Every May, the small town of Grasse, France comes alive in celebration of flowers. It is in this region of the world where the famous Rose Centfolia is grown, harvested and, ultimately, sold to some of the finest fragrance houses in the world. For only two weeks a year, the fields are filled with beautiful pink buds that hold a scent so sweet, it's difficult not to feel transformed to an other-wordly place. And guess what... I got invited to be a part of it all, from early morning harvesting to watching the roses meet their destiny in the factory.
For my visit to Grasse, I was a guest of Le Labo. This is a fragrance company that has held my heart (and the key to my own "smell") for the past six years. But, they have captivated the fashion world since opening doors in 2006. Ok, they've grabbed more than just the fashionistas of the world, but I do declare this is the one perfumery that is always on the tip of the fashion world's tongue. We are a world of people obsessed, and with good reason. You can't beat a Le Labo concoction, and their Rose 31 scent is one of their most popular sellers, and also finds it's key ingredient from the rose fields of Grasse.
Our adventure started at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, where the hotel's amenities are all Le Labo's Rose 31. From hand soap to shampoo, we were given the full experience of the scent the day before we were to take to the fields of Grasse to witness the production of the key ingredient. I'll just start by admitting that I became one of those people who walk away with all the amenities from the room. I couldn't leave one bottle or soap of Le Labo behind. It felt wrong. I have a feeling, however, I'm not the only one who does such a thing while staying at the Fairmont Monte Carlo.
The next day we had a very early start on our journey from Monte Carlo to Grasse. We had to, you see, as the pickers of the Rose Centifolia start early in the morning. They have to, in order to capture the roses before the sun drains them of their sweet scent. They walk up and down the rose bushes, picking at a set pace and in a rhythm which is all wildly romantic. I imagined coming here and doing this every May as an occupation, filling burlap sacks full of roses that only come to this earth for such a short and sweet time. Truly - there's a romance novel in there somewhere.
After watching the ladies pick the roses, we were taken to the factory, which creates the essence of Rose Centifolia. Try this fact on for size. It takes over 60,000 roses to produce just one ounce of the rose oil. Yeah... there's a reason your rose scented perfume comes with the price tag it does. There is some serious effort that goes into producing that heavenly scent and I've left with a whole new appreciation of the process from growth to mixology.
Spending a whole day amongst roses builds quite the appetite. Our hosts Alain Robuffel, owner of the Rose fields, and Xavier Brochet, from the factory Firmenich, anticipated such an event and put on the most fabulous fresh air picnic for us that afternoon, complete with rose wine! The day was most certainly one to remember. And I definitely have a new appreciation for the fine art of fragrance creation.
I have lived in the UK now for nearly 14 years and I had pretty much thought I had seen it all when it comes to the social scene in this part of the world. However, earlier this week I had a true "pinch me" moment in being exposed to what has officially become my favourite social event of the summer. Picture this: a country house, men in tuxedos, women in gowns, picnic tables spread out across lush green lawns surrounded by fields of frolicking sheep, champagne flowing freely and an opera house waiting to provide you with stellar entertainment for the evening. Such is the way of life for those who frequent The Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
We made our way out to Glyndebourne on a Thursday afternoon. I was invited by Anthropologie, to take part in the night to remember and we were to have a few surprises from the brand along the way. Our train departed London Victoria at just after two and we arrived at Lewes station at just after three. It's about a 5-10 minute cab ride to the actual house, so our feet officially set onto the grounds at around 3:30. While the opera doesn't actually start until 5:30, guests arrive early to set up elaborate picnics with friends and family on the surrounding lawns of Glyndebourne.
Our picnic, we learned, had been set up for us already. Upon arriving, we were led through the beautiful countryside to our table and chairs, which had been set up with a view of the beautiful lake on the grounds. We were most certainly spoiled with a table set by Anthropologie for the occasion. Glyndebourne's own champagne was being poured upon arrival and we sat and took in the beauty of our surroundings as we sipped and marveled at how 14 years had passed and somehow never before had this been a part of FFG's official summer event calendar.
To start with, it should be said that The Glyndebourne Festival Opera is not an event people take lightly. This is a serious night out, from planning one's attire to inventing the perfect three course meal to accompany your pre-opera, intermission and post-opera socialising. I, as you might expect, wore all Anthropologie (all details of outfit and table settings below). Compliments were passed back and forth between the women in attendance on their ensembles. My choice of a bold yellow seemed to go down a treat with the regulars. And, as one would expect, our table setting received a great deal of attention. I think we were most definitely classified as "women in the know" with a set up that was on par with the finest of diners in the area. The only thing I wished we had brought was a set of candles. Yes, there were dozens of diners that took the opportunity to make this a romantic evening, complete with a dining experience by candlelight. I can't possibly put across in words how very Jane Austen this whole experience is. It truly does feel as if you have stepped back in time in one of the most romantic centuries in existence. I could have stayed there forever. Alas, the night's true entertainment was just ahead.
At 5:30pm, the bells rang to alert guests that the Opera was about to begin. We left our table and picnic basket and made our way over to the concert hall. Naturally, we stopped for one glass of champagne with friends on the grounds before making our way to our seats, just in the nick of time. The opera of the night was Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and let me just tell you that we had been forewarned that we would be seduced by Figaro's swaying hips. Hips aside, I was completely seduced by the whole experience itself. The opera is truly a beautiful form of art that I do believe everyone should experience at least once in their lives. This emotional rollercoaster ride, all shared through song on the stage, is beautifully set to live music from the London Philharmonic Orchestra and saw much laughter, many tears and more than one moment of true and complete adoration for the talent displayed on stage. Before we knew it, however, the production had come to a halt to allow us all to rejoin our picnic parties and indulge in the beautiful picnics that had been provided by Glyndebourne for the evening.
Awaiting us at our Anthropologie picnic table was a surf and turf setup. Didn't I tell you this wasn't your ordinary picnic? My guest and I shared plates of lobster and beef, with sides of fresh tomatoes with mozzarella and new potatoes. Dessert was a very typical english setup - strawberries and cream, as well as an elaborate cheese plate. And of course all of this was being washed down with more decadence - champagne. See where I'm going here with the "pinch me" moment. With the British sun setting over the patchwork hills of England and the sounds of lambs roaming around the fields, this just couldn't possibly have been a more incredible moment to remember.
As 8:30 came around we were once again summoned into the Opera House to see how this epic romance would end. Now, it must be said that there is a reason why Glyndebourne itself seems so hopelessly romantic from the start. It's foundation is actually found in a love story. In the early 1900's, John Christie, owner of the manor since 1913, was holding regular amateur opera nights in the organ room on the estate. This is a room you can still enter today on the grounds. In 1931, soprano Audrey Mildmay attended one of the evenings and left with the owner's heart. Christie and Mildmay were married that June and during their honeymoon they attended several opera festivals in Europe, which gave them the idea to start one of their own at Glyndebourne. 80 years later, here we stand.
Of course, a lot has changed in 80 years. For starters, Glyndebourne receives 100% of the energy needed for the company from a wind turbine on site. And, what started out as a relatively small gathering of people has evolved into a theatre that now hosts 1200 guests for each performance. Ticket prices, I imagine have increased as well, ranging now from £10-300 now, and selling out regularly. Although that doesn't mean Glyndebourne isn't constantly trying to engage the masses. The opera tours around the country, as well as showcasing performances in 200 cinemas. They even have a special scheme for the under 30s to try and attract and keep a younger audience. They've thought of everything.
People of the world - this is an experience not to be missed. I must say it now has an official place on my calendar, whenever I can get tickets!
Thank you, Glynebourne and Anthropologie, for a true night of magnificent memories.
I am spending this week in Finland, as we welcome Helsinki New, our own take on a fashion week. The series of days is being kicked off tonight by a spectacular known as ‘Match made in HEL’ a fashion show that of seven designers from Asia and Europe, showing at Helsinki-Vantaa’s airport runway. What? Yes. I am so proud of this extraordinary event that will bring guests from all over the world to witness the models walk down on what can only be described as the biggest and longest catwalk on the planet.
After being a Londoner for 7 years, I wanted to bring a little of my English politeness together with my Finnish roots. So I took the latest creation of Bora Aksu, who is representing UK in today’s show, for a little stroll in the woods. I ended up looking quite patriotic - draped in our national colours, lost in the newly reawaken Finnish forest. But what could be better than that, honey, I’m home.
I will be live streaming the Match Made in HEL runway show today at 8pm. Local time (GMT+3) Or 6pm. In the UK, on 5 inch and up Facebook wall, see you in HEL my darlings!
