EuroPanache Blog

Coco creates Chanel

By: DarioVDL

Hard work makes a master. 

Mademoiselle Coco was a rebel and with her inner stranger, commitments and ideas revolutionized the world and emancipated the woman 1920's. Chanel believed in herself. She was different.

Coco Chanel private apartment

I am a little rebel too. At the age of 6, I did not like to be in the classroom so I did what I could so my teacher - a nun - would kick me out of class for not being good - predictably, for penitence  so  I  would learn. 

Now-days  I had  been  working very  hard! and look at me  now where  I  am  sitting,  a  sofa  who  Picasso,  Dali  and  several  personalities  ...  enjoyed  Mademoiselle  Coco.

Chanel had a gift!

Chanel's apartment

At the same time you get to the stage where you start seeing things, you cannot explain... like symbols, lines, colors,  textiles ... when you read things within lines, it is time to create!

 

Coco Chanel                                        Audrey  Tautou

Through the astonish performance of AudreyTautou and the amazing work of the Director Anne Fontaine in "Coco Before Chanel", pictures and immortalizes Chanel, a persona that every woman in the world has deep inside.

As you will see in the film, Mademoiselle Coco was able to read those symbols in the Couture world and put them together to produce a design that people judged in the beginning but then came to terms with. Chanel's couture was appreciated because she was gifted!

Tarot  cards,  fan, spectacles de Coco Chanel

Believe in you and you will find yours, every girl has it and come into life in the world of dreams. When you find yourself you will feel alive and all your fears will disappear.

Mademoiselle Coco said: "one day they will fight to sit on my table"  and so they did. Chanel also expressed: "Luxury is not the opposite of poverty, it is the opposite of vulgarity"

HumbIingly I invite you to discover the magnificent French Couture and especially I would like to thank Chanel's conservatoire and Chanel at Rue Cambon for their unforgettable reception once again.

Something very strange happened that day after I left Mademoiselle Chanel's apartment ... I passed by the Ritz remembering her time there and suddenly, like it was destined by fate, I met Chanel's designer in person... Monsieur Karl Lagerfeld, a very elegant and polite man.

Meanwhile I was representing France in a luxury's conference, I had a Chanel bag with me, a lady approached  smiling and said: "a man with a Chanel bag is a man I can trust", what nice compliment,  isn't it?

I love France, her traditions, patrimony and legacy.  Paris has opened doors to extraordinary memories through my work at EuroPanache.

Coco created Chanel - a master piece which shall continue to inspire our future generations.

Elie Saab dressing the Stars ... Paris Fashion Week - Prêt-à-Porter - 2010

By DarioVDL

Welcome to another busy day in Paris Fashion Week Spring / Summer 2010 together with Bruno from Brazil we are so delighted to be at the show ...

 

 

Being one of the first Foreigner Designers accepted at “La Chambre Syndicale de Haute Couture de Paris" together with Giorgio Armani and Valentino is a tribute to Saab's talent.

Monsieur Elie Saab has attired numerous Hollywood Stars such as Beyoncé At The Golden Globes 2009, Evangeline Lilly, Allison Janney, Halle Berry (Oscar winer 2000), Jeri Ryan, Sheryl Crow, Maria Bello, Beauvais Nilon, Debra Messing, Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Marcia Cross, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emmanuelle Beart, Diana Kruger, Christina Aguilera, Jenifer, Sophie Marceau, Angelina Jolie

Entry to the world of Elie Saab with help from EuroPanache's black book of connections :

After the entry of Nelly Furtado and Dita Von Teese we all were ready to discover "l'élégance réinventée"

Black sand covers the floor, iridescent in the moonlight.

The color palette is one of the desert sky from dusk to midnight.

From soft twilight beige to sunset red from evening blues to deep midnight black,

A high-waisted silhouette is accentuated by epaulettes and metallic embroidery.

Nevertheless gold and bronze stones in the hip pocket to recreate the atmosphere

of an adventurous summer night of rock.

It was fabulous to experience the lights, the colors and the music.  Elie Saab's collection was fabulous.

I can not wait to attend to the next show in January 2010

John Galliano Splendour in Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 "ready-to-wear"

By:DarioVDL

It is a dark raining night in Paris. Although inside my cozy apartment it is warn and full of candle light in true Swedish Style. The wonderful magic sounds of Chopin vibrate in the air and my wall clock starts to announce boom sk-aka boom boom boom... eight.

A flash back came to me of a show in October last year that EuroPanache organized together with CBS News, the FIRST and ONLY performance of phantom of the Opera - live between The Opera House Garnier and New York city:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4560128n

"The Galliano hats, the models, Benedicte's assistances and myself"

one of the other important parts in CBS News Early Show was a Galliano fashion show organized by EuroPanache's fashionista Benedicte. Yes his creations were fabulous hats! What a remarkable memory!

Suddenly my phone is ringing... our Mercedes S class is arriving to collect all of us, I am getting very excited it is among the most awaited nights of Paris Fashion Week. Together with "Benedict" from "EuroPanache". 

our Celebrities* friends from Brazil and I. We going to discover the fabulous world of "John Galliano".

One star, "Dita Von Tesse", arrived discreetly to the show ... we are walking now past the photographers who, time after time, are asking us for "a picture please!, a picture please!"

Unexpectedly a group of excited Paparazzi... screamed "PRINCE is here!" and a wave of frenetic photographers run, charge like the bulls at Pamplone, to get the perfect shot. "Prince" - in a radiant red suit - looked relax hand-in-hand with Bria Valente.

a few minutes later, the last star arrived and the second race of photographers started ..."it is RUSSELL and KATE!", they shouted ...

 

 

 

 

 
 

Bria Valente  Prince  Sidney Toledano  Alexis Roche  Katy Perry  Russell Brand  Leigh Lezark

then, one of the most awaited runaway shows started...

 

The sounds of soft-tech Argentinean tango rap and naughty pop background music begin. Blue-red lights flash upon us. White balloons fall from the celling and a RED laser sweeps across the runaway as photographers from the world over click away. Here we go... 

http://www.johngalliano.com/

As you can see on his site our FASHION night out was UNIQUE and unforgettable... it was the PLACE to be.

Galliano really makes you forget about your problems with Style... THE NEW NAUGHTY LOOK!

 

We all finished singing "You give me fever"

Do not forget to book the next one in January 2010 because you are worth it!!!

Flying with Style... just add Champagne!

By:DarioVLD

When I was an angelic 7 year-old child, I dreamed of flying to the moon as an astronaut.

Today, our delightful Norma invited me to visit our partners in the skies. It was a sunny autumn day in Paris with wonderful colors and a gentle breeze.

Suddenly my inner-child came out with exaltation and happiness- I love helicopters!

My favorite is the  Dolphin VIP model - unique in France for its services – stood in front of me. There were other models in various colors “that go with your handbag” I said to our hostess at the heli-airport, she replied “well you are not wrong - many newlyweds ask for white!

Let our new helicopter services transport you to professional events, gastronomic discoveries, sporting events or your most desired dream.

 

I said to Norma, "let's try one" so she, without any hesitation, sat in the Dolphin and enjoyed the soft leather seat waiting happily for a glass of champagne until,

I sat in the front seat and said to her “Come fly with Dario to the moon” - she bailed out and everybody laughed nervously.

Our host said “you could fly with our pilots to Marrakesh or Cannes in our private jet fleet (we have tradeshows there this autumn). I responded with a big YES - I am game …! "

Come fly with EuroPanache -- just add Champagne!

Brigitte Bardot … the « carefree » years

By: DarioVDL

I had the great pleasure of attending the opening ceremony near Paris of the exhibit dedicated to Brigitte Bardot - in honour of her 75th Birthday. 

She became an feminist icon and idol during her heyday,

later ... a SYMBOL of defense and protection againt the atrocities being carried out with defenseless domestic animals and the others in danger of extinction.

Never afraid to speak her mind. It is one of the reason I personally admire her.

"Brigitte Bardot, Bardot
Brigitte beijou, beijou
Lá dentro do cinema
Todo mundo se afobou"

Let celebrate together with Dario Moreno the eternal beauty in every woman,

the innocence, a caring nature and inspiration immortalized in BB.

I must confess my mother bore a strong resemblance to BB in her early years.

We get distracted so easily when a different charming graceful and glamorous lady passes by.

My friend Martine and I were so fascinated by her exhibition. It shows the journey of a sweet young girl to become a worldwide icon in just one second.

From the exhibition, we learnt :

How a peaceful fisher's town was transformed to one of the most visited locations in Brazil after her visit in 1964.

Her adventures when filming Viva Maria! together with Jeanne Moreau in Mexico (1965).

About a sensitive woman who met John Paul II, HM Queen Elizabeth II, Picasso, Salvador Dalí and fantastic people as she commented today.

How external beauty had a deep relationship with the kindness in her heart which made the woman she is today. 

Highly recommended … she may appear when you are there!

Brigitte Bardot: Les Annees Insouciance" runs until January 31, 2010 at the Espace Landowski in Paris.

J'adore Christian Dior

By DarioVDL

"I love Paris in the springtime

I love Paris in the fall"

I was floating along with the falling golden leaves and then the alarm clock rang!!

It was 6am, this was the day and I was bubbling over with excitement - was it all a dream??

NO it was true!

I had an invitation on my bedside table to be a special guest at the House of Dior.

I looked out of my bedroom window - YES La tour Eiffel was still there!

and I could see all those wonderful pictures of The New look in 1947 floating through my mind.

How lucky am I?

I breakfasted on croissants and chocolate chaud (to give me extra energy for the day ahead),

and having selected my attire for the visit the previous evening, stroked the feather in my hat

and jumped into the waiting car at 5 30 pm.

My excitement level was rising as we slipped in and out of the side streets to arrive at the "quartier of haute couture" at precisely 5 55pm.

Today EUROPANACHE was about to enjoy the celebrated

" Vendage de L'avenue Montaigne " - what a treat.

Everyone from the movie stars who were flown in especially to enjoy the occasion, fashion gurus and stylists, was stunned by the floral decoration of this exclusive event.

The scent which wafted through the air was simply heavenly.

"The New Look" in 1947 created by Dior was to become the icon of this leading fashion house. He wanted to redefine the essence of a woman and he created a revolution in dressing this shapely form.

The Duchess of Windsor's famous Christian Dior "Lahore" evening gown, a midnight blue velvet design created especially to produce her signature "Wallis" looks, was purchased by Madame Katell le Bourhis of Christian Dior for $26,450.

The House of Dior was eager to purchase the gown for three reasons: One, it was the first dress purchased by the Duchess of Windsor from Christian Dior in 1948 and she continued to be a faithful client for the rest of her life; two, it was a very unusual dress at the time with its very modern, sleek and fitted design; and finally, because it was part of the landmark exhibition celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Christian Dior at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute in New York in 1996.

At the opening gala celebration for the exhibition, Diana, Princess of Wales attended wearing her first Christian Dior gown, created by John Galliano, also sleek and in midnight blue.

Every woman wants to have a defined waist and this was "par excellence".

Having shared this prestigious event I can now recommend wholeheartedly - this is experience to be coveted.

I showed my gratitude, by arriving with a bouquet of fresh Lily of the valley-the favorite bloom of Christian Dior.

They were very happy to receive this small but meaningful gesture (the very least that I could do!).

Soon I was gazing upon the latest revolution in Dior creations — WOW.

It was SO exciting, it took away my breath.

Whilst Dior himself had dressed the likes of the Duchess of Windsor and Pamela Churchill in his day, now in 2009 it is Madame Carla Bruni Sarkozy, Sharon Stone and Scarlett Johansson - who are the great ambassadors of this leading house of haute couture.

The waist is still defined and the mid calf length is venerated (he stated that it had to be 16 inches from the ground) but the grosgrain, wool and taffeta have given way to buttery calf skin and silk chiffon in the latest reincarnations.

The elegant "flying saucer hat" has now been updated by a "naughty" black chiffon eye mask!

This was a theme to be exploited!!

The lingerie to compliment the 2009 NEW LOOK was equally tantalizing!

I could not wait to have my last glass of champagne and send this exciting news to you MMmmmmmm

J'ADORE DIOR...

Next journey: Incognito chez Christian Dior hometown.

Tour de France 2009 Finale - Champagne View

by NormaK

I had an opportunity to watch the final stage of the Tour de France on Sunday afternoon. I like cycling and if Sydney were as flat as Canberra with proper bicycle paths, I’d be cycling everywhere. So when I was invited to watch the final leg of the Tour de France, I jumped at the opportunity.

As I stepped out of the Metro station, I had no idea of the crowds and the buzz I would encounter. I was lucky enough to have one of the best spots to watch the final, not from below amongst the 300,000 people lining the Champs Elysées, but from a balcony on the 5^th floor of the Claridge Fraser Suites.  

The Claridge Champs-Elysées is one of the serviced apartments we use and recommend.  With 110 apartments, including studios, one, two and three bedroom flats, it's a great alternative to long hotel stays, especially for families needing kitchen facilities.  The best thing about the Claridge is its position.  How can you go wrong when you are located on the best boulevard in Paris?? Stepping out the front entrance and having luxury brands at your beck and call - like Lancel, Cartier, Louis Vuitton.  It's a shopper's paradise! 

With a glass of champagne in hand we waited impatiently for the cyclists to make their approach. Around 4.30pm-ish, sirens and horns started to blast and within a few minutes the first group of cyclists cycled past our window. There were 7 in the lead pack, then a minute or two later, the rest of the pack arrived, it seemed liked hundreds of them making up this second group. Looking down onto the group, they were so colourful in their respective country jerseys. If you missed them cycle past, you needn’t have worried as they did the circuit of the Champs Elysées 8 times!  I’m not certain when the actual finishing line was whether it was after the 8th lap or after the first, but it was great seeing them cycle past on both sides of the boulevard 8 times. It really was a magical afternoon. Of the 7 elite cyclists who were in the first group, this didn’t change, they all stayed together, each one vying to cross the line first. It was also interesting to see the second group, at one stage they cycled past single file, at another time, they cycled past in a group. The dynamics of such a race I found quite interesting.

The ultimate winner this year was Alberto Contador from Spain, with Lance Armstrong coming third. I wonder if he was disappointed? The other outstanding cyclist this year was Mark Cavendish from Britain, who came first in this last leg on the Champs Elysées. As I stood on the balcony looking down onto the second group cycling past, I wondered to myself, why put yourself through a 3 week grueling event, only to come 54^th?

It was a fun afternoon, and to be there to witness the final stage of the Tour de France 2009 with such a view as I had, was indeed a special souvenir for me. 

Macarons at Ladurée

by NormaK

Ladurée Paris

After watching the final stage of the Tour de France 2009, I decided to go and have afternoon tea at Ladurée on the Champs Elysées. Ladurée is a French institution and was established in 1862. They are known for their macarons, they employ 45 pastry cooks and 40 cooks. It was my fist visit and their macarons were superb, melt in the mouth sensation!

When you order a plate of macarons you get to choose, so we ordered Caramel, Rose Water, chocolate and chestnuts – all absolutely delicious. I don’t know whether it was the macarons themselves or the maison or the atmosphere, but everything was perfect. Even the service (French?) was exceptional!

It seems the origin of the Macaron is a bit murky, some culinary historians claim that macaroons can be traced to an Italian monastery. The monks came to France in 1533, joined by the pastry chefs of Catherine de Medecis wife of King Henri II. Later, two Benedictine nuns, Sister Marguerite and Sister Marie-Elisabeth, who came to Nancy seeking asylum during the French Revolution introduced the macarons. The two women paid for their housing by baking and selling macaroon cookies, and thus became known as the "Macaroon Sisters.  Recipes for macaroons, also spelled "mackaroon," "maccaroon" and "mackaroom" appear in recipe books at least as early as 1725,  ie Robert Smith's Court Cookery, or the Complete English Cook. Italian Jews later adopted the cookie because it has no flour or leavening (macaroons are leavened by egg whites) and can be enjoyed during the eight-day Passover. It was introduced to other European Jews and became popular as a year-round sweet. Over time, coconut was added to the ground almonds and, in certain recipes, replaced them. Potato starch is also sometimes included in the recipe, to give the macaroons more body. Today they are not only a tradition of Ladurée, but also a symbol of France.

If you are planning on a trip to Paris, an afternoon tea at Ladurée is a must, you don’t have to book, just wait in line for a table if you are coming for morning or afternoon tea. When we turned up, we got a table immediately. There are many rooms in the restaurant, so it doesn’t take long to get a table.

The restaurant itself is worth seeing, each room has been painstakingly furnished with classic French pieces, it’s absolutely exquisite.  The bar has just been redone and it's lovely too (photo). If you are going to stop for a break along the Champs Elysées, make it at Ladurée, you won’t be disappointed. 

Alexander Calder Exhibit - Georges Pompidou Center

by Marie-Lys D. 

This first Sunday of July in Paris is to my liking. The City is quiet and turned over to lovers of “promenade” and discovery. The weather is ideal, sunny and not too hot. We have decided this morning to visit the Calder exhibition that runs until July 20^th at the Centre Georges Pompidou located in the very heart of Paris. We leave early as we want to take our breakfast - the traditional café and croissants - at the Café Dame Tartine while enjoying the view on the Stravinsky fountain created by Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle to make water “sing” as it moves.

The line to get in is rather impressive and we are not very found of queuing. This long line is composed of Calder’s lovers. It is also the opportunity of benefitting from free museum admission on the first Sunday of the month. Luckily we knew that just at the opposite end of the museum there is another entrance that few know about. Well done! Within 5 minutes, we are inside.

We take the escalators up to the top of the building to where the exhibition takes place. We have found our youthful souls, full of admiration at the extraordinary Parisian views that unfold as we rise. Look, here on the hill at our right is Montmartre with its big white church and on our left the Eiffel tower!

As we enter the exhibition, the true enchantment begins. We knew about Calder’s giant mobiles and aircraft and had the opportunity to view the fabulous film with his magic circus from years back, but we had never seen his works dating from the his Parisian period from 1926 to 1933. We are under his spell.

If you are in Paris, run to see the Calder exhibition. You’ll leave full of dreams. Calder is a true magician.

Alexander Calder (1898-1976) was one of the most notable of twentieth-century sculptors. Born in the United States, the son and grandson of sculptors, he produced toys even as a child. Calder first trained as an engineer and then as an artist but his real career bean on his arrival in Paris in 1926. In just a few years, he would reinvent sculptures as “drawing space” introducing a new abstraction. Between 1926 and 1931, he constructed his unique Calder Circus, a piece that includes hundreds of small figures made from recycled materials, animated by simple mechanisms. His rapid artistic development saw him reject traditional techniques to develop a sculpture in wire, linear, massless and mobile. After 1930, influenced by Mondrian’s geometrical abstraction, he made kinetic sculptures whose metallic lines are punctuated by elements of pure colour. His last Paris sculptures, in 1933 - the suspended mobiles, slowly turning in space and wooden pieces of primitivist inspiration to the cosmic of a poetic body of work.

With more than 300 sculptures, paintings, drawings, toys, photographs and films, this exhibition takes place in two galleries (Galerie 2, level 6 and Galerie du Musée Level 4) is the first to be wholly devoted to Calder’s years in Paris. (Source: Centre Georges Pompidou).

Centre Georges Pompidou

Up to July 20th, 2009

Galerie 2, level 6 & Galerie du Musée, level 4

11 am-9pm everyday ex. Tuesdays.

Ticket office closes at 8pm

Late opening until 11pm

Thursdays, Galerie 2 only

Ticket office closes at 10pm

Fat Tire Bike Tours of Paris

by NormaK

It's not high-end, so Bob may bitch at my posting this, but Sunday was such a glorious day here in Paris that I decided to do something a little different and take a fat tire bike tour of Paris.

What a great alternative way to get around Paris, so much easier on the feet!  Sunday I must say is a good day to cycle around Paris, as there isn’t much traffic, so I felt very safe. Our guide when crossing at the lights, always made sure that it was safe enough to cross which was reassuring, and we cycled most of the time on bicycle tracks.

We cycled and stopped by the main sites including the Eiffel Tower and the Champs de Mars, the Ecole Militaire and Les Invalides and over the Alexander III bridge. 

We stopped at Place de la Concorde and had a picnic lunch in the Tuileries Gardens and saw the Louvre Museum pyramids.

Our guide was very informative and very American, by that I mean, excellent customer service and over the top enthusiasm, with plenty of smiles!

After 4 hours, my bottom was fine, the bike was very comfortable and easy to use and as the day was so glorious I could have stayed on for another half-day...