The Perfect Spring Tote

A new shopper for Paris sorted! This version is very smart, too.

Top Volume: The Moncler Bomber

The temps are about to warm up in New York, so spring is, finally, on my mind. A bomber looks very good to my eye right now. The jacket on the right was in my last post in black, however, I have enough black, thank you very much. The satin bomber would be chic over a dress, atop a skirt, or with jeans  — a weirdly versatile item.

Top Volume

Interesting tops are on my radar for spring. Not frilly, ’70’s-inspired blouses, think effortless with a bit of volume. Since I wear trim pants, a blouson-esque top —  like the Toteme upper right — would look good.  The Moncler rain jacket is similar to the Carven I bought last March.

Bits & Bobs

There aren’t any looks in the New York FW25 shows that I am mad for. I like the Khaite collection a lot, and disappointed that the Calvin Klein show was disappointing. On these cold, snowy days, I’ve been digging deep into my closet, and finding inspiration wherever I can.

Over the years I have given away all of my Chanel bags, save one, to my daughters and friends. They wear and love them, which gives me great joy. The one above with piping, however, is calling my name. On the flip side, I held on to my Birkins and now use them all the time. They are great carryalls and can be seriously stuffed as styled on the November cover of Le Goût De M — I now appreciate their generous size.  Black turtlenecks (see Toteme FW25) and v-neck sweaters are back with a vengeance. I’ve stored a number of crewneck sweaters and just ordered this Carven cashmere v-neck. A few years ago I reset one of Mother’s opal rings in an east-west setting. Zendaya’s east-west engagement ring is spectacular. The knee-high fishnet shoes in the Dior couture show are on my inspiration board. And, fashion stylist Catherine Dupon makes a strong argument for white skirts in winter.

Books In The Queue

For the past four years I have taken a winter seminar where we read classic novels. “Middlemarch”, “Phineas Finn”, “Buddenbrooks”, “Crime and Punishment”, and currently, Honoré de Balzac’s “Lost Illusions.” When done, I have a few new books in the queue: Bernard Schlink, author of the brilliant “The Reader”, has a new novel, “Ganddaughter”. Anne Tyler’s “Three Days in June” will be released on February 11. Aerin Lauder’s “Living With Flowers”, out February 25, will most certainly be gorgeous. And, the thriller “Vantage Point” by Sara Sligar for my next flight to Paris.

Happy reading!

Winter Tweaks

I hosted a birthday lunch in Vermont this past weekend and it was -15°; I cannot even begin to wrap my head around spring. Instead, I am making some winter tweaks. Last August I posted on two coats that I was considering for FW24 and, in the end, I bought the cashmere Celine. The Toteme shearling above was the one I passed on. After seeing all the fabulous coats in the Toteme Fall 2025 collection last week, I decided to snap it up. Interestingly, there were a number of them still available, yet, a few days after the show, most were gone. Perhaps other folks had the same idea. This is the time of year when I buy a new scarf and this Saint Laurent is this year’s contender. A dear friend recommended Bégum Paris shoes and I picked up these navy patent pumps — they are unbelievably comfortable. The grey Toteme cardigan looks chic and cozy. And, I am going to have my Bulgari B.zero1 ring sized for another finger. It was Mother’s and is so tiny it only fits my little finger.

Here’s to another six weeks of winter!

Sheer Black Hosiery

Sheer black hosiery spotted on couture show attendees in Paris this week. Under pants is my newest obsession. Sheer tights popped up on  my radar when Mrs. Prada showed them in her FW23 Miu Miu collection, highlighted in a March 2023 post below.

Everything Old Is New Again: Gloves, Hosiery, & Socks

Toteme: Fall 2025

Toteme showed an elegant FW25 collection during the couture shows in Paris yesterday. The boots are really gorgeous.

Chanel: 110 Years of Haute Couture

110 years of Haute Couture In the CHANEL Ateliers directed by Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai

If you love Chanel couture, this documentary film offers a peek into the process.

Inside the ateliers at 31, rue Cambon in Paris a few days before the show, atelier premières, models, ambassadors and friends of CHANEL reflect on the emotions that Haute Couture conveys and the unique craftsmanship of the oldest Haute Couture house in activity.

The film of the CHANEL SS25 Haute Couture show will be revealed on Tuesday, January 28^th at 2pm, Paris time on chanel.com

Runway to Reality

There is a terrific runway to real life story on Georgina Grenville in the current issue of Elle France. In 1999 I cast a Helmut Lang show while pregnant with my second daughter (many shows, actually). During a fitting on the lovely Georgina I decided that I loved the name. My older daughter Anna’s name was also chosen while I was pregnant at work.