27 Jun 2010, Posted by admin in Fashion, 0 Comments

montblanc white nights festival diary–music, baubles and lots of food!

Day 1–Off to St. Petersburg

I took off for the airport Visa in hand–really proud of my packing job (no checked luggage is always a feat!) And so I was off to Russia after a quick phone conservation with my mother who told me not to drink too much and that I hadn’t packed enough warm clothes (I will be 50 years old and getting this advice.) My airport driver coincidentally was a Russian expat, though he hasn’t been to Russia in over twenty years he told me. He gave me the name of a restaurant to try and told me to send him a postcard. By the time I settled into my seat on the plane a security line and quick snack later I was ready for the 9-hour flight, my ambien and a glass of scotch were beckoning to me after all. Unfortunately my plan was spoiled by one of the passengers who had checked into the flight and had failed to board the plane. The airline staff were in full on freak out mode about the security risk that his checked in baggage posed–the options posed were to locate the missing passenger or unload all of the luggage from the plane and search out what was his. An hour and a half later he was located, and he boarded the plane–the man turned up in an unbuttoned shirt and oversized gold necklace. Where he had been in the airport for an hour and half after his flight was supposed to take off I will never know, and possible always wonder (entranced by a beauty at the bar at TGI Fridays or trying out ergonomic neck pillows at Brookstone?) Nevermind that, the flight was off, my ambien was swallowed, St.Petersburg here I come!

Day 2–Time For the Ball

I awoke from my sleepy haze practically in Russia (another travel feat I am sure everyone can relate to is sleeping through an overnight flight!) The moment I stepped off the plane I was greeted by someone from the airport who helped me navigate the airport quickly and skip the customs line (you have to seriously wonder about a country that will let you skip the customs line, but who am I to over think this.) From there I was whisked off to a car bound for my hotel. This car ride provided my first glimpse at the city that is considered the cultural capital of Russia and is often compared to Venice because of its waterways. Domed buildings appear out of nowhere sandwiched between stark long building with seemingly endless facades. Moments when I passed by a glittering river left my breathless. My hotel, the Taleon Imperial was located on Nevsky Prospect, a main thoroughfare in the historical district and was formerly a palace. It has this fabulous czarist feeling thanks to red tones, rich drapery and lots of gold and marble. My room had a spectacular view of the river and I settled into my bed for an all too short nap before I had to head out to my first event–the ball. I put on my Marchesa gown (long gowns were required) and as much Yves Saint Laurent concealer as my face could take and headed downstairs. The guests a mix of journalists, clients and VIPS (hello Adrien Brody) were along for the ball. We got into cars and it was off the Sheremeteve Palace which was only a short drive away. Located on the North shore of the Neva River it has the feel of a aristocratic summer home surrounded by cast iron gate. We ascended the grand staircase to the second floor where we were greeted by champagne, photographers, a pianist and a fashion exhibition. Then we toured the palace, which included many rooms dedicated to musical instruments before capping off the tour in a room where we were treated to an a beautiful a cappella concert. Then we entered into the grand ballroom for dinner. By this time I was mildly delirious with jet lag but instantly became fascinated by a couple and their daughter from Hong Kong. They had been invited because of their “big client” status at Montblanc and seemed to have every pen under the sun. The patriarch had even had a custom pen made for his wife for their 30th anniversary. I couldn’t help but wonder what it takes to be considered a big client of Montlbanc. Along with the Hong Kong couple there were other rather important clients from Taiwan and Kazakhstan. Several rich dinner courses ensued with opera and dance breaks between courses. One of the women opera singers completely blew me away. I left the ball sleepy, but looking forward to what the next day had in store.

Day 3–Young Artists Captivate the Day

The next day I awoke with grand plans of going to the Hermitage before the scheduled events of the day. It didn’t happen. I ended up at the beautiful rooftop restaurant of my hotel enjoying breakfast while looking out at the city. Then it was off to a press conference at the famed Mariinsky Theater where Montblanc’s CEO and Valery Gergiev, who is  the general director and artistic director of the Mariinsky Teather, were announcing the winners of the Montblanc New Voices Award. Gergiev spoke eloquently about searching for new talent. “Music never becomes less important or less interesting,” he told the captive crowd. And Montblanc’s CEO Lutz Bethge spoke about the importance of supporting the arts, especially during the difficult downturn. It’s important to note that Montblanc hasn’t cut any of its arts initiatives during the recession. Montblanc’s brand ambassador (Bond girl) Eva Green then presented the awards to two rising opera stars–bass baritone Shenyang and tenor Sergey Skorokhodov. Then it was off to lunch at restaurant everyone was referring to as Backstage, which by the way was not backstage in the theater but was rather across the street and was touted as Gergiev’s favorite restaurant. It had a wonderful bohemian old world feel. The group then went to Montblanc’s store to try on jewelry and have a bit of tea (yes, you can imagine at this point I was in a full on food coma). A quick change at the hotel and then it was time for dinner, which was at a fun supper club (which turns into a night club as the night progresses). It was in a converted gymnasium and a mix of old world opulence and new world money thanks to flat screens that dotted the room. Then we headed to the new Mariinsky theater for a concert by the winners of the  Montblanc New Voices Award. We were told that we were in for a surprise, but I honestly had no idea what to expect. The surprise came in the form of nine year old piano prodigy Ju-Hee Lim decked in an adorable pink frothy dress. She took to the piano like a seasoned pro, almost in a trance like state. It was magical to watch. My seatmate told me that she was trying not to cry (I felt the same way). The two winners of the New Voices award also performed. I was particularly struck by Shenyang who performed more like an actor than a singer on a stark concert stage.

Day 4–A Jaunt to the Hermitage

On my final day in St. Petersburg I awoke far too late and headed downstairs before a quick jaunt over to the Hermitage. Let me just say that you can look at photos of the Hermitage and think that is a grand palace, but being there really puts it in perspective. It is huge, impossibly huge. Beautiful yes, but completely daunting. There are nearly 3 million items in the museums six building. Their are massive chandeliers. A thrown room. And a massive (and mysteriously acquired) impressionist collection. Needless to say I will have to revisit the Hermitage. By the time that I started back for my hotel to collect my bags and head to the airport people were already swarming the streets with champagne in hand (keep in mind it was like 11 am) getting ready for the all night celebration because it was one of the longest white nights(the city doesn’t get dark!) I was sad to miss it. And that was my trip, I bid good bye to St.Petersburg and vowed to return.

Special thanks to the wonderful and accommodating Montblanc team and the always helpful and amazing Mission PR team for putting together and inviting me on such a memorable trip.

–Leah Bourne