Bali Bliss - The Jungle

Bali is called the Island of the Gods for good reason, the energy there is like nowhere else, it sucks you in and throws you out and sometimes can bring you to a miserable low and then other times it is like a life/energy booster in itself. No surprise really when there is jungle and river to beach and cliffs, mother nature in a good mood to give this island really everything it could ever need. It is magical. Even the swarm of Auzzie touriests and Euro-trash in the island in August does not take away from what it gave to me this time around.

First stop of my trip was Andrew's and Jonathan's Civil Union in Ubud and the origin of my trip back to Bali. The ceremony was at Linda Garland's estate where I was actually also staying with Susan. It was glorious - the energy was so powerful that I felt the hairs on my arms raised the whole time, I was not the only one. . . It was also a little reunion for me with close friends . . . It was definitely what could be called London, HK and New Zealand coming together. A civil union like no other . . .

Andrew and Jonathan

Giorgio and Saloni

Me

Giorgio and Saloni

The ceremony and reception were beautiful and very sentimental. Andrew and Jonathan's attention to detail is quite something, and the Buffles napkins a treat, not to mention the outdoor screening of archives of daily life on the island from years back on film in the garden. Then the speeches of course, giggles and tears with Jackie Collins and Dynasty references, stories and true love.

Waking up at the estate is also something else, it is in the middle of the jungle, and on a river. Soul-food I think that is called. Not only was that enriching but so was the bubur ayam - an indonesian version of congee served with sambal mata, I am officially obsessed. Then the brunch back at Villa Tupai, a coordinated bbq with bloody mary's . . followed by a massage at the estate.

Burbur Ayam

Julie and Ruby (Andrew's sis and mum)

Maria and Susan

Linda the Masseuse

It was definitely hard to say good bye to our room and the estate the next day but the beach beckoned . . .

Our last stop before going to the beach . . . Babi Guling and the market. The BEST on the island. For sure.

Andrew and Jonathan, thank you for getting married guys, it opened up my heart and led me to be a hippie or at least version 2.0 for now. Inspired by your year-long travels. Congratulations Buffles.

Once Upon a Time in Paris . . .the arm and Moncler videos

These are the videos from Saloni's FLIP of the walk from lunch to the Moncler-Valli installation by Alex de Betak.  The first is Susan, Saloni, "the arm" and myself. The second is of Alex in a lovely uniform at the Opera Garnier.   

Good times . . .  

Once Upon a Time in Paris . . .Part IV- Blonde and Blonder

On one of the last days in Paris, Saloni and I became Blonde an Blonder . . after a morning at that essential Parisian stop Alaia. . .we managed to crawl to the Costes . . in our new shoes.  Sal has insisted that I load up her Flip footage - it will be here soon. . .The Costes at lunch during Fashion Week is great fun . . . not sure if our laughter and non-sensical conversations regarding the night before was so funny to anyone else though. 

That night was Galliano . . . I rounded up the girls, Susan gave Sal and I Blonde and Blonder bracelets (yes that is how retarded we were) and we arrived to the show which was far away greeted by the drum of aggressive of anti-fur protesters.  We were safe - no fur. I was not, as my new Alaias, hot as there were, did not aide with balance, I kind of just fell on the path walking to the show . . . Susan and Saloni LAUGHED(when they should have helped me up!).  Thank goodness for Lady Bunny showing up as she managed to diverge attention AWAY fron my horrendous fall. . . Like shows of the past, there was vodka at the entrance! The actual show was stunning. Leave it to John Galliano and of course Mr. de Betak . . so dreamy it was 

then the Fendi'O party after, we managed to kidnap Lara - Alex's ex assistant who was lugging around shades for everyone to try on for her L'Officiel story. . .Sal and Susan had a go too. . . 

Saloni and Susan

The Fendi party was about Mr. Lagerfeld and his boys . . .and of course Beth Ditto 

Beth Ditto

. . .our friend the beautiful and very talented Charlotte Stockdale styles Fendi so we where with her in Karl's section.  Love Charlotte and her assistant Katie :) 

Charlotte, Jim and Katie

Yes, Susan was funny that night - we all were I think - see pics . . .my shoes were not doing well though, did something to my circulation so but-for Susan's ice down my back, i would've fainted.

Me, Matteo and Susan

Susan and I

Saloni in Saloni dress

Susan in nsha and Anja Rubik

Derek Blasberg, Elisabeth Von Gutman and I

Great night though . . .was supposed to be my last night in Paris but there never is that . . .I mean it usually does not end so easily. . I always need a couple extra days. . .

Once Upon a Time in Paris Fashion Week - Part III - the arm and more

The day of the Stockman mannequin arm . . Nsha bought a stockman mannequin and a stuffed arm for fittings.. . it became our toy from the Ruc up to L'Opera to see Moncler-Valli . . .very funny especially with Saloni - all arms and legs in her very hot zipper skirt with Susan and myself with the giant hot orange corto cassette clutch all of us in heels too high to be walking in the daytime - hitting each other with an "arm" . . .classic.

Susan, the arm and Saloni

Not sure what our French passerbyers might have thought - rather strange sight I think it was.

Saloni and I

Saloni was in Paris to show her collection as well - her label is called Saloni and she showed it at the ultimate pad in the Marais - stunning duplex. Her small but collection was well beautiful - I loved it. The zipper skirt in the pics are from the aw 09 collection, I think I ordered a white one - BTW SAL - WHERE IS MY ZIPPER SKIRT? The collection should be hitting the stores very soon if it has not already - you get kind of spoilt wearing next seasons goods during fashion week. We all become life models of the clothes for our friends. . .

Opera

Moncler was an installation in the dungeons/underground of the Opera Garnier - produced by Alex de Betak - the colletion was a collaboration between Giambasta Valli and Moncler. I know Alex worked hard on the installation - he missed my bday the night before. . . the moment I entered I knew why - it was magical, a snow palace with real horses, it felt like I had walked in a great Russian romance novel.

Snow Fountain at Moncler-Valli

A room made by lights

That night we congretated at Fidelite, the english crew anyway . . of which i sort of am still member . . . Nish came along with me to Fidelite and I went with her to Neo.

Nishita and I

Nishita and DJ Sinatra

I have not been to Neo since at least 3 years ago, teenage models and young euro men . . . not my thing really so as soon as Canon arrived I left to Montana . . .

Once Upon a Time in Paris Fashion Week - part I - nsha, Ploi and I

March 2009

Paris Fashion Week

No, I was not an observer, yes, I wish I went to more shows but actually this was in the recent past when I was directing Nsha so we were there for work! We were showing our 3rd season in Paris at Tranoi, which had a rather depressing atmosphere this time because the recession and all, but-for my very entertaining assistant Ploi it would have been pretty miserable . . .  

nsha booth at Tranoi

 

Ploi

After the Salon was done, my partner Nishita and I moved the collection to our very cute St. Honore apartment on top of a patisserie that claims to serve the Elysee thus Monsieur President himself.  We were just happy with the smell of fresh bread every morning and buyers and editors coming through to view the collection was like have a tea party everyday . . . and so far as effectiveness was concerend, we did much better with our private little showroom on rue St Honore. 

What I did not know back then was that this collection at Nsha would be my last, go figure, I did call it Fountainhead, after the book, where else was I to go really if Dominique Francon and Howard Roark inspired the collection - my plan for SS 10 was Astronauts in Africa, so space, literally and figuratively speaking . . .(more on this later). 

It was also Ploi's last collection with Nsha as she left to pursue her music career, she has an awesome band called The Diet Pills, nu rave/electro clash/a bit of disco - very very cool yet cute at the same time. . .I adore it . . .particularly the song Freaky Friend. . .so catchy.  At the time though Daniella (of Issa) and Susan got pretty excited by their hit single at the tie "Don't Under estimate the Power of the Diet Pills" . . perfect for a fashion show no?

A behind the scenes pic from the AW 09 book - we shot it in Bkk, but the mood was rather appropriate for Paris if I do say so myself . . .The book was done by Piyatat Hematat, his first fashion campaign, styled by Polina Aronova with model Nadia Serlidou- I was very hapy with the results. . . (I'll post the pics later).

Piyatat, Nadia (in the Catherine coat) and Polina

Back to Tranoi - the days were long though - really really long . . . how happy were Ploi and I to get back to our apartment and eat salad and pasta . . we just had no vital force left, although we did manage to be out . . MOST NIGHTS. . .

A memorable night was that of the Cavalli party - did not think they threw parties like that anymore . . I thought Ploi would go hug the bear . . . or do SOMETHING . . .

Ploi and Cavalli bears

Me feeding bears

but no, Lady Bunny was there, so there was no need for dramatics!

  

Lady Bunny

We then went to Gabe's for one of his famous dinners. . .Everyone wanted to try on the Howard blazer (on Ploi) and the Catherine (on me) . .. .I never mean to usurp Gabe's house to a fashion show . . it just happens most sea :) they suit his bags so well though that I think no one really minds . . .impromptu fashion shows - always fun.  

Vicky, Susan and I

John (not missable with yellow cassette clutch), Ploi and Mark

John, Daniella and Ploi

Gabe, Dani Stahl and John 

then I think we went to Regine after - more like stumbled there. . .wow . . . that is what i mean . . the nights all merged into one . . what party it was that night - I do not remember . . .

Lara Bohinc, Susan, Ploi and Alexia

PLOI (with Susan in the background)

It was hard to be out without a clock ticking as we knew that the next day we would have to be at Tranoi, on your feet to a dead beat which was the fair is well, not fun . . but we did it . . .