May's Paris Diary

Paris is always a good idea. And when you're invited by Chanel to go there, it suddenly becomes a brilliant idea. July 3rd had been prominently marked in the calendar for weeks, and if someone wanted to make an appointment with me, I casually yet clearly mentioned that July 3rd, 4th, and 5th were not options, because I would be in Pá-ris. With Chá-nel.

Where I normally might throw together an outfit at two minutes to twelve, the clothes were neatly ready for days now. A short Claes for the arrival evening, a long Claes for the show (because yes, yes, yes, we were also going to the couture show) and my old favorite Ronald van der Kemp for the cocktail evening where a new Chanel perfume would be presented. And then something nice for during the day. If it weren't for the fact that, to quote my dear seafaring father (read our suggestions here)? I'm meanwhile scrolling through the first of the Monate like an addict through Elkes Nieuwsflix, but nothing, zip, nada. Even Netflix is acting suspicious... Quiet then. I want a sequel to my favorite and I want it now. But with a chronic shortage and the absence of rattling conversations, let's see how sweet he is), it is ‘blood-boiling hot’ here in Paris, so that calls for a small purchase. Anyway. I was ready and looking forward to it.

It all started at the station. There I saw Paulien, a dear colleague. One of the, by the way, very few things about getting older is that you know your professional friends (like this one) for years and that you literally step back in, even if you haven't seen each other for months. In the Thalys Karen from Ede, another dear one with whom I've gone back so long. We even wrote a book together. But more on that another time.

When you travel with Chanel, you know you're being pampered. It starts with a welcome card in your room. Handwritten of course. And gifts. There were two little bags. One with two Sublimage products and one with a black box. ‘Shall I? May I? Dare I?’ I thought for a brief moment and then the ribbon flew across the room. A beautiful bracelet that I parked on the nightstand so I could look at it that night. Now I didn't have time for that because vite, vite, change for dinner.

Annabelle, the charming press lady from Chanel, had chosen restaurant L’Acajou. I had never heard of it, but Beyoncé and JAY-Z had, and Robert De Niro too, and Pharrell was also there, as he turned out to be sitting at a table next to us. Okay, they had hung a little curtain between us, but still. And he just walked past our table. Okay, I was chatting with my colleague so much that I missed that. But well, he was there, and we were too. Delicious food at Freek van Noortwijk from Paris. 260,000 followers on Instagram, ex of former Miss France and current partner of a famous comédienne.

On time to bed, because we had to be fresh for the show. We were on time because nothing is more delightful than watching well-dressed fashion people. For the occasion, Karl had recreated the Eiffel Tower. The ‘tribune’ consisted of French bistro chairs, there was gravel, and even some fallen leaves were laid out. An unprecedented number of models were used for the show. Jessie Bloemendaal, Femke Huijzer, and Marjan Jonkman, to name just a few Dutch beauties. The show was stunning, as you would expect with the most beautiful bride. The music transported you to another world, and the appearance of Karl Lagerfeld, who looked frail and vulnerable, was moving. It seemed as if everyone realized that even the era of Karl is finite; the entire audience stood for him.

And now I'm melting on a terrace and getting ready for tonight. Tomorrow I'll tell you everything. And more.