Wednesday, July 30, 2014

PRESS UPDATE : THE TELEGRAPH .. JULY 30TH 2014...


The images of Joan Collins OBE – actress, personality, national and international icon – dancing the night away in St Tropez this week bring joy to the heart. La Collins makes fifth husband Percy Gibson, look rather less limber. Singing along, with arms waving in the air, tossing her raven hair, Joan remains the glorious embodiment of glamour.
Last week she was partying with, and bestowing beauty advice upon, her goddaughter, model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne, adorning those famous eyebrows with a pencil from her very own make-up range.
This week, we see her tripping the light fantastic at the pre-Venice Ambi Pictures bash in gleaming white sequins, hot pink lipstick and a glowing Riviera tan. Collins is justly bored by references to her age, but – ye gods – what a gal.
I had the pleasure of interviewing and (girlish swoon!) receiving a makeover from this icon back in the spring, and let me tell you, her looks have nothing to do with clever photography. In the flesh, she is still more radiant.
 
Good genes play a considerable part. As a baby, her parents were forced to attach a sign to her pram bearing the legend: “Please do not kiss me”. Her mother and nine aunts were the epitome of elegance.
However, Collins is no less an advocate of solid graft. She works hard at her looks – eschewing the sun on her face, exercising and living off salmon, avocados and the odd glass of champagne. She rolls her eyes when women in their thirties patronise her by declaring that they hope they look as good at her age, scoffing: “Many don’t look as good now!” Damn right.
Though naturally beautiful, Hollywood taught Collins the power of glamour. She tells the story that, back in 1955, when she had just been cast to take Marilyn Monroe’s place in The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, aged 21, she ran across its director, Richard Fleischer.
“After a day of rehearsing I walked into the cafeteria on the Fox studio lot for lunch one day, wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt and – believe it or not – not a scrap of make up.”
Fleischer, appalled, threw up his hands. “'Oh my God,’ he said. 'You look hideous. You should always appear in public with full make up, a nice dress and white gloves, otherwise you’ll never get anywhere in this business.’”
Other starlets proffered advice, as did Monroe’s make-up artist, Whitey Snyder, who taught our heroine how to blend foundation shades, apply it thinly, then powder down so that it would survive a 12-hour shoot. She continues to do her own face, faring rather better than the so-called experts.
Her goal is that women should look like their most polished selves, and nothing more: “If I catch a glimpse of reality television, my mouth falls open at the amount of filler, huge lips, fake cheekbones, and those giant teeth making them look like skulls.”
She dons wigs (again boasting her own range), to avoid scorching her locks via styling, but her own hair is silkily lustrous. Clothing wise, she gets things made, or at least tailored, admiring the work of Mark Zunino, a protégé of Nolan Miller, who worked with her on Dynasty.
She exercises several times a week on her bedroom floor, declaring: “Doing 100 or more sit-ups each day can be a crashing bore, but I have to do them”. She recommends supplements in the form of vitamin E, fish oil, antioxidants, calcium and vitamin A, and considers HRT a “miracle drug”.
Collins has no truck with dieting, but weighs herself every morning and cuts back a little if she has gained a couple of pounds. Her approach is pure common sense: “Eat three meals a day. Try not to graze. You’re not a cow!” She makes it a goal to finish two thirds of what is on her plate, and, refreshingly, is of the Gallic persuasion that: “A day without wine is a day without sunshine”.
Most beauty enhancing of all, there is the Collins attitude – breezy and relentlessly positive. She is a thoughtful woman, but refuses to indulge in navel-gazing, favouring action over introspection. And, of course, more than the occasional bout of dancing ’til dawn.

PHOTO OF THE DAY : JOAN'S TOTALLY TIED TO CINZANO!

Joan gets ready to shoot another of the highly successful Cinzano commercials in the 80's ...

Monday, July 28, 2014

Sunday, July 27, 2014

PRESS UPDATE : CAROUSEL DIARY BLOG ... TIMELESS BEAUTY .. JULY 2014..

Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Range


I can often be heard proclaiming that true love doesn’t exist. But then I think I might have become a little cynical in recently years! However, I feel like I want to take back anytime I have ever uttered this phrase since I was introduced to this beauty collection.
The  Joan Collins Timeless Beauty range, just like the woman herself, is the epitome of timeless glamour and elegance. Never have I immediately fallen in love with a collection as much as I did this one.
Inspired by the glamour of Hollywood the range has had a genuine input by Joan Collins herself, something very rare with celebrity collaborations, and they have tried to create a range of products suitable to a variety of ages. Something they have done very well!
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty

The range is compromised of lipsticks, glosses, blushes and much more. With a range of shades from subtle nudes to bright, hot pinks you are sure to find a colour suitable for every occasion.
Personally I love a bright, bold pink for my lips and so this lipstick and gloss are the perfect shades to compliment a summer dress. The Divine Lips lipstick in Fontaine comes in the most fabulous gold casing, which is actually quite heavy and certainly feels expensive. Although retailing at just £18 I think this lipstick is very reasonable, plus the Glorious Gloss in Too Hot to Handle is the perfect shade to go on top and leave you with glossy, kissable lips.
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty

Then there are the gorgeous compacts, holding either pink blushes or nude powders. Again there is some weight to these which all adds to the glamour and expensive look of the range. This Contour Velvet blush in Dusky Pink is just £22 and the perfect shade for both light and medium skin tones. It is not a bold pink and so will not leave you with cheeks that are too rouged. Instead it adds a light, pink shade to your cheeks that makes you look fresh and awake.
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty

Whilst I have never looked to Joan Collins as direct inspiration before, I am certainly impressed with this collection that she has helped create. The price point is excellent, especially for the quality of products, and I actually much prefer this range to those of high-end beauty counters.
Have you tried the Joan Collins Timeless Beauty range yet?

Saturday, July 26, 2014

PRESS UPDATE : IMAGE DAILY .. TIMELESS BEAUTY .. JULY 27TH 2014 ..

Looking Like Joan Collins Just Got Easy!

 
Saying we love Joan Collins is a bit of an understatement. We love the woman. We love the fact she created the Queen Bitch soap opera trope in Dynasty. We love her dramatic red lips, her glittering dresses, her hair - well we don't thinks it's her hair exactly but you get the picture - which means we're very excited to hear the actress has launched a beauty line. As the lady in the deli said in When Harry Met Sally, “We’ll have what she’s having.”
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty for QVC launched earlier this year and we’re dying to get our hands on some. Collins claims to have learned all her beauty tricks and tips from Marilyn Monroe’s  make-up artist so you can expect Old Hollywood glamour from the range. As she says herself, “I believe that looking good and feeling great is the right of every woman, and, with the right products and some clever techniques, every woman can look fabulous.”
Her lipsticks are inspired by the strong female characters she has played, including Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan (lot of marriages) in Dynasty and the title role in The Bitch, an adaptation of her sister Jackie’s novel. Her moisturisers and creams claim to “rival even Cleopatra’s beauty bag”and we love the sound of the night cream which contains avocado butter and hyaluronic acid.
How foxy was young Joan?
What other sirens do you want to see launch a beauty line? Meryl Streep? Some Vivienne Westwood hair products?
Jeanne Sutton @jeannedesutun

PRESS UPDATE : VOGUE UK .. TIMELESS BEAUTY .. JULY 25TH 2014 ..

The Joan Collins Fan Club

  • 25 July 2014
  • Lauren Milligan
  • WOULD you try Joan Collins's skincare range? She's perhaps not the first celebrity you'd expect to launch a full beauty collection, but Collins has nonetheless done just that with Joan Collins Timeless Beauty for QVC, a range of make-up, skincare and fragrance. Never one to dismiss a product on sight, Vogue.co.uk news editor Lauren Milligan dutifully headed home laden with a host of Collins's best to try.....

    I have a beauty confession. My name is Lauren, I'm 34, and I'm obsessed with Joan Collins's new skincare range.
    Normally a product cynic, I have tried everything you can put on your face - from the several-hundred-pound potions and serums to the high-street heroes that beauty columnists regularly enthuse about - without so much as a hint of improvement. I reasoned that my skin was too "complex," too nuanced, for a one-size-fits all approach. I assumed that my beauty soulmate would remain elusive. Turns out, it's Joan.
Excuse me," a pretty, probably twenty-something, girl said as we both queued for our morning coffee. "Can I just ask what foundation you use? Your skin looks great."
No foundation, I smugly beam, just bronzer, mascara and - apparently - the secret of eternal youth. PRs, friends, strangers, colleagues; no fewer than eight people have asked me in the past fortnight what has transformed my skin and I tell them, as they look at me bemused: it's Joan. Applied before bed, the Contra Time Sleep Active Night Cream (which includes nourishing avocado butter, fruit and seed oils and beauty powerhouse hyaluronic acid), lays on your skin like the kind of Fifties cold cream you might imagine Collins would have slathered on, pre her Dynasty days, when skincare was simple and people just drank water and ran around to achieve glowing skin and rosy cheeks.
Part of the allure is this intangible simplicity, part of it is the smell (sweeter than many of its competitors, but with a delicious vintage feel - like your grandmother's dressing table), but the most powerful draw is Joan herself.
Granted, she had a headstart on the rest of us - more beautiful in her forties than her co-stars in their twenties - but she really has taking ageing gracefully to a new extreme. Joan is ageless.  Whatever she's been smearing on her face over the years is surely worth a try.....
 
 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

EVENT UPDATE : THE LEONARDO DICAPRIO FOUNDATION GALA 2014 .. ST TROPEZ .. JULY 23RD 2014..



Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio has raised more than $25 million (18 million euros) at a charity gala in France for his foundation which aims at protecting the environment and endangered species.The fundraiser late Wednesday in the chic Riviera seaside resort of Saint-Tropez included an auction of Hollywood and rock and roll memorabilia and works by Damien Hirst and Pablo Picasso.
It also included DiCaprio's Harley Davidson motorbike bearing the signatures of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro and a guitar belonging to U2 frontman Bono.
DiCaprio told the 500 guests -- who included stars ranging from US soap star Joan Collins to French actress Marion Cotillard -- that animal and flora species were rapidly disappearing on a scale last seen when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Guests shelled out between $7,000 and $130,000 to attend the event.
A sculpture by British artist Damien Hirst was snapped up for $6 million by Russian-born billionaire Len Blavatnik, while South African tycoon Patrice Motsepe paid $1 million for a Picasso drawing.


Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation:
Dedicated to protecting Earth’s last wild places and fostering a harmonious relationship between humanity and the natural world. 
Since 1998, the Foundation has been working on pressing
environmental and humanitarian issues through grant making, campaigning and media projects. Areas of focus include; wildlife and habitat preservation, healthy oceans, water access, climate change and disaster relief. The Foundation’s strategic approach to philanthropy for a better planet relies upon active collaboration with effective organizations as well as with other funders who share our goals and can magnify our impact.
Philanthropy Providing grants to innovative, results-driven conservation projects, collaborative initiatives, and trusted nonprofits.
Recent philanthropic efforts include;
  •  Protecting Tigers from Extinction:  a conservation effort in Nepal to protect critical tiger habitat led by World Wildlife Fund in collaboration with local communities, and the Nepali government
  • Saving the Last Rainforests: a collaborative effort with WWF, Frankfort Zoological Society, the Australian Orangutan Project, Kehati and Eyes on the Forest to save the largest remaining block of rainforest in Sumatra, home to wild tigers, orangutans, elephants and two indigenous tribes
  • Protecting Our Oceans: an international funders collaborative called “Oceans 5” dedicated to stopping overfishing and establishing marine reserves, the two highest ecological priorities identified by scientists
  • Saving Sharks: a successful effort of six organizations from five different countries to secure international trade restrictions for five species of threatened sharks at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
  • Protecting Antarctica: a grant for the Antarctic Ocean Alliance, a coalition of over a dozen organizations working on five continents to secure the largest network of marine reserves on the planet  
  • Providing Access to Clean Water: a grant to Concern Worldwide, providing 430,000 people in Tanzania, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Darfur with sustainable access to clean water
In tandem with LDF’s philanthropic efforts, the foundation uses digital media and Leonardo’s website & social media channels with 10 Million+ followers, to inform and rally the public on specific calls-to-action. LDF also works behind the scenes to encourage collaboration between organizations, other celebrities and decision-makers.
Justin Winters is Executive Director, she has been working at the Foundation since 2006.
For more information visit www.leonardodicaprio.com.
A component fund of the California Community Foundation.
Follow us on Twitter: @LeoDiCaprio
Facebook: Facebook.com/LeonardoDiCaprio
The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation welcomes inquiries and ideas for potential projects, however does not accept unsolicited proposals






EVENT ALERT : ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN .. SEPTEMBER 12TH TO 13TH .. LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE LONDON..


 

Joan Collins - One Night With Joan

Theatre - 12 Sep at 19:00
                13 Sep at 16:00 & 19:00 
Martin Witts for London International Arts Theatre Ltd (LIAT)
Presents

JOAN COLLINS in her internationally acclaimed one woman show

One Night With Joan - September 12th and 13th 2014

Directed by PERCY GIBSON
Production Design by OLIVER SONES

Joan Collins is to return to the West End with her acclaimed one woman show, One Night With Joan, to share more stories and secrets of her celebrated life and career as one of the world’s most glamorous and intriguing actresses.

PHOTO OF THE DAY : HATS OF TO JOAN FOR SUMMER COOLNESS!

Joan enjoying her annual summer break in the South of France looks cool in the sun at her villa..

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

PHOTO OF THE DAY : IT'S A BATTLE FOR JOAN TO BE A NETWORK STAR!

This rare shot features Joan with 'Dynasty' co-star John James in ABC'S celebrity sports spectacular 'Battle of the Network Stars' in 1982...

Monday, July 21, 2014

PHOTO OF THE DAY : IT'S DIVA'S LAS VEGAS STYLE!

This Divalicious photo features Joan with Las Vegas Legend, star of 'Diva's' Frank Marino.. Joan has attended his show many times over the years on her many regular visits to the entertainment capital.. I am sure it wont be long before Joan is back in Sin City! Watch this space....
Book 'Diva's' starring Frank Marino at the following....
http://www.thequadlv.com/shows/Frank-marinos-divas-las-vegas.html#.U8xbz6ROXrc

http://www.frankmarino.com/index.php?page=tickets

Sunday, July 20, 2014

PRESS UPDATE : I LOVE THEATRE ... ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN RETURNS! JULY 18TH 2014...

Cheap theatre tickets

Joan Collins returns to the West End with one-woman show

Joan Collins
You just can’t keep her away. La diva, Joan Collins is coming back to London’s West End for another residency at the Leicester Square Theatre.
Joan’s acclaimed one woman show, Joan Collins: One Night With Joan will be at the venue for just three performances over September 12 and 13.
It’s a not-to-be-missed opportunity to spend an intimate evening in the company of a true Hollywood legend.
Joan Collins will take to the stage with honesty, style and grace and with the same engaging wit and frankness that turned her three memoirs, Past Imperfect, Second Act and Passion for Life, into international best-sellers.
Among the many confidences, she tells of the ups and downs of her career and screens rare and at times hilarious film footage from her life.
It’s a chance to hear first hand about her marriages, her screen test for Cleopatra and to discover why she lost the role to Elizabeth Taylor, her first on-set encounter with the formidable Bette Davis, being broke and why and how Hollywood changed her fortune.
Another highlight of the evening are a selection of out-takes and her legendary bitch-fights with Linda Evans in Dynasty.
The second half of the evening is a question-and-answer session with the chance to ask Joan anything you’ve always wanted to know about her amazing life.
Joan has appeared in more than 118 feature films and TV series, including creating the role of Alexis Carrington on Dynasty, one of the most highly rated television dramas of all time.
Her novels and memoirs have sold over 50 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 30 languages.
She is a regular diarist for The Spectator and a contributor to The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Times and Harper’s Bazaar.
On stage the star has performed on Broadway, the West End, and in national tours in the UK and North America.
Book your tickets here!  
http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873518608/events
 

Friday, July 18, 2014

EVENT UPDATE : LICHFIELD'S ICONIC WOMEN.. SHUGBOROUGH ESTATE.. JULY 19TH TO AUGUST 31ST..

 

      Lichfield's Iconic Women 


Joan's iconic Photo on display

Saturday 19th July - Sunday 31st August....              

A fabulous summer exhibition of iconic work by world renowned photographer, Patrick Lichfield.
In the new gallery, which was Lord Lichfield's former cinema room, this exhibition features images of some of the world's most famous and inspirational women.           
 The Queen, Joan Collins, Princess Diana and Bianca Jagger, are amongst the iconic stars featured in the latest photographic exhibition at the Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire. The fabulous collection of timeless images captured by society photographer, and Shugborough’s most famous resident, Patrick Lichfield, have been brought together for an all-new exhibition. ‘Lichfield’s Iconic Women’ will be staged in the private cinema room within the Lichfield Apartments from July 19th to August 31st, and will feature images of some of the world’s most famous, inspirational and iconic women. Photos of Princess Diana taken at her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, Bianca Jagger on the island of Mustique and the Queen at the state opening of Parliament in Mauritius and one at the stable yard, at Balmoral Castle are amongst the images. Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member for Economy & Infrastructure at Staffordshire County Council said: “Many aspects of Patrick Lichfield’s life are celebrated at the famous Staffordshire estate, and this latest exhibition is both a tribute to his photographic skills, and a privileged glimpse of some of the world’s most iconic women. “Shugborough has always had connections with royalty and the stars, with glamorous parties at the estate and now gives visitors a unique insight into the man behind the lens. “Shugborough is a real jewel in the crown for us here in Staffordshire, helping attract people from across the country and helping to boost our tourism economy. We are always looking at putting on exciting events to ensure the estate gives its visitors a great day out and this is one of many great activities running this season.” Patrick Lichfield lived in the Mansion House on the Shugborough Estate up to his death in 2005 – in a private apartment, part of which was opened-up to the public just three years ago. ‘The Cinema’ – used by Patrick Lichfield for private movie screenings for family and friends – will provide the space for visitors to see the ‘Lichfield Iconic Women’ exhibition. Other iconic stars featured in the exhibition include singer Kate Bush and Darcy Bussell from Strictly Come Dancing. Entrance to the exhibition is included within the cost of the full admission to the Staffordshire County Council-run attraction. -
Book tickets at ...  http://www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/shugborough

PHOTO OF THE DAY : LIFE'S A BEACH FOR SUNSATIONAL JOAN!

Joan enjoyed relaxing day in the sun and found herself in a sea of orange... It could well be a super glamorous ad for Hermes! Thanks to Joan for sharing this sunsational shot!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

PHOTO OF THE DAY : SELLOUT JOAN SIGNS ON FOR MORE SHOWS!


As we announce more upcoming performances of 'One Night With Joan' in London in September ..  Here is a great shot of Joan signing a copy of Playboy after her sellout San Francisco run at 'Feinstein's at The Nikko' earlier this year..

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

PHOTO OF THE DAY : VIVE LA JOAN.. LE BELLE OF THE PARTY!

Following on from yesterdays fab shot of Joan with friends Alan Nevins & Rene Horsch at her Bastille Day White Party.. Here is another wonderful shot at the party also featuring Mark Zunino among others..

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

EVENT UPDATE : FAN PRE-SALE! ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN... SEPTEMBER 12TH & 13TH .. LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE..



 

Joan Collins - One Night With Joan

Theatre - 12 Sep at 19:00
                13 Sep at 16:00 & 19:00 
Martin Witts for London International Arts Theatre Ltd (LIAT)
Presents

JOAN COLLINS in her internationally acclaimed one woman show

One Night With Joan - September 12th and 13th 2014

Directed by PERCY GIBSON
Production Design by OLIVER SONES

Joan Collins is to return to the West End with her acclaimed one woman show, One Night With Joan, to share more stories and secrets of her celebrated life and career as one of the world’s most glamorous and intriguing actresses.

ENTER YOUR PRIORITY BOOKING CODE  JOANFAN
http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873518608/events


General On-Sale Thursday 17th July

PHOTO OF THE DAY : AU THE GUYS ARE ALL WHITE WITH JOAN!

Joan now back in the 'South of France' celebrated Bastille Day with a white themed party at her villa.. This fabulous shot features Joan with friends Alan Nevins & Rene Horsch... Thanks to Alan for sharing...

Sunday, July 13, 2014

EVENT ALERT : ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN RETURNS! EXCLUSIVE CHAMPAGNE PRE-SALE!!

Joan Collins: One Night With Joan
Friday 12 September, 7pm
Saturday 13 September, 4pm & 7pm  


Exclusive Pre-sale!
Get access to the best seats before general on sale next week.

Plus, top price seats £60 plus glass of champagne!
Quote CHAMPAGNE online or at the Box Office to redeem.

Joan Collins is to return to the West End with her acclaimed one woman show, One Night With Joan, to share more stories and secrets of her celebrated life and career as one of the world’s most glamorous and intriguing actresses.


“In a word: FAAAAABULOUS!” New York Times

Offer Terms & Conditions
To redeem, enter CHAMPAGNE in the promotion code box on the website booking page. This will then display dates available. Alternatively, book via phone on 08448 733433.
Offer applies to top price seats only.
Offer not applicable in conjunction with any other offer or concession.
One glass of champagne per ticket. Champagne served to over 18s only. Soft alternative available.
Tickets go on General Sale on Thursday 17th July.
QUOTE CHAMPAGNE AND BOOK!

PESS UPDATE : TOP SANTE ..AUGUST 214..


Saturday, July 12, 2014

PRESS UPDATE : TIMELESS BEAUTY SUMMER PRODUCT LAUNCH...


 


Joan Collins Timeless Beauty announces summer launch...

 
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty announces summer launchesThis month sees the five new launches from Joan Collins Timeless Beauty. The Divine Lips lipstick (£18) line sees the addition of Marilyn, a neutral colour with a faint shimmer, while the Glorious Gloss lip glosses (£18) range has a new shade Piper, a dusky pink with a lilac pearl finish. Marilyn also features as a new Nail Lacquer (£13). For eyes, the Eye and Brow Definition Quad (£25) contains three powders, a wax and accessories to define the brow and eye area. Finally, the Summer Kiss Compact Duo (£34) has been designed to offer a sunkissed look to the face and features a bronzing powder with SPF15 and one of two choices of Divine Lips lipstick in Evelyn (coral) and Marilyn.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

DIARY UPDATE : THE SPECTATOR .. JULY 12TH 2014

Joan Collins’s diary: Why I gave up on Ascot – and where I go instead

Plus: Paparazzi, football and a plane struck by lightning
0 Comments 12 July 2014
The Spectator Magazine Summer Party
Can there be anything more perfect than early July in London, when the sun is shining, the sky a cloudless azure and the temperature hovers in the mid-seventies? Sorry, I still do Fahrenheit. It’s party time everywhere, with all the annual events happening, but I don’t do Ascot any more, too waggish, or Henley, too wet, or Wimbledon, too warm. The former has changed radically over the last 20 years, when I was fiercely censured for borrowing another woman’s Royal Enclosure badge, on a dare that no one would recognise me. Now these high jinks would be deemed innocent in comparison to the behaviour that goes on: people snogging, passing out and throwing up in public hardly raise an eyebrow. Everyone was super-elegant then, most women wearing gorgeous hats and outfits. But sadly dressing up seems out of fashion today, which I sorely miss as I enjoy the fun of wearing a fabulous outfit, looking good and getting compliments. I would have thrived during ‘La Belle Époque’ — ah well, maybe in the next life!
I thought this life was about to come to a nasty end last week when our plane travelling back to Heathrow was hit by lightning. We had been on a mile-long trek to our gate through Malpensa airport, where the amount of tourist shops, boutiques and feeding troughs make Gatwick airport look like a corner shop. A paparazzo was in pursuit and when I ducked into the bathroom to try and shake him, I banged my finger on the loo door. While I was running it under the cold water, I was besieged by a gaggle of Italian matrons demanding ‘Aaah, Alexis, pleeeze can we take your picture?’
Inline sub2
I’m usually quite sanguine when flying BA, but with my finger encased in an ice pack I found it hard to relax with the latest Speccie. Suddenly a violent flash of white light just outside my window illuminated the plane, which jolted and shook violently. ‘What was that?’ I yelped. ‘It’s the paparazzi and the Italian ladies,’ joked Percy, ‘They’ve strapped themselves to the wing to get your picture.’ He looked quite calm, as did the flight attendants, so I stopped worrying about the possibility that this was a botched attempt by a terrorist wearing the latest in internal explosive devices, and continued reading. As we walked off the plane, the special services representative asked if we were very much shaken by the lighting strike she’d heard about. ‘I was petrified!’ Percy confessed — so much for the strong silent type.
With the social whirl in full swing, one of the several fabulous parties we attended last week was the witty and wonderful Adrian Gill’s birthday tea — I shall omit the number after his name, which the press revel in revealing. Hosted by his seven-year-old twins in one of the communal gardens off King’s Road, we had a wonderful time, with the rain bucketing down and all the guests huddling under awnings drinking tea and wine and enjoying themselves in the storm as only the English can. The same night, in the exquisite grounds of Fort Belvedere, Hilary Weston threw one of the grandest and most glamorous parties I’ve ever attended for her husband Galen’s (number again omitted) birthday. The rain came down in sheets as we travelled up to Sunningdale, but miraculously the clouds parted as we arrived revealing glorious sunshine with which to greet so many friends, many of them from the US. It was especially good to welcome back Conrad Black and his beautiful wife Barbara, whom we also saw at the annual Spectator crush, wedged in between Iain Duncan Smith and Norman Lamont.
I’m not a football fan but the Brazil v. Colombia game was so exciting and so dazzlingly packed with talent that I and the rest of my family were riveted to the screen. It was a theatrical bonanza: the fancy footwork would have done credit to Rudolf Nureyev, and the acrobatics, the pushing, the shoving and the histrionics were savagely entertaining. Even to my untrained eye, the players were gifted yet often the game was extremely violent with players constantly kneeing each other in the back and groin. The pitch was littered with prostrate bodies as agonised cries of pain were silently mouthed in close-ups worthy of Cecil B. DeMille.
How different from the football played in my daddy’s day. A few times he took me to watch Arsenal, when I was 11 or 12, dressed up as butch as I could muster — the last time my femininity was ever in question. I remember a selection of skinny-legged and knocked-kneed elderly (to me then) men in too-short shorts kicking a ball around a damp brown pitch. I waved my ratchet (whatever happened to them?) and prayed for the boring game to end. My mother was too busy having another baby, which she probably planned in order to avoid having to go.
This article first appeared in the print edition of The Spectator magazine, dated