I had thought of Mireille since the wee hours of yesterday. She was planing “Champagne on the terrace” on the Rooftop of her West Village apartment in New York, inviting her friends to celebrate the release of her new book “The French Women Never Get Fat Cookbook”. And it was grey and cold with heavy rain to come. 
Nevermind this rotten weather, a large crowd turned up at the party to congratulate – inside – Mireille Guiliano on her never-ending success. Delicious “bouchées” were elegantly served and Veuve Clicquot generously poured – after all as a former CEO of this French champagne company that now belongs to LVMH, she did build up that brand here in the States! – . The Cook Book, like her earlier volumes ” French Women Don’t Get Fat”, “French Women for All Seasons”, “Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire”, will be a hit. You think you know it all and you still learn from Mireille. Why did I always prepare my fish in papillote in foil instead of parchment paper and why did I not try mixing lentil, fennel and orange for a salade composée? Like in her previous editions, Mireille Guiliano mixes personal comments on her lifestyle with easy going yet healthy recipe for a perfect cocktail.
Yet my point is not to write about food but fashion! (I leave that part to the foodies who blog so well). And fashionI found. As Mireille was complaining on the terrible diet she had to cope while book touring around the States (“No fish, no fruit and burnt coffee”), I complimented her on her dress. She did lose some weight in the process of that exhausting tour, yet she looked glowing and elegant. “It is my old Emmanuelle Kahn!”. I had a sudden burst of tenderness for Mireille . She did share my passion for French Prêt à P. ( see previous post). ” I had it for many years and it is still a pleasure to wear it. Women are often asking me where it is coming from. Obviously Emmanuelle Kahn does not ring a bell on this side of the Atlantic.” The French younger generation would not know about her either. Mireille’s dress has a strong 80’s look with slightly padded shoulders and structured tailoring. The two tier top includes a well cut bolero giving volume to the buttoned down dress. The shiny black linen is impeccable, a gage of quality. 
Food and Fashion and Friends what a perfect evening !
Pascale Richard 