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!!!

Dreams are easy to catch like blue butterflies...

Post by: DarioVDL

Coordinates:                    48°51′37″N 2°20′15″E / 48.860395°N 2.337599°E

                "This one noted for the brilliant iridescent blue color of their wings.

                  You may catch it in tropical parts of Central and South America"

Dreams are easy to catch like blue butterflies, you just need to act and believe...

A dear friend of mine invited me to an extraordinary event. It was a surreal experience...

On this night, a few privileged Parisians might have awake Belphegor, the infamous ghost haunting the Louvre museum when they were invited for a private visit at night of the Louvre.

A dozen high profile Parisians and a ghost from the future (myself) walked through the lonely halls of the  world's biggest museum.  The place was silent except for footsteps from characters from times past running through the rooms -- dressed in XVIII century costumes for the occasion.

Museum guides led us through the Titian-Veronese exhibition, before opening to the public.

Who can resist Mona Lisa's smile under the moonlight? The Louvre turned magical.

YES! Mona Lisa please never stop smiling…

Everything may be possible if you try with passion creativity and commitment!

If culture lights a smile on your face, then the money will be no object.

   

Being with EuroPanache makes you and me believe and dream ...

Suggestion: Exhibition of Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese - Venetian Rivalry at The Louvre Museum

Play: "When You Say Nothing At all"-Ronan Keating And Paulina Rubio

Fairytale castles, flickering candles and stars...

By: NormaK

 

Last Saturday Dario and I went to the fabulous Vaux le Vicomte Château. Outside of France little is known about this beautiful chateau which was the inspiration and model for the Chateau de Versailles.

In the warmer months every Saturday, between May and October, as evening falls, over 2,000 candles are lit throughout the château and gardens. 

The chateau is closed between 5.30 – 8.00 pm in preparation. And what a site it is! Just beautiful,

The sparkling lights of the candles is complemented by classical music in the background, looking out onto a section of the garden, stretched out in a chair, sipping champagne (of course),

The rest of the world seems so very far away. You feel almost like being trapped in time.

Arriving before 5.30 pm while it’s still light is a must as from the top of the castle from the roof top dome you have a panoramic view over the castle grounds. Quite spectacular!

 

It’s worth mentioning a brief history of this extraordinary castle. Vaux was the tragic setting for the downfall of Nicolas Fouquet, who was a faithful minister in the court of Louis XIVth who paid the price of life imprisonment, because of an embezzlement he did not commit, the jealousy of others and also because he went a little too far in his lavish hospitality, making the King quite overawed and envious. Vaux was also a haven for leading French artists, writers, poets, painters and sculptors who gave the best of their talents to the glory of Vaux.

In the early seventeenth century, between the royal residences of Vincennes and Fontainebleau, a small castle stood at the confluence of two small rivers. The domain was called Vaux-le-Vicomte. In 1641 a 26 year-old parliamentarian, Nicolas Fouquet, purchased the estate. Fifteen years later the first stone of a unique masterpiece was laid; it was to be the finest château and garden in France.

 

This achievement was brought about through the collaboration of three men of genius whom Fouquet had chosen for the task: the architect Le Vau, the painter-decorator Le Brun and the landscape gardener Le Nôtre. They were not alone; the poet La Fontaine, and the playwright and actor, Molière, were amongst the celebrities who were part of the social circuit at the Château.

Today the visitor sees a castle completely furnished and open entirely to the public. Unlike other castles, where many of the rooms are out of bounds, you can see just about every room at Vaux le Vicomte. You will see the state apartments, private cabinets, the dining room, the kitchens and cellars in the basement.

 

But the most jaw dropping were the rooms: the furniture from the 17^th century, the ceilings, the walls, the colour, the magnitude of the expense and the detailing was really amazing! Each room, one more beautiful than the next. No expense has been spared.  AND taking of photographs with a flash was allowed!

The most fascinating room of all was certainly the ballroom. It had that WOW factor. In front of our eyes we were watching the setting of a seventeenth century court dance. I won’t give too much away, but the room seemed to have been extended and that people from another century were dancing in the room. It worked very well and captured everyone’s attention, we were all transfixed.

 

There are plenty of other things worth seeing like the Horse Carriage Museum, a unique and private collection of 18th and 19th century carriages; the Fountain Show where the fountains are still gravity fed, the same way as they were in the seventeenth century and even a Molière play performed under the stars.

 

And lastly, it’s a great place for kids and grown ups wanting to dress up. Children’s activities are organised like Easter egg hunts, riddles, treasure hunts, costume tours, and children’s theatre.

Everything is designed to enable them to discover this page of French history.

Famed French NBA star Tony Parker and American star Eva Longoria celebrated their nuptuals, in attendance Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Nicolette Sheridan, Sheryl Crow, Jessica Alba, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones...

If you are lucky, you may even bump into a Hollywood star!

It was a terrific afternoon and evening spent at Vaux le Vicomte. Highly recommended!

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.

Hotel du Palais - Grand Dame of Biarritz

By BobP

Like a grand old dame, l’Hotel du Palais is the place to stay in Biarritz if you have the means. 

The 5-star palace stands in beautifully manicured gardens along the rugged Atlantic coast – in what is reputed to be the best surfing beach in Europe! 

Enter the Belle Epoque palace and you’ll feel the second empire all around – high ceilings, gilded chandeliers and plaques honoring Empress Eugenie and Napoleon III…

The clientele are a mix of old money (French, English, Spanish, Italian, Swiss, American and Russian.  Americans liberated Biarritz after WWII and even established a University there in the 1940s.  High-end Russians have been coming to Biarritz since the time of the Czars – there is a lovely Orthodox church facing the property.  

Their flagship Restaurant - La Rotonde - has stunning views of the coast.  The bar is very beautiful too!

The staff is lovely – Jeanne (the Director) and Elena (whom we’d seen at TravelMart) welcomed us with open arms and took us all around.  Jeanne even took a night off to show us some of the local hot spots – including an open-air bar/nightclub along the coast frequented by many of the haute bourgeoisie from Paris visiting their second homes. 

The hotel Concierge is one of the Vice-Presidents of the Clefs-d’Or in France and demonstrated his grace and expertise.  Most of the staff have been at the hotel for many years, and over 80% of the clients are repeat guests.

We ran into one European star-couple relaxing in the spa. With the wedding of the Comte de Paris (heir to the French throne) that weekend, much of France’s royal and noble heritage were also there.   Paparazzi were kept away – thanks to the tight security around the large grounds of the property.  This is a good place for people to get away from the limelight – to return to an era of tranquility…

Dario and I had to take a dip in the stunning outdoor pool – 33 meters long – and inaugurated by Gary Cooper and Frank Sinatra.  We also enjoyed time in the recently added spa complex with a larger indoor pool and Guerlain health spa. 

Our favorite niche was the spa bar – featuring a terrace with stunning views of the rugged coast, a cozy atmosphere and many signed photos of some the celebrities who have stayed in the property over the ages – Erroll Flynn, Coco Chanel (who opened her first shop in Biarritz ), Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin, more Royalty than you could ever imagine...

 

Our large suite had corner views of the coast and lighthouse.  The bed was comfortable and amenities top-rank.  The views of the lighthouse and sunsets over the beach were nothing less than stunning.

 

We absolutely love this hotel – its staff, atmosphere, spa, facilities and park.  This is a very special place and we have made it a feature property for our EuroPanache Basque Country Mini-Breaks.

 

Basque Country and St Jean de Luz

by BobP

We set off from Biarritz, our base, to visit St Jean de Luz and the French side of the Basque Country. St Jean de Luz is a sleepy coastal town in a protected harbor.  It does not have the waves of Biarritz, but enjoys lovely views and a fabulous hotel - the 100 year-old, 5-star Grand Hotel with its award-winning Thalasso spa.  We had lunch there with Fréderique - their wonderful sales manager - and toured the rooms. 

The hotel is tastefully decorated and many rooms feature antiques.  The Ocean view rooms are our favorites.  The spa is tastefully done and does not have the "medicalized" feeling of many Thalasso institutions in France - it is clearly catering to a very high-end clientele. 

The restaurant is phenomenal - its chef has a Michelin star - and the terrace features great views of the beach.  The lunchtime menu (appetizer - main course - dessert) is only 39 EUR - highly recommended.  This is one of the hotels we feature on our Basque Country breaks.

After lunch, we headed inland - to see several Basque villages.  Sare - reputed to be one of the most beautiful in France.

Espelette - famous for its hanging pimentos, liqueurs (one appropriately named "gratte-cul" or scratchy-bottom in English) and lovely chocolates. 

 

The highlight was the fabulous fortified village of Saint Jean Pied de Port - which was razed to the ground in 1177 by Richard the Lionheart and now lies along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.  It has lovely canals and an extraordinary old town.

We had tastings at several cheese factories along the way.

Dario donned a Basque Beret and became a tourist attraction.  One elderly grandmother in a similar beret took a special liking to him - she spoke to him in Basque dialect and kept waving at him.  It was a fun day!

We love Basque country - the French side is especially clean, people are friendly and the area is unique and very scenic.  Highly recommended!

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.