Meet your Chanel Ambassadors !

What do these Museialite’s (muse+socialite….I have copyrighted this word so beware) say about being Beauty Ambassadors ?

Jen Brill said she basically sold her soul to Karl.  I wonder what future hubby Terry Richardson has to say about this!

Poppy D: We are basically friends of the house of Chanel and we see beauty products before they come out and kind of have our say on them, and we try  to represent the brand as best we can.

What are some of the privileges of being a Chanel Ambassador?

Jen: We are invited to the shows and we get to borrow clothes before everyone else.

Leigh likes going to the shows with Derek

All the girls came tatted up (with Peter Phillips limited edition Chanel temp tattoos) to the Chanel Rouge Coco party in NYC on February 10th, 2010 .

When asked how long they last, Vanessa Traina said she was told 4-5 days.

Jen Brill, Poppy Delevigne, Leigh Lezark, Caroline Sieber, Vanessa Traina

Aspen is hopping like a Mini New York this week … notable names spotted:

• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger spotted at Starbucks at the gondola
• Robert Kennedy, Jr. spotted at mid-mountain lounge, Bonnie’s, on AJAX with his wife Mary Richards and their two sons John and William.
• Lauren Bush is with her whole family ~ sister Ashley, brother Pierce and mother Sharon, for her FEED event at Ralph Lauren Tuesday
• Mark Cuban spotted walking in town with his and kids
• Supposedly in town: Charlie Sheen (for court)

Ramona Bruland with Arnold Schwarzenegger ~ Lauren Bush with mom Sharon sister Ashley and brother Pierce ~ Robert F. Kennedy, Jr with wife Mary Richardson Kennedy and their two sons John Conor (far left) and William Finbar (far right). Wish I had names for the other two! If you know email me names info@dailytruffle.net

Other interesting notes:

• Aspen Mountain Club (site of Ivana vs. Marla blow-out) hosting private parties all week
• Dr.  Kenneth Mark, avid skier and owner of dermatology practices in The Hamptons, Manhattan, and Aspen in town to launch his new skincare line ~ www.kennethmarkmd.com
• Owner of Kjus in town
• Owner of Church and State goggles – the coolest ski goggles on the slopes
• Random Clicquot parties on the slopes
• Fondue midway, etc

Lauren Bush, Sharon Bush, Ashley Bush & Ellen Gustafson

Church and State goggles

Schedule for SUNDAY:

• Lauren Bush, Christian Siriano at the W magazine kick off party Sunday night …
• Obermeyer fashion show on the Snow stage in town …

Schedule for MONDAY:

• Dannenmann Pure fashion show … Models all wore riding boots ~ very cute & tres dramatic!
• Heidiskis owner Heidi (pictured below) demo-ing skis from her new ski company to promote and plant product
• Ski, ski, ski … Ran into random Clicquot party on AJAX mountain

Schedule for TUESDAY:

• FEED event at the Ralph Lauren Aspen Store ~ FEED Foundation, co-founded by Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson, is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to ensure nutritious meals for all children as a first step to improving the global food system. Lauren introduces the new FEED Nature bag ~ 100% organic cotton and natural burlap ~ available exclusively at the Ralph Lauren Aspen store.
• After party at Belly Up Aspen ~ John Forte of the Fugees performs

Schedule for WEDNESDAY:

• Meeting friends on the slope! Stay tuned … !
• St Patrick’s day .. The extremely Irish family donned all Shamrocks for the day!

Aspen Fashion Week ~ Snowstage in Aspen ~ Obermeyer

Parajumpers ~ Aspen Fashion Week

Aspen Fashion Week 2010 ~ crowd at Obermeyer

Lauren Bush with philanthropic FEED charity bag at the W party

Aspen Fashion Week ~ Christian Siriano at W

W Magazine kick-off party for Aspen Fashion Week 2010

Heidi, owner of Heidiskis

Aspen Fashion Week ~ Dannenmann Pure on Snowstage in Aspen

Random Clicquot party on AJAX mountain ~ nothing to do with fashion week (yeah, welcome to Aspen)

John Forte of Fugees for FEED after party

Dr Kenneth Mark

Pucci in-store event | Marmot runway show

Photos from The Daily Truffle, Getty and Giovanna DiRusso.

Lauren Pierce Atelier ~ sold only at Barney’s ~ contributes 10% of profits to a cause that affects women in the country from which it has sourced that season’s artisanal materials. This year that country is the Congo. Though Lauren has not been to the Congo, as it is not safe and political problems prevent, she has been as far as she can get on it’s border with Rwanda.

This universal dress for a universal girl ~ like Lauren ~ can be worn  day or night and fits the moment no matter where you are in the world. The dress lends itself to beautiful exotic settings like their native Africa, so is perfect for islands like Hawaii. It can also be very glamours  for the Italian lakes or in the South of France. And the simple travel-conscious fabric makes it easy for worldly city like Los Angeles, Paris, Hong Kong or Rome.

All one really has to do is pay attention to the right shoes, handbag and jewelry – and perhaps a sweater – to make it good for day or night, and really anywhere in the world.

There are five styles to choose from all  in one-of-a-kind warm and happy colors; Lauren’s business partner in Lauren Pierce Atelier, Jaclyn, wore  a one-shoulder dress, a nod to the current fashion trend in this country as well as a tribute to the more traditional styles seen in the Congo.

In the case of Lauren, she chose a style with a sexy and alluring drop back, tan Christian Louboutin heels and a handcrafted head piece Lauren purchased from Diane von Fursterberg ~ and of course, her pink covered blackberry. This beautiful headpiece is something anyone can buy and was worn in the DVF runway shows.

Women in the Congo makes the fabrics from indigenous material, and all natural fibers, and die the colors from all natural seeds, extracts and whatever is available to them to produce color. The patterns are adapted from traditional African clothing (they fit loose but have been spiffed up a little) are coming from a hot climate which means they are suited for comfort.

Being philanthropic also means helping your own and Lauren knows that so the final product is sewn right here in the USA ~ in New York City, her hometown, though she grew up in Houston, so it’s helping people in our country too.

Giving back its very popular today. To recognize and be giving, and to spread the word to bring attention to causes far from home, is a sign of being very knowlegable and worldy, which today, is the ultimate status symbol.

Barney’s make it easy! See how best to approach Lauren Pierce Atelier:

MORE PICTURES …

I spy with my little eye an armored brigade of limos fit for a Governor, or maybe President. Not how you’d imagine his Holiness to travel but perhaps the magic carpet’s in the shop!

Clogging up East alley of Canon Drive from 2:30pm to 4pm, were at least 5 giant black SUVs and stretched black. The entourage sat parked, driver in each car, waiting for their captain to move on. I think Mr. Lama could have been in Xian, or maybe Cafe Roma. When they finally left at least 15 BHPD cops came riding along side on motorcycles and in cars before and behind the holy entourage, heading south toward the Beverly Wilshire hotel, where the Dalai Lama took a meeting with the L.A. Times.

He is in the U.S. for 20 days and has already been in Washington to meet with Obama, which apparently really pissed off the Chinese. Re. LAX!!

According to the Associated Press – the Dalai Lama – in his wise and selfless way – encourages the U.S. to develop an economic relationship with China despite Tibet’s occupation. No doubt a way to further his meetings with U.S. officials without the wrath of China. He is like the reed, bends but does not break. Or like Ghandi who refused to use violence, and sacrificed a little now to avoid a lot later.

AP asked him about the Tiger Woods sex scandal because Tiger was raised Budhist. Obvious The Dalai Lama didn’t know who he was but I thought it was nice that he added that self-discipline is among Buddhism’s highest values and when it comes to adultery, he said, “all religions have the same idea.”

F.U. Evgeni Plushenko !!

NO one thought this would happen, but how do you like them apples now??!

I’m doing a GO EVAN GO EVAN IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY dance lol

“This was what I dreamed about, this is what I worked for,” Lysacek said.

Evan, I love you, call me!

**Lysacek broke an 18-year streak of Russian domination in this event, winning with a score of 257.67 points overall. Plushenko, who had come out of retirement to compete at these Games, had 256.36 points, which was good enough for the silver. Japan’s Daisuke Takahashi, the four-time Japanese national champion, won the bronze, with 247.23**

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — He entered in the dark; black costume, slicked black hair, deeply tanned face, second place.

He finished in the light, those spangled arms pumping in joy, that hair coming unglued during his spins, the switch flipped from gloom to gold.

Finally, an American male figure skater took the Olympic ice with the guts and skill of, well, an American woman.

In nine of the most stirringly unexpected minutes of these Olympics, Evan Lysacek torched, Russian rival Evgeni Plushenko trembled, mastery beat might, precision beat power, and the top of a podium was stolen.

For the first time in 22 years, an American male was standing alone there after an Olympic figure-skating competition Thursday at the Pacific Coliseum, Lysacek mounting a memorable comeback to beat defending champion Plushenko by a skate blade.

“I will remember this night forever,” said Lysacek, 24, raised in Chicago and trained in Los Angeles and now officially residing in a dream.

The 6-foot-2 guy with the thin frame and deep stare entered Thursday’s free skate in second place and, in some corners, as a second thought.

Plushenko held a narrow lead, but Plushenko was going to do a four-revolution quad jump while Lysacek, still struggling with the effects of a stress fracture in his left foot, could not.

Plushenko had the flowing blond hair and the swagger; Lysacek did not. Plushenko had the gold-medal resume; Lysacek did not. To have any chance at the gold medal, Lysacek’s detail-oriented routine had to be nearly perfect.

But it was. And Plushenko’s was not.

Lysacek landed his jumps with willful force; Plushenko landed his quad, and others, with a wobble. Lysacek danced across the ice as if he were in a backyard pond; Plushenko tread uncomfortably as if that ice was melting.

Plushenko didn’t fall. He didn’t give it away. Lysacek mugged him for it.

Lysacek skated first in the final group, nailed the routine for a 167.37 score, the crowd roaring, Plushenko surely hearing. Five skaters later, the Russian took the ice wearing a look that few had ever seen on him before.

From the moment he nearly skated into a flower girl, it was clear the cocky legend had been intimidated, and he skated like it, nearly falling several times, and even his program-ending blown kiss to the crowd couldn’t make it nice.

When Plushenko’s scores were announced and it became apparent that Lysacek had won by 1.31 points, the crowd roared again, Plushenko shrugged, and under the stands, Lysacek mimicked skating fans in living rooms all over America.

His jaw dropped in amazement.

He then began hopping up and down and into the arms of his 71-year-old coach, the venerable Frank Carroll, who finally has a piece of gold after coaching three Olympic women medalists who fell short.

“This was what I dreamed about, this is what I worked for,” Lysacek said.

This is also what American skating has dreamed about, a male skater with enough gumption to stand up to the world.

With few believing he could actually survive the week, he recorded his personal best scores in both the short program and the free skate, crying after one and shouting in amazement after the other one.

“I couldn’t have asked for much more than that, to get a personal best in the most important moment of my life,” he said.

So Lysacek didn’t do the quad? So what?

“If it was a jumping contest, they could give us each 10 seconds to go out and do our best,” he said.

So Plushenko was the defending champ? Big deal. While he had basically retired after the Turin Games of 2006, returning only for this Olympic season, Lysacek had spent the last four years in constant work.

“The most important thing about figure skating is the daily training that goes on at home,” he said. “This year I’ve worked harder than I ever have to prepare for this competition.”

As expected, Plushenko immediately started whining, saying that he felt he did a gold-medal performance, questioning judges who didn’t appreciate his jumps.

“Now it’s not men’s figure skating, now it’s dancing,”he said.

He was joined in his disgust by his manager,Ari Zakarian, who said sarcastically, “If he did just one double jump, he would have won.”

They don’t get it, do they? This night was not simply about strength, it was about skill. It was not simply about showing up, it was about following through.

Even in the Olympics, especially in the Olympics, there are lots of ways to get to faster, higher and stronger.

Evan Lysacek showed the world one of those ways Thursday night, burning the gold, bringing the light.

Los Angeles Times

Miss Tins has been busy this week in New York and we decided to take a stroll with her through Fashion week in honor of her upcoming show “High Society” which airs March 10th on the CW!!

First, a tad of history so we are all on the same page:

Tinsley Mortimer (née Tinsley Mercer) went to Lawrenceville Academy in New Jersey, a boarding school (where I applied and almost went, chose Putney instead and) where she met her future ex-husband, Robert Livingston “Topper” Mortimer. She went on to Columbia, Vogue, and  Harrison & Shriftman. He went on to Guggenheim Partner. She has a sister, Dabney Mercer, a capsule collection with Samantha Thavasa, and her own clothing line called Riccime by Tinsley Mortimer. She has also made two cameos on Gossip Girl. Tinsley was also a “beauty ambassador” for Christian Dior in 2007 - and designed a cute little line of Dior-by-Tinsley facial blotting papers. She developed a pilot for MTV in 2007,  which was not picked up and also hosted a fashion segment for Plum TV. This Spring we will see her in a reality show called “High Society”, which has just recently finished filming and will air March 10. She dated Constantine Maroulis for the show and ended their relationship as soon as filming finished. We noticed her up at Sundance this year with sister Dab, and faux beau Const, and then down at Super Bowl. Now, on to Fashion Week!

Friday, February 12th 2010: Tinsley hosts a kick-off party for fashion week at the W Hotel’s backstage lounge at Bryant Park. Samantha Thavasa, the Japanese accessory brand for which Tinsley designs a capsule collection gave out pink and black Fashion Week Survival gift bags. Included Items in the Samantha Thavasa survival kit were: Antibacterial hand tissues, Kleenex, Gum, Wisp toothbrushes, Bliss triple Oxygen face mask, and a gift certificate to the members-only shopping site Ru La La. She went on to attend the Charlotte Ronson, Adam, Herve Leger, Luca Luca, La Perla Ecco Domani, Malan Breton shows, the Alice & Olivia and Marchesa Fall 2010 presentations, a launch party for My Fashion Database and a special screening with Donna Karan for “Happy Tears.” On Thursday she will also walk in the Richie Rich show.

Tinsley with ‘Semi Precious Weapons’ who tour with Lady Gaga, designer and fashion personality, Richie Rich and Caridee English, winner of ‘America’s Next Top Model

Wireimage, Wikipedia, Vanity Fair, Park Avenue Peerage
Photos Credits: W Hotel

Jean Shin, Francisco Costa, and Italo Zucchelli

Hier Soir (last night), art was in the air in Los Angeles … finally !! This month has been deemed L.A. Arts month, with the night starting off at the Pacific Design Center for the Art Los Angeles exhibit, followed by the chicest of events (put on by Nadine Johnson and associates), Calvin Klein and the Los Angeles Nomadic Division’s (LAND) cocktail event for Calvin Klein Collection for Spring Summer 2010 and L.A. art month.

THIS WAS CALVIN KLEIN’S FIRST EVENT IN LA EVER !! Wtf took so long, he has events in NYC all the time… lol. I will forgive everyone at CK, just because this event was one worth waiting for!

People say location location location, right? Well, this event was on the fabulous Melrose, next door to the Balenciaga store, and across the street from the Pacific Design Center: Gold star!

Incase you didn’t know, Francisco Costa is the creative director of Calvin Klein and Italo Zucchelli is the menswear design director.

The very cool art installations were done by Jean Shin, Jennifer West, and Neville Wakefield.

The focal point of entrance was perfect, why you ask? Pieces of fabric in the same colors as the clothing from the Spring collection were cut out in funky origami shapes and hung from various points in the ceiling. This collection was very plain and simple (they brought the more interesting pieces of the collection to the event), so I really enjoyed how they added these cutouts from the ceiling over the dresses that were standing from the floor; it made the spring outfits pop out a lot.

Calvin Klein Collection hung from the ceiling, actress Melissa George and Nicky Hilton stroll through the hanging clothes.

I’m now going to take you on a tour of the grounds of the event:

This was the right side of the large and long room that was behind the entrance.

Mickey Church

Once you walked all the way to the back, there was a stair case leading you up to the second floor. The second floor was composed of this room, which had very interesting videos playing, followed by a sitting area with a lookout of the first floor, and lastly, there was a room in which the lights changed color and menswear hung from the ceiling.

Caroline started to take pictures of the menswear and all of the sudden the room turned dark in the middle of her picture…very unexpected and was comical for us. Thru the tunnel of Calvin Klein Collection for men to the roof!

Caroline loved how there were trash buckets filled with Veuve Clicquot.

That concludes our tour of the grounds!

Guests left with sleek CK gift bags with Calvin Klein perfume and cologne.

Lauren and Caroline at the Calvin Klein event

GUEST LIST: The eclectic guest list included: Dasha Zhukova (editor of Pop Magazine, art collector and girlfriend and baby mama of Roman Abromovich) came with her pal Olympia Scarry (artist, London socialite and granddaughter of children’s book writer Richard Scarry), both wore white dresses and black shoes, Olympia’s shoes are Givenchy from Spring 2010. Australian artist P.C. Valmorbida and Stavros Niachros were also in attendance with Dash and Olympia. Actress Clemence Posey (LOVE HER), Elle Magazine’s Joe Zee, Twilight’s Twilight’s Kellan Lutz and Peter Facinelli (Kellan in the new “Mark Walberg” of Calvin Klein – look for his bare chested billboards soon!!), L.A, designer Jasmin Shokrian, Socialite China Chow, New York converts Adrian Muzinich and Will Koppleman, Tallulah Harlech, daughter of Chanel muse Amanda Harlech, Kate Bosworth with her stylist (my former boss) Cher Coulter (no Alex Skarsgaard in sight), actress Ali Larter with husband Hayes MacArthur, Prism gallery owner and LA native Jared Najjar, designer Santino Rice, actor/ musician Jared Leto, Ryan Kwanten and Sam Trammell from True Blood (ahhh Jason Stackhouse!), Lady Victoria Hervey, Brittany Gastineau with a flock of very gorgeous guys, stylist George Kotsiopolous, actress Ginnifer Goodwin, actress Milla Jovovich (L.A. native!) with husband Paul W.S. Anderson (LA native), actress Penelope Cruz, LA friends Mickey Church and Charlie Eisner, actor Eric balfour, actress Melissa George, actress Monet Mazur (L.A. native!), Teen Vogue West coast editor Lisa Love, Style.com writer Derek Blasberg, stylist Jessica Paster with publicist Cade Hudson, actress Maggie Grace, Photographer Mark Hunter aka the Cobrasnake, Marc Edouard Leon, Designer Magda Berliner with husband photographer Alex Berliner, Molly Sims, LACMA board member Chris Hopkins, realtor Jay Luchs, Saweda Kamara Bullock, Elliot Hans and Kaya B of Literature Noir clothing, Maverick Records’ Guy O’seary, British ex-pat Nellee Hooper, model Coco Rocha (in town to cover the Grammy’s for MTV Canada), actor Ryan Phillippe with girlfriend Abbie Cornish in Calvin Klein Collection from Spring 2010, actor Matt Boomer from White Collar, socialite Brooke Davenpoort … and many more!

invite to the partyyy

Penélope Cruz in new calvin klein collectionat the party

Milla Jovovich in new calvin klein collection at the party

ginnifer goodwin in new calvin klein collection at the party

Ali Larter in new calvin klein collection at the party

abbie cornish in new calvin klein collection at the party

Kate Bosworth in new calvin klein collection at the party

molly sims in new calvin klein collection at the party

Lauren and Caroline at the CK event

Photos from Daily Truffle, Mark Hunter, Style.com and Wireiamge, Collage by Moi

H.H. SHEIKHA MOZAH OF QATAR

Why do I love this woman and note her off this long list of 40 ppl that should be much more visable to me like Penlope Cruz, Alicia Keys and Michele Obama?

Read this article from the Christian Science Monitor and you will see.

Occupation: Wife of H.H. the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; unesco special envoy for basic and higher education.

Haute Couturier: Jean Paul Gaultier.

Accessory: Diamond-and-pearl evening belt worn to a dinner the Sarkozys gave in the sheikh and sheikha’s honor.

Shoe Designer: Christian Louboutin.

Bargain-Hunting Locale: Souq Waqif, the local market behind the emir’s palace.

Causes: Qatar Foundation; Al-Jazeera Children’s Channel. By Ian Langsdon/Corbis.

Arriving for a lunch at the Senate, Palace of Luxembourg, in Paris, France on June 23, 2009.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani (R) and his wife Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Misned leave after a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris June 23, 2009. Al Thani is France for a three-day state visit. Photo via Reuters

Backstory: Qatar reformed by a modern marriage
——————————————————————————–
By Danna Harman Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor / March 6, 2007

DOHA, QATAR
Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missned leans forward, pushes her laptop computer aside and adjusts the wire-rimmed glasses that sit askew on her unveiled face. It’s mid-morning, and she has just come out of a staff meeting. She is off to Africa next week, and documents relating to the royal visit are piled high beside a vase of yellow roses on her desk, waiting to be read. A copy of Fortune magazine lies, open, on a side table nearby, a plate of small sweet dates upon it serving as a paperweight.

The pretty Qatari commoner who caught the crown prince’s eye all those years ago has transformed herself over time into a royal wife the likes of which the conservative Arab region has never seen before.

To begin with, she is seen. The second of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s three wives, Sheikha Mozah is the first and only ruling spouse here to show herself in public. But that is just the start of it.

Mozah seems to be doing everything all at once – from improving public transportation for foreign workers to the establishing the region’s first battered women’s shelter to reforming the higher education system, building non-Muslim public places of worship, sponsoring public debates, and serving as a UNESCO special envoy. Focused, energetic, and hardworking, the glamorous mother of seven of the emir’s 27 children rivals her husband in terms of influence in this land.

“Her Highness is the best thing that ever happened to Qatar,” states Esra al-Ibrahim, a young Qatari student, matter-of-factly. “She totally inspires us. Since she came to power, Qatar has changed 100 percent.”

The sheikha laughs at that. It’s the emir, she says, who inspires her. “I have lived with my husband more than I have with my parents … I live beside him, and know his worries, his hopes, and his dreams for his nation,” she says in an interview with the Monitor. “We believe that things happen by design, not in an arbitrary way. And we believe it is our duty to make things happen.”

Making things happen has been top of the agenda for Sheikh Hamad ever since he deposed his father in a bloodless coup in 1995. He began with a new family tradition – coming to work. Dispensing with the pomp of the old Qatari court, and forgoing his father’s trademark long, foreign sojourns, Hamad has encouraged participation, built relationships with staff, turned government institutions over to the private sector for reform, and has taken an active interest in day-to-day affairs, often driving himself around town and ringing a minister if he sees a problem that needs fixing.

Qatar under Hamad’s watch seems to have become involved in everything, everywhere: from taking a seat on the UN Security Council, to hosting endless international conferences. It has presided over Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is bidding for the Olympics, and bankrolls Al Jazeera, the in-your-face 24-hour satellite TV station so provocative that almost every country in the Middle East has, at some point, banned it.

“We believe,” explains Mozah, always using “we,” “… that by encouraging critical thinking and processing of knowledge we are creating full, well-rounded human beings … that will enable Qatar to build up its society.

“You cannot build a healthy society without giving your citizens a sense of ownership,” continues the first lady in lightly accented English. “Otherwise, they will not share with you the responsibilities.”

Indeed, the sheikha created the Doha Debates – a monthly, high profile public town-hall meeting modeled after political debates at England’s Oxford Union – to encourage the culture of both discussion and voting.

The sheikha doesn’t seem worried that such freedom might inspire change that could usher her and the emir out of power. “It’s a healthy challenge,” she insists, playing with her unmanicured hands, decorated with fading henna tattoos from her daughter Mayasah’s recent marriage. “Such ownership is not for us to give – it is the citizens’ right. It’s their right to share and be part of this enterprise.”

Still, Hamad’s Qatar isn’t a democracy in the usual sense. Indeed, the last US report on Human Rights Practices here mentions improvements, but talks about limits on freedom of movement of women and restrictions on speech and press. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s index of democracy calls Qatar an “authoritarian regime.” Qatar remains the personal fiefdom of the al-Thani family, with the emir’s rule absolute. Moreover, for all the criticism doled out by the emir’s Al Jazeera to other rulers in the region, criticism of the emir or his policies is conspicuously absent on air.

“Qatar is too small a story. Not interesting,” they explain at Al Jazeera headquarters here, insisting there is no censorship. Similarly many of those interviewed for this story refuse to go on record with personal views about the royal family, even while insisting there is full freedom of expression here. And, to be granted an interview with Mozah, the Monitor’s questions had to be submitted in advance and a transcript of her responses shown to her office. (No changes were requested.)

Nonetheless, there is a nascent, home-grown democracy sprouting here. Qatar’s first elections – for a central municipal council – were held in 1999, and both women and men voted. The 2003 Constitution provides for a 45-seat governmental council – two-thirds of which is elected – and ensures individual freedoms and an independent judiciary.

“Any people that want to develop their countries … have to practice democracy. That’s what I believe,” Hamad said, in a rare 2003 TV interview with CBS News’s 60 Minutes. To Qataris and other regional Arabs watching TV at home, that 60 Minutes interview was a complete shock – and not because of the emir’s ruminations on freedom and democracy. Qataris, rather, were focused on the woman sitting beside him. It was the first time the vast majority of them had seen any of their first ladies.

Beyond her concrete accomplishments and the reforms she has initiated, and despite constant deference to her husband, Mozah has since become a role model to many here as someone who has found a balance between modernity and fidelity to core values of Islam and Arab culture. It is, the sheikha will tell you, no big deal.

“People tend to believe that to be modern you have to disengage from your heritage, but it’s not true. This is what we are trying to prove here,” she explains. “We don’t see the global citizen as someone with no identity, but rather someone who has confidence and is proud of his culture and history – and … open to the modern world.”

And how have the children of this unique couple turned out? Not bad at all, attests James Reardon-Anderson, dean of Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar. “I know three of the kids and am impressed,” he says. “They could be in the South of France smoking dope, but, far from it. I, as a parent, am impressed by how their parents have brought them up so well.”

“We bring them up as normal individuals. When I go back to the house we talk about everything: What I did, what I have seen, what they think, and what their ambitions are,” says Mozah. “It’s refreshing to hear the point of view of young minds because this is what we are building here … for them and for people like them.”

Having passed over his two eldest sons as successors, Hamadreplaced his third son as crown prince in 2003 with his fourth – Sheikh Tamim, Mozah’s child. The official reason for the change, which took Qataris by surprise, was not a story probed by Al Jazeera. The 24-year-old Tamim studied, like his father, at England’s elite Sandhurst military academy. He’s head of the Qatar Olympic Committee, deputy commander of the armed forces, and newly married.

Mozah encouraged her new daughter-in-law, she says, to continue her studies. “Nothing should hinder someone from learning or attaining knowledge,” she says, smoothing her wrinkleless brow with her hand as she speaks and getting ready to end the interview. “I envy the youngsters…. They have so many opportunities ahead of them.”

A woman clad in black silently slips in the sheikha’s office with a tray of thimble-size porcelain cups and pours bitter Bedouin coffee.

Her Highness nods. The audience is over. There are meetings to chair, papers to look over, briefings, and a royal engagement or two where she must show up and nod demurely. The sun is blazing outside and Mozah wraps her veil around her head. She smiles kindly. There is a lot to be done today.

Charlotte Casiraghi, Gucci's Frida Giannini

Godfrey Deeny
December 14th, 2009 @ 00:58 AM – Paris

Gucci unveiled its latest diversification this weekend – a leap into show jumping chic.

Before an audience that included blue blood Charlotte Casiraghi, Oscar winner Marion Cotillard, hot English actor Henry Cavill and Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini the Italian label displayed its latest link-up, the Gucci Masters, a four-day unique equestrian event featuring the cream of the world’s best show jumpers.

The weekend also marked a striking strategic shift for Gucci, a brand that witnessed explosive growth with its disco decadence chic in the nineties, but today is presenting an altogether more wholesome “horsy” image.

The Gucci Masters, staged alongside the giant trade show Salon du Cheval de Paris, or Paris Horse Show, climaxed Sunday evening with the Gucci Grand Prix, a special square-off staring 40 top international riders, including many world or Olympic champions, over fences set at 1.60 meters, or five foot three inches.

“I’m very excited to see this Gucci competition. The very best riders in the world are jumping off against each other over pretty high fences; it’s a special occasion,” explained Casiraghi, the Monaco royalty, who wore pale gray Gucci jodhpurs and a new Bamboo bag from the Italian label, when she joined Giannini the company’s CEO Patrizio di Marco at a leisurely lunch in the viewing stand overlooking the arena that held 4,000 spectators.

Featuring 14 fences – the last two in Gucci’s signature red on green stripe – the Gucci Grand Prix sported prize money of 200,000 euros, or $300,000, won by Jos Lansink, a Dutchman with Belgium citizenship, on the charmingly named 11-year-od chestnut mare Valentina van’t Heike, just edging out Irish horseman Denis Lynch. Also competing were Rodrigo Pessoa, the dashing Brazilian rider, whom, when his horse knocked off a bar on the penultimate fence, caused several women in the tony audience to shriek in dismay, and Kevin Staut, the pin-up boy of French show jumping who walked the course in a snazzy green Gucci leather bomber jacket.

Casiraghi herself competed in an earlier competition in the show, staged in the Palais des Expositions, show-space north of Paris, as did shipping heiress Athina Onassis Miranda.

“I used to ride a lot as a child; and compete in events. As a young woman I wanted to get fully involved in competitions, but show jumping is a demanding sport; it takes hours and hours of practice. So, eventually, I had to chose between my career and horses, and you can see which one won,” joked Giannini just before the riders began pacing the course, calculating the steps and approach their mounts would need.

“But Gucci has always been very linked to the equestrian world. Our iconic red and green stripe comes from a horse’s strap. SO, it’s great to connect two worlds I love,” she continued, nodding toward the red/green belt that circumnavigated the arena.

The Gucci Masters marks the brand’s first equestrian sponsorship in over 20 years, though the house seems well rooted in this world – with countless moccasins and belts featuring metal horse-bits. The Florentine label has produced a slew of new products to celebrate the link-up, including silk scarves featuring with stable and bridle imagery and striking beveled, hand-made leather riding boots, priced at 1,650 euros, or $2,450.

Like we said, it’s a big change for Gucci, going back to its past alright, but leaving its party girl image behind for something much more proper.

Henry Cavill

Alex Dellal

We have been in touch with the casting directors and network over the upcoming “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” since we helped them with the casting call last May. The network was giving 2 group of housewives to choose from with two different story lines for each. The network has been pushing off the decision for several months more than expected and my friends who made the initial cut have been hanging all this time so don’t feel bad! We are all in the dark here.

Let’s just forget about the fact that Vogue China is doing a full spread of fall 2009 merch even tho we are now done with fall – whatever. I am going to assume since Julia’s mother is the Editor for French Vogue that there is some sort of fashion world explanation for this. I pulled a couple photos of my FAVORITE (Gaultier masks and furs, Chanel bodysuits) and most STAND OUT looks for fall (Prada thigh high boots, LV bunny ears) and some shots from the shows. It has now been SOOOOO long since I have looked at this stuff it actually is exciting again. Get ready for all this stuff to be on sale now that we are DONE WITH FALL (?!)

Fortunately you can buy these Mix Jersey Leggings from French Connection only $25.00 !

Mix Jersey Leggings $25.00 from French Connection

Photos from Vogue and Style.com

Francis Fisher with daughter Francesca Eastwood, Autumn Whitaker, and Lady Kitty Spencer

Darling debs debut in designer duds … L.A. Natives Francesca Eastwood & Autumn Whitaker (daughters of Clint Eastwood and Forrest Whitaker) attend the Crillon Debutante Ball in Paris

I thought a lot this week slash weekend…. Thoughts included what I was happy and thankful for, what food I would be devouring on Thanksgiving, family and friends, AND The annual Crillon Debutante Ball.

Debutante comes from the french word, “debuter”, which means to lead off.

Ever since I watched Cinderella or any princess slash ball themed movie, I had always wanted to go to a ball…..(many of them, but only to wear ball gowns). Unfortunately, these days, one of the only places you will see people this dressed up is at this special event. I remember when I was little, that going to see an opera, play, or musical, was the time to get dressed up; Cut to years later and people are dressed in sweats or jeans and an ugly sweater to go see an opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. (Some people just disgust me  

Each Year, on November 28th, “Le Bal” takes places in the gorgeous six star Hotel de Crillon in Paris, France. This historical hotel was built in 1758, commissioned by King Louis XV.

This palace is not only beautiful, it offers de-lish food in it’s main restaurant, Les Ambassadeurs. Chef, Jean-Francois Piege, has created a diverse menu for this fine dining establishment, boosting two Michelin stars.

You know me… always going off on a tangent….back to “Le Bal” !

A little history lesson for you straight from the source:

Once upon a time, young ladies from the aristocratic families of the U.K. would wait eagerly for their eighteenth birthdays. It was then that they would be presented to the H.M. the Queen at the start of the season’s balls. These young ladies were referred to as “debutantes”. This Anglo-Saxon tradition would go on to influence balls all across Europe.

In France, in 1957, the Couture House Jean Patou revived the tradition. It became an annual event, taking place on alternate years at the Versailles Palace and the Opera in Paris. Mr. Jacques Chazot presented the debutantes wearing tiaras, white gowns and white gloves.

The political events of May 1968 saw the end of the debutante ball in France.

In 1991, Ophelie Renouard and her team, of the PR agency Embleme, revived this tradition and transformed it to suit the modern world. The Ball became a fashionable Parisian event whose success has been increasing year after year.

Since 1991, the Crillon Hotel, overlooking the Place de la Concorde in Paris, has been the perfect location to complement “le bal”.

This annual event starts with an Haute Couture catwalk featuring twenty-four “new debs” from about ten countries. The catwalk is followed by a dinner and a ball.”
- Le Bal des debutantes de Paris, www.lebal.fr

So every year after I gorge myself with stuffing, I look forward to knowing that in a few days I will be able to see the most beautiful ball gowns ever (Cinderella moment, yay !! )

The only thing that semi bothers me these days in relation to the ball is that a lot of the attendees are the offspring or grand offspring of rockers, models, girls whose parents pay their way in, and average actors. For some reason, in my twisted head, I liked it more when I felt that everyone who attended was meant to be there slash had a place there…. (Cough Miss *L.A.*, whose full name will not be said, because she is a blogger (no reason to be there) and does not need any more publicity.)

This years debs include: Ariel Ho-Hjaer, granddaughter of billionaire Chinese entrepreneur Stanley Ho, Francesca Eastwood, daughter of Frances Fisher and Clint Eastwood, Tatler’s Girl of the Year and Princess Diana’s niece Lady Kitty Spencer, Johanna Platon de Turckheim, daughter to actress Charlotte de Turckheim, Adishree Singh, Indian Princess, Virginia Tournon, daughter of Italian author, Benedetta Cibrario, Autumn Whitaker, daughter of Forest Whitaker …

All of the girls attend with dashing young man known as a “Cavalier”. (It would amuse me to no end if there was a King Charles the Cavalier

No couture designer made me a snazzy dress for my cotillion dances ?

Group photo 2009

Before shot ( blahhhh L.A.)

"The Cavaliers" aka the escorts

L.A. Royalty: Autumn Whitaker (Pilgrim School ’10) returns from the Crillion debutante ball in Paris

Autumn Whitaker being fitted by Jason Wu. Photo By: Christophe Guibbaud/ABACAPRESS.COM

Joining the likes of Scout Willis, who attended the Crillon ball last year with Bruce Willis, Demi Moore AND Ashton, Autumn Whitaker, daughter of Forrest, returns home from her whirlwind week in Paris at the coolest deb ball on the planet. Wearing Jason Wu, this 17-year-old Hollywood native was escorted by friend William Bellingham, who can trace his ancestry back to Sir Anthony of Bellingham, 8th Baronet of Castlebellingham. Whitaker’s rock ’n’ roll-themed sweet 16 was featured in Teen Vogue last year. Her dad is actor Forest Whitaker; mom is actress and model Keisha Whitaker.

www.lebal.fr
www.wwd.com
www.abacapress.com

They may have skipped La Scala to attend another LA Native, Chad Rogers, for his season premiere party of “Million Dollar Listing.” Now in it’s second season on Bravo, Chad and two other realtors take viewers inside some of the most exclusive properties in Los Angeles. Then my dinner companion for the night dropped the GOD bomb on me … years of searching for the point at which science ends and mystery begins. Years of listening and inquiring and waiting for someone to give me a lead point at which to jump off at … someone to tell me where my life purpose lay. I sat their and listened as my friend spat in the face of atheism and proved the existence of GOD with his iPhone and a Youtube video.

“On The List – Fixing America’s Failing Organ Transplant System” – Published by Steve Farber And Harlan Abrahams

Framed by the harrowing story of two patients on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, this compelling narrative explores the problems with America’s transplant policies and offers solutions for a flawed system

Two families came together in the waiting room of a Denver hospital on May 11, 2004; to await kidney transplants for loved ones. In the first operation, Gregg Farber, 32, a real estate executive, donated a kidney to his father, Steve, a 60-year-old Denver lawyer and power broker. In the second, Guatemalan refugee and landscaper Ernesto Delaroca, also 32, donated a kidney to his sister Sandra, 19, a restaurant worker. The stories of how the Farber and Delaroca families made their separate journeys to the operating room offers insight into the hazards and inequities of a cobbled-together system that each year leaves more than 102,000 gravely ill Americans on the waiting list for a life-saving transplant. Steve Farber’s experience inspired him to write On the List with Harlan Abrahams.

They examine the ethical, legal, political, and economic debates over organ transplant policies, expose the gray market for transplants in Third World countries, and propose solutions to one of the world’s most pressing health issues. An informative and inspiring guide to those who face transplant operations, the book is also a call to reform a system that is truly, and fatally, flawed.

Praise About the Book:

“A harrowing journey through the transplant maze that brings to light the desperate shortage of organs in America and the urgent need for major organ transplant reform in our country.” — Barbara Davis, Chairman Children’s Diabetes Foundation

“A bare-knuckled look at a disturbing healthcare reality and what needs to be done about it. “ —Edward A. Dauer Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Law, University of Denver

STEVE FARBER is a founding partner of Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Schreck, a law firm with offices nationwide, where he has represented the Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets. He has served as commissioner of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, co-chair of the Host Committee for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and member of the board of directors for the University of Colorado Hospital Foundation. He also founded the American Transplant Foundation, which seeks to eliminate the shortage of human transplant organs in the United States. He lives in Denver, Colorado. http://www.bhfs.com/People/sfarber

HARLAN ABRAHAMS is a lawyer, writer, and educator. Formerly a tenured professor of constitutional and administrative law, he is a frequent lecturer on public policy. He lives in Denver, Colorado.

Jason Davis with Steve Farber

Rick Hilton, Robert Shapiro & Ken Rickle

Kathy Hilton & Nancy Davis

Ambiance at Steve’s book party

“Million Dollar Listing” Season 2 began tonight and my darling friend from growing up in the Colony [in Malibu] is on the show. His parents thew the viewing party held at the W hotel. Rick Hilton, Paris’ dad, own the company where Chad works: Hilton & Hyland. Rick came with his wife Kathy and Chad brought his girlfriend Victoria, his mother – also named Cathy – and his father Jeff. Jeff & Cathy are good family friends with my dad and we often play tennis at their house or go over for Cathy’s infamous hors d’ourves parties!

Bravo gives viewers an inside look at the top agents in Los Angeles’ tough real estate market, who stop at nothing to close the deal on the second season of Million Dollar Listing. The six-episode, one-hour docuseries follows the lives of three of Los Angeles’ hottest, young and aggressive real estate magnates in the making as they seek a fortune selling multimillion-dollar properties in the most exclusive neighborhoods – Hollywood, Malibu and Beverly Hills. The series follows some of the area’s top agents, Josh Flagg, Madison Hildebrand and Chad Rogers, over the course of nine months as their paths cross and they compete and expose the intense work that it takes to move the hottest listings in the City of Angels. Watch Chad on “Million Dollar Listing” Mondays at 9pm. http://www.bravotv.com/million-dollar-listing

Chad with Rick & Kathy Hilton

Chad with parents Jeff & Cathy Rogers

You can follow the show and Chad’s life on his blog at

http://chadrogersblog.com/

Grammy-nominated musician, philanthropist, Ethiopian-born American musician and “actionist” Kenna has masterminded an expedition to climb Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro with friends, Jessica Biel, Alexandra Cousteau, grand-daughter of famous explorer and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau, Elizabeth Gore, Global Partnerships Director for the United Nations Foundation, and Kick Kennedy, an environmental activist, granddaughter of Robert Kennedy.

The climb is meant to raise awareness of the global clean water crisis and raise funds.

Beneficiaries of the funds will go to:

1. The Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program
2. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
3. PlayPumps International

The Group will be outfitted with high-powered HP PCs from corporate sponsor Hewitt Packard to help track each climber’s progress, monitor weather conditions, and capture every aspect of the ascent. Throughout the climb, the team will use HP thin-and-light notebooks to communicate and share photos as well as videos from Mt. Kilimanjaro with fans on www.summitonthesummit.com, which will fully launch next month.

To help bring clean water to the developing world, PŪR created the PŪR sachet that can transform ten liters of dirty, disease-ridden water, into clean, clear drinking water in 30minutes. PŪR has also developed filtration solutions which help to provide high quality drinking water at home through PŪR’s line of faucet mount, pitcher and refrigerator filtration systems. www.purwater.com

The expedition team will be completely outfitted in First Ascent by Eddie Bauer with everything from baselayer, insulation and outer shells, to backpacks, duffels, tents and accessories to safely and successfully summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. www.firstascent.com

“My father suffered for over 10 years of his life with water-borne diseases while his friends and family died around him. It’s over 60 years later and we are living in a world where over a billion people are without clean and safe drinking water. It is unacceptable. My friends and I are taking a risk climbing Kili to stand at one of the highest points in the world and make the statement that we as human beings can stop the Global Clean Water Crisis if we take action now. Help us send water and save lives,” says Kenna, an Ethiopian-born American musician.

Kathy Hilton, Kim Richards, Kyle Richards - Photo by © Glenn Harris

“We hear Kyle & Kim Richards, aunts of Paris Hilton, are signed to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills … shhhhh!”

Though Bravo has not confirmed it, I’ve have heard several reports that at least one of Kathy Hilton’s beautiful sisters could very well be the belle of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which officially begins production in March!

Bravo has been deliberating between two groups of five hopeful Beverly Hills housewives  since the Spring but I have just gotten word production will begin in March, which means its decision time!

“Bravo wanted to build the cast around some Hiltons, yes Kyle is one of them, I think Kim too … but it ain’t over till the fat lady sings ” – an anonymous source close to the project told The Daily Truffle

My source also tells me Lisa Todd, owner of Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills, and a close friend of Kyle, is in the running as well.

Sources also say it’s possible Kim will be cast or else she could be featured in sister Kyle’s scenes.

The source says: “Production officially begins in March and the cast has a 10 month commitment. Bravo is continuing with callbacks now for the remaining spots on the show.”

Kim Richards and Kyle Richards, sisters of Kathy Hilton, are also the aunts of Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton! First Paris, then Kathy, even Nicky’s boyfriend David Katzenberg has a semi-scripted show on MTV now called “Hard Times”. It makes sense that Kathy’s sisters would follow.

Kyle Richards (born in Hollywood in 1969) is an L.A. native and is five years apart from Kim Richards (born 1964) and ten years apart from Kathy Hilton (nee Kathy Richards, born 1959).

Kyle has been on niece Paris’s two reality series The Simple Life and My New BFF. She is married to Mauricio Umansky, a realtor in Beverly Hills and Beverly Park, at Hilton and Hyland, the same place Paris’ dad Rick Hilton works.

Kim and Kyle were both accomplished actresses – here are some of my favorite credits …

Kim Richards: Escape to Witch Mountain (1975), No Deposit, No Return (1976) and Return to Witch Mountain (1978), Black Snake Moan (2006), Tuff Turf (1985), Meatballs Part II (1984), “Diff’rent Strokes” (1979), “Little House on the Prairie” (1974)

James Spader, Kim Richards and Robert Downey Jr. in"Tuff Turf"

Kyle Richards: “ER” (21 episodes, 1998-2006), “Little House on the Prairie”, Halloween (1979), and episodes of “Love Boat”, “Fantasy Island”, and “Beverly Hills, 90210″. She also played the younger version of her sister’s character in “Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)”. Both sisters were on “Disneyland.”

Kyle and her husband Mauricio Umansky were living in Bel Air near Mulholland – the home is currently for sale for $2,925,000, lowered from $3,450,000.

Lisa Todd aka Lisa Vanderpump Todd co-owns Villa Blanca in Bev Hills with her husband Kevin Todd, a British restaurateur. Lisa is/was an actress; she appeared in “Baywatch” during the mid-1990′s.

If these two are in the show, we will likely be visiting them at their really pretty home in Beverly Park. Pictures of Lisa Todd’s house in Beverly Park:

Last year, we were told the network was still deliberating over two groups of five ladies that had been selected over the summer. Bravo’s Real Housewives of Orange County was cast in much the same process – asking casting directors to develop two story-lines around two different casts – and then letting Bravo executives and producers pick between the two.

I am guessing Bravo was so amped up about the Richards sisters (who wouldn’t be!), they have been working with them to develop an agreeable storyline and maybe even cater to their schedules. Bravo has been quiet about their unexpected delay in casting and it’s almost certainly something along these lines.

The network’s call backs for those extra three spots are still happening – I’ve heard reports on that I’ve been asked not to discuss tell the cast is solidified. But just for fun, here are some hints at the contending finalists – keeping them extremely vague and will NEVER reveal those not cast unless they email me personally at caroline@dailytruffle.net and tell me it’s ok. Best of luck ladies! – add us on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/dailytruffle

1. not caucasian (out of running – name will not be revealed)

2. has lots of brothers (cast!! cant mention named – per Bravo!) *UPDATE: This was ADRIANNE!

3. an L.A. native (out of running – name will not be revealed)

4. flies (out of running – name will not be revealed)

5. something O (out of running – name will not be revealed)

6. rhymes with Yale (out of running – name will not be revealed)

7. Brentwood dweller (out of running – name will not be revealed)

8. Has 3 names! (cast!! cant mention named – per Bravo!) **UPDATE: This was Taylor Ford Armstrong!!

9. as for the rumor spreading about Nicole Richie’s mother – none of our sources have reported this, yet.

Check back with us as this story develops.