Daily Front Row

2010 January 29

Silver Nights

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Natalia Vodianova
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(PARIS) With native Los Angelean Jennifer Steinkamp's cherry blossom tree video projections against the walls of the thankfully toasty Covent des Cordeliers, and the relaxing strums of Japanese music filtering on the speakers, I took my seat behind Team Glenda to my left and Team Anna to my right for the final couture show of the week, Valentino. It was nice to see my friend Gerlinde Guelfenbein-Hobel wearing large, smiling sun brass earrings that she's owned for a decade...but only sported for the first time tonight.

As for the collection, Valentino continues to get edgier every season, and the on-trend Easter-hued opening looks featured gathered organza overlayed dresses. I loved a Shibori-print looking tunic that was perfect for the hippy hostess with the mostess. Ruffled and wavy jumpsuits were shown in the new Valentino red--which actually isn't red, but rather the lightest shade of pinkish peach. The beauty inspiration was a Daryl Hannah-in-Blade Runner-esque eye in shades of metallic baby blue and frosted pink. Several models wore blindfolds. The puce and khaki chiffon tiers seen in an strapless evening gown was an unexpected and standout color combination. Fellow show-goers included past-and-present Valentino muse Natalia Vodianova and Coco Brandolini. But the best-dressed woman wasn't a model on the runway, but gorgeous front-row guest Shala Monroque in a Valentino Haute Couture emerald coat and a white ready-to-wear ballerina point d'esprit dress--the new high and low! Reflecting on the close of fashion week, Maria Bell told me, "It's great to see so much L.A. inspiration on the projections and the underlying Rodarte influence in all the collections." Then I was off to Susan Gutfreund's spectacular hotel particulier for an intimate cocktail where Glenda Bailey and I talked shop. I love her M.O.. She cheekily told me, "Life is too short and I want to dress up and go to parties!"

So it was off to Swarovski's party at Karl Lagerfeld's palazzo on the Left Bank for a fun presentation of crystal-licious dresses from Vanessa Seward for Azzaro, Martin Grant, and Lanvin, among others. But with my blood sugar calling, it was time to catch a bite at my fav kitchen in town, The Four Seasons. More parties await...but who knows where the night will take me?
CAMERON SILVER