Lila-Rose’s diary: Episode 1

- Laly ? No, I’m Lila. Lila-Rose. It’s not that difficult: Lila-Rose! But for the two years that I’ve worked as a writer in his PR department, “Lizard Features” (my boss) has, it would seem, never really got to grips with my first name … There he is in the doorway, his face all wrinkly, like a linen shirt at the end of the day. What happens next happens in a flash… - Do the PK CDA 06 mean anything to you ? Translation: the press kits for the new Cristal d’Arques Paris collections. Lizard Features wants them finished asap so that we’re on track with this year’s decorative trends. For months we’ve been slaving away over them – I know everything there possibly is to know! - Excellent. I need you to edit Justine’s ‘Baroque’ copy. She’s ditched us … No point telling you I needed this done yesterday, I suppose? You’ve got till Monday morning. I glance at my watch and take a chocolate break while I do my sums. If I work non-stop through till tomorrow morning that gives me exactly 13 hours and 7 minutes to put my personal stamp on the very industrious Justine’s work. At that point, all is going well. I’m a young press officer and writer and responsible for what is currently the most important press kit. I’ve just been “promoted”: call me Carrie Bradshaw, throw flowers at my feet!! And then I stumble on the horrible truth: my colleague has not in fact left  me anything to work on. And so suddenly I find myself in a situation which resembles Mission: Impossible much more than it does Sex And The City! I have a root around in the server – nothing – in her drawers – still nothing – her files – nada! I’ll be better off surfing the Net and reading reviews … By teatime I’ve got the basics on: - the past: fashions from the sixteenth-, seventeenth- and eighteenth-centuries, Russian and Venetian influences - the present: the return to luxury and extravagance

The future (even if only short-lived) of the Baroque style holds no secrets for me. The photocopier – yes. I ask for help in the corridor – in vain. Late on a Friday afternoon, go figure! Five long minutes drag by before I finally hit the HELP keys on my phone, which dial the number of my best friend. - Forget the photocopier. Just get a load of the goods together. I’ll pick you up in an hour. In no time at all my flat is crammed with the CDA collections and a load more decorative items. And with them an air of Baroque. But crazily revamped: lots of different colours (mainly pink, très chic), sensual materials (velvet, for example), and amazing plays of light with crystal and mirrors. The result is a flashy-romantic version of the Hall of Mirrors conjured up in my very own living-room! A décor fit for a modern-day princess, one that Sofia Coppola’s Marie-Antoinette certainly wouldn’t turn her nose up at! In any case, it was in these surroundings, in every way identical to the sets of the photo shoots arranged to provide illustrations for the press kits, that I forgot the day’s worries, drank champagne – from Longchamp Folies flutes, naturally! – danced, laughed and still haven’t made it to bed… It’s almost 4 a.m…Ctrl + S. I’ve just written the first draft of my article. Who would have believed it? My home sweet home was my sole source of inspiration. I didn’t have to rush around designer showrooms (I adore Serge Olivares and Philippe Boulet), or highly-rated restaurants (Sketch Gallery and Annex 3 if you’re in London). And yet I’m completely shattered! On the floor the Constellation table runner is a treasure hunt leading to my bed. With all those stars twinkling I allow myself three wishes before switching off my mobile: 1. That I can keep my flat looking this chic and rock ‘n’ roll; 2. That I have produced today the best “PK CDA 06” ever; 3. That Lizard Features will approve my work on Monday morning… © MP