By Kara Bloomgarden-Smoke 10/03/12 1:51pm

Lost in Translation

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Shape France Est Fermé

Shape France is bidding adieu after only one year, the Post reports.

The magazine was largely translated material and never got a foothold in the French market. It only sold 28,000 copies and didn’t get much amour from advertisers, according to the Post.

“The international market, based on the economy, is very challenging, especially in France,” a spokesperson for parent company American Media International told the Post, confirming that the current issue of Shape France will be le fin. Read More

By Patrick Clark 9/28/12 12:06pm

J'adore NYC

france new york

Yo France: NYC Looking Better as Europe Falters, 75 Percent Tax Becomes a Reality

A month ago, in the face of proposed tax hikes on French millionaires, we offered Manhattan as a superior shelter to Brussels, Geneva or London—and indeed, the dodge looks all the better now that European vacations ended and the region has resumed falling apart.

Well, France’s new tax law is no longer just an unappealing prospect (e.g. the lawsuit to end foie gras production in New York state), but a cold reality (the recent ban in California), as Socialist President Françoise Hollande announced a new budget today, placing a 75 percent on million-euro earners. The Wall Street Journal has some details: Read More

By Drew Grant 9/14/12 12:48pm

Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. (Getty Images)

French Being Very French, British Being Very British About Kate Middleton Topless Photos

Call it a culture gap: The French just don’t see what’s wrong with bare breasts.

As you undoubtedly know by now, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton was shot sunbathing topless by French paparazzi for the French magazine Closer. Now the royal family is making motion to file a proper lawsuit against the publication, according to a royal rep. To which the magazine has responded, “What is ze big deal?” Read More

By Kim Velsey 5/25/12 4:28pm

Wealthy Europeans

France: get out while you still can (Celine Aussourd, flickr)

Rich French Residents Flee Tyrannical Taxes, Seek Shelter in New York

Mon Dieu! Rather than redecorating their chateaus or contemplating the new Chanel collection, the French elite must now find places to stash their cash, now that the people have gone and elected that terrible Socialist François Hollande.

The taxman cometh, reports The New York Times, and wealthy Gauls are not standing around waiting for him to take their hard-earned euros. Non! Instead, the French are rushing to spend their money on Manhattan real estate. Read More

By Rex Reed 5/23/12 11:46am

movies

Sy and Cluzet in The Intouchables.

One Leg At a Time: The Intouchables Is a Story of Strength and Resolve

Already a huge hit in Europe, France’s crowd-pleasing The Intouchables seems destined to repeat its success here. Written and directed by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, it’s the factual story of an unconventional relationship between a millionaire quadriplegic from the ritziest neighborhood in Paris and his Senegalese caregiver from the ghetto—a bond that begins as a working one but builds, through trust and care and shared experiences, into a lasting friendship that changes two unhappy lives forever. It has warmth, humor and an understated sweetness that is not to be taken for granted. Read More

By Steve Huff 5/06/12 9:07pm

International Affairs

So long, Mr. Sarkozy.

Socialist François Hollande Wins French Presidency; Neo-Nazi Golden Dawn Party Advances in Greece

François Hollande beat Nicolas Sarkozy to become the 2nd Socialist French president Sunday night. Mr. Hollande garnered nearly 52% of the vote compared to Mr. Sarkozy’s 48%. Mr. Hollande, who follows in the footsteps of the previous Socialist who led France for most of the 1980s, François Mitterrand, declared himself in a victorious speech “the president of the youth of France.” CBS reports Mr. Hollande’s platform targeted the austerity measures so hated by much of Europe. In a speech Mr. Hollande vowed to increase production, deficit reduction and preservation of equal access to public services.

President Barack Obama has reached out to Mr. Hollande after his win and has invited the president-elect to visit the White House. Read More

By Matt Chaban 4/19/12 3:42pm

Kimmelmania

Mr. Piano with his clients. (Arch Record)

Finally, Michael Kimmelman Reviews Not One Starchitect But Two

Since the beginning, there was a certain amount of awe at Michael Kimmelman’s rejection of the boldface designers and celebrity architects that make up the world of starchitecture. There was little sign of the flash and panache that had defined architecture criticism in the pages of The Times for many moons. In fact things were quite gritty, even grim, if uplifting in their earnest and realism. By and large, the city(s) and profession has been better off for Mr. Kimmelman’s critical eye.

Still, there has been a clamoring in many quarters for more. At times it felt like Mr. Kimmelman was ignoring certain notable projects worthy of, even demanding notice. There have been but a dozen newsworthy developments in New York alone, from the Signature Theater to Brooklyn Bridge Park. What did Mr. Kimmelman—really, what did The Times, what did the paper of record, the voice of god–think of these important projects? With the exception of the divisive NYU expansion, to which Mr. Kimmelman had an ingenious (and thus far ignored) solution, we still do not know.

But now, at least, he has graced us, after seven months on the job, with his thoughts on one of the world’s most renowned architects. Read More

8/10/11 9:00am

Full Court Press

Nafissatou Diallo Thanks Her Supporters During The Dominique Strauss-Kahn Sexual Assault Case

Lawyer for Nafissatou Diallo, alleged victim of D.S.K., Takes His Case to the Press

“Let me just say this: I don’t seek out the high-profile cases, but any lawyer who would tell you they don’t want a high-profile case wouldn’t be telling you the truth,” said Kenneth Thompson. “If you look at my background, yes, I’ve done some high-profile cases, but I’m not a high-profile guy.” He was sitting behind his desk in the sleek law offices of his firm, Thompson Wigdor, which currently represents Nafissatou Diallo, the victim of an alleged sexual assault at the hands of ex-I.M.F. chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

A month earlier, however, at an impromptu press conference on the steps of the Manhattan Supreme courthouse, a high-profile guy is exactly what Mr. Thompson looked like. He spoke in the cadence of a seasoned trial attorney as he described the alleged events of May 14. In graphic detail, he narrated the account of the assault Ms. Diallo alleges to have suffered at the hands of Dominique Strauss-Kahn in room 2806 of the Midtown Sofitel.

“She was told no one was inside that room,” Mr. Thompson intoned, “and she went into that room believing that no one was inside that room. And then Dominique Strauss-Kahn came running out of one of those rooms, naked, towards her. And he grabbed her breasts first and started to attack her. He then grabbed her vagina with so much force that he hurt her. He grabbed her vagina with so much force that he bruised her vagina. When she went to the hospital later that day, the nurses who examined her saw the bruises on her vagina that were caused by Dominique Strauss’s hand … Read More