Some people dream of a wall of shoes, my dream is to have hats and fascinators displayed in a glass cabinet!

I’ve already talked about my shoe collection but another of my addictions concerns headpieces.

I’m not talking about casual headgear but about these works of art made by hand in delicate fabrics, those that we see at royal weddings, at racecourses and other official ceremonies.
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I lived a long time in Australia and I liked to attend horse races, in particular the most famous of them: the Melbourne Cup.

Every year, the spectators compete with daring creativity on their heads and for me unthinkable not to wear a creation of Arturo Rios!

Arturo is a Los Angeles designer, he creates for American stars (Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Rihanna ...) but also European Princesses and other celebrities.
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His work is pure art, he always selects vintage materials, delicate and rare, and transcend them in amazing fascinators.
 
I’m fortunate to own 3 of his creations: Kate (red), Chanel (blue) and Faith (pink).

Arturo helped me pick the red and the blue one for the 2013 and 2015 Melbourne Cup. These fascinators gave me the opportunity to be officially photographed for the event and selected for the fashion competition.
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Initially, I wanted to wear the blue hat at my wedding, but when I decided to do a solo wedding I changed for something different.

I’ve had the pink fascinator a few months ago, I wore it for my sister’s wedding in Champagne (France).
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What excitement to open the box arriving directly from Los Angeles. I was scared to take it out of the box because it seemed so delicate.

It's like that, it's my thing, I don’t know where it really comes from, except that I always like to stand out and I’m also attracted to beautiful things ...
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What is certain is that with the creations of Arturo Rios, we never go unnoticed!!
Thank you, Arturo, you’re more than a hat designer, you’re a dream maker!

In September, I’m invited to a wedding in Paris. It will be an unforgettable moment and I need your help.

Tell me below or on social media, which of my 3 fascinators do you want me to wear: red, blue or pink?
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Finally, a sexy song that everyone knows "You can leave your hat on", and no matter the circumstances, I will keep a fascinator on my head! 😉

Here is the 2nd article of the Superwomen Series, if you missed the 1st article click on the following link: Superwomen.

​Are we born brave or do we become brave?
 
This is the question I would like to ask some women, especially Ruby Bridges.
 
On November 14, 1960, Ruby, 6 years old, was the first black child to join the William Frantz Elementary all-white school in New Orleans, Louisiana (U.S.A.).
 
She had to be accompanied by federal marshals by order of President Eisenhower, because the local police refused to protect her. The first day at school, she spent it with her mother, in the principal’s office, unable to access her class because of protest. In the first year, only one teacher agreed to teach her and Ruby was the only student.
 
Ruby was not aware of the story that was being played and how this event was going to determine her life. This accomplished woman is now leading the Ruby Bridges Foundation created in 1999.
 
Far from having traumatised the child she was, she fights for "tolerance, respect and recognition of all differences".
 
Some people can therefore show exemplary courage without realising it, and that from their youngest age.

​I often say that courage comes from determination. When you want something more than anything in the world, you fight for it, sometimes going beyond the prejudices and the misunderstanding of your loved ones.
 
It reminds me of Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689) who renounced her throne and country for her religious convictions. Her desire for freedom dictated her decisions and neither her family nor her compatriots could restrain her. A fate all drawn and glitzy but not the one she wanted. She has shaken up propriety and monarchy, accepted criticism; when you know what you want, and you are determined to obtain it, nothing seems impossible.
 
A destiny is chosen for us but we decide another one, that’s courage for me!

​Like Christine, everyone can discover courage in themselves, just have the right motivation, a dream that makes you fight to achieve it.
 
Of course, this is reminiscent of Martin Luther King's famous speech of August 28, 1963, "I have a dream". Being sure of your right and your convictions to face the whole earth, to brave hate and stupidity, to follow the path that we trace despite storms.
 
I like this quote: Grow through what you go through.
 
In their song Superheroes (song at the end of the article), the band The Script gives a definition of superhero that I particularly like:
When you've been fighting for it all your life
You've been struggling to make things right
That’s how a superhero learns to fly
Every day, every hour, turn the pain into power
 
This assurance in my decisions and choices have determined my courage several times in my life. Not to mention respect and love that I have for myself. I refuse to accept a future that is not mine, a future dictated by relatives, society, stereotypes, politics, religion, the media ...
 
Love yourself, respect yourself, listen to yourself, accept who you are, and pursue your dreams. This is for me the combination of courage. So, what are you waiting for releasing your bravery and for becoming your own superhero!!
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