La Dolce Vita

The celebrated Italian photographer Willy Rizzo has died at the age of 84.  Through his photographs, taken at a time when the world of celebrity was not as overexposed as it is today, he gave us a rare glimpse into the worlds of cinema, fashion and art and the shining stars of the day.

Brigitte Bardot 1958

Sunkissed and gorgeous, Bardot's look still resonates today.

Marilyn Monroe 1962

I don't think I've seen Marilyn looking more fragile and vulnerable than in this photograph.

Marlene Dietrich 1956

Marlene, effortlessly chic as ever in her white shirt and cropped black trousers. 

Catherine Deneuve 1965

Belle de jour indeed.

Salvador Dali

Wonderfully surreal.

Gene Kelly

That unmistakeable Hollywood razzle dazzle.

Willy Rizzo/Photo: EPA

Grazie per la dolce vita Signor Rizzo.   

Da Boyz

I couldn't miss an opportunity to put in my two best dressed men from Sunday's Oscars:

Picture: Getty

Eddie Redmayne in an Alexander McQueen suit and velvet slippers. Oh Eddie, how many hearts have you set aflutter with your Cool Britannia style?

Picture: Getty Images

And Daniel Day Lewis, in a Domenico Vacca tux, with his beautiful wife Rebecca Miller. He looks so dapper and sharp, and as ever, just that little bit subversive - everyone else in black - ha, he's in navy. I have to admit to having a bit of a crush on him right now and his acceptance speech was funny, humble and from the heart. From 'My Beautiful Laundrette' to 'Lincoln' he's proved his acting genius and he's still a rather handsome genius at that....

Belles of the Ball Part 2

So, the biggest night in the Hollywood awards season is over. The statuettes have been given out, acceptance speeches made, agents thanked, tears shed and my general impression for the Oscars 2013?  It was all a bit underwhelming really. There were no upsets, no crazy speeches (well Quentin and Ben did babble a bit but we'll forgive them...), no catfights and no bonkers frocks - where are Cher or Bjork when you need them?

Photo: Michael Greco/Getty

Photo Caulfield/AP

Everyone played it pretty safe, which is no bad thing - good taste was prevailing, but as there was no standout winner for me, the 'After My Own Fashion' award is going to 4 women who have really proved the 'style at any age' adage. So, going from youngest to oldest:

Photo: Getty

First up - Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture. Although it proved tricky to walk up steps in (don't they practice for weeks beforehand??), this is a fairytale gown for the 22 year old Best Actress winner.  She looks fresh, without being overdone and keeps it simple. The backwards necklace is a witty touch.

Picture: AP

Next - Naomi Watts in Armani Privé.  I just love this look. The slightly undone updo, her dewy glowing skin, there is just the right amount of cut out on the shoulder - it shows off her toned arms and amazing figure to perfection. A class act.

Picture: Getty

Sally Field in Valentino Haute Couture. This could be too fussy but instead she looks youthful and very pretty. If I can look this good when I'm her age (66!) then I'll be delighted. Her hair frames her face beautifully and she looks 'bien dans sa peau' (comfortable in her own skin).

Picture: Huffington Post

 

 

And lastly, Emanuelle Riva in Lanvin. 86 on Sunday and completely stunning. This, (and I'm looking at you Heidi Klum) is how to do it. Elegance and class personified.

They are all winners in my book.

PS - I know I was supposed to be putting in my Bafta best dressed too, but I'm sticking with Ben and George, the men have it.

Oscars 2013

So tomorrow night we'll find out who the winners are on Hollywood's biggest night, and who will have to smile through gritted teeth when their name isn't called out....

Photo: Getty Images

Whilst some of the awards seem to be a shoo-in - Anne Hathaway for Best Supporting Actress, Daniel Day Lewis for Best Actor, I have to admit to being completely biased and wanting 'Les Mis' to win Best Film as that would mean my former boss of 10 years being up on that podium and nothing would make me prouder or happier, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

In the meantime, you can play the game and see how many of the Best Picture winners (1927 - 2011) you can spot in this 4 minute montage:

(Hint: there are 84).

And the old adage that you should never work with animals and children? These kids have those Best Picture Nominations nailed...

So, go 'Les Misserahdbfjiwbv'!

Plus, we all know it's really all about the frocks...

Planet Fashion Part 1

Fashion week, but which city?  Right now, it makes you dizzy just trying to keep up. New York and London have wrapped and Milan is in full swing,  so here are a few things that have caught my eye so far for A/W 2013:

New York:

Picture: @victoriabeckham/Twitter

Proving that she can make fun of herself, and "It's that time in the season when we all get a little delirious" - VB tweeted this pic of herself pre-show with one of her brilliant yellow totes on her head.

Rag & Bone A/W 2103 Photo: Revlon

Gucci Westman, Revlon's global artistic director, re-invented the 60's cat flick for the Rag & Bone show (she also happens to be married to David Neville, one of the 2 founders of the ultra cool Rag & Bone label).  Using Revlon Colorstay Creme Gel eyeliner she said that the focus of the look was definitely on the eyeliner and she wanted to create something super-girly to contrast with the masculinity of the collection. " I love how the whole look is a bit retro, but still fresh". Does this work on the school run?  Dare I try it?

Here's Cara Delevingne channelling girl v boy:

Photo: Vladimir Potop

Alexander Wang showed his last standalone collection before making the move to Balenciaga and it was literally a case of fifty shades of grey (the show notes had them as "pumice, geyser, parquet, asphalt and down.") Casual, sporty, chic as ever, but with more emphasis on silhouette, draping and folds, there were hints of things to come in his new role at the Parisian powerhouse.

Photo: Vladimir Potop

Photo: Vladimir Potop

In stark contrast to Wang's muted palette, J.Crew showed colour blocking, neon and geometric prints. Jenna Lyons still knows exactly what we want.

Photo: Vladimir Potop

Photo: Vladimir Potop

Oh, that perfect ankle skimming trouser (the Cafe Capri)  - definitely on my wish list...

Photo: Vladimir Potop

Meanwhile uptown, Oscar de la Renta was one of the most hotly anticipated shows thanks to John Galliano's recent three week residency, and whilst the collection was classic Oscar, suggestions of Galliano could be seen in the smouldering make up, Marcel waves and Forties inspired bias cut gowns.

Photo: Vladimir Potop

Photo: Vladimir Potop

Diane von Furstenberg tweeted afterwards: "Oscar de la Renta with a touch of Galliano. A lovely conversation."  Nicely put.

After Blizzard Nemo delayed Marc Jacobs' show earlier in the week, he closed proceedings with a full on show stopper, complete with artificial sun, molten metal dresses, hotpants and a pair of breasts.

Photo: Billy Farrell Agency/Rex Features

Photo: Josh Haner/New York Times

Photo: Getty

Rather her than me - I just hope there was some heating...

Hygge and old friends

Hygge - (pronounced "Huu-ga"), is part of the Danish way of life. It means well-being, comfort and cosiness, often associated with wintertime, and is best expressed sharing dinner around a table, the candlelight flickering, the wine flowing and the warmth and laughter that old friendships bring. Last Friday night saw just such an evening here at Maison Fouilloux, when good friends from Holland visited us on their way skiing and we were joined by other very close friends who live nearby.

Photo: Habituallychic.blogspot.fr

In this part of the world, people move around alot, often with the UN or the other international organizations, so friendships are forged, your children grow up together, and then you have to cope with the sadness when it is time for them to move on. On top of already missing your friends and family back home, this can make for tough times, which makes it all the sweeter when you are reunited, if only for an evening.  My two girlfriends who were here on Friday night were my partners in crime through pregnancy and beyond and our first babies were all born exactly one month apart. We have laughed together, cried together and helped each other through those foggy days of early motherhood, which in turn forged a strong bond that will always be there. The dads became firm friends too thanks to new fatherhood (and the odd beer), and it felt so comfortable to all be back around the kitchen table, with the children - (6 of them now - 2 apiece) in the next room speaking a mixture of French, English and Dutch, a truly special moment indeed.

www.kinfolk.mag.com

Bonhomie, joie de vivre, and enjoying precious time with friends - the perfect translation of 'Hygge'.

Monday blues - finding my inner Sasha Fierce

Just another manic Monday..... In a former life, back in London, my 'to do' list was my way of life. Working for a film producer, I never knew from one day to the next what I would be expected to deal with, solve, miraculously sort, deliver - you name it, I had to do it, no questions asked. Fast forward 12 years, living in France and having to cope with daily life in French, everyday situations can sometimes seem pretty complicated. Knowing that I'm not as assertive as I am in English, and therefore not always as confident, can make simple things like calling the plumber for the umpteenth time, keeping that doctor's appointment or going to see my son's teacher seem like quite an uphill struggle.

So there was Beyoncé, in full 'Sasha Fierce' alter ego mode, strutting her stuff at the Super Bowl last weekend in mindblowing style, and I found her sense of power and entitlement pretty inspiring. This is a woman who means business, and there ain't no-one going to mess with her!

Photo: Getty Images

So I reckon on those difficult days I just need to screw up my courage, find my inner Sasha Fierce and listen to her, and I'm sure she'd tell me: "You go girl".

And suddenly that 'to do' list doesn't seem quite so daunting after all.  Happy Monday.

O Brother....

Ok, so normally it's the girls who get the most attention on the red carpet but at the Baftas in London last weekend all eyes were on the best looking couple of the night - Messrs Clooney and Affleck, who are in the throes of a beautiful bromance - matching beards, overcoats and Baftas.

Photo: Getty

They just both look so darned handsome, don't they? George with his silver fox hair and salt and pepper beard and Ben, well, quite frankly, who knew?

Photo: Bafta

Roll on the Oscars, I can't wait to see what the dapper duo will be wearing....

Signs of Love Part 2

When you start looking, you can find them anywhere....

My rural idyll is fast becoming an urban jungle as we are surrounded by building sites on both sides of our house at the moment, but I found love amongst the snow and concrete: 

A heart shaped apple wreath in a Geneva florists' today:

More neon in a fancy shop window in Geneva, a good excuse to crack open the bubbly!

 And last but not least, some perfect roses, as given to me by English Gent.

You see, he didn't disappoint...

Signs of Love

Red roses, cards, candlelight dinners, whispers of "I love you" - the clichés are myriad. We like to pretend that it's all just commercial claptrap and we're way above it....yup, as if.

Photo Ka-Man Tse

So, if I could click my heels like Dorothy and transport myself to Times Square tonight with English Gent we could share in a neon, digital outpouring of love. Throughout February, for 3 minutes each night from 11.57 to midnight, 15 enormous billboards are turning Times Square into a digital art gallery using 6 neon artworks from Tracey Emin's "I promise to love you" series.

Tracey Emin/www.seditionart.com

Now whether this is grand art or not, I'm rather partial to a neon sign (I'd love one in our kitchen) and I think this is a refreshing way to both showcase Emin's work and feel the love.

Tracey Emin/www.seditionart.com

So much better than a cheesy Hallmark card, non?

Tracey Emin/www.seditionart.com

s[edition], who are backing the initiative, have produced a revolutionary new way to own art in the digital age, and in conjuction with 'Midnight Moment' are asking people to photograph themselves kissing in front of one of the billboards and upload it via Instagram or Twitter, in order to win one of Emin's digital limited editions.

Modern love for the 21st century. Who said romance was dead? Have a classy Valentine's everyone.

Snow Survival Sorel Style

It may be New York Fashion Week, but the weather gods have paid no heed to the fact that the city's fashionistas are out on the streets of Manhattan and have thrown down more snow than a Manolo Blahnik stiletto can justifiably handle. Not that that deters some people....

Photo: Rex

Similarly, here in my corner of France, trying to look stylish and embrace my inner Parisienne is increasingly hard when you are shovelling a foot of snow to get the car out on the school run and trudging through the slush with mounds of shopping. And don't even get me started on hat hair - that's a whole separate post.

So in the midst of fashion vs weather silliness, I felt quite relieved to see the Queen of J Crew, Jenna Lyons out and about in NYC looking positively sensibly dressed:

Photo: Garance Dore

She's wearing a fab Joseph Altazurra parka that looks like it's actually keeping her warm, and whilst her Nikes may not be fully waterproof, at least they're flat.

Photo: Garance Dore

I'm not sure I could get away with this on the school run, but it's keeping the snow off beautifully. You can read Garance Doré's full post here.

My lifesavers this winter, keeping me upright and my toes warm whilst giving me (I like to think) a modicum of style have to be my Joan of Arctic Sorel boots. A Christmas present from English Gent, they are more than proving their worth, and hey, if they're good enough for Elle McPherson, then they're good enough for me.

Elle McPherson in Aspen

Here is the very stylish Amanda Brooks in her shorter Sorels at her home in the snowy Adirondacks:

Photo: Vogue

And finally, two lovely New Yorkers who would appear to have nailed how to keep warm and be chic in the snow and the slush: 

Photo: Garance Dore

I think the look on the right is exactly what I'm aiming for - Sorel Style!

Mardi Gras - best of both worlds

Happy Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras!

This is a fun day in our house, as being an English family living in France, we get to participate in both traditions.  Shrove Tuesday = pancakes for dinner and Mardi Gras = 'Carnaval' which for French school children means dressing up and parading through the village with their school chums whilst throwing confetti around, before the local mayor doles out sweets.

Pancake race

French Primary School Carnaval 1956 Photo: www.copainsdavant.com

Pancake day takes me back to my schooldays specifically as it was one of the most eagerly awaited days on the school calendar. I went to an all girls boarding school north of London in the late 1970's/early 1980's - 300 girls stuck in a wood - think Hogwarts but definitely without the magic.... The food was pretty dire and once a year, on Shrove Tuesday, the Upper Sixth formers - oddly called 'Students' to make them seem more grown up (they were even allowed to wear their own clothes, imagine!) would set up a stall and make and sell pancakes to raise money for some designated charity. The simple pleasure of a pancake with sugar and lemon has stayed with me ever since, and I have been more than happy to pass this taste sensation on to my two boys - Rock Boy (aged 9) and Captain Adorable (aged 7). Nutella vies with the lemon & sugar option these days as that is what their French compatriots eat, and they've even been known to ask for a waffle as those also appear on the Carnaval 'goûter' menu but we are purists in this house, so pancakes it is! And of course they shall be in eaten in their costumes - astronauts rule this year.

Photo: Colin Campbell for The Guardian

Here is Nigella's failsafe crêpes/pancakes recipe, and I have to say it's a pretty quick kids dinner on other days too. Ham and grated cheese is an easy option as the savoury main with the lemon & sugar version for pudding. I'm off on a trip down memory lane. Bon appétit!