As this capital’s “leading lights” swagger back into the swing of things, everybody’s in the mood for a spot of Tinsel town glamour, with a dash of Riviera attitude. First stop… the Cabaret restaurant/club on place du Palais-Royal revamped by swinging young designer Ora Ito (reservations: 01 58 62 56 25)!
Film Fests
Flashing cameras and red carpets await the stateside celebrities who cross the Atlantic to premiere their movies at Deauville’s American Film Festival. This edition’s guests of honor include Harrison Ford and Jessica Lange, while its President is Roman Polanski whose most recent opus, The Pianist, received Cannes’ Golden Palm, plus three Oscars. (Sept 5-14, info: 02 31 14 14 14)
Another excuse to zoom straight back to the beach is the British Film Festival held in Dinard, a quaint family resort on the coast of Brittany. At this four-day fest, now in its 14th year, six films will compete for a “Golden Hitchkock,” and a number of upcoming releases will be screened; for instance, Roger (“Notting Hill”) Michell’s “The Mother,” a “kitchen sink” drama about a suburban grandma who takes up residence at her children’s London home, following the death of her husband, then falls for “toy boy” Darren. (Oct 2-5, info: 02 99 88 19 04)
Marlena Aura
A museum of fashion with “star quality,” the City of Paris’ Musée Galliera, presents Marlène Dietrich — Création d’un mythe, a documentary exhibition spotlighting this legendary actress via her femme fatale wardrobe. (To Oct 12, 10am to 6pm, 10 av Pierre 1er-de- Serbie, 16e, M° Iéna, tel: 01 56 52 86 00)
Star Sofa
This summer, Ligne Roset paid tribute to its perennially trendy Togo convertible sofa by commissioning four fun updates of the ’70s original, which turned the brand into a household name three decades ago — each and all displayed at its latest Left Bank showroom (85 rue du Bac, 7e). Top of the bill, Sonia Rykiel’s version features a diamante outline of a swanky parisienne sporting a striped sailor sweater.
Home Cinema
Famous for his Pegasus chair — a streamlined leather recliner that’s a modern reinterpretation of the classic American colonial “rocker” — Hollywood interior decorator Vladimir Kajan was the center of attraction at a “Cinema is part of the furniture” preview of the Fall-Winter 2003 collection of another flagship chain: Roche Bobois has decided to place the accent on integrating high-tech, notably home movie equipment, into its plush contemporary decors. Kajan’s contribution? A modular “Technicolor” foam couch concept called “Comète.” (207 bd St-Germain, 7e)
Where to get that “virtual” home cinema effect, which affluent Parisians are after? Currently promoting its EMP-TW100 projector, Epson has joined forces with Microsoft, Pioneer and Canton to provide this epic domestic thrill. (Epson Espace Cinéma, www.epson.fr)
Sausalito Sound
On the sound system front, Danish design “supremo” Bang & Olufsen is launching Beolab 5 — a UFO-like gizmo that’s set to be “the talk of the rentrée.” Equipped with an Acoustic Lens patented by Californian company Sausalito Audio Works, it treats music buffs to the ultimate “concert hall” or “clubbing” experience, whatever the size of their living room and wherever it’s placed. Just “pat it on the head” — pressing on its “magic” button… Within minutes, this state-of-the-art wunderkind “recalibrates” its speakers! (142 av des Champs-Elysées, 8e, M° George V)
Screen Beauty
V.O. [Version Originelle] is a highly original skincare line. A play on words, its name refers at once to “V.O.” (meaning“version originale”) — the letters used in French cinemas to indicate that a film is to be screened in its original language — and to the natural “origins” of its plant-based treatments and essential oils. (Infoline: 0 825 10 30 10)
Jean d’Estrées cosmetics also have cinematographic roots. Originally founded by a makeup artist who was the “darling” of Paris’ screen beauties during the 1950s, this firm concentrates on complexion protection. In the limelight this season… an “anti-age” face and neck cream in a purple pot named “3D-rides.”
Trained chez Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy, Jean-Michel Faretra wields his conjuror’s scissors at his “KpOchs” spa/bar/cyber-salon, backed by German hairdressing “nabab” Klaus Peter Ochs. This fall’s trend? Slick geometric cuts inspired by cult Brit TV series “The Avengers.” (22 rue des Capucines, 2e, tel: 01 42 86 11 23)
Cocteau Show
As of September 25, all the way through to next January – the Pompidou Center is giving Jean Cocteau “superstar” treatment. Altogether 900 exhibits and 32 video installations will pay tribute to this seminal multidisciplinary luminary: a flamboyant fashion-conscious poet, author, painter and sculptor, renowned for his spontaneously elegant drawings and his involvement in avant-garde music and dance — he will also be represented by his metaphysical cinematic creations, not least “Beauty and the Beast.” (Gallery 1, level 6, daily except Tue 11am to 9pm, Thur to 11pm, M° Hôtel de Ville, tel: 01 44 78 12 33)
Etoiles du Rex
In the mood for a spectacular outing? Europe’s biggest old-style movie theater — the Rex (1 boulevard Poissonnière, M° Bonne Nouvelle, tel: 08 36 68 05 96) — hosts “behind-the-screen” tours of its historical premises. Based on a 50-minute commentary available in English, this interactive “son et lumière” is conducted in a panoramic elevator, which literally propels the visitors from one Cinerama-like experience to the next, taking them “on set,” showing them various aspects of the production process (cutting, special effects…) and introducing them to everyone from the projectionist to King Kong! (7.50E/6.50E — movie + tour pass 12E/11E, info daily noon to 8pm: 08 92 68 05 96)
