fashionlines holiday wish list

Fashionlines would like to wish our readers all the best for 2007. Here is our staff's holiday wish list. We do love to dream, and invite you to share our dreams with us.

A Weekend at L'Abbaye-Château Camon
"In the heart of a rebellious and sometimes violent Languedoc lies the château of Camon, a place of peace and tranquility. Heir to a long monastic past, with the appearance of a manorial fortress, Camon invites us to experience a subtle mixture of history and architecture." So begins the press release for one of the loveliest spots on the planet. The Languedoc is a favored place of artists, intellectuals and heads of state. Like the rest of us, celebrities just want to get away from violence and rebellion. Cocktail hour in the salon the L'Abbaye-Château Camon, where one sips grenache blanc, can make its visitor feel part of a different era, when ideas were brought forth, discussed and challenged. But then a walk in the gardens can clear the mind. Each bedroom is beautifully and individually conceived, and recently refreshed with the most chic toiles. My holiday wish would be to spend a weekend here each season of the year.

Taking the Fifth
I’d like to say that my Ultimate Holiday Wish List is intellectual, high minded, and politically correct- you know, peace, love, harmony throughout the world (and of course it goes without saying that I wish for all the above). However, mine is also a bit more, well, self indulgent.

Blame it on the fact that we are in the month of December, a time which more than any other, is all about extravagance, decadence, temptation, and over indulgence (in all aspects and areas of one’s life). Not to mention all the many delicious things to be had in this universe (displayed in store windows, in museums, in galleries, and even on line). But since I’m a real city (New York City) girl, it seems appropriate that my narrow focus leads me on the path of current urban delights.all of which are coincidentally (or not) located within a few blocks from each other on none other than 5th avenue. And given the skyrocketing price of real estate these days, it makes these luxury wishes even more so. I suppose one could say this season, I’m ‘taking the fifth’.

These are my ultimate acquistions:

  • Gustav Klimt’s luxurious gold flecked portrait, Adele Bloch Bauer 1, 1907, which made headlines this past summer after being purchased by Ronald Lauder at the staggering and record breaking price of $135 million. She is now ‘living’ at Mr. Lauder’s beautiful Neue Galerie on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 86th street. Speaking of which, I wouldn’t mind converting this landmark building, which was built in 1914 and was once occupied by Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt 111, into a home (just think, I wouldn’t have to buy any art to fill the walls).
  • I would also love to acquire the famed 8 story 20,000 square foot Duke Semans Mansion from its current owner. Located at the corner of 82nd and Fifth, it’s the only mansion available for sale directly on Fifth Avenue and was recently purchased by Tamir Sapir (a former cabdriver who made his fortune in Russian oil and Manhattan real estate).
  • From either location, I would be just a stone’s throw away from the awe inspiring and incomparable Metropolitan Museum of Art. I would relish having unlimited access to the late Nan Kempner’s treasures which are temporarily being closeted in fitting style at the Museum’s Costume Institute, “Nan Kempner: American Chic”. And while I am several inches shorter (Nan was about 5’10”, 110 pounds), though probably not that much thinner, alterations would probably be needed if I wanted to help myself to any of her legendary tailleur, coats, cocktail dresses, or Mme. Gres evening gowns. But of course nothing would have to be done if I was tempted to borrow some of her amazing costume jewelry (statement making cuffs, belts, necklaces, pins) from the likes of Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Kenneth J. Lane, Mary McFadden, and Claude Lalanne. Isn’t it ‘all about’ accessories after all?
  • Speaking of the Met, is there a more atmospheric and dramatic room than the Temple of Dendur? A true luxury would be having carte blanche to use this space as I so wished….for parties, celebrations, etc.

1) A Chanel ensemble for men - from tweed to sunglasses
2) A fox coat from the Dior Homme 2006/07 Collection

1) Vacation flat in the heart of Tokyo, Shibuya
2) A brilliant hold-all! Chanel Coco Cabas Large Bag
3) A conversation piece. Panthère de Cartier Ring (18-carat white gold, brilliants, emerald, onyx)

This Season I been eyeing the Jacques Fath Haute Couture Archives that is being sold through Nieman Marcus for 3.5 million dollars, which is at the top of my wish list. The second item is a perfect, black suit from the fall 2006 Chanel Haute Couture collection.

D.L.&Co. makes so many things that I want that I can't pick just one, so I'm wishing for them all! Their uniquely-scented candles and other wonderfully goth objects are beautifully crafted and packaged, and are sure to catch everyone's eye.

Click here for Sedef's Holiday Wish List.

Must See Events who's who



© 1998-2007 Fashionlines.com. All rights reserved.