LET’S DANCE

And here I am, in my dance attire but also in Marlène Dietrich’s suite at the Lancaster hotel in Paris, where she lived a few years, where she left her piano, to discuss dance. I recently inflicted a thousand stories documenting my dance practices on my community on Instagram Continue reading “LET’S DANCE” →

IKB

It’s no secret, I love summery playsuits and it’s no secret either, I do love electric blue, this famous IKB or International Klein Blue. Continue reading “IKB” →

LAURA

An outfit with a retro touch was the natural complement to this superb Lancaster en-suite. With such a setting, it seemed like the ideal occasion to discuss the movie “Laura”. Continue reading “LAURA” →

BEGUM PARIS

Before Bégum Paris, there was Delage, the beautiful French maison with its workshop in Ile-et-Villaine, France. A maison that would regularly lend its talents and savoir-faire to the greatest names, such as Chanel or Louboutin. Continue reading “BEGUM PARIS” →

INTO THE BLUE

It is simply delightful to wear this Jason Wu dress, which I find absolutely gorgeous, during the festive season. The slightly dramatic bejeweled neckline is perfectly balanced out by the aerial grace of the skirt. Continue reading “INTO THE BLUE” →

FAKE LIFE

Time to clear the air.

My Instagram followers have been increasing by the thousands every day for over a week now. This could sound like good news but really it’s not because these accounts are fake, empty shells with no one behind them. Continue reading “FAKE LIFE” →

MAHARANI

This beautiful little gem is from Needle & Thread, an English brand founded in 2013, whose sophisticated, supremely feminine style is instantly recognisable due to the embroideries and sequins present in each collection. Continue reading “MAHARANI” →

UNCHAINED

One never highlights their back enough, which is a shame given how sensual a back can be.

I’ve chosen to address this issue by wearing this chain-covered vintage dress.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Continue reading “UNCHAINED” →

DELVAUX

“Love at first sight”. That’s how I’d describe my experience with Delvaux.

This beautiful house was created in 1829, which makes it the oldest fine leather goods house in the world and one of Belgium’s national jewels. Continue reading “DELVAUX” →

LIBERTY

Those who’ve been following my adventure since the very beginning are well aware of my love for boating.

The setting has changed a little and so have the type and the size of the boat: may I introduce this gorgeous 56ft long sailing boat. Continue reading “LIBERTY” →

DUCOTÉ & CÔTE

Today, I want to tell you about a lawyer: Suzanne Ducoté.

A lawyer who chose another path.

Suzanne’s bubbly personality, beautiful energy and intelligence set her up for a brilliant, intellectually stimulating career as a business lawyer. Continue reading “DUCOTÉ & CÔTE” →

THE BEAUTY MYTH – PART 2

Is a moment of outrage allowed? I guess so.

I have written about my love for Naomi Wolf’s “Beauty Myth”, published in 1990, on a previous occasion. The essay explores how women were, and continue to be, alienated by unrealistic diktats around physical perfection, desirability and the constant staging of their bodies as sexual objects. Continue reading “THE BEAUTY MYTH – PART 2” →

DOLCE VITA

I clearly love Dolce & Gabbana’s ultra-femininity, which has always represented the quintessence of the Italian dolce vita for me: the 60’s, the sun, femininity, voluptuousness, grace and love. Continue reading “DOLCE VITA” →

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

This item is a UFO: a playsuit by Victoria Beckham designed for target, the massive U.S. department store. Indeed, Victoria Beckham presented Target with an affordable 150-piece-collection in Spring 2017, which includes a line for plus-size women and for children. In all fairness, it’s quite a success. Continue reading “ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK” →

LANGEAIS

And here I am, a little provocative, in my vintage Old England cape, visiting a medieval French castle which was the subject of bitter battles between France and England: the castle of Langeais. Continue reading “LANGEAIS” →

MARGARETH & MOI

Margareth & Moi is the result of a beautiful story that involves neither Margareth, nor myself at that, but two individuals by the name of Victoria and Gildas.

Victoria and Gildas met in another life, when they were both working for Olivier Lapidus. That meeting led to a true friendship but also a superb creation: Margareth & Moi. Continue reading “MARGARETH & MOI” →

SMOKING HOT

It is a challenge not to look furiously elegant in a tuxedo. Some might even say furiously feminine.

However, if dared, the tuxedo must be absolutely perfect. You might find me a little snobbish but in my opinion, a tuxedo is either YSL or it is not. Continue reading “SMOKING HOT” →

TIME’S UP

Some time ago, I presented my interrogations concerning #MeToo here. I expressed my fear of seeing this movement become a trial by the people and my hope that it would trigger legal and judiciary changes, which are, in my opinion, the only tools that can really change mindsets in the long run. Continue reading “TIME’S UP” →

ATELIER LES LYONNES

Let’s talk about the Atelier Les Lyonnes.

Its founder, the utterly charming Anne-Claire Thiriot, decided to give spats a new life. The bet was a risky one, given that the accessory is rather dated.

And yet, the bet was worth it because she has, in a nutshell, given it a new life. Continue reading “ATELIER LES LYONNES” →

MEGÈVE

The name Megève is very much associated with the Rothschild, and for a simple reason: the skiing station was created by them after the First World war, as they refused to cohabitate with the Germans during their stays in Swiss stations. Continue reading “MEGÈVE” →

RAYON SPECIAL

I fell head-over-heels in love with the young brand Rayon Spécial, which brings together a wonderful collection of vintage glasses from the 30’s through to the 60’s. The glasses are laminated with gold and lovingly restored by the young designer Yoan Dahan. Continue reading “RAYON SPECIAL” →

SNOW

The Canadians must have been laughing pretty hard at our few centimetres of snow… and their catastrophic impact.

There was hardly any traffic, all the parks were closed, people looked like penguins as they struggled to walk, all wrapped up in layers of clothes: it was a beautiful mess. Continue reading “SNOW” →

ATOMIC BLONDE

“Atomic Blonde” was definitely one of my favorite movies of 2017.

In a nutshell: Lorraine Broughton, an MI6 agent played by Charlize Theron, is sent to Berlin a few days before the fall of the wall in order to find a lost list of secret agents. Continue reading “ATOMIC BLONDE” →

FUN FACTS

Fun facts? We’ve got fun facts:

I am short. That’s not so funny but I just wanted to specify it because every time someone sees me in real life after having seen pictures that someone tells me: “but you looked so much taller”. There you go, that’s kinda funny… I’m really 1m64! Continue reading “FUN FACTS” →

PROFESSION – SLASHER

This website definitely raises many questions around me. Some people don’t really understand why I persist on wanting to live off this digital initiative when I am a lawyer and a doctor in law. According to them, all of this is a waste of my intellectual capacities and a plain waste of time. Continue reading “PROFESSION – SLASHER” →

A LIFE OF SIN

What my 4-year-old daughter calls my « princess dress » is in fact a wedding gown. My wedding gown. A wedding gown that I never got to wear seeing as I never got married (although everything was ready: the contract, the ring, the ceremony… but we ended changing our minds and preferring a life of sin). Continue reading “A LIFE OF SIN” →

GOING PRIVATE

People often wonder why I don’t post more pictures of the kids.

The dear teenager has her own Instagram account and seeing as the teenage years aren’t generally the ones during which you feel most luminous and radiant, I would never post any picture of her without her explicit approval. Continue reading “GOING PRIVATE” →

BVLGARI

Bvlgari, the roman jeweler. Bulgari, the jeweler of vibrant, colorful gems. Bvlgari, the jeweler which masterfully combines utter elegance, with an oh-so-Roman touch of creative madness. Creativity is the master word. Passion too. Continue reading “BVLGARI” →

THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR

“The Thomas Crown Affair”, two movies, really.

The first one dates back to 1968 and starred Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. The story is actually rather simple: Thomas Crown is extremely rich and equally bored, which is why he organizes a hold-up in a bank (I know, not exactly what I do when I’m bored either but oh well…). Continue reading “THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR” →

COURREGES

Today’s subject of discussion is none other than one of the most vanguard Parisian brands, the famous maison Courrèges, which was one of the first to offer trousers and miniskirts to women. Continue reading “COURREGES” →

GARNIER OPERA HOUSE – PARIS

I am always extremely moved by what the Garnier Opera house represents.

Besides the fact that the building is of an absolutely decadent beauty and that it reunites many arts in its midst (Lyrical art! Dancing! Painting and a Chagall ceiling! Literature and the phantom of the Opera! Architecture!), the Opera house perfectly illustrates the rule of will. Continue reading “GARNIER OPERA HOUSE – PARIS” →

#NOTMETOO BUT #METOOANYWAY

Shall we talk about #metoo?

I have got extremely mixed feelings regarding the whole thing – first and foremost, I am disgusted by all the abuse. The following post is just a flow of thoughts triggered by the campaign, with near to no distance given that we’re all swimming in the midst of these murky, muddy waters at the moment. Continue reading “#NOTMETOO BUT #METOOANYWAY” →

LATE BLOOMER

I am what you’d call a late bloomer, one of those women who becomes beautiful with age.

Strangely, I say this without any pretense: I don’t think I’m the prettiest (I am actually totally incapable of naming the most beautiful woman in the world because I find lots of women beautiful in many different ways) but I’m happy with what I see in the mirror, be it puffy and eyes and poufy hair or a perfectly prepped face. Continue reading “LATE BLOOMER” →

MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL

When you have a public account on Instagram and that you wish to reach a maximum number of people, there are two possible postures.

The first one is to consider that you influence others: the idea is therefore to increase your number of followers whilst only following a few, often institutional or celebrities accounts. Continue reading “MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL” →

RÉ ISLAND

The island of Ré is full of treasures: the beach and farniente, the architecture, the history, an ancestral and yet diversified local life. The whole place is still rather wild and authentic thanks to the action of the local political actors (and to a 16€ toll on the road that gives one access to the island during high season). Continue reading “RÉ ISLAND” →

AZAY-LE-RIDEAU

I’ll quickly paraphrase Balzac because I find his formulation very accurate: Azay-le-Rideau is a “multi-cut/faceted diamond crimped by the Indre river”.

Azay is a true Renaissance gem, its finesse makes it look like a little ornament floating on the water. Continue reading “AZAY-LE-RIDEAU” →

MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

It is urgent that we start loving. Loving ourselves in order to love others.

This motto, which is already engraved in the very DNA of this website, is the main idea in Renee Engeln’s book: “Beauty sick: How the cultural obsession with appearance hurts girls and women”, published in April 2017. Renee Engeln is Professor of Instruction in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University, USA. Continue reading “MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS” →

CHENONCEAU

This may seem strange but the castle of Chenonceau left me with mixed feelings of amazement and sadness. The place is utterly gorgeous but something (other than the hoards of tourists) creates an atmosphere of utter melancholy, which might have something to do with its history. Continue reading “CHENONCEAU” →

CHRISTIAN DIOR EXHIBITION – PARIS

The Parisian Arts Décoratifs museum celebrated in 2017 the 70th anniversary of the creation of the house of Dior. This lavish and comprehensive exhibition invites visitors on a voyage of discovery through the universe of the house of Dior’s founder and the illustrious couturiers who succeeded him : Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and, most recently, Maria Grazia Chiuri. Continue reading “CHRISTIAN DIOR EXHIBITION – PARIS” →

THE BLACK SWAN

I happened to very intentionally stumble upon Ivanka Trump’s Instagram page, given that I’ve been observing her and her public initiatives from a distance for some time now. The persona intrigues me (the underlying question being: what will she actually do with all the cards she has in hand to trigger progress in some areas?) Continue reading “THE BLACK SWAN” →

JET LAG

“Jet lag, also called desynchronosis and flight fatigue, is a temporary disorder that causes fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms as a result of air travel across multiple time zones. It is considered a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, which is a disruption of the internal circadian clock”. Continue reading “JET LAG” →

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S

In this post, I felt like discussing – in my own way – a movie that I absolutely love: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

I have no particular affinity with Tiffany & Co but my love for Bulgari is limitless and well-documented, therefore this photoshoot became Breakfast at Bulgari’s, with the help of a coffee and a croissant. Continue reading “BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S” →

HANDOVER OF POWER

A stunning vintage Yolanda dress from the sixties. I admire the refinement of the embellished collar but I admire way it falls and flows perfectly. The coral-beset lady is older than me but it would make any young woman pale in comparison given its holding (so imagine how pale this 42-year-old young woman looks). Continue reading “HANDOVER OF POWER” →

DEAUVILLE

Deauville is first and foremost the crazy story of a financial coup.

In only four years, thanks to the funds of powerful Second Empire businessmen, who had seen the juicy potential of the project, Deauville sea resort emerged from the swamps and from 1864 to this day, the rich Parisian society enjoys spending time in the « town of pleasures ». Continue reading “DEAUVILLE” →

GUEDELON

Guédelon is a crazy story: in northern Burgundy, a team of experts have taken on an extraordinary challenge: building a castle using medieval techniques and materials.

This explains why Guédelon celebrates in 2017 its 20th birthday. Continue reading “GUEDELON” →

NO PAIN, NO GAIN

This Burberry dress with its pretty bejeweled collar often – depending on the posture – makes me look pregnant. That’s because of its Empire waistline combined with a balloon-shaped skirt. But at the end of the day, looking like you’re pregnant isn’t the worst thing that could happen once you stop running after a skinny figure. Continue reading “NO PAIN, NO GAIN” →

SO CLICHÉ

Don’t ask me why but I’m going to tell you about Harlequin books.

The context was simple though: it was just another studious night during which my teen and I were working each on her side of the table – like it is often the case – when we started drifting towards Harlequin books, cheap and totally unlikely romance novels that neither of us had ever read. Continue reading “SO CLICHÉ” →

WINNING COMBO

Two ways to honor this ravishing white white Japanese wool Characters jumpsuit. The red Fendi fur gives the silhouette a bit of pzazz and structure, whilst the Marni jacket’s golden touches, combined with Jimmy Choo stilettos and a Louboutin clutch create a softer, more discreet silhouette. Continue reading “WINNING COMBO” →

LA PARISIENNE

I wanted to begin this text by declaring my love for Paris and by claiming that I feel like a true Parisienne… but, beyond simply being born in Paris, how is one Parisian?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was asking himself the same question as early as 1761, when he declared that “fashion dominates provincials but Parisians dominate fashion”. Continue reading “LA PARISIENNE” →

VARADI

Let’s talk about these lovely open-toed stilettos, which are the cherry on the cake of a new, confidential, luxury brand: Varadi.

Varadi’s founder, Diana, started her project from a very simple simple observation: given that she loves wearing very high heels all day long but that she’s never found a match made in heaven, she simply decided to launch her own brand. Continue reading “VARADI” →

BLUE COLLAR

This strict Tara Jarmon cape – which can easily make one look like a communicant – definitely deserved the slight enhancement brought on by the simple addition of this removable collar, which originally came with a Fendi coat. Continue reading “BLUE COLLAR” →

FOXY LADY

The hood of this beautiful Loro Piana jacket made with leather and wool lacked a little something in my opinion… That’s why I took it onto myself to add a touch of fox fur, giving it the presence it deserves. Continue reading “FOXY LADY” →

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Nice try, but no, I’m not referring to my lawyer’s robes.

I’m talking about the little black dress, which should systematically be a basic in any half decent wardrobe.

It allows you to put and end to one of the most distressing morning dilemma’s: what on earth am I going to wear?

Continue reading “THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS” →

MONDAY MOTIVATION

This beautiful pocket watch was a birthday present from my dear teenager, who knows about my taste for retro only too well. She also knows that I don’t wear my regular watches anymore from fear of hurting my little princess when I carry her in my arms. This pocket watch is absolutely perfect and, worn here as a necklace, it adds a touch of refinement to this Yves Saint Laurent dress. Continue reading “MONDAY MOTIVATION” →

CHAMPAGNE!

The champagne color of this dress goes perfectly with the season’s flamboyant hues. I have a soft spot for this warm color that I find so very becoming and that always makes me think of the festive and sensual Champagne wine that I love so much. Continue reading “CHAMPAGNE!” →

TREASURE HUNT

I absolutely adore Carolina Herrera. The brand and the person. The gorgeous woman, with her atypical life path and her iron will manages to imprint a definite femininity and flawless taste in every one of her collections. Continue reading “TREASURE HUNT” →

POMPEII

If there is one place where time froze for eternity, that place is Pompeii (no bad pun intended).

The town was destroyed during the eruption of the terribly close Vesuvio volcano in 79 CE, under the Roman Empire. It was burried in over 7 meters of volcanic sediments for 15 centuries. Continue reading “POMPEII” →

BALMAIN

I feel a little bit sorry for Balmain’s little hands. Creating and crafting a haute-couture collection like the one that was presented by Balmain during the SS17 Paris Fashion Week requires thousands of hours of work and represents – in my opinion – art, craftmenship and pure perfection. Continue reading “BALMAIN” →

GYPSY

This 1970s Yves Saint Laurent skirt has always made me think of Ava Gardner, in the mythical scene of the Barefoot Comtessa movie when she dances with the gypsies, or during her Spanish years. Continue reading “GYPSY” →

DIOR SPIRIT

I love this Dior dress, which I find to be the perfect illustration of the House’s spirit. The cut is perfectly feminine, the collar is discreetly pleated, the patterns are fresh and delicate, and the fine black belt gives a touch of retro to the body hugging silk crepe. Continue reading “DIOR SPIRIT” →

RELATIVITY THEORY

I know that I repeat myself often, but the way that our occidental societies have of seeing women’s bodies really strikes me.

The number of times that I’ve heard, regarding other women or myself, that « this woman is beautiful for her age » or else that « she has a great body for a woman with so many children ». Continue reading “RELATIVITY THEORY” →

GOAL

A kind spirit advised me once to stop posting pictures of myself on the Internet, because, being over 40 and not having a model’s physique I was on my way to the “paroxysm of ridicule” (dixit). Continue reading “GOAL” →

DIMORPHISM

It’s amusing to observe how human nature sometimes goes against the rules that pervade the animal world.

The laws of the animal kingdom often require the male to be most attractive, adorned with the most sensational coats and featherings. Continue reading “DIMORPHISM” →

GREEK STYLE

This gown is spectacular. The delicacy of the embroideries gives it a precious aspect and its light pleats inevitably reminds one of Greek goddesses – neoclassical version. From time to time it feels good to be a Greek goddess, right. Continue reading “GREEK STYLE” →

FENDI

When Fendi opens up its fur archives to let you discover its best pieces from all the previous collections, you feel just like a child in a candy shop… Continue reading “FENDI” →

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PICTURE – PART 2

After an incredible number of photo-shoots for this website, I understood that being photogenic doesn’t really exist.

Being photogenic (a state which I did not find any precise definition for, except perhaps “that looks good in picture”) is first and foremost a question of lighting (which is actually quite obvious given the fact that “photo” means “light” in ancient Greek if my memory serves me right). Continue reading “THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PICTURE – PART 2” →

LA ROCHELLE

I have a certain tenderness for La Rochelle.

There, I find the remanents of the beautiful protestant citadel it once was, besieged and isolated. Bled dry because it was protestant but also resiliant, dignified, noble, commercial and flourishing because it was protestant. Nowadays remains a magnificent historical center, simply majestic and quite impenetrable. Continue reading “LA ROCHELLE” →

COURCHEVEL

There is simply everything in Courchevel. It is the only place 1850 meters high where you can find luxury, skiing, classified architectural heritage and an active nightlife. The International Festival of Pyrotechnic Arts is even held there. That’s something.

Continue reading “COURCHEVEL” →

THE SUM OF A LIFE

I’m going to be honest: I don’t, I absolutely don’t understand the youth culture which has invaded our modern occidental societies.

From a historical standpoint, and therefore from an intellectual standpoint I do understand – youth as a synonym of vitality, fertility and thus as a perpetuation of one’s lineage. Continue reading “THE SUM OF A LIFE” →

GLITTER & SPARKLES

I love this Dolce and Gabbana dress, covered in iridescent sequins and enhanced with midnight blue velvet. I love this perfectly cut dress that fits the waist and hips flawlessly. It was tailor-made in some prehistorical times, otherwise known as over seven years ago, before my two youngest were born. Continue reading “GLITTER & SPARKLES” →

A YURT

If only someone had told me that one day I’d be shooting in a yurt and a luxury yurt at that… Indeed, I think we are quite far away from the traditional Mongolian yurt and its ancestral tradition…

Continue reading “A YURT” →

CASTILLO

What an amazing vintage Castillo dress…

Antonio del Castillo is a remarkable designer who worked with the greatest fashion houses – Paquin, Piguet, Chanel, Elizabeth Arden and Lanvin – before opening his own house in the 60’s. Continue reading “CASTILLO” →

NEW YORK CITY

Beyond the skyscrapers, the yellow cabs and urban frenzy which are the soul features of this city, one can find a more subdued New York, where you will spot numerous architectural beauties, provided that you raise your eyes. Continue reading “NEW YORK CITY” →

WOW FACTOR

This lovely Miu Miu dress is slightly too strict for my taste. Composed of a fine black jumper and a navy blue skirt with pockets, I cannot say that this dress is not classy and well cut but it lacked a little wow factor, a little twist. Continue reading “WOW FACTOR” →

CAPRI

If Paradise exists on Earth, it is in Capri, for me at least.

In just a few square kilometers, far from the continental frenzy, Capri conciliates and magnifies History (both big and small), splendid Mother Nature, urban pleasures, local handicraft, culinary arts and absolute kindness, basically the dolce vita you dream of. Because Capri is a sweet dream. Continue reading “CAPRI” →

MILAN

Let’s admit it, Northern Italy and Southern Italy are – under certain circumstances, including business – two different countries, in view of their respective functioning, mentality or in the explicit (and especially) implicit rules governing them. Continue reading “MILAN” →

LOVE BOAT

Let’s be honest: as soon as I can, I change into my jeans and flats. Let’s be honest again: my dear teenager would love nothing more than to make a bonfire with my favorite sweater Continue reading “LOVE BOAT” →