Putting On The Ritz

About ten days ago, we were invited to the Hotel Ritz to attend a cast and crew party for the movie, Le Concert, that Matthew had worked on. About four hundred people crowded into plush ante-rooms and ballrooms. Women in black. Women in boots. Papparazzi looking for their scoop. Lots of champagne and fancy hors d'oeuvres. Lots of loud music.


Not knowing quite which part of the hotel to go to, we came in through the front entrance, off the Place Vendôme. La Fête, we were told by the unsmiling, snooty doorman, was being held at the far end of the hotel. Following directions, we found ourselves passing through a long gallery of boutiques and display cases containing baubles and bijoux of such breathtaking opulence that, here at least, the word "recession" apparently has no meaning.


Those are bejewelled and betasselled iPod and iPhone cases on the left. There were even some marquisite ear-buds to plug into your PDA.


And here, for your dining pleasure, Madame, the finest, hand-embroidered linens. Just what every "bien-élevée" hostess must possess.












No, Sir, your eyes are not deceiving you, those are cashmere socks, a cashmere eye shade, and a cashmere cover for your hot water bottle....

And for a woman's crowning glory, a stunning selection of jewel encrusted hair brushes, tortoiseshell hair combs, diamond-edged hair clips, hair bands that look like crowns, or are edged with glittering butterflies or flowers.

Out in the Place Vendôme, Napoleon stands atop the spiral column that recounts the feats of his 1805 campaigns. Clad in a little toga, he gazes forward to new triumphs and victories, which, unfortunately for him, did not materialize. Here at least, though, he rules over his Empire, surrounded not only by the Hotel Ritz, but by the ever-luxurious boutiques of Van Cleef & Arpels, Chanel, Piaget, Cartier, Jaeger-le-Coultre, and Boucheron.




Meanwhile, for us mere mortals, there's always the magical sight of a rainbow (un arc en ciel) to cheer one's spirits when standing in line, in the rain, waiting to go into a photography exhibit. And perhaps, just behind the corner of the BHV department store on that corner there, some lucky person will find their pot of gold.


À bientôt!