The Luxe Chronicles

Luxury: Off To Cannes With Louis XIII de Rémy Martin.

There is more to the Cannes Film Festival than celebrity-packed premieres and red carpet moments. While the latter takes front and centre to the delight of movie goers and celebrity watchers, behind the scenes, it is a massive trade show where lucrative film distribution rights and sponsorship deals are up for grabs. It has also become a tremendous showcase for fashion and luxury brands. I have been kindly offered a glimpse into this world by one of the festival's official sponsors, Louis XIII de Rémy Martin.

On Fashion & Politics: Valérie Trierweiler Goes To Washington.

Hark! Are those Yves Saint Laurent suede peep-toe pumps I see amidst a sea of dowdy shoes?!

Valérie Trierweiler must not have gotten the Hollande government memo when she was packing for her first official visit to Washington. How else to explain her choice of expensive designer stiletto heels for a White House function? Leaving aside the style faux-pas of sporting a pair of 140mm (5.5 inches) platform shoes to a White House luncheon for spouses of G8 heads of state, the Yves Saint Laurent "Palais" suede peep-toe pumps which retail for €530 is difficult to reconcile with the Hollande government's modesty theme (never mind that "Palais" is actually French for "palace").

Aaaaahhhh! Hello Weekend.

"I'm not getting up from here so don't even ask."

It's been a hectic week and next week promises to be even more intense so I won't hide the fact that I'm looking forward to the weekend so that I can do nothing. Absolutely nothing. Bon weekend à tous!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Tech: All Eyes On The New French 'Digital Economy' Minister.

Late yesterday, France's newly minted Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, announced the composition of the French cabinet. Among them is a woman by the name of Fleur Pellerin who has been appointed "ministre déléguée chargée des PME, de l'Innovation et de l'Économie numérique" (loosely translated, minister in charge of small and medium businesses, innovation and the digital economy).

Fashion: Time To Move On.

"Oh come on!"

In no particular order, here are the fashion industry trends I'm utterly sick of.

Luxury: A Polite Reminder For France's Newly Elected President.

Today is a momentous occasion for France's newly elected president, Francois Hollande. In a few hours, he will be sworn in and take over from his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy. He is only France's second Socialist president in history after Francois Mitterand. The ceremony marks the culmination of a long and at times brutal campaign during which Mr. Hollande made his loathing for the rich generally and financiers and CEOs in particular, abundantly clear.

Culture: Bonjour Elysée Palace, Au Revoir To My Career?

The least we can say about politics is that it is hardly kind to women, especially if they happen to be the consort of a sitting president. As Francois Hollande prepares to be sworn in tomorrow as the president of France, his companion, a political journalist by the name of Valérie Trierweiler, will be right by his side.

Raise Your Glass To The Weekend!

Well, what do you know! It's Friday already. On the one hand, I really don't know where the time went this week. On the other hand, I really don't care because the weekend is upon us and I plan to enjoy it thoroughly! Bon week end à tous!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Culture: Say What You Mean And Mean What You Say!

In the same way that we have all but eviscerated the terms "luxury", "icon" and "designer" by overuse and misuse, I fear that the same is happening to the term "art". Case in point: "nail art". When exactly did this extreme form of grooming get elevated to an art form? Have we so thoroughly exploited painting, sculpture, photography, film, literature and every other medium known to man that we're in need of our nails to explore the human condition?

On Fashion & Politics: Au Revoir Madame Bruni-Sarkozy.

While French pundits debate the highs and lows of Nicolas Sarkozy's record in office, I personally would much rather pay tribute to Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. As you may recall, when the former supermodel-turned-songstress with a racy past married the recently divorced sitting president of France, most were skeptical and many were mocking. And yet, as far as I'm concerned, she managed to acquit herself with considerable grace and aplomb.