So the real reason I was in Paris was to celebrate the arrival of our newest ambassadress, Julia Roberts. I hope everyone heard the news that Julia is now part of the Lancôme family. It's a huge thrill for us and for Julia too. As she told WWD, it's "...every girls dream, really."
She gave some great quotes to WWD: "To be 42 and have three kids and be a working mom, it's a great moment to be asked to do this and to be able to do it. I think it says a lot about Lancôme and what they stand for." And, "I think I have to stand up straighter and wash my face more."
Lancôme threw a small dinner at the Hotel de la Monnaie (a beautiful former treasury building on the Left Bank, right across from the Seine) that was attended by Julia, a few editors from around the world, some Lancome executives, celebrity hairstylist Serge Normant and Mario Testino, who photographed Julia for the ads, which will debut later this year. I'll confess I got a little star-struck when I met Carine Roitfeld, the incredibly chic editor in chief of French Vogue.
Julia wore a knee-length black McQueen dress, Louboutin heels and jewels from Cartier. Her hair and makeup were very simple, like they were at the Golden Globes. She made a few remarks before dinner was served and went from table to table to say hello to all the guests. She really is as gracious and down to earth as her friends and co-stars say she is.
Julia's already had great ideas for products, some tied to the history of Lancôme. (She mentioned some ideas and I almost fell over. You would think she had worked in product development all her life.) I really think this is going to be an exciting partnership for everyone.
Thanks for all the great comments while I was in Paris. Kate and Lara, I hope you're feeling better! Emily B, yes Canadians can enter the giveaways. We love our Canadian friends. Marie, the fragrance will be an international launch, but not every country at the same time, and that Christopher Kane Rose Juicy Tube remains one of my all time fave lippies. And Tess and Mary in Wonder, Rose Defile is one of Kate Winslet's favorite shades. Isn't it a gorgeous color?
