And Now We Start

This is really a special day for me. I am thrilled to take everyone on a little romp through the world of fashion. But first, I am going to take everyone on a little romp through my favorite city in the world - - Paris.



Twice a year, I get to land at Charles De Gualle and spend two to three months in Paris. I feel truly fortunate to be able to pack-up and transplant myself in such a wonderful place. My favorite arrondissment is the 7th. That is the home of the Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, Ecole Militaire, Invalides, the Rodin Museum and the Musee d'Orsay.



Being a fashionista, I also love the fact that the Bon Marche is in the 7th, as well as all of the fabulous shops that line rue Rennes in Saint Germain Des Pres. Even if the dollar is weak right now, you can wander up on side of rue Rennes and down the other getting your fill of all that is wonderful for the current fashion season. Given the length of my stay, I get plenty of time to do just that.



The bad part about the 7th is the cost of real estate. It is a bit pricey. For that reason, and that reason only, the arrondissment in which I dwell is the 14th. The rents are cheaper, the apartments tend to be a bit larger, and you get to rub elbows with the residents of Paris. Don't get me wrong. Parisians live in every single arrondissment. However, in terms of your everyday, working, middle-class Parisian, you are more likely to mingle with them in one of the less central arrondissment. The added plus is you will not run into a lot of tourists.



Even though Paris is not my permanent residence, I no longer consider myself a tourist. When I am there, it is to work, enjoy the ambiance become a bit more creative. There is so much around the city to inspire creativity. It is like opening a treasure chest and running your fingers through a mountain of jewels. Here are a few examples.



Did you know that you can actually make a telephone call to the Pierre Berge Foundation and make an appointment to see the entire Yves Saint Laurent collection? As if that wouldn't be thrill enough, you can actually go through the archives and see all of the sketches, notes and doodles of the various designers who have served as Artistic Director. You can leave YSL and take a little jaunt to Musee Galleria Musee de la Mode that always has a wonderful special exhibit.



If you feel that the four hours inside YSL was enough indoor activity for one day, simply walk in the opposite direction and stroll up and down Avenue Montaigne. Absolutely every design house you would want to see has a boutique there. Avenue Montaigne is one of three things. It is a shopaholic's dream or nightmare. If you aren't in a position to drop the serious cash that would be required to walk out of Dior with some fabulous garment, Avenue Montaigne is definitely a window-shopper's paradise.



I am definitely a Rive Gauche kind of girl so I love hanging out at Le Depart, just above the Saint Michel Metro Station, to people watch. Boulevard Saint Michel straddles the 5th and the 6th arrondissments. You get a great mix of people. There are the students who attend La Sorbonne, tourists from all over the globe, natives who simply enjoy the hang, and me.



After spending a couple of hours over lunch, or a cafe and dessert, you can take a little stroll on the banks of the Seine or go around the corner and take in a wonderful view of Notre Dame. If you want to actually go into Notre Dame, simply cross the bridge to I'lle Cite and take a self-guided tour. Since you are already on the island you may as well visit Saint Chappelle, the Concierge and Palais de Justice.



There is inspiration all over the city. It is the since of history, the graceful lines of the Gothic cathedrals, the feeling of being absolutely and totally at ease. It is also the ability to see everything from a different perspective each and every time you find yourself in front of one of the great landmarks that simply screams - - Paris!



The landmarks are great but what about some of the lesser known wonderful haunts in Paris? Who knew you could spend 6 hours on two separate occasions wandering through Pere Lachaise taking incredible photographs? Who would have ever guessed that a trip to Chateau de Vincennes would end up leading you into Bois de Vincennes on a crisp October day for a 4 hour walk?



If you have a sense of adventure, you will wander away from the normal tourist haunts and really get to know the city for what it truly is. While the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and Place de la Concorde are wonderful, that represents just the tip of this wonderful city. To me, Paris is truly a treasure chest and each time I go I feel that I have been given a gift that is priceless.



I am State-side until mid-August. When the fashion season begins, I will again go to Paris and stay through Fashion Week. I will attend several salons prior to Fashion Week. I will write, I will work on a special project and I will again go to the Pierre Berge Foundation to once again cull through the YSL collection.



I have one confession for all of those who can't believe that I didn't end up in a fashion design institute somewhere. As I looked at the sketches and final drawings there was a moment of longing. When I tell people that the impediment to becoming a fashion designer was, and still is, a profound inability to draw, I can smile. However, there was one moment when tears came to my eyes. I don't know if it was the sheer beauty and movement that gave that drawing life, longing to be so lucky as to have become a fashion designer or envy.



Do I have anything that fantastic in my head that I want to get onto paper? I don't know. Maybe there is an art class in my future. First, I will master French. Next, maybe I should try and master the process of getting the images from my head onto paper. Everyone needs a dream.

Next week, I will tell everyone a little bit about me and my love of fashion.