KELLY CLAMAN

This week, the world lost an extraordinary man who lived a truly remarkable life. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was the longest serving Royal Consort in British history, having dedicated his whole life to his Queen, Country and the Commonwealth. His Royal Highness redefined the role of consort to a reigning Queen and played an instrumental part in shaping the modern Elizabethan Age.

In 1923, the dynamic young brother-sister ballroom dance duo Adele and Fred Astaire headed from New York to London to launch their latest show “For Goodness Sake”, setting off internationally for the first time. Later renamed "Stop Flirting”, the show was an instant success in the West End, receiving a standing ovation on opening night at the Shaftsbury Theatre.

His brand of choice of course was Pol Roger, longtime holder of the royal warrant and one of the wines served at the wedding reception of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It is said that Britain’s wartime Prime Minister consumed 42 000 bottles of Pol Roger over the course of his life.

I was saddened to hear that Mario Buatta, interior decorator extraordinaire, has passed. Buatta was one of the most renowned decorators in the US and a master of color and prints. Known as the “Prince of Chintz”, he championed the English Country style of decoration in America, creating some of the most celebrated spaces of the last 50 years.

Last week in New York, I had the opportunity to visit the Cartier Mansion on Fifth Avenue and tour their private rooms, an experience I won’t soon forget. Originally built in 1905, the landmark building is one of New York’s last remaining gilded-age mansions. It was once home to Morton Plant, who traded the building to Pierre Cartier in 1917 for a rare double-strand natural pearl necklace that caught the eye of his wife Maisie, worth 1 million dollars at the time.

Last week, the Royal Ontario Museum launched "Christian Dior", an exhibition honoring the House of Dior's 70th anniversary. Curated by Dr. Alexandra Palmer, "Christian Dior" celebrates the unparalleled craftsmanship of the Dior atelier and the vision of Mr. Dior, who single-handedly revived haute couture after the Second World War with his exquisite "New Look" designs.

Back in 2015, the Maryland Historical Society hosted Carol Elkins, Senior Vice-President and Specialist in the jewelry department of Sotheby's NY for a lecture on the Duchess of Windsor and her famous jewels. I was lucky enough to attend where I also had the opportunity to see items from the Duchess' wardrobe up-close, including her famous Monkey dress by Hubert de Givenchy which she donated to the MHS in the 60s.

It is a magical feeling to hold a tangible part of history in your hands; a one-of-a-kind piece with a unique story behind it, a snapshot of a moment in time. Over the years I've become somewhat of a collector of vintage clothing and historical objects, pieces which bring me joy and constant inspiration. Some of them have a fascinating provenance, while others are of no particular background but hold beauty to me nonetheless and bring the magic of the past to life.

I don't often come across photos of the Duchess of Windsor that I haven't seen before, so I was particularly excited when I stumbled upon a set of rare photos of young Wallis Simpson at Bryanston Court, her London home before the abdication. These images, which were originally published by Weekly Illustrated in 1936, give a rare glimpse at Wallis's life and style before she became a royal Duchess.

London is such a magical city. Medieval castles and Tudor buildings stand alongside modern structures, creating an ambience that has always enchanted me. With its lush gardens, vast architectural works and charming restaurants and boutiques, there is so much beauty to appreciate around the city.

I must have been around 12 years old when I first watched The Thomas Crowne Affair starring Piece Brosnan and Rene Russo. Even at such a young age I was instantly drawn to the effortless elegance of Russo's character, Catherine Banning, so reminiscent of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's easy street style.

Fleur Cowles was a remarkable woman. She was a writer, an artist, a collector and a visionary. She was a renowned hostess who had long-standing friendships with some of the most brilliant minds of her time such as Salvador Dali, Winston Churchill, and Elsa Schiaparelli, and she was the original tastemaker. She even represented the United States at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. But her greatest legacy is Flair, the groundbreaking style and culture bible she created in