• Producer(s):

    ARTE FRANCE, 2P2L

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2010

  • Language(s):

    English

  • Rights:

    NON-THEATRICAL, TV, VOD, DVD, INTERNET

"Chic ! meets" : Fiona Bennett - "A potted history" of the English taxi -"Rising trends" : Architecture and the art of living in Copenhagen - "What to do with": of basil - "Rising trends" : La Maison Arabe

"Chic ! meets" : Fiona Bennett
Stylist Fiona Bennett has shaped her style on the principle of rehashing the old-fashioned and daring to make it into something ultra chic. Hats had become a thing of the past, but she reinvented them to become ultra-chic accessories. Impressive hats leave her workshop-laboratory in Berlin. It's all a question of style - a love of detail, of the daring, and of amazing visions. Precious items in their own right, her extravagant hats have conquered an international following of couturiers, actresses and designers.

"A potted history" of the English taxi
London just wouldn't be London without its double-decker buses, its famous red phone boxes, Big Ben and its black taxis, or "Hackney cabs". But why are they black? Quite simply because it was the colour that dried the quickest and the other colours were more expensive, so all taxi drivers opted for black. So chic, isn't it? The first London taxis date back to the 16th century, when they were horse drawn. Then in 1897, the battery-run motorised taxi appeared, the "Bersey", also called "the Humming bird" after the noise its engine made. But because the battery needed recharging after just a few miles, they were soon replaced by French-made vehicles with petrol-run engines, called "Prunels". Subsequently all car manufacturers made taxis, although the cult models remain those made by Austin, the 1948 FX3 model and the 1959 FX4 model.

"Rising trends" : Architecture and the art of living in Copenhagen
For the last 10 years, the Danish capital has undergone its architectural "coming out". Out goes the little mermaid, and in come new districts, a new opera house and a new public library. Even private apartments are now opening out onto the outdoors, announcing the end of the era of cosy houses.

"What to do with": of basil
We asked a top chef what to do with a typical product of Italy - basil.

"Rising trends" : La Maison Arabe
A superb Riad in the Medina, transformed into a charming hotel. A cult address that was the first Moroccan restaurant in colonial times, and where the rich and famous have been dining for a long time.