The Luxe Chronicles

Thank You!

Today is Memorial Day in the U.S. Whether or not you agree with the wars currently being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, the fact is that hundreds of thousands of brave men and women are risking their lives every day. To all of them and to their families, today is a day to say "thank you".

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Gastronomy: The Impact of Environmental Disasters on Local Cuisine

When one hears of terrible events such as the BP oil spill off the coast of Louisiana, what immediately comes to mind is the loss of wildlife, the long term environmental consequences and the loss of employment for the inhabitants of the region. Few stop to think about the more subtle impact on local culture of which cuisine is an important part, especially in a city like New Orleans which has a long, distinguished culinary history.

Blogs: An Assault on Internet Anonymity in France?

Going blogging tonight darling?

There is a battle brewing in France between bloggers and a lone UMP senator, Jean-Louis Masson, over Internet anonymity. Masson has proposed a bill which if it were enacted into law would require French bloggers not only to sign their posts using their full legal name and surname but to provide their personal address and telephone number as well. The law would apply indiscriminately to individuals and organizations alike who blog. Understandably, French bloggers are not pleased.

Beware The Sun. Beware The Sun Protection.

After one of the longest and harshest winters in recent history here in the U.K., the arrival of Spring and the impending bikini season makes it awfully tempting to throw caution to the wind and just soak up as many rays as possible. Before you do however, please read this post.

Fashion: Taking a Second Look at Thierry Mugler

Revisionism is a necessary part of fashion. Until such time as the human body evolves into something substantially different than its current form, there are only so many things even the most clever designer can do with any given garment. While constantly looking back can be seen as an impediment to creativity, it does have advantages. One such advantage is that new generations become exposed to designers that have figuratively speaking, fallen off the industry's radar. It also gives the industry an opportunity to reassess a designer's body of work with the benefit of perspective and hindsight.

Luxury Shopping: An Ode to Online Experimentation

This is a story about an ongoing love affair with shoes, a discount designer fashion site and the benefits of experimentation. The beautiful shoes pictured above are my latest acquisition. They are by young Canadian-born, Cordwainers-trained, L.A.-based shoe designer Jerome C. Rousseau. I bought them on the spot this weekend when I popped in briefly at Harvey Nichol in London. You may be asking yourself why on earth I would go shopping on a gloriously sunny day in London. All I can say is that gloriously sunny days have been so rare lately in London that when one comes along, it merits a glorious pair of shoes to mark the occasion but I digress.

It's the Weekend ... Bottoms Up!

I have no other plans for the weekend other than to enjoy it thoroughly. I highly encourage you all to do the same.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Design & Gastronomy: A Marriage Made in Heaven?

I rather like the pairing of haute gastronomy and design. There is a certain natural synergy born of the common search for creativity and perfection that can yield some rather interesting results. It was on display for instance with French interior architect and designer Patrick Jouin's ergonometric champagne bucket for G.H. Mumm and it's on display again with the Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance designed tasting table for Perrier-Jouët.

Online Shopping: Denim ... The Last Frontier ...

As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of online shopping both for its ease and its time-saving convenience. I purchase virtually everything online from groceries to Christmas/birthday/anniversary presents to electronics and appliances to vacations and of course, fashion and accessories. I would probably even buy a car online if the circumstances were right. The one exception to this rule to date has been denim.

Film: A Caustic View of London's Contemporary Art Scene

If you have ever rubbed shoulders, even briefly, with the contemporary art set in either London or New York, you should definitely see Boogie Woogie. The film, based on a novel by Danny Moynihan, is a comedy of manners set in the extremely venal, cut-throat world of art dealing. No one comes off well in this caustic portrayal - not the wealthy collectors, not the dealers and certainly not the struggling artists.