Can I tell you…about the Rafe photo shoot in Paris.

Dare to dream.

Vivienne Minaudière

I've always dreamt of shooting a campaign in Paris; it is one of the capitals of fashion after all. Last October, that dream finally came true.

Azura Minaudiere

I have loved Paris ever since my first trip almost 20 years ago. The city is so photogenic and the light is magical. Every little nook and cranny is like a film set. Traveling there for inspiration and research never gets old and I savor every moment. 

Ramya Minaudière

I began this journey several months earlier casually chatting with my friend and fashion photographer Onin Lorente. He was scheduled to be in Paris during the same period so we coordinated our schedules and planned to shoot my Fall Winter 17 campaign.

Pia Minaudiere

It was a tall order but I wanted Paris to be the supporting character in the story. The backdrops are all iconic Parisian landmarks yet they are a little blurred and out of focus. I styled the shoot with pieces from Victoria Aquino-Benoit's soon to debut pret-a-porter collection and Onin took care of logistics and production. We castes the statuesque Victoria Vachtchouk who dances with her hands and a professional model. My friend Na Wel lent an extra hand along and my sister Tesa took photos of the shoot for this blog. We went from the Tuileries Gardens, Pont Alexandre III bridge, Notre Dame on the Seine, the Louvre Pyramid to Montmarte all in one day. We had to be fast and furious leaping in and out of the van at every location because daylight during the season is short-lived. 

Tiger Minaudière

Sara Minaudiere

Azura Minaudiere

It was an exhilarating experience and certainly worth the wait. The photos turned out exactly as I hoped they would. Evocative, dreamy and moody. This phrase may be overused but it is so true, "Paris is always a good idea".

Below are some behind the scenes photos from that day. As you can see; it takes a village.

The Rafe crew: Na Wel, Onin, Victoria, Tesa and myself.

Because one camera is simply not enough.

Tesa is taking a BTS of my BTS.

While Onin's shooting I'm filming with my iPhone.

You realize there are 4 cameras here!

Victoria Vachtchouk stricking a pose.

There's nothing like hot chocolate from Berthillon to warm everybody up.

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Can I tell you...about New Orleans.

Pardon my French. I could have meandered in the French Quarter all day. 

America only has three cities: New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland. - Tennessee Williams.  

I live in New York, I've been to San Franciso and Cleveland isn't on my bucket list so when I got invited to a friend's wedding in New Orleans, I jumped at the chance to check it out.  

The Henry Howard Hotel in the Garden District.  

I booked a room at the charming Henry Howard Hotel in the Garden District. Built in 1867 this converted boutique hotel was once a pair of townhouses, and was designed by famed Louisiana architect Henry Howard. He designed so many homes in the neighborhood it could have been named after him. The location was ideal; just a short Uber ride away from the The French Quarter and relatively quiet in the evenings. 

Southern living at the Henry Howard.  

New Orleans or Nola is famous for vibrant live music, distinctive Creole and Cajun cuisine and for being a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. I was only here for a weekend so I needed to maximize my time in between wedding events.

Come to Cafè Beignet instead and avoid the insane line at Cafè du Monde. 

On the top of my to do list was hitting some of the antique stores in the French Quarter. Antiquing in New Orleans is serious business and can easily take up a whole day. There are more shops on Magazine Street in the Garden District but I only had a few hours to spare so I hit a few reputable establishments to see the best of the best. My first stop was Keil's Antiques on Royal street. They have been a family run business since 1899  and were one of the only stores in the area when they opened. They have 3 sprawling floors filled with objets d'art, furniture, jewelry and chandeliers enough to fill a plantation mansion. 

Keil's Antiques

I have a weakness for anything blue and white so I was immediately drawn to the beautifully carved French cabinet displaying a selection of Chinese and Delft 18th and 19th century porcelain. I was tempted but I managed to resist the urge to splurge.  

When I'm feeling blue.  Antique porcelain plates and chargers. 

Further up the street I peered into M.S. Rau Antiques' window and a gorgeous set of Tiffany tableware caught my eye. Don't be fooled by the unassuming shopfront because inside is a treasure trove of fine art and antiques.  Browse beyond the front of the shop and you'll be guided through a maze of rooms with exceptional pieces and curious objects that require deep pockets  should you wish to indulge.   

They have a private art gallery behind closed doors that houses museum worthy pieces showcased in a maze of several ante rooms and on different floors. 

Portrait of a Lady. Rita de Acosta Lydig by Giovanni Boldini.  

Behind closed doors.  

In a separate section of the store they had an exhibit about Napoleon comprised of paintings, furniture, sculpture and precious objects. It was a well curated show filled with rarely seen pieces. 

Napoleon crossing the Alps. 

Time will tell. Egyptian theme clock and decorative obelisks.  

Window shopping without any sustenance is no fun and fortunately for me, there is no shortage of good food in Nola. I had read rave reviews of Chef Nina Compton's Compere Lapin in the Warehouse District and I was desperate for a tasty meal. Set inside the Old 77 Hotel the restaurant is airy with lots of windows facing the street. For a brief moment while I sat in anticipation I felt like I was transported back in time when New Orleans was occupied by the French. Seated near me were a table of French speaking ladies having lunch; laughing and enjoying their lunch. It was tres charmant. 

Smoked tuna tartare  avocado and crispy bananas. 

Nina is known for cooking her take on Creole classics while skillfully infusing flavors from her Caribbean heritage. 

Lime cheesecake mango granita cashew krokant

The Lower 9th Ward has become infamous due to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

These cement stoops are all that remains of some of the homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  

Walking around the partially rebuilt streets of the Lower 9th Ward it's hard to picture what the scene was like in the aftermath of the storm.

Sustainable housing designed by Hitoshi Abe. 

Two years after Katrina, Brad Pitt visited the 9th Ward and was saddened to see that no rebuilding was being done. He decided to spearhead a non profit foundation called Make It Right that would build sustainable and affordable housing for the people living there. He enlisted 21 world class architects like Hitoshi Abe, Frank Gehry, Shigeru Ban and Thomas Mayne to design homes that were Leed Certified, Cradle to Cradle inspired and could withstand the next hurricane. Today there are over 100 homes that have been completed and have earned LEED Platinum, the highest level of certification offered by the U.S. Green Building Council. 

Duplex by Bild Architects  

The St. Roch Market is right across from the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood and  within walking distance from the French Quarter. There are over  food vendors to  choose from so that meant we would have to come back if we wanted to try more in which case we did the very next day.

St. Roch food hall.  

Charbroiled oysters

St. Roch had one unusual vendor who wasn't selling anything you could digest but rather something that you would want to keep forever, a poem. Cubs the Poet  will write a poem just for you armed based on a memory you'd like to share. Almost instantaneously he was in a zone typing away a poem just for me. I was so overwhelmed with joy that I'm having that poem framed.

Cubs the Poet wrote me my own poem.  

You can't go to Nola and not sample one of the live jazz clubs that line Frenchmen Street. The Spotted Cat was packed when I walked in and the New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings had just started their first set. They played classics from Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Cole Porter. They were so good we stayed on for a second set.

New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings crooning Cole Porter's " Night and Day".

I can't wait to come back next year for another wedding. And what about the wedding I attended? Well, that's another story. 

Can I tell you about ... Provincetown

Quintessential Cape Cod. 

Provincetown is where light, water and art meet. This sea side destination has been a source of inspiration for so many artists who for decades have come to paint the pastoral and seaside scenes.

My room with a view. 

I remember when I first visited over 15 years ago I was struck at how magical the light was at the break of dawn and at dusk. Those images are forever ingrained in my memory. I've always wanted to come back to see the light again.

Cotton candy sunrise.  

But how many times have you fallen in love with a place, swear you'll come back and then years go by.  A few months ago when my best friend, fashion designer Peter Som suggested we join them for the 4th of July weekend I couldn't pass it up. It is the busiest time of the year to go but we lucked out thanks to AirBnB. We found a beach front apartment on the East end of town. The location was perfect because it was a stones throw away from a scrumptious breakfast spot called Yolk and strong coffee at Wired Puppy. 

So quaint. So picturesque.  

Provincetown is famously eccentric and gay friendly. All year long you see gay and lesbian couples holding hands in the streets, bars, restaurants and beaches. Rainbow flags are proudly hung near the American flags at numerous homes, establishments and boats. 

Somewhere over the rainbow.  

Proud sailor. 

Where there are artists there are dealers. There are so many art galleries dotted along Commercial street you can easily spend an afternoon gallery hopping. We heard of a highly recommended group show inspired by Edward Hopper aptly titled , "After Hopper" at the Addison Art Gallery. We braved the weekend traffic and drove out to the town of Orleans to check it out. 

Gorgeous seascape.  

It was well worth the drive to see different artists paint their impressions of Cape Cod.  We stopped by the quaint town of Wellfleet for a juicy lobster roll at Mac's Shack.

Mac's Shack serves the best lobster roll in Wellfleet.  

Should I stay or should I go? Uncle Tim's Bridge in Wellfleet.  

The 4th of July parade was short and sweet. Drag queens, firefighters and a preppy school boys choir all joined in for the fun. The best part was that it was over just in time for brunch.

Ladies, start your engines. 

They should have auditioned for Glee.  

No parade is complete without a few drag queens.  

On the eve of the 4th my friends threw a casual dinner at Captain Jack's Wharf where they were staying. It is in my opinion the best spot to stay in Ptown. These former seamen's cottages are all decorated individually with a shabby chic aesthetic. 

Sunset by the wharf.  

Peter and I have this thing for stripes.  

Sunset cocktails at Captain Jack's Wharf

On our last day I woke up to the most incredible sunrise. Cotton candy pink morphing into violet like a Rothko painting. I just sat there in awe and snapped away trying my best to capture the moment and the light. 

Save the best for last.  

Can I tell you about ... Vancouver.

STAY

Downtown is where all the action is and The Loden Hotel couldn’t be more ideally located. Ranked first in the top 10 hotels in Vancouver, this luxury boutique hotel’s design is chic, warm and contemporary. Aside from the usual hotel amenities they also provide complimentary cruiser bikes and a local car service. 

DO

 I wanted to see the famous aquarium but to get there we decided to walk along the Seawall in Stanley Park. It is the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path and one of Vancouver’s most popular tourist spots. The path stretches over 17 miles and is busy with walkers, joggers, cyclists and inline skaters. The scenic views of the water and Lion’s Gate bridge were spectacular. The Aquarium is the largest in Canada and a draw for both children and adults. My favorite section were the jellyfish tanks. Watching these creatures constantly moving like they were dancing under water was mesmerizing. I could have watched them for hours. 

EAT 

Annelena was recommended to me via Instagram when one of my followers posted a comment that I should eat there and then tagged sous chef Mark Singson. Within minutes I had a reservation confirmation from Mark himself. Upon arrival we were told that we were having the tasting menu along with the wine pairing. Jeff Parr who is the general manager and sommelier chose all the wines to go superbly with the dishes. From beginning to end Chef Mike Robbins and Mark Singson pulled out all the stops wowing us with gorgeous plating and delicious dishes influenced by a mix of cultures, flavors and local ingredients. I couldn’t resist taking photos of each and every plate. 

WHAT I LOVED MOST

 Museum of Anthropology I’ve always been fascinated with Native American and First Nation’s culture so a visit to the Museum of Anthropology was at the top of my list. The architecture of the building itself, designed by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson was inspired by structures of First Nations people. Situated on the cliffs of Point Grey the museum offers spectacular vistas of the mountains and the sea. The great hall is awe inspiring filled with towering totem poles, carved figures and canoes from different tribes. The high glass walls brings the light in as well as a view of the outdoor space that includes two Haida structures and more totem poles.

Can I tell you about ... Berlin

STAY

I stayed at Hotel De Rome because the location was ideal with surrounding historic buildings and I love Rocco Forte properties. Set in Berlin's former Dresdner bank, the hotel has been beautifully furnished by Tommaso Ziffer in shades of grey and black with accents of red. They offer a lavish spread for breakfast and the former bank vault is now a fabulous spa to retire to at the end of the day. 
 

DO

The East Side Gallery is one of the most visited landmarks in Berlin because it is a memorial for freedom containing the last remaining section of the Berlin Wall. The site is the longest and largest open air art gallery in the world consisting of 105 paintings by artists from all over the world. I wanted to see Dmitri Vrubel's "My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love" based on a famous photo of Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker kissing each other. Seeing The Wall and all the murals depicting images of freedom made me realize how lucky I am to be living my life the way I want.
 

EAT

Walking into Berlin's hottest restaurant Pauly Saal, a former Jewish girls' school, is like passing through history from the 1920's bar lounge to the elegant dining room that used to be the school's gymnasium. On the opposite side of the restaurant is a Kosher Deli. The main dining room has a more contemporary feel with four gorgeous Murano chandeliers from Pauly et Cie (hence the name) and a gigantic rocket hanging over the open window to the kitchen. 
 

MUST SEE

The Boros Bunker. The bunker has been used for many purposes. It was originally built as air raid shelter against Allied bombing during World War II, then for fruit storage in the 50s, then in the early 90s for techno-rave parties and today as contemporary art gallery and private residence. A part of the private collection belongs to advertising entrepreneur Christian Boros and his wife Karen.On display currently are installations by Ai Wei Wei, Klara Liden, Michael Sailstorfer and photographs by Wolfgang Tillmans and Thomas Ruff. 
 

WHAT I LOVED MOST

Ever since the Wall came down in 1989, I have been itching to see Berlin. Over the past ten years the city has generated a lot of buzz in the fashion industry with the help of Bread and Butter, a trade fair featuring contemporary clothing and accessory brands from all over the world. I would definitely return to Berlin, because there is so much more than meets the eye.

Can I tell you about ... Mallorca

STAY

The Can Cera Hotel. I love history especially grand structures converted into boutique hotels. This building dates back 700 years to when Jaume 1 conquered Mallorca form the Catalan and Aragonese troops. It's in the old part of Palma between two major plazas and a stone's throw away from the Cathedral. 

DO

Drive around and discover all the little towns. Valldemossa is a quintessential Majorcan town that's a short and scenic drive from Palma. The town is famous because this is where Frederic Chopin lived and composed some of his romantic symphonies. Santanyi is another town worth visiting. During the weekends there is a farmers' market selling local produce as well as bohemian beach clothes and Moroccan towels.

EAT

Sitting on the edge of a cliff on a rocky peninsula that protrudes out into the Mediterranean is the best paella restaurant in Mallorca. It's called Sa Foradada, and Lidia Fernandez runs the restaurant with her father Emilio, who has been cooking paella and other delicacies for four decades. Squid, cuttlefish, mussels, prawns, clams, crab legs and sea bream are all thrown into the mix using traditional techniques to create dishes that are mouth watering and unforgettable.

MUST SEE

The Drach Caves or Cuevas del Drach (Dragon Caves). The caves are a spectacular attraction that are comprised of approximately 12 miles of four interconnected caves and one of the largest underground lakes in the world. The stalagmites and stalactites are beautifully lit to great dramatic effect making it irresistible not to take photos even though it's prohibited. 

WHAT I LOVED MOST

Mallorca has become one of my favorite destinations to visit in the summer. There is so much to do, and yet the island is so relaxed that after a few days you'll feel like you've been relaxing for a week. From discovering the different towns on the island to taking in the rolling landscape dotted with olive and almond tree farms, it's easy to fall under Mallorca's spell.

Can I tell you about ... Prague

STAY

The Augustine Hotel is a 13th century monastery converted into a luxury five-star hotel and spa. Rumor has it several friars still live on the property and brew their own beer.
 

DO

No visit to Prague is complete without a night at the State Opera House. Originally named the German Theatre when in it opened in 1888, the opera house was neglected during the communist years but has been transformed into a beautiful landmark.
 

EAT

U Modre Kachnicky or the "blue duckling" is known for their updated takes on traditional recipes and, of course, for their duck dishes. The menu is loaded with an array of wild game and other Czech favorites. It's tucked away on a quiet street in Lesser Town, making it the perfect location for an intimate dinner.
 

MUST SEE

I loved wandering the narrow cobbled streets around the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter. The area is filled with synagogues, churches and buildings that were erected over the centuries and are a stunning collage of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles.
 

WHAT I LOVED MOST

The beauty of Prague. Prague was one of the few European cities that wasn't bombed during World War II, and it was under communist rule from 1945 until 1989. Because it's been trapped behind the Soviet's Iron Curtain, much of its old-world charm has remained largely intact and undiscovered until these last 20 years.

Can I tell you about ... Venice

STAY

Palazzo Stern in the Dorsoduro area. Our room had a fabulous view and it was such a luxury to have breakfast and early evening cocktails on the terrace facing the Palazzo Grassi across the Grand Canal. Not to mention, the location couldn't have been more ideal being a hop and skip away from the Accademia and Saint Mark's square.
 

DO

A visit to the Ghetto. Established in 1516, it was the first Ghetto in the world. Napoleon Bonaparte is credited for freeing the Jews back in 1797 when he opened the gates and allowed them to live outside of the Ghetto. To this day, the Ghetto is still the epicenter of Jewish life in the city and has a beautiful kosher hotel.
 

EAT

Osteria da Fiore is a cozy Michelin star rated restaurant that well deserves it. Mara Martin, the chef, is known for combining traditional Italian cooking with a contemporary twist. Both the cuttlefish risotto and the steamed sea bass with aged balsamic vinegar are worth returning for.
 

MUST SEE

The Punta della Dogana museum. Designed by Tadao Ando and commissioned by Francois Pinault, the museum opened during the Venice Art Biennale after 14 months of restoration. The former customs house was meticulously restored to showcase a selection of Pinault's massive contemporary art collection. Only 141 out of 2,500 pieces made the cut to be permanently exhibited here.
 

WHAT I LOVED MOST

I love to meander and get lost in a city and Venice is perfect for that. There are so many tiny ancient streets that end abruptly or at a canal, and to make matters even more confusing, street names are repeated in different neighborhoods and house numbers seem to be allocated at random. But then, in Venice, getting lost is part of the fun.