Diane, A Shaded View on Fashion

Akiko Hamaoka sends us Cherry Blossoms

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Cherry Blossoms are over, one last look.

Later,

Diane

My Last Full Day into Night in New York

Dear Shaded Viewers,

The view from my window at the Tribeca Grand, I admit I feel very comfortable here.

I went to meet the artist/producer Mary Jordan this morning. We had fun conversations talking about some of our favorite film directors.

Mary Jordan

For my last day in New York I wanted to stop by the shop Seven. I haven't been there since they changed location and seems like it was a great move. I was talking with the owner, Joseph Quartana, and he says that all of the lines are doing really well. Joseph was a big support in the NYC screening of You Wear it Well 2.

Jeremy Scott on the mannequins and Joseph out for a cigarette break when Angie of Three As Four passed by.
It felt a bit spring like today before the almost felt like summer storm.

First it was lunch with Miguel Villalobos and Graham Tabor and then it was dinner.

Miguel Villalobos and Graham Tabor

While we were having dinner a storm broke out.

Rain stopped and they walked me back to the Tribeca Grand.

Graham Tabor and view from the Tribeca Grand.

I have the afternoon in NYC and then back to Paris where I hear it is 10 degrees cooler. Between blog-mode at the Metropolitan, a great meeting with Kelly Cutrone and last nights screening of You Wear it Well 2 at the Tribeca Grand, it's been a very interesting NYC experience. Not to mention running into 5 of my old neighbors from West 11th Street.

Later,

Diane

akiko Hamaoka sends us Cherry Blossoms and a Kimono Exhibition in Bagatelle in Bois de Boulogne

The real cherry blossoms From the mobile phone of Akiko Hamaoka

Marco de Rivera gives news on a Kimono Exhibition celebrating the 150th anniversary of Franco-Japonese Relations from May 16th to July 16th at the Trianon du Parc de Bagatelle. The gardens of the Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne have a lovely history, their flowers were orchestrated by Marie-Antoinette and the Compte d'Artois, this makes for the perfect setting for the exhibition of ancient and contemporary kimonas.

- wedding kimono from 19th century with cherry and peony flowers (satin de soie)

- contemporary kimono with branches from Junko Koshino

The kimonos are from the Museum of Costume of Bunka Gakuen created in 1979 by the group Bunka Gakuen founded in 1923.

Press: Christine BLANC 0148049357

Later,

Diane

ON OUR WAY TO XILITLA ,Mexico.

My friend Ulises Leon i and went on a trip last week to find Sir Edward James' Surreal castle in The Mexican jungle of San Luis Potosi , our trip started from the coast : TECOMAN was the first stop in COLIMA STATE in the southern most part of Mexico passing through a very small surfer town called tikla , it wasn t high season - no tourists, we had it all for ourselves.

THEN WE DROVE ALL THE WAY UP TO SAN LUIS POTOSI STATE TO THE MEDIA LUNA LAKE UNEXPECTEDLY ALMOST WITH A JACUZZI TEMPERATURE THAT MAKES IT MORE AMAZING ALSO IT WAS VERY VERY DEEP.

I LL BE BACK WITH MORE IMAGES FROM XILITLAAND SIR EDWARD JAMES CASTLE .
EGR

Angela Esteban Librero celebrates in Madrid and Berlin

Dear Shaded Viewers,

I know it is a bit late but Angela Esteban Librero sent these to me today, a memory of Christmas and New Years in Madrid and Berlin .

www.aestebanlibrero.com

Later,

Diane

Graham Tabor and Akiko Hamaoka from Tokyo

Dear Diane, Dear Shaded Viewers,

Here are a couple photos from tokyo with my amazing hostess Akiko.

Graham Tabor and Akiko Hamaoka

The first day we went to a bunch of stores. I was totally shopped out. But it was good and Akiko seems to know everything. I found a lot of good stores for FLY too. A couple of the best were Mr. Holywood, which is Japan's answer to the old-fashioned Americana trend and Loveless a multi brand dance party.

Mr. Hollywood

In the stairway to the 2nd floor in Loveless was a massive crystal multi-colored fruit chandelier.

Loveless

After dinner, Akiko took me to an amazing bar Quien, which also has a sister restaurant down the street. It's in an ancient little house. The stairs are so steep you can barely climb them. Up on the 2nd fl. is a little balcony up at the tip-top of the cieling. It's just big enough for 2. Suuuuuuper cozy.

Quien
We of course went to Shibuya. The manga cafe is like being on board a Gothic Starship Enterprise. The lighting is insane in there. And yes, the girls in Shibuya 109 are crazy, but my favorite thing there were the manikins. Even they had fake tans!

Manga Cafe

Homeless and Shibuya 109

My last night there Akiko took me to this tiny restaurant-Adan Ohana Gallery. We had an egg dish with Lily root. It was like a super light illy root omelet floating on a clear broth soup.

Then we headed off to Shinjuku, where daido moriyama took a lot of his famous photographs. All of the bars there were so tiny-and packed 30 to a street with just enough room for 5 or 6 people in each bar. Unfortunately no photos-they don't let you take them in the neighborhood unless you pay first.

Much Love,
Graham

Last day in Firenze

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Here are a few images from our last day in Florence and our lovely hotel, Helvetia and Bristol.

I mixed two days, Patrick Cox silver shoes with Alexander McQueen suit...looked great on Robb Young.

It's been a long time since we've had any double trouble pictures.

After a very brief visit to the Duomo we went to have our White Club lunch to discuss our February plans. Along with the delicious soup and salad Andreini and I had a Tuscan specialty, chestnut cake with ricotta cheese. I know I should skip deserts...
Later,

Diane

Graham Tabor in Hong Kong

Dear Shaded Viewers,

A lovely one of the sun rising of HK island.

I wish I took more, though, because the Four Season was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in. When they return your laundry, everything is tied up in little packs with a ribbon. It was so amazing, I didn't touch my underwear and socks so I could bring them back to show miguel....

Later,

Graham

FROM PTO VALLARTA WITH LOVE ...

ME WITH MY FRIEND ULISES AT HIS PLACE (CASA SEPTIEMBRE www.casaseptiembre.com ) IN PTO VALLARTA DURING A LITTLE VACATION.

XOXO
EGR

Mario Canal: Postcards from Bali...

Dear Diane, dears Shaded Viewers...
Recently Diane asked me if I was living laaaaaarge in Bali.

Well, here are my answers:

Sunset at Seminyak...

This is another landscape: I would call it "Bali Body Landscape".

And then, me. Enjoying some pool time...

P.S.- Do these images answer you, my Shaded Beauty?

I am sure you can get the feeling...
love>>>m<

Julien Bertic wishes you Happy New Year from Tehran

Dearest Diane, Dearest Shaded Viewers

Happy new year to you from snowy Tehran.
Best
Julien

Shoji Fujii in Japan

Dear Shaded Viewers,

While we are all freezing in Paris,Shoji is enjoying his life in Japan.

Later,

Diane

A trip to the end of the world - Finisterre

Mr. Pearl, Miguel Villalobos and Mikio Sakabe in Finisterre

Dear Shaded Viewers,

The lovely Rosa from Persuade in Bilbao sent me these images today. A document of "us sinning in Finisterre', it was a wonderful visit despite the crime.

We were all in Santiago de Compostela, Spain for the first NOOVO festival of fashion and photography.

Zowie Broach from Boudicca, Mr. Pearl and Paul from Persuade and the two of us.

Thank you Rosa.

Later,

DIane

Motovun – Eco Town,

To Whom it May be Concerned,

I would like to bring to your attention the new website of Motovun – Eco
Town, an international association dedicated to sustainable development
of Motovun and its environment, which you can find on the World Wide Web
(http://motovun-eco-town.org). As you will see from this site, we will
do everything we can possibly do to make everything that happens in this
superb medieval hill-town visible to the international community.

In particular, we are concerned with the upcoming development planned
for Motovun and its surroundings. Althoug golf and polo, if properly
developed, could help this community grow and prosper, there is a grave
danger that they will be used as excuses for development of apartments,
houses, and villas that will destroy the town’s future. It is our
objective to bring everything that is happening in this area to the
attention of as many people worldwide as possible.

It is our hope that you will respect our concerns. Motovun is a town of
untold beauty. And so are its surrounding hills and valleys now covered
with vineyards, orchards, and olive groves. They need to be preserved
and cherished for many generations to come, which does not seem to be
the concern of the authorities entrusted with the future of this part of
Istria or Croatia as a whole. Motovun’s future is important to people
far and wide, and it cannot be left to the few people who presently
inhabit it, let alone a handful of those who are in political power in
the town at this historical juncture

The new website is there to ensure that you, as politicians in power to
protect Motovun from pernicious development, do what can be expected
from you. The association and its website will be there as long as
there is any danger that Motovun and the countryside around it remain in
peril.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

For Motovun – Eco Town,

Ranko Bon

President>

DANDI WIND , MEXICO .

I AM IN PUERTO VALLARTA RIGHT NOW WITH MY FRIEND DANDI WIND HER BOYFRIEND SZAM , DENISE MARCHEBOUT AND ULISES BAROCIO WORKING AS A TEAM FOR A PHOTOSHOOT IN THE BEAUTIFUL BEACH OF YELAPA , OF COURSE SHE IS AMAZING AND DENISE SWIMSUITS TOO !
I WILL BE POSTING MORE DETAILS SOON .
www.myspace.com/dandiwind
PICS BY EGR

Michel Gaubert in Bejing

As promised, Michel Gaubert in Bejing. The reason for his trip? He was asked to do the music for the Fendi show. Location? The Great Wall of China.

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Well Beijing was a real trip, did not know what to expect, until we arrived at night straight to the hyatt hotel that was turned into a fendi hotel for the occasion.

It is funny to find out that the word baguette applies to many things :
baguette de pain ( hence the fendi bag that you carry like a baguette ) chopsticks , so the chinese need two, or again drumsticks, that you also need two of.
it is like a pair of shoes in a way.

The chinese are logo hungry, i guess it tastes better. They have all kind of fakes where they even mix logos together, or even have logos like givenchy on the floor of hotel lobbys.
My driver had the best shoes, black suede loafers mixing emporio armani and louis vuitton.

This is where the hair and make-up was done in the hotel lobby at the foot of the great wall with the Givenchy logo in the marble floor.

The show was incredible, who would have thought I would do music to show fashion on the great wall of china, it was the best way of seeing it.

The last day we met with Cyril Duval aka Item Idem, my good friend from Tokyo who took us to the military museum where we had a great time and reminding us of the mugler pictures from the 80's.
Cyril pulled out his mask from Munch to pose next to chinese weaponry.

That is also the place where we saw the No Trans Passing sign, we did not know that transexual was part of the communist vocabulary.

Best,

Michel Gaubert

Michel Gaubert in Mumbai

Dear Shaded Viewers,

When I saw Michel Gaubert at the launch of his luggage line for Longchamps he told me that he was going to do the music for Gucci in Bombay and the music for Fendi at the Great Wall of China. I knew that Shaded Viewers would be interested to see the world through Michel's eyes so first a taste of Mumbai.

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Diana Vreeland was right when she said that pink was the navy blue of india.

en taxi mauve

That shade is everywhere.

Mary Curry

Cafe Samovar and Undercover

We were there during fashion week that happened to be at the same time as postal week.
I found it more interesting to see the new stamp collections, and easier to relate to.

sleepy dog and soap opera

Best

Michel Gaubert

Stay tuned for Michel in Bejing.....

Later,

Diane

On route to San Francisco

Dear Shaded Viewers,

I have not been in a car for such a long time since I did the Gumball with Eley Kishimoto, but today we drove from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

I am really feeling mercury in retrograde.

Later,

DIane

Last day in LA with Rigo Maldonado

Dear Shaded Viewers,

I got to see the LA that you will not find in the WALLPAPER guide. The first stop on the tour with Rigo Maldonado was the Self Help Graphics and Art Center to see the preparations for the day of the dead.

A tribute to James Brown and a visit to the Watts Tower

Sandy Rodriguez's "Please, Please, Please Don't Go" Day of the Dead Exhibition. All of the shoes used for this piece were handmade by Lisa Case and Armando H. Torres.
A visit to the Watts tower

You can see the creator of the Watts Tower in the black and white image. He was 4'10" and built the tower without machines, he only used his hands, no scaffolding and he devoted 34 years of his life to create something that would make him famous and that would be for the good of others to enjoy. He was still building the tower at the age of 76. Then he left it and disappeared.

Did you know that one way to keep insects away from trees is to hang a bag of water?

Lunch downtown LA

Any of these dresses can be made to order for 450$, the price includes 2 fittings. It's a huge business in downtown LA.

I ended my day with a lovely birthday dinner with Cameron Silver and Jeff Snyder at the R23. I forgot to take any photos, it is too bad because after dinner I had a quick visit to their lovely home designed by the Austrian architect, Rudolf M. Shindler.

Later,

Diane

Another sleepless night in LA

Dear Shaded Viewers,

I wanted you to see the mini swimming pool that is my bath.

Dino and I went off to see the editor and I found out that rush hour starts here at 15h.

Thank you Rebecca Huetter for these beautiful roses at the Standard and a selectionn of my favorite teas. If only I could sleep....

See you later tonight at the screening.

Diane

Pilgrimage to my old apartment in the West Village

Vincent Gagliostro, David Gil and Jeffrey Miller visit my old apartment in the West Village. Just in case I was missing it...

Our day with Denis Rodriguez

Dear Shaded Viewers,

D & D by Denis Rodriguez

Dino and I went back to Z Deli for lunch and then met with Sao Paulo's only street photographer, Denis Rodriguez at the Cafe Suplicy. I ran across the street to Santa Luzia looking for black rose soap and then Denis showed us a part of his city. Dino took most of the images but here are the very few from me.

Dino Dinco and Denis Rodriguez

Before going to Iguatemi filmefashion to see Lagerfeld Confidential, Denis took us to a voodoo shop. There were candles for everything but I could not bring myself to buy the all red or all black 7 cross candles, much as I loved them, the last thing I need to do is to invite the devil into my life or that of my friends...

Visit the Iguatemi filme fashion sitefor more details.

Later,

Diane

Our day at the cemetary in Sao Paulo

Dear Shaded Viewers,

It was Rigoberto's last day in Sao Paulo and we both wanted to make a visit to the cemetary. It was interesting to see that people not only leave flowers on the graves but that they also feed the dead.

Now off to see SHOWstudio's presentation at the Iguatemi filmefashion festival.

Later,

Diane

Visit to the flea market and the many faces of Rigoberto

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Today Rigoberto and I decided to do the flea market. Dino slept in. The party that I did not go to last night was great fun, I knew that it would be. It's 34 degrees now and winter, I don't think that I could survive a visit in the summer here. Imagine...98 degrees in the middle of winter.....

the mask makers and lunch with a cock

The many faces of Rigoberto:

Penny Martin, SHOWstudio, and Barry Martin before the round table discussion with Alexandra Faarah, Penny Martin, Dino Dinco and I and the bloggers Iguatemi FilmeFashion

Afterwards Dino, Rigoberto and I went to SPOT for a lovely dinner.

Later,

Diane

Hyeres 2004

Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival 2004

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Mario Canal: Louis Vuitton Restaurant in Canton

Dear Diane, dear shaded viewers,
Let me show you a funny thing that I found on my first night in Guangzhou: the fake Louis Vuitton resto. Well, the place is amazing, you can choose your seafood as in a market and then eat it in the salon.
Let me show you first why I call this place the fake LV restaurant:

This is a table on the window side. You know that China is the heart of fake brands, but this goes too far: just love it.

Message for Mr. Arnault: i am not going to tell you where this restaurant is... Unless you pay me for it. yes, I am blackmailing one of the most powerful men on the planet earth, and I find it superb!
So, the fish market side of the restaurant is like this:

Let's have a closer look at the food on offer -Nothing related to LV or Mr. Arnault here-. Sorry if you are one of those viewers with a sensitive stomach...

And well, let me finish with my arrival to the Canton airport. After a pleasant and relaxing 13 hours trip in business class, I noticed that may be my t-shirt was not exactly the most appropiate one for landing in communist China -laughs-.

Now, I am in Hong Kong: I will show you interesting things from here too...

Love to Diane and all the Viewers>>>mario<

Holiday pics from Filep Motwary/Karolina Kurkova/Angelos Bratis

Dear Shaded Viewers,

It's the season of the holiday pics, here are a few sent to me today from Un NoUVEaUIDEAL's filep mOtwary.

Filep went to help out his fellow designer friend, Angelos Bratis for a small presentation and enjoyed dancing with model Karolina Kurkova.

Angelos Bratis backstage

Later,

Diane

Santiago de Compostela celebrates 100 years of the Galician Hymn

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Yesterday was a big day in Santiago the Compostela, they were celebrating Santiago Apostle's Day and the amazing cathedral was even more amazing than it is every other day.

As I told you yesterday, I am co-curator of the first NOOVO fashion and photography festival at Santiago de Compostela to be held 1-4 November

photos by Grupo Correo Gallego

The fashion show will be held in a tent in the square behind the Cathedral.

Later,

Diane

A Sunny Day in Shanghai- through Graham Tabor's hotel window

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Happy belated birthday Graham, he turned 27 yesterday ...

Nothing like a room with a view.

H L treats him well.

WIshing you a trail of yellow butterflies to follow you around today.

Later,

DIane from Paris - Graham Tabor in Shanghai

last day in Berlin and the excursion to Planterwald - photos by Antoine Asseraf

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Ever since I saw the current cover of Magazine with the photo shoot in the abandoned amusement park in Spree-Park Berlin-Plänterwald, on Kiehnwerderallee at the end of Treptow park, East Berlin. I was determined to go there. Thing is the amusement park is closed to the public and we are forbidden entry. Antoine Asseraf had to scale the fence and risk injury or imprisonment...but he did it. Hyun and I stood guard. We had all watched the watchman limp away with his tiny watch dog and did not feel too threatened. We figured that probably the worst thing that would happen to Antoine for entering the park when it was clearly marked FORBIDDEN, is that he would get thrown out and forced to exit by the gate instead of having to climb over the cyclone fence. However, that did not happen.

Later,

Diane

All photos by Antoine Asseraf

SOME NEWS FROM BUENOS AIRES BY EGR

STILL IN THE PARIS OF AMERICA , BUENOS AIRES.

BREAKFAST ON BUENOS AIRES

MALBA : LATIN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM

MY FAVORITE STORE : El buen orden , DEFENSA 894 - ( 1065 ) Buenos Aires - Argentina.

xx !

Akiko Hamaoka from the Ambrosia living the high life in Monaco

Dear SHaded Viewers,

Akiko is enjoying the high life on the Ambrosia, I asked her to send back a few shots from Monaco.

you see - the third from the right is ambrosia -

a professional jacket steamer on board!

you can imagine how it is inside --

If you want to know more about man's ultimate dream of owning his own cruiser read commons&sense man ISSUE03.

Later,

Diane for Akiko Hamaoka