Sunday 10^th January 2010

Some of you have probably heard enough about clothes. Don’t worry. On Tuesday we go to the preview of the London Art Fair and I have a dinner for seven afterwards at home. Homely winter food. No Ottolenghi.

So we shall be high-minded.

Besides the sales are almost at an end. Then I shall have to face January – making marmalade, editing my towels, re-building my economy.

And, actually, trying to get control of my wardrobe, bending its various elements into some kind of design, presenting each day a new invention.

Clothes are the absolute front-line. You can’t wear your home and show it in the streets. Give up on frockage and you might as well be dead. Many are dead.

But last Saturday at the Multis with Prince Dmitri we met a high-fashion lady. Botox and fillers. There didn’t seem to be any question of keeping quiet about it. Results excellent. Lady only in early 40s, looking fresh and glowing.

So there’s something new for us in January. Botox and fillers. Fergus Strachan (not seen for far too long) tells me he has given up on the back-street Hastings botoxist.

What else can we glean? Hair. Had you thought of having your hairdresser to the house each morning to blow-dry or otherwise arrange your hair?

Well, you should. That’s what Eva does. I may say, she is mainly at home looking after her children with one day a week working at very prestigious party-planners

Clothes: Poor Little Rich Gays have been in agony because they can’t find what they want or the shelves have been picked clean by rival shoppers. Eva goes to trunk sales. Have you heard of them? Very exclusive. Only for known and good clients of Chanel, Gucci etc. Charbonnel and Walker chocolates on offer but not a single one eaten . You are shown the new collection and get a chance to order in advance. No waiting lists, no missing out.

But are there such events for men? I would have thought Poor Little Rich Gays could get grand and familiar with the queens at Alexander McQueen or wherever, perhaps slip a few hundred, and get the shop opened especially for a sneak preview.

At The Library, which is really my favourite shop, I am only known at sale time. So none of that for me. If you are not rich enough, wear it boldly. I always say: ‘See you at the next sale!’ then  phone up round about the time: ‘Has it started yet? How much off?’

Eva also recommends www.netaporter.com where items are available before they appear in the shops. But again, it’s women only. Where is the men’s version?  I googled away but nothing.

If all else fails, try this: A very well-known gallery owner was once seen by Eva in Prada Bond Street scooping up great heaps of merchandise, not arsed to try anything on, then bearing down on the assistant: ‘Friend of Miuccia’s – 40 per cent discount.’

Infallible, apparently.