Karl Lagerfeld and my Armani Hat

The famous “Librairie Galignani”, established since 1856 on rue de Rivoli, next to the charming Salon de Thé “Angelina”, is one of my favourite “librairies” in Paris.

I am fascinated by the long stretch of original hardwood shelves, dating back to the 1930’s, beautifully packed with amazing books on myriad subjects… and the unique “escalier” they use to reach top shelves.

This handsome bookshop is full of the most fabulous publications, with a vast selection of Anglo-American, French, and International Fine Arts and Design books, about different countries, cultures, and peoples – China, Indonesia, Japan, Arabia, Russia, and of course France…  As well as, huge volumes on artists such as Picasso, Braque, Leonardo da Vinci, Degas, and Renoir.

Galignani also had published books by some of the great English writers of the time, like Byron, Wordsworth, and Scott…

I often go there (after having enjoyed a cup of tea at “Angelina’s” and their delicious “Mont Blanc” gateau) to browse, and immerse myself in the wonderful literary atmosphere.

Having bought a magnificent Art book and some magazines, I was preparing to pay at the counter…

When… I encountered a man who looked rather familiar.

It was the great man himself, the designer Karl Lagerfeld, head of the legendary fashion house “Chanel”.  He was staring at me admiringly.  I happened to be wearing an “Emporio Armani” head hugging winter hat, in greige, with he letters “ARMANI” written all around the rim.

I smiled at him and flirtatiously said: “so sorry, Monsieur Lagerfeld… it’s not one of your designs”.

“My dear”, he answered charmingly, “there is room for everyone in our profession”.

Karl was elegant and ever so “galant”.

No airs or pretence.

Nor any artificiality whatsoever.

Charming…

We then had a chat about his “life enhancing” loss of weight, and kindly gave me the name of the diet book he had written, in collaboration with the doctor who helped him.

He looked amazing.

I said “au revoir” to the perfect gentleman, while fervently hoping to meet with the cultivated, cultured and delightful Karl Lagerfeld at the superb librairie Galignani.

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