Martyn's Not My Frenemy

Before we go ANY further I have to say I adore Martyn, and no one could be more fun, playful and ready to entertain. So frenemies we are not. Although that word itself has kind of a pretty cadence, so too bad it does not have a great connotation! Frenemies. . .hmmmm. . .sounds like I could have a line with that name. . .

I am so honored and grateful that Susan Feldman and One Kings Lane asked Martyn and I to India to design a capsule collection. We all had an amazing time really filled with so many rich life experiences. From the early discussions about our collaboration, I always knew that Martyn and I share a great love of a good time, as well as a love for other cultures in the world, so at the very least we would discover a new great experience together. I honestly have to watch our little tiffs on the screen and laugh. I love Martyn's strong personality and that he actually takes control for so many things -- but in the design world it is one area where we really both have our own big ideas about things. Collaborating with any designer can be hairy since we have all worked so hard to have a voice, sometimes for years and years.

I love that when I go to a foreign country I think it is obviously a costume party for the local custom, and India was no exception. I have been to India before this trip and have tons of clothes from other trips there so it was about time I got to wear them again.

I cannot describe how beautiful India is, even with all the impoverishment that abounds. For living in a superficial world of luxury goods and the world's wealthiest people, I contrarily have a very Out of Africa-side that is quite comfortable within a completely different universe lacking all luxury, or at least I relish the temporary experience of it. It makes you realize how there are so many different types of lives to live out there -- all just as important as the next.

Susan and Martyn were always slapping my hand like a child for touching everything I shouldn't and sticking things in my mouth from vendors. It made me laugh especially when Martyn quipped with some sort of British-accented soliloquy about the filth. He was right but the Shakespeare part Martyn is so famous for sends it over the edge where we all end up laughing, including Martyn.

As usual for my third world experiences, I was the only one that came down one night with a case of what they call "Delhi Belly." The cameras caught part of it but I guess there was no time for me to look that bad on our one hour show! Thank you Bravo, I love you. (It ain't pretty!)

Unfortunately we did not have enough hours to show all of our sari shopping, jewelry shopping, outfit competitions, market place excursions, and palace hopping between design scuffles but believe me we did it all.

We had many Indian dinners by candlelight at some of the most glamorous places in India. Needless to say we all recanted tales of our diverse childhoods and life experiences. Martyn is a very interesting warm and self deprecating man who loves a great laugh with a wicked sense of humor. He entertained us all for our candlelight dinners as well as taking me to his friend Prince Tikka of Kapurthala's house. Yes an authentic prince. I was quickly renamed Mary of Kapurthala as he hoped to marry me off. . .which soon became Diva McDevi. I am now eternally Diva McDevi and happily so.

OK as for Kathryn and her butting head client Liz I feel her pain. This is something that happens to all of us here and there. Oddly I also know this client of hers from the magazine world too. Liz is a great gal, but strong willed from being a career woman, which is quite common. I was watching Kathryn just trying to get her vision in place only to be usurped by the client. He who pays generally wins. Sad but true.

More importantly DOES JACQUELINE ACTUALLY COOK AND CLEAN? I am serious. Does she?

I love watching her, but I don't think I have ever seen her do anything. I mean ANYTHING. Look, I would have her around too, since she is kind of cool looking, but I would have dust balls everywhere at that pace. Well she is French. I guess she can get away with that.

I am glad Jeffrey and Ross have switched cooking nights. . .I guess??? Hey Jeffrey is good to look at even if a little rusty on Paillard techniques. . .Jeffrey love, just let Ross cook doll.