Le Toiny

This year I had a change of scene for my Christmas Holiday.  Being the Francophile that I am, I longed for the South of France experience that is St. Barth.  It was clearly the right move for me for many reasons. 

For starters, I ran into so many friends from all over the world.  I stayed at the the most exquisite hotel at the end of the island, Le Toiny, a haven for peace and quiet overlooking the Caribbean.  The beauty of Le Toiny was that if I wanted excitement I could find it at the various parties in town.  But then if I wanted to relax, I would go back to my divine villa with a private swimming pool in order to prepare for the next evening’s activity.

With my daughter, Alexis

Much of the holiday revolved around eating.  The French cuisine of St. Barth was sublime everywhere I went.  Some of my favorite restaurants were Maya’s, Isle de France, Do Brazil, L’Isola, Nikki Beach, Eden Rock, and The Strand.

Marc Jacobs and Daniel Craig were at Saline beach the same day as I.  We have the same taste in restaurants – as I saw them that same afternoon lunching at the Le Tamarin restaurant.

Marc Jacobs

Daniel Craig

There were so many parties every night - it was hard to keep up so I chose a few that appealed to me:

The Chopard Girls

In addition to viewing beautiful jewels worn by the Chopard models, I happened to run into my neighbor from New York.

With Nicole Kubin

Carl Gustaf was a crazy wild scene where I ran into Dr. Gloom and Doom Economics Guru Nouriel Roubini and Hermann Bühlbecker, Chocolate Tycoon from Germany.

With Nouriel Roubini and Hermann Bühlbecker

Here I’m wearing Bottega Veneta; earrings by Buccelatti; watch by Bulgari; ring by Lydia Courteille.

And then there was a book signing for Patrick Demarchelier…

At Patrick Demarchelier’s book signing

After St. Barth, I jetted off to Antigua for New Year’s Eve.

Dancing with my son, Philip

The Tabak family

Jeff Tabak in Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Charvet tie and pocket square, Elizabeth in Brian Reyes, Philip in Ralph Lauren, Alexis in Rozae Nichols, and me in Givenchy.

Never a dull moment!  I am looking forward to 2009 as I have many projects and interesting initiatives ahead.  I am off to Paris this week to see some of the Men’s Spring 2009 collections — and the pièce de résistance: Haute Couture.