Raquel Welch is a former client and friend of my partner Vincent. She is in Paris on a press junket as the cosmetic company Mac’s beauty icon of 2007.
Raquel invited us for a drink in the lobby of the Plaza Athenee last night at 6PM. We arrived in the lobby of this opulent and elegant hotel and were seated in the lounge area on plush chairs. As we waited we saw a fascinating array of people from well dressed 16th Arr. women in fur coats to model/mistress types wearing tight jeans and outrageous high heeled shoes to men in crisp tailored gabardine suits.
Raquel sauntered in, looking radiant and flashed her movie star million dollar smile. She looked sensational in snug fitting jeans, an espresso brown short leather jacket with big gold buttons, a low cut flattering white top, and fabulous copper metallic high heeled Gucci loafers. (I immediately asked where her shoes were from). Her light brown hair cascading below her shoulders, looking great, this over 65-year-old beauty looked truly and naturally gorgeous.
Raquel is very personable and funny and is a wonderful storyteller. She regaled us with stories about the whirlwind of activities and events she’s attended since she’s been here. She told us about the glamorous French Vogue party till which she stayed till 5AM. She met Nicolas Ghesquiere from Balenciaga and loved the collection but wondered how any one could fit in it. She then ran into Azzedine Alaia and spoke about how when he first had his atelier on the left bank, he would send over the clothes and she bought the whole collection of his slinky clothes. She then went on to say that she still has them in her closet but can’t fit into them anymore and takes them out every once in a while to admire them.
We sat for about an hour chatting while we were drinking wine and she was sipping pink grapefruit juice. She also spoke her press tour in New York and about the ritzy dinner benefit in honor of her at the Palace Hotel. She was nervous about being on The View but went on to say how nice and generous Rosie O’Donnell was, considering that Rosie is having a fight with almost everyone these days.
Raquel shared a funny anecdote about how the idea for using tiger stripe for the motif on the Mac packaging came about. She said that women were always coming up to her and saying how fierce she was. Thinking that tigers are associated with being fierce, she came up with the idea of using tiger stripes.
As we were sitting there, a few people came up and complimented her and said what fans they were. Tall, dark, and handsome Frederic Fekkai, the New York super star hairdresser, looking dashing in a suit, came by and double kissed Raquel and said that he is always in LA and that they must meet for dinner.
Although I have known her for almost 8 years and can chat with her like most of my friends, I am still star struck knowing that I just had drinks with Raquel Welch, one of the great beauties of our time and one of the last real Hollywood movie stars.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Special Offer for Eye Prefer Paris Tours: Until the end of February, I am offering a 25-euro discount on any tour booking. The regular price is 175 euros (for up to 4 people) and the price will be 150 euros. To receive the discount, please email by clicking the email tab on the left side above the Google ads and I will send you instructions.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Raquel W, looks great. 65? Ooh la la! Nice to hear something upbeat about Rosie O.
Posted by: mimi | January 25, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Cheeze Louise, Raquel, 1 million years BC in your arms! What a waste... I'm very jealous. Tell her to text me already!
Matthew
Posted by: MATTHEW ROSE | January 25, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Hello. Did you get my email letter about Raquel Welch that I sent to you several days ago? Why haven't you responded to it?
Posted by: Elaine | March 29, 2007 at 11:22 PM