Essensuals

So we had the uber glam, ex-war correspondent, and New York Times writer Elaine Sciolino to introduce us to the world of seduction, French style.  Every single transaction in Paris, Elaine explained, is seduction, even the woman who refuses to sell you something in her shop because it won’t fit you, ‘OUI’, she says, they are all prolonging the moment, leaving the opportunity open in anticipation of a love affair, because 'on ne sait jamais'.  You might pop out for Percy Pigs and find yourself hours later making mad passionate love with a Frenchie, driving to Deauville and eating shrimps till four in the morning, and she’s absolutely right, one never knows. 

We followed seduction with scent with Odette Toilette, who took us on a scent safari.  Perfumes were handed round the room and we were transported to a pre teen bedroom, a country garden in pre war Britain, and even Tilda Swinton’s Scottish estate.

Finally psychologist Claudia Hammond introduced us to the concept of Time, why it warps, how some people draw it, an insight in to some people’s minds we might never get over, anyone else see time as a spiky ball?  We all confused ourselves trying to match the event to the year, and half of the room looked at the other half in disbelief as we all answered the following question: If you have a meeting on a Wednesday and it is moved forward by two days, which day is it on. There are two answers, two approaches to time, which one is yours?

University Womens Club

2 Audley Square, London

W1K 1DB