the N De Samim Minirobes and a couture doll wearing N De Samim Directoire Knickers . Aptly named Amandine, Miele, Ivoirine and Mademoiselle Clementine of course. http://amandafatherazi.com

Haute Couture tattoos by Oscar Y Astiz. Oscar is a true artist; having worked with all the couture houses of Paris as a designer, illustrator & photographer…now, he has expanded his art from paper onto the skin, the ultimate for diehard art collectors. Just being in his chic Parisian tattoo studio is an experience in itself. http://oscaryastiztattoo.com studiowhitebox.com oscaryastiz.com

Photoshoot a la Philippe Stark. Having recently stayed at the Mama Shelter residence in Paris, I only have the coolest, hippest memories to bring back. Not only this ‘designer shelter’ has the most accommodating staff, the family of five who have created it (the Trigano family, Philippe Stark and the philosopher Cyril Aouizerate - whom I had the pleasure to meet and then accidentally deleted my picture with him & still kicking myself for it!) have really thought it out. The photo shoot feature on the Mac/TV in every room was FUN!!

Interior look of the day...a cinematic antique gilded French mirror, in the coolest 'Laduree' coloring. Nonchalantly left on the mantel piece....

Interior look of the day: the French gilded antique mirror alternative.... Evident here, my love for cinematic 'blurred effect' photographs...hence, the repeat usage.

A little sneak peak into Modeler Maison (one of my upcoming lines). I had to share my excitement with you today as my design samples have started arriving! David Lynch once said : When you get a little minnow that's got gold flecks and a violet tail, and when you look at it, it shoots light into you and when you hold it, it makes you vibrate with happiness, that's a special little idea and you start falling in love with it." Well,I have started falling....thats all I will reveal for now.

On the subject of Parisian chic, this literary darling, Virginie Mouzat the fashion director of Le Figaro and a prizewinning novelist wears this Celine shirt and shoes like no other. I love the way she exudes a cold Parisian ‘this old thing’ detachment. As with her Parisian, ‘Asian- meets- mid century’ apartment, I love the understated decadence built with such exacting care.

One of Richard Dorso’s favorite pastimes was to walk from his apartment to the Monday night gallery openings on La Cienega Boulevard (LA). Before he passed away, the retired producer confessed he only likes happy art. Absolutely I thought. I visited his collection for sale at the LAMA (Los Angeles Modern Auctions) showroom, more than 400 pieces from artists like John Baldessari, Ed Ruscha , Picasso and …every inch of Dorso’s residence was filled with art. I love the modern colors and compositions . Above all I found the memorabilia so utterly charming. LAMA www.lamodern.com

Obsolete : “A Cabinet of Well-Curated curiosities in Venice” Ray Azoulay is the man behind one of my favorite galleries and inspiration hangout spaces: Obsolete. He truly is ‘the’ curator. I recently attended a reception at Obsolete held for Christina Bothwell sculptures & Marianne Kolb paintings. Completely infatuated with the fantastic artwork and complex sculptures. Plus, the ambience and people there are an experience in itself, from the barmen serving in front of an old wool yarn panel from a French rug factory– (observing all the colored wool yarn bobbins kept making me go back for more Chimey :) ) to just watching the crowd – a Modeler’s dream crowd may I add. Two of my favorites were: Jessica Lynn; an actress from NY & in my opinion, a modern version of the haute couture collector: Daphne Guinnesse (she shared the same birdlike ethereal creature qualities) & Derek Klein; a restaurant owner in Tulum/Mexico (who seemed to me the epitome of Gypset, carrying a tall feather on his head just did it for m

Enter: Todd Cooper & Guiseppe Sironi, my dear friends. This couple truly capture the esstheir refined & exquisite taste has resulted in them making/building everything in their life from scratch.ence of Modelerism to the max: an immense sense of adventure, together with, And importantly, delivered in such an effortless & nonchalant manner. They are world travelers with bases in Rio Brasil & Brighton England. From buying fabrics from the queen of Burma, designing & building Modernist architectures on the beach, to hosting lavish dinner parties with Guiseppe’s Michelin star cuisine. Their recent venture is a travel agency offering unique experiences, aimed at other Modelers, no doubt. Needless to say I am their No 1 fan. Love. Love. www.hermestravel.com.br

Evident here again, is my love for unmade beds and decadent walls ....loved this room complete with the antique bed and objet d'art sitting quietly in the corner.... I think it was a hotel in Rome.

Massaro – first opened for business in 1894. The most delicious shoe atelier you have ever laid eyes upon, in Paris of course. I am beyond obsessed, each pair of shoes requires up to 40 hours of labor with each of the 10 craftsmen being an expert in each single element of the process. I would be just as happy displaying the beautifully sculpted custom wooden lasts, in my living room, as pieces of art (preferably ones belonging to the iconic Marlene Dietrich). The task of this shoemaker is to achieve perfection. The most coveted, handcrafted shoes in the world. No wonder Chanel bought this maison. shoes

In France, one of my favorite things to do, is exploring antique markets, whether its sourcing for my clients or for my own collection- architectural antiques are my all time inspiration.