spending time in st. moritz

What do some hundred horses, Karl Lagerfeld, Percy Sledge and a Finnish jazz band have in common? Under normal circumstances, perhaps not much. But during the last few days they were all in St. Moritz; the roof of Europe, which on Sunday hosted the season’s last race day on the frozen lake. This year, Arabian horses had joined the cast to make the setting even more surreal, amidst palm trees, champagne bars and some 14,000 spectators. “When you race in St. Moritz it’s not for the money. It’s a little bit like the Olympics, with a completely different atmosphere and a unique backdrop. You’re not on the ground but in 1,900 meters altitude, with an amazing audience,” said Joachim Weissmeier, trainer of Fanal El Samawi, who won the Arabian race.

For Karl Lagerfeld, St. Moritz was a bit like the Olympics too, as he exhibited his latest art works, Fire Etchings, at the Gmurzynska, his longtime gallery for the past 17 years. “I’m a paperfreak. In fashion all collections begin on paper, just as in photography. My profession is to sketch. Whenever I have an idea I see it in three dimensions, I have a technique and then I put it on paper,” said Lagerfeld, whose images were etched into backlit glass with fire. Meanwhile, at the Kulm, a Finnish jazz band played divine tunes worthy of the late Miles Davies,while Percy Sledge performed at the Badrutt’s with a little help from his wife. When asked how a man from the deep South stays close to his roots in the Swiss mountains his answer was simple. “My fans.”  Photo Camilla Alfthan

africa is calling

At lot has happened since the Danish story teller, Karen Blixen, travelled to her farm in Kenya while passing through Jean Patou’s couture atelier in Paris to make her new wardrobe. Blixen needen’t have looked any further than the Masaï tribes at her plantation who’m designers today tap for their immense creativity and craftmanship.  One of them is Vivienne Westwood who goes to Kenya to make products that were touched by the hand. Quality instead of quantity is the designer’s mantra just as dealing with the global warming that so affects the local lives. All of which she brought up at the IHT’s latest luxury conference in Rome where Africa was the major theme.  And Westwood must have been happy with at least one thing; instead of following the roads to the Eternal City it was possible to watch the entire conference as an online delegate. Apart from sustainability and craftsmanship; the rebranding of Africa was the major topic. From the local founders of Style House in Laos and the Fast Track shows in South Africa; to a former salesman of frozen foods in England who had found a new meaning in life after he went to Gambia and discovered the (almost) untapped virtues of the wild growing Baobab fruits.  That we all share the same dreams was pointed out by a speaker from the cosmetics industry; Joanne Crewes CEO of P&G Global Prestige, who referred to the early discoveries of  the German psychoanalyst, Karl Jung.  Whether it is about beauty, craft or the dignity of holding a meaningful job we all want the same basic things.   And as it turned out, fashion can play a role in changing the world when music cannot. This was proven by the Irish rock star, Bono who in 2005 founded the African based luxury brand, Edun, with his wife Ali Hewson. Three days after the couple’s first  trip to Uganda, where they now produce cotton for their line, a civil war broke out while the military made head quarters of their hotel. Only days after Bono had performed to the locals music was prohibited by law.

Masaï hands make the products of Lauren Bush Lauren‘s sustainable brand, Feed, just as it is the case with Maiyet which is based on indigeneous craftsmanship from around the world.

let them eat cake

Pucci and the Ferragamo family were my subjects on a recent trip to Florence, and good to know that fashion people actually eat – and drink. After a Florentine lunch with Laudomia Pucci and a visit to the vineyards of the Ferragamo family, Louise Ferragamo took me on a tour of the city to show me her favorite places. Most of them sold pastry – which actually makes sense as she just started her own event company. Check it out onhttp://www.facebook.com/madeybymade in case you are getting married or throwing a party.

the dream goes on

It was fashion week in Paris where temperatures reached a sweltering 30 degrees. But as it turned out, the real supermodels during the first week-end of October were on the turf of Longchamp where the German filly, Danedream, beat the favorites in the Prix de l’Arc du Triomphe a surprise victory. So it was fitting that I two weeks later should interview horse whisperer, Monty Roberts,who originally got her father, Lomitas, out of the starting stalls to embark on an impressive career.  Getting a good start is always essential, and one of Monty’s favorite stories was about how he and his brother raced their donkey against some of the best horses  – and won.  At a 30 feet distance the donkey was always halfway before the horses got out of the stalls.  Meanwhile, on rue de Longchamp in Paris, my friend, Anette and her children were reading Fontaine’s Fables, La Tortue et le Lièvre, where the hare takes a nap and loses the race to a turtle. Surprises are always nice – and apart from a record five length victory, it would seem like Danedream won with her eyes closed!

what’s the matter

horn ? 4.478 m tall and the peak of a recent trip to St. Moritz and Zermatt..and a reminder that I have not been very good at updating my notebook. Not that it really matters,  as the Matterhorn Ski Paradise is where you can ski all year round; and the subject of a new museum. www.zermatt.ch