Daphne Guinness at FIT

Daphne Guinness doodles...
Daphne Guiness' collection is at Fashion Institute of Technology museum till January 7, 2012.
She was there in person last Thursday for the Fashion Icons conference...
Signing her book and sharing fashion tales...
If you missed the McQueen or even if you didn't, do stop in at FIT for more fashion drama and extravaganzas...

Seen sprinting through Leicester Square in his red kimono, McQueen yelled out,

"Och, that's my coat you're wearing"

The rest is fashion history...

The exhibition collection is divided into categories. 'Dandyism' reflects Guinness' 'absolute passion for men's clothes.'

Waistcoats, cumberbands, epaulets...

Military jackets galore..

'Sparkle' evokes Daphne's love for anything shiney

'Evening Chic' equals classic elegance. "I like structure...with a bit of chaos."

Wilde said,"One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art".

A plumed bird...

Valentino says he knows Daphne's been there because of the trails of feathers and beads left in her wake...

BONJOUR DAPHNE!

The French Chocolate Tour

I was invited to join the Meeting The French Gourmet chocolate walking tour for two hours of tasting the best chocolates on the Right bank at 5 different shops in a close vicinity of Metro Concorde (our meetup point).

First stop Angelina on rue de Rivoli, with their decadent African chocolat chaud/hot chocolate.

So we can walk, sip and explore further.

Second stop around the corner on rue Cambon is reknown patisserie Pierre Hermé.

But Herme's chocolates should never be overlooked. They are superb and his small tasting box for 10 euros is one of the best deals in town IMHO (the price never seems to rise).

As Paul A. Young in London said,

'Buy smaller boxes, more often'.

Don't miss for the nice big chocolate map displaying all the flavors lurking behind the counter.

Third stop Jean-Paul Hevin on 231, rue Saint-Honore

We taste chocolates at each stop - our guide advises us on the endless array of flavours and textures.

Fourth stop: Michel Cluizel, where a crowd is leche-vitrine/doing heavy window browsing at 201, rue Saint-Honore

Again choosing would be next to impossible without our guide's experience to depend upon.

What would you choose?

 We waltz from chocolate shop to chocolate shop learning Parisien secrets.

Where to get an excellent glass of wine (Le Rubis), which oysters to eat in October(I forget..they begin with a G), what church to pop into for a moment of serene respite from intensive chocolate tasting (St-Eustache on rue Saint-Honore). Plus a full history of chocolate, the best beans and where they come from. Our tastebuds, feet and brain are getting a workout.

 Last stop the new Hugo & Victor. The chocolate concept is seasonally based on wines + accompanying natural flavors.

The Indian Summer chocolate flavor (Almond) available only in September-October comes packed in Moleskine-like boxes. I fell victim

Their towers of macarons are irrésistible.

I polished off the last of this pack today. This week's PB posts has been deleterious to my diet.

I also got a figue religieuse at H&V.

Fortunately Fr Girl assisted with the tasteoff that night - by then, post walk, I could barely take a bite. I'd love to try it but not this week. I'm in recovery from pastry raids  in my fridge :)

BON WEEKEND!

What to wear in Paris

What to wear in Paris? In one word - BLACK.
Perferably a shortie quilted BLACK jacket.
Wear a shortie quilted black jacket whilst riding a Velib and you're set.

Here's Susan Hochbaum of Pastry Paris fame blending in nicely...

You could get away with pushing a black pousette with a smidge of pumpkin in it...

Do wear black to see the mostly black exhibit of Hussein Chalayan at the musee des arts decoratifs.

Black on the Metro? Oui!

Black lace anything is 'in' right now, under or over...

Black ballerinas? Save them for summer.

It's boots, boots and more boots.

A small white dog is fine as an accessory...

At any time in Paris.

If you insist dressing like a Parisien by all means get a giant plans/maps of Paris (Thank you Grace!). People, Parisians included, will be asking you directions.
Be prepared.

BONJOUR WHAT TO WEAR IN PARIS!

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How to prove I was in Paris

How do you prove you were in Paris, if you don't have the souvenirs to show off? I always find a fun macaron T-shirt at
Anne Maisonneuve 12 bd Raspail 76006 (long sleeves(38€)
Anne ships overseas.

 Irresistable charm bracelets from. Manu Creations (about 16-21€) lets you could pick your own charms.

Some Paris souvenirs you can wear home on your hips.

'Some' is an understatement...hmmm

I love my new khaki postman bag (17€) from Musee de la Poste.

There are so many stickers/stationary at the museum's gift shop you could go nuts.

I picked up a Sonia-like stripey umbrella on rue Vavin(25€)

Reader glasses (2 pairs for 50€) bought impulsively my last night in Paris.

While waltzing aimlessly down rue du Bac at CoteVue.

I brought back Cafe Pouchkine macarons.
They're almost gone. And they're the perfect thing for breakfast.

Bear is still regretting not buying himself this Moulin Rouge bear. He's so indecisive. What souvenirs did you bring back from Paris?