abracadabra... an enchanted evening...

I have been invited to a party... not just any party... but a magical Christmas party. A party where the imagination is my canvas and the details are as grand as my thoughts. This enchanted evening is taking place on the 23rd December in the year 2011 in a country far, far away...

Aberacadabera will be my magic word... my cue... When I close my eyes and say those fanciful syllables I will be transported to this Christmas extravaganza. I won't be sitting at a computer screen, daydreaming as I type... I won't be at home thinking about mundane things... I will be a million, trillion miles away. I have accepted this invitation, I have said yes to this great occasion... and I am in raptures. I don't have to think about practicalities... like booking airfares and hotel accommodation... remember this party is the stuff of white rabbits and top hats... magic means never having to be sensible... magic means I will float in on a cloud and exit on a moonbeam. This imaginary evening is no do-it-youself event... this is the real aberacadabera... the Harry Houdini of imaginary acts...  And because it's all make believe I can ponder on what I will wear to this party for as long as I want... the time is all mine, sans interruption... There will be no ten minutes to bathe and dress, five to apply make-up and a less than perfect blow dry...  So the question burns... What will I wear?  Nothing unusual or surprising about this question... It is one I ask myself multiple times on a daily basis... except that for this out-of-this-world evening there are no boundaries.... There are no... my legs are too fat... my bottom is too wide... I am not quite tall enough... I need more cleavage... my arms are too saggy... I'm too scrawny... all and every other female fear is redundant because this is fantasy night...

'Aberacadabera'... 'Aberacadabera'... and I am an 18th century mademoiselle of the French court. Silk and satin, petticoats and bustier make me want to twirl and twirl around my salon. I feel pretty, oh so pretty and yet I feel constrained and nervous that this dress will be too restrictive for an evening of merriment. My sweet companion makes me blush with his glowing compliments and yet... I am not convinced. I am feeling strangely old fashioned... event though my couturier is held in the highest regard at Court... I don't want to be seen as démodé when I make my debut in the New World... No... this won't do...

'Aberacadabera', I say again... ever so tentatively with eyes tightly closed and fingers secretly crossed...
I open my eyes... Paris... and I am in the atelier of Hubert de Givenchy... As I gaze at my reflection in the full length mirror I am overwhelmed... 'Fabric is the most extraordinary thing, it has life. You must respect the fabric,' he tells me. I am wearing black and feel empowered by his aesthetic... classical, pure and sometimes slightly severe; with an occasional surprising flourish such as this cutaway, crescent-shaped detail on the back of my dress. 'Am I somewhat unimaginative to wear black?'  He shakes his head and says to me that, 'the little black dress is the hardest thing to realise, because you must keep it simple.'

With hair, make-up and jewels in place I, like Cinderella, am ready for the ball.... But wait... one minute... it is a woman's prerogative to change her mind... Is this too classic, too conservative? I suddenly have an urge to wear something less feminine and more edgy... something almost masculine but with a certain sex appeal... 'Aberacadabera'... 'Aberacadabera' ...my verbal chariot awaits...

Yves Saint Laurent... Le Monsieur with Le Smoking... tall, charismatic and wearing his trademark heavy frame eyeglasses... is convincing when he says that this is right for me. 'Elegant, simple and empowering' are the words he uses to describe this female version of a traditional tuxedo. 'You must wear this with courage and conviction', he insists. 'There is only self confidence and attitude when you put on this jacket.' Who am I to argue with M. Saint Laurent?... I long for 'attitude' and a touch more self confidence... a party is always a little intimidating until that first coupe de champagne stills the nerves...

I cannot decide... my magic mot, my 'aberacadabera' has left me giddy with choice... I am in awe of Monsieur deGivenchy... his elegance... his poise... and I am certainly impressed with Monsieur Saint Laurent's exacting vision for women... As this is the one night of my life, the one Christmas party, where I can wear exactly what I want I shan't quibble... I shall wear both... I shall make my entrance in Givenchy and take my leave in Saint Laurent... 

For my hostess I must give the gift of memories as my thank you. She can record this enchanted evening for posterity and capture the smiles and the happiness of my fellow guests. I have for her a Fujifilm Instax Photo camera... instant, polaroid-like snaps to have and to hold.... This imaginary party is a celebration, it is a joyous end to the year and a chance to encounter new and old friends. There will be music and laughter, singing and dancing... there will be fine food and wine... I will party until dawn... or for as long as my magic wand allows... Aberacadabera... it's time... xv


To read what other other glamorous bloggers are wearing to this Christmas celebration click HERE 

my daily click HERE

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SHOP FRENCH ESSENCE - HERE

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my colour boards on pinterest HERE

frenchessence.blogspot.com

givenchy quote and article  - here

yves saint laurent quote - entirely made up by me

magic rabbit - google

engraving - google

 audrey hepburn - google

 yves saint laurent le smoking - helmut newton