From Paris

The administrative council of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture has just released the names of invited and corresponding members for the 2007 calendar. Adam Jones, Anne Valérie Hash, Carven, Christophe Josse, Eymeric François, Felipe Oliveira Baptista, Maison Martin Margiela, Marc Le Bihan, Maurizio Galante, On Aura Tout Vu, Ralph Rucci, and Richard René have been invited to show their creations. Boudicca, Cathy Pill, Gérald Watelet, Gustavo Lins, Lefranc Ferrand and Nicolas Le Cauchois have decided to show off-calendar, without official invitation. Meanwhile, Elie Saab has been designated a corresponding member.

Ice Cream and Concrete
by Winston Swift Boyer

From Los Angeles

Winston Boyer captures a Los Angeles that no longer exists, more LA Confidential than City of One Night Stands. Check out his website.

www.winstonboyer.com

From Montpellier

Christian Lacroix has been named designer of the new tramway in Montpellier. Five candidates were considered for the honor, including Mattia Bonetti and Elisabeth Garouste, who designed the first tram put into service in July 2000, and a second which will be inaugurated on December 16. Lacroix will decide not only the general shape of the tramway, the interior design of the trams, but also the color scheme of the cars.

From Tibet

The Dharma Shop has the best carved skull bead necklaces we have seen on the web. These are 44 inches long and priced at $108.00. Look under the catagory "Mala Beads".

www.dharmashop.com

From Thymes

Fashionlines' pick for best holiday scent goes to Thyme's Frasier Fir Candle. Siberian Fir Needles, Cedarwood and Sandalwood create a warm, haunting scent that is also clean and sophisticated.

www.thymes.com

From Hermès

Christine's husband Patrick picks Terre d'Hermès has his favorite new scent. When Hermès produces fragrances, they are always among the most original. Its creator, Jean-Claude Ellena recently told Forbes.com: "Little by little, I had the idea to create a fragrance using only mineral and vegetable scents--no animal notes, no musk. The easy way would have been to build it on a base of vetiver, but that's already been done. So I looked to bois (wood), and cèdre (cedar). I also wanted it to be happy, so I played with zesty grapefruit and orange."

From New York

Chako says: "Lounge around the house on a Sunday in this adorable Mayle sweater reminiscent of the baby sweaters Grammy used to knit. Doesn’t it look unbelievably comfy?"

Jane Mayle cardigan www.satineboutique.com, $555