Travel & Hotspots

MAY’S BERLIN DIARY

Live from my little bed in Berlin. At least, that is now while I type. If this post goes online this afternoon at four o'clock, you should know that I am already fresh and fruity and up and running. But for now, just with a cup of tea and not like a sweaty maniac searching for the library book-that-must-go-back-to-school-on-Wednesday-and-that-we-really-did-not-read while I tip over the bag with gloves in the vain hope of fishing out three matching pairs. That will be for tomorrow again.

Now Berlin. The last time I was here, I met Doutzen, now Kate Bosworth (you know, she from The Horse Whisperer and formerly she from Orlando Bloom. If you happen to want to see his naked truth, then you could here click), so not a bad score. The party started already on the plane, because the cityhopper was packed full of fashion people. I sat next to the most fun founder of Mooi Ben Jij!, a slashshop (because fashion and lifestyle in one), so you understand what the conversation was about. We talked so animatedly that I didn't even see that Piet Paris, creative director of Harper’s Bazaar, was sitting two chairs to my left. But that could also be because there was a baby in front of us who, to put it mildly, was having a bit less fun. The whole flight.

I shared a taxi with my fresh fashion friend because her hotel (the classic Adlon) was close to mine; hotel Titanic. I also found that a somewhat peculiar name, but really: it is beautiful and so far no wet feet...

I am here at the invitation of MarcCain, a German brand that has been around for quite some years and has a collection so broad that you can shop with three generations of women. They are especially famous for their knitting techniques and have all their own knitting machines in their factories (in Germany, not in China). My mother already ‘infected’ me with the MarcCain virus at a young age; we are in love with their prints and the quality is so good that their items can easily be worn by both of us. I definitely wanted to go to the show, in short.

“We talked about life, love, and yes, also about fashion.”

Moreover, MarcCain always ensures some VIPs. Liz Hurley once peeked around the corner, our own Sylvie, and last night there was the fabulously wealthy yet chewing-gum chewing Swarovski heiress Kate Bosworth. I really enjoyed the show. The theme was ballet, so I feared a bit too many ruffles and cheerful poetry, but it was funky. The pants (think a trendy version of a tuxedo pant with a wide slit at the bottom and a nice stripe on the side) you just want immediately. Just like the leopard print jackets where a belt was wrapped around three times. Leopard on leopard over leopard was also allowed, as long as one print has a different size. I was especially in love with the leg warmers that hooked under the foot. Like a ski pant back in the days, remember? Oh guys, how long has it been since I thought about the phenomenon of ski pants. Anyway. And then over that leg warmer just a heel with an open back. Just look at the picture, then you'll understand. They absolutely need to put those into production. Herr Schlotterer, are you reading along?

After the show, there was champagne and more fashion friends. I tasted whether the champagne was at the right temperature (that's me, you can always hire me for that) and saw ambassador Marvy Rieder and Monique Mathijssen (formerly stylist of the celebs and now photographer) and had a wonderful time. A very nice man (thanks Jeroen Beekman from Beekman) booked us a table at Bocca di Bacco and before we knew it, the three of us were picking from a plate of burrata and I kept getting bread with oil and salt. And eating it. And then there was another pasta that made you gain weight just by smelling it. We talked about life, love, and yes, also about fashion.

Now just a little trip around the neighborhood so that I at least saw something of the city and then off to home. Tschüsssss. By the way, for everyone who is in Berlin for more than twelve hours, there are this fun things you can do.