THE MF TIMES | Marie France Van Damme

7 Way Sarong

I took for granted everyone knew how to wear the sarong until a girlfriend saw me on the beach and exclaimed: “Oh this is what it’s meant to look like” If I could only bring one piece with me on holiday, I would choose the sarong. It can be worn from morning to night, with a bathing suit, with a T-shirt and accessorised for a chicer look It’s a dress, its a skirt, everyone these days makes their own version of the sarong which is a large piece of fabric worn by women in South Asia..and in some places even by men. Here are a couple ways to wear it...and there are many more! Read More

In Vogue

One morning in March, out of the blue, I received an email from Vogue...Preetma was requesting swimsuits for a photo shoot for Editor Tonne Goodman and photographer Mario Testino..how did Preetma find us, who is Preetma..? we had only recently launched our brand. I met with Preetma in New York on my following, trip, and asked her. Thru the internet.( thank you Preetma/thank you internet!!) Preetma has her own blog’ the working girl(esq) , you can see how great she looks in our silver python dress! See how great we look ! Read More

Time for Tea

The English ceremony of Afternoon Tea dates back to the 1840s. The story says that it was a Duchess who had the idea of asking her maid to bring all the tea making equipment to her private boudoir at 5 o'clock so that she could enjoy a cup of tea with a slice of bread and butter. The duchess found this afternoon tea such a perfect refreshment that she soon started inviting her friends to join her in her room for this new social event. And it really was more of a social event than a meal. Ladies did not go to afternoon tea gatherings to eat but to meet their friends, catch up on gossip, chat about the latest fashions... Read More

Shanghai Tang: Bigger & Better then ever

I have just completed my first coffee table book entitled R.S.V.P (Simple Sophistication. Effortless Entertaining) with Thames & Hudson's which will be launched this October. The idea of the book came from my good friend Raphael who is CEO of Shanghai Tang. An improvised, last minute dinner on a deserted white sand beach in Thailand, convinced Raphael that I should share these moments with friends and others. I had created a simple decor, black grey plastic dishes, grey disposable linen napkins ( from Merci in Paris ) fresh flowers in great plastic vases (from Ikea) and gorgeous plastic Bordeaux wine glasses ( from Wine Enthusiast online shopping ) Later that year, I was most flattered when Raphael asked me to work on... Read More

Vert de Gris is my khaki inspiration

The khaki collection inspiration comes from my newest ''vert de gris'' 40 cm Birkin bag. "How pathetic" my friends will say!! If you have not read ''Bringing home the Birkin'' by Michael Tonello, run and buy this really funny book, great beach holiday reading ...and it is all so true! From walking in to an Hermes store to going to the right salesperson ( never a woman ) and asking very casually about which Birkin is in the back in stock that could be yours. I was in Paris Faubourg St Honore Hermes, spotted the ''new khaki'' Birkin... a Chinese customer was admiring it. When I asked the salesman if I could see it, I was told that unfortunately, it... Read More

London in May

L'Objet /Fortuny at Thomas Goode If you happen to be in London in May, you must check out Thomas Goode in Mayfair ( 17-22 South Audley street, House of luxurious tableware )My friend Elad Yifrach, founding owner of "L’Objet" ( L’Objet is a luxury home "Art de la Table’’ company, where one can find beautiful porcelain dishes, luxurious objects for your table setting) has teamed up with Fortuny and has created a Fortuny -inspired Collection of carafes, bowls, plates...If one looooves Morocco, some dishes have a definite Mauresque style to them. Elad will revamp the true essence of MARIANO FORTUNY, blend of orientalist opulence, in a magical setting. I'm sure that a lot of people will say bye bye to minimalism... Read More

Room with a view: The Caryle Hotel

Unfortunately, I was not staying in suite 3001 during my last visit in NY; perhaps one of the prettiest suite … facing Central Park South, looking to one side ‘Downtown’, and looking to the other side ‘Uptown‘…but if one does not have the means to stay in such a great suite, the Carlyle has many nice rooms facing Central Park and Downtown, you must ask for the higher floors. My room had this beautiful Steinway grand piano, somewhat useless for a person like me with no musical talent, but oh so romantic ….I came in late on a Monday evening from Hong Kong , and was told I had just missed Woody Allen playing with the jazz band at The... Read More

NY Bound! What to pack ?

The pilot was happy to announce a 14 hour flight, 2 hours ahead of schedule…from Hong Kong to New York. The week before, everyone was on the streets, showing off arms and legs in 27 degree weather. I checked the weather report, not sure if I read correctly … 3 degrees upon arrival…. What to pack in March - April in the States or Europe or almost anywhere in the world!: ‘’LAYERS” I start with a white T shirt, then go on to a black short cardigan, to a black longer cardigan, to black shawl/scarf or both, to a small black fur vest, and a big black short coat …over black pants. With flat heel black leather boots ( to walk comfortably... Read More

What to pack for Thailand, your "April getaway"

I would like to say…nothing. Pack & wear nothing! I have never been so hot this last week, in the 100 degrees weather, blue skies, sunshine and HEAT of Thailand. Perhaps not the best time of the year to travel to the land of smiles, but then, if you are looking for HOT, after being so cold…you will not be disappointed. Bring tank tops, no sleeves! (you will sweat in a basic short sleeve t-shirt) and flowy skirts or pants. No jeans, no skinny pants. Nothing close to the body. The way I dress morning, lunch and dinner...a bustier one piece swimsuit and a pareo wrapped around the neck as a dress, with bangles or necklace, and lots of them at night.... Read More

La liste de mes envies

D’habitude , la liste de mes envies , je la garde pour moi.. mais celle ci, je ne peux faire autrement que de la partager tant j’ai eu du plaisir a lire ce nouveau roman français. Outre le fait que la lecture soit aisée et divertissante, le sujet assez proche de l”Elegance du hérisson’’, autre roman magique de Muriel Barbery, je suis impressionnée par le fait que le narrateur soit une femme mure, amoureuse, sensée, objective … et que l’auteur soit un homme! Et si le coeur vous en dit, après lecture, partageons la liste de nos envies!!! Read More

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