7L

Tucked away in the heart of Paris,
surrounded by a crème de la crème
assortment of noble antique shops
and history-reflecting furniture
showrooms is 7L.

This hidden gem features a fine
selection of illustrated books and
exclusive paperbacks assorted by
monsieur Karl Lagerfeld and
fashion guru extraordinaire himself.

Find luxurious coffee-table books
covering topics like arts, architecture,
design, fashion, music and culture
within the no-frills walls of this
reader's sanctuary.

The vibe: mellow and discreet.
The crowd: fashion-forward,
international, with a certain je ne
sais quoi.

As Karl once said:

“Books are a hard-bound drug with no danger of
an overdose. I am the happy victim of books.”

7 Rue de Lille  75007 Paris

Caviar Lounge @ Harrods

Caviar and many other high-carat
delicacies are being dished up to
the most sophisticated palates at
Harrod's famous food hall in
London.

These salt-cured fish-eggs come in
diverse colors and nuances of flavor.
Choose your favorite and let the
debauchery begin!

How do you spoil your taste buds
these times?

Comédie-Française @ Le Folie's Pigalle

Nocturnal creatures, hardcore clubbers
and energetic night owls flock to this
iconic dance boîte and Parisian after-
dark mainstay for the creme de la
creme in the house, hip hop and
electro music department. Until the
small hours, souls of the night go
crazy on the dance floor seven days
a week. Go-go dancers, striptease
shows and Paris only transsexual
spectacles (every Sunday!) are a
weekend favorite. Leave you
inhibitions at the door and throw
on a pair of dancing shoes --
Louboutins, self evidently! Grab a
drink and secure a scenic outpost
on the balcony above the dance floor
and watch the crazed late-night
festival evolve.

11 Place Pigalle, 75009 Paris

The Birthplace Of Style

Rue Cambon is more than a luxurious stretch in the heart of Paris -- it represents the beginning of Coco Chanel's fashion empire.

It's here, where in 1913 the fashion legend and iconic créateur de mode, Gabrielle Chanel established her first workshop, opened her first boutique, and presented her first ground breaking haute couture. It's also the birthplace of the legendary LBD & LBJ.

To this day, Chanel's spirit is still palpable in her legacy ... and, if you are a devoted Chanel maven you might sense her grande style and mondaine spirit lingering in the substance of this extravagant boulevard.

31 Rue Cambon, Paris

La Dame Aux Camelias

"La Dame Aux Camelias" (The Lady of
the Camellias) -- a novel, written by the
French author Alexandre Dumans and
firstly published in 1848 -- was Coco
Chanel's source of never ending
inspiration.

This novel -- later adopted for the stage
-- is where Coco acquired and adopted
one of her most signature symbols. Ever
since, the Camellia flower has been
adorning almost every single Chanel
garment or item for as long as her fashion
empire has been existing. 

We love white Camellias!

UK's Fashion Staple

A playful, upbeat sexiness is alive
in Burberry's S/S collection 2013,
where almost every look seductively
bubbles over with color. A prodigious
use of satin and cotton sateen awakes
each and every one piece vividly to
life.The designer's cape-and-corset
exploration brings the silhouette the
closest it has ever been to the body.
On other times, Christopher Bailey
injects opulent volume into the satiny
coats and jackets -- blowing them up
at the shoulders, before bringing the
fullness tightly together with a belt at
waist-height. The standouts of almost
every Burberry show are the trademark
trench coats. It’s quite impressing how
much Bailey has been able to utilize
this timeless it-piece season after season
as a vehicle for his fashionable and
artistic visions.

We love Burberry Prorsum!

A Chanel State of Mind

Immaculately paired tweed pieces are ingeniously combined with lavish layers of finest lace, arranged with endless strands of pearls, they constitute a divine symbiosis. Here and there a crystal-encrusted camellia flower, a sparkling star, grandiose cross or lion head winks graciously. Fancy gloves out of leather or lace, black quilted chain purses, and luxurious hats are quintessential accessories of every Chanel collection and a fashionista's must-haves. To this day, Chanel's legacy is still palpable in King Karl's designs.
Check out yourself at: 31 Rue Cambon, Paris

Key To My Heart

What Is The Key To Your Heart These Days? 

Alpha & Omega @ Printemps

The French do not only have
an exquisite taste in clothing
they are also pioneers in
matters of arranging a
compelling shopping
setting whilst creating a sexy
atmosphere: one famous
example is this castle-alike
department store, Printemps
where ultra sophisiticated
ladies and gentleman get
hold of Alpha and Omega
de grand style: luxurious
designer attire, exquisite shoes, leatherware par excellence,
and the world's greatest beauty department are superimposed
upon each other. Cross the sides through a panoramic terrace
with a 360° view of Paris and soak up the vista from this
parisian historical monument ... and shopping Mekka.

Que demander de plus?

Le Baiser

Le Baiser -- immortalized in crisp
white marble by the French sculptor
Auguste Rodin -- is a grandiose
piece of art that embodies an
unparalleled nature of passion,
eroticism and fervor. First exhibited
in Paris in 1877 and inspired by
Dante's The Divine Comedy, it
portrays an adulterous couple
from the 13th century, Italy: Paolo
Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini,
captured by the artist in a moment
of sensuality and romance.
This was the lover's first kiss just
before they were murdered by by
Francesca's husband, Gianciotto
Malatesta.

Seen at Musee Rodin, Paris.

“Because I’ve Got The Best Taste In The World" -- Manoloh Blahnik

“Please sir, you can take my Fendi baguette, you can take my ring and my watch, but don’t take my Manolo Blahniks.” A line from the Sex and the City shoe-loving Carrie Bradshaw who was about to be mugged in the streets of N.Y.

Born in Santa Cruz de la Palma, in the Canary Islands in 1942, Manolo Blahnik has dominated shoe design since setting up his business in London in the early 1970s. Today not only shoe-maniacs but also men are thankful for Manolo's empire of upscale footwear:


"Men tell me that I've saved their marriages. It costs them a fortune in shoes, but it's cheaper than a divorce. So I'm still useful, you see."

Manoloh Blahnik.

À la vôtre! En Perpignan.

It was on a late summer afternoon when I spotted
this vintage Moët & Chandon champagne
bucket on a flea market while visiting Perpignan --
a picturesque little town in the South of France.

I adore this silvery peace of French champagne
history! This 'Place Of Honor' was handcrafted
exclusively for the most illustrious sparkling
French concoction. Too bad the matching bottle
was not included in the purchase. Ça ne fait rien!


À la vôtre!

From Champs-Élysées With Love

My midnight spree was bound toward
Champs-Élysées, the shopping goddess
among the world's finest boulevards.
I love to saunter alongside this transnational
avenue, that is also a proud monument of
French history. Soak up the after-dark
romance during Christmas time, when the
City of Lights is illuminated, shining in
all its glory. Try the scallops at Chez
Clément -- a charming to eccentric eatery,
that will spoil a seafood lovers' palate with
it's sensational seafood plate. Toast with
a decent white wine to an extravagant
Champs-Élysées night!

Voilà!

Monsieur Provocateur

A polo afternoon will never be the same with
Alexander McQueen's provocative accessories:
Bright yellows, crystal-encrusted golden toggle
ornaments, chunky details, metallic leather and
hinged skull clasps continue McQueen's
tradition of remarkable, often outrageous
evening props. Mix this hard-shell design with
discrete and unpretentious clothes and low-key accessories.

Seen in Rome, near Piazza Di Spagna.

The Tulip Sensation

The "Tulip Line" is Christian Dior's sensation of 1953 spring fashion, first launched in Paris. This year's spring collection invites fashion conscious glamourettes to live this ultra feminine spirit once again by parading a dainty dress or fluffy skirt along the chicest boulevards around the world. Elaborate folds and bloomy shapes of tender silks n' chiffons represent a mondaine personality in a quintessential Dior style.
A classy 'Lady Dior' handbag makes this innocent girlish look perfect.

Loafer It In Style!

Extensive walks along St. Tropez's picturesque promenades, cozy strolls on Malaga's breezy piers, and snug getaways to the south of France can comfortably be managed in these dapper espadrille loafers. The subtle, though iconic logo adds just the right amount of glamour to this casual canvas slipper that invites you to parade in timeless style!

Seen at Harrods, London.

A Girl's Best Friend

This stunning brown-eyed beauty caught my eye at a flea market near Berlin's Museum Island. Winking at me irresistibly I couldn't help but become its new proprietress -- after negotiating the price.

With its neatly faceted rectangular smoky quartz crystal, this historic gem from the 30s, delights bling mavens with its vintage design, clear shine and a delicate silver setting that is adorned with a subtle ornament.

Light Deluxe

Tucked away in Berlin's most notorious district, is this sparkling gem of an antique shop dealing with glamorous feats from the Art Deco and Art Nouveau era. Its brilliant Belle Époque chandeliers and floor lamps, in all imaginable sizes and designs, attract a mondaine set from all over the world. Brightly polished crystals are neatly arranged on elaborate brass settings.

Check out the bling bling yourself at Gitschiner Str. 95, Berlin, and delight your lodging's ambience with these one-of-a-kind historic pieces.

Think Pink But Don't Wear It

"Un je ne sais quoi" is certainly a feature King
Karl's mondaine togs embody. Sophisitcated
skirts and dresses couldn't be any shorter,
extremely narrow leather pants embrace most exqusitely hips and bums, while shiny shoes reach staggering heights. The color palette plays along the lines: "Think Pink But Don't Wear It" -- another clever Karlism to consider when assembling your wardrobe.

Come and see yourself in Berlin, Paris or Amsterdam -- Karl's boutiques keep poping up
at a racy pace.