Saturday was a glorious day in Paris. Not only was it a
beautiful fall day but it was also the weekend of the vintage Hermès exhibit in
Paris. And boy, it did not disappoint. Luckily the exhibit was across the
street from my apartment at the Hotel du Louvre so we did not have to travel
far. Let me just state for the record that walking through the Palais Royal garden
on a brisk autumn morning in Paris to get to a Hermès exhibit with my handsome
husband doesn’t suck. I recognize that I am fortunate that this is how I am
able to spend a Saturday.
The second I stepped into the exhibit, my heart started
beating with excitement. Vintage Hermès everything… Travel luggage, toiletry
kits, bags, scarves, accessories, clothing… Everything one’s greedy little
heart could imagine. The ladies of the 16th arrondissement came out
of the woodwork for this event. It was truly a sight to see. I love a
hoity-toity old-school Parisian. They are usually impenetrable but I think
because they recognize my plight, somehow their guard is down and they always
give me a sweet knowing look. Real Housewives these ladies were not. Demure,
subtle, impeccably dressed, perfect lipstick, chic hairdos, sunglasses with
husbands, little dogs and euros in tow. Every single woman looked like
Catherine Deneuve (current age) and these women were there to shop. There was
not a single tourist in sight. There were no bimbos in Hervé Léger bandage
dresses asking, “Do you have any new pink Birkins because all of these bags
just look so oooooold.”
What surprised me most about the exhibit was the rarity of
the items. There was a circa 1969 St. Tropez bag, manufactured for only one
year, only 10 in existence. And the colors! Shamrock green suede gloves. Navy
blue leather bags. Ox blood red leather travel bags. Sapphire blue crocodile
bracelets. And my favorite, a 1958 pearl gray/blue Kelly bag. Unusual bags like
the canvas hand-painted sailboat travel bag from a private collection. The
collection of vintage scarves was cray cray… Pink and green cashmere, navy blue
silks and one very very special scarf with a mink border. Take a look…
These pieces were for the true connoisseurs, collectors and
lovers of everything Hermès… But in a good way.
*I have to give a special thank you to my husband. For the
past 10 years, he has taken me to every exhibit, museum, Château, garden,
fleamarket and antique show that my little heart desires. He will wake up at 5
AM, drive 100 miles and grab the lattes to ensure that my happiness is
paramount. It was easy in the beginning without ALS. We could just wake up, pop
into the car and do as we please. Now, with my ALS, it’s a bit more
complicated. Caregivers, wheelchairs, breathing machines, my attitude… It’s not
always easy but he still does it because he knows it makes me happy. ALS is a
very complicated disease both emotionally and physically. Even friends and
family don’t understand what David and I go through on a daily basis. It is a
challenge and the ultimate test of a relationship. It’s not always pretty but
sometimes it’s beautiful. Je t’aime, Saint David.
