Archive | June, 2007

Jude takes romantic walk through St. G

30 Jun

A PetiteBrigitte exclusive:

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It may have been an overcast day in Paris, but the temperature took a spike this afternoon as Jude Law strolled down Rue de L’Universite with an ULF (unidentified ladyfriend). Wearing a beat-up muscle shirt, jeans, and carrying a grey blazer, Jude was every bit the scruffy sexpot we make him out to be: he’s looking very fit.

Walking hand in hand, his ULF giggled adoringly as the two crossed down Rue du Pre-aux-Clercs towards Boulevard Saint Germain, stopping momentarily to look into Les Prairies de Paris boutique.

From there, the two lovebirds disappeared into the madhouse that is Saint Germain-des-Pres. PetiteBrigitte was in hot pursuit for a few moments before deciding to let the duo enjoy Paris like the rest of us.

St. G is crazy today. The traffic police are out, the sidewalks are packed, and everyone is loaded with shopping bags as they take advantage of the first sales weekend. Several fashion week shows are being held in the neighborhood as well, including Hermes on rue de l’Ecole de Medicine.

Unconfirmed reports place the hottie actor at his usual hotel, the Ritz.

Update: ID confirmed on mystery woman. Check out http://www.cerclevip.fr/2007/07/06/jude-law-fait-les-soldes/

Gaspard Yurkievich Homme in Fashion Week 07

29 Jun

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You probably know Gaspard Yurkievich from his well-received shoe collection featured in American Retro and Bon Marche. Or perhaps you’ve dropped by his boutique on Rue Charlot in the upper Marais. The 34-year-old Franco-Argentinian is quickly climbing the ranks of a new generation of rebellious French designers, who operate without the backing of the big conglomerates and push fashion back into the realm of the creative arts.

Yesterday GY showed his men’s collection at Espace Saint Martin, next to the Centre Pompidou. In attendance: fashion editor of Men’s Vogue, Yohji Yamamoto, and various members of the press including coverage from the new France 24.

Inspired by “Memphis” design, the collection was colorful and graphic, with striking 80′s-esque color mixes and quirky design details such as silver-tinged dress shoes. Shirts and vests were bold and playful, while still retaining the sophistication that distinguishes all of GY’s collections. One of the highlights of the collection were the relaxed shorts, featuring subtle pleating details.

Gaultier and Yohji Yamamoto showed their collections later that afternoon, also on Rue Saint Martin.

Check out Gaspard Yurkievich at 38 rue Charlot, in the 3e. The collection will also show on FTV.

Kate Hudson & Co.

29 Jun

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Just one week after Owen hit Paris with a still unidentified female companion, Kate Hudson did some shopping around town today in the company of supermarket tycoon/”friend-to-everyone” Ron Burkle.

Burkle is in town for the huge party at EuroDisney, and is a good friend of Mariah Carey. Worth a reported 2 billion dollars, the lawsuit- swinging Burkle has installed himself firmly in the C-list Hollywood scene, often hosting lavish post-Grammy parties, and acting as the financial advisor to Michael Jackson. Looks like he’s finally putting his nasty divorce behind him.

So the inevitable question: Is Kate going to pull a Salma? PB’s sources say no. Burkle is a friend of the Hawn family, and a Democratic Party contributor like Goldie and Kurt.

Still, not a bad guy to have around on shopping expeditions!

Kate is residing at the Plaza Athénée, which is her hotel of choice when she is in Paris.

One Mighty Party with Mariah

28 Jun

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Oh mi mi …..

Mariah Carey arrived in Paris today in preparation for her concert at EuroDisney on Friday. The comeback diva will perform for One Mighty Party, an event raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Spotted exiting the Hotel de Crillon, Mariah waved to paparazzi from atop stripper-esque heels. As usual, she was dressed appropriately and with exceptional class, stuffed into her tight spandex clothing and caked in make-up.

Mariah will perform 6 dancefloor remixes for the event, which will begin at 9pm with two large dance floors in Discoveryland and Frontierland. Attractions will be open throughout the entire Disneyland Resort Paris. The Gay Days Paris event will also feature other special performances and four world-class DJs, along with a special fireworks display over the Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant.

The evening will continue with a second event, Magic Journeys, located at the Disney Pavilion in Discoveryland from 2 AM until 6 AM. Two additional world-class DJs will provide entertainment for Magic Journeys. See www.onemightyweekend.com and www.onemightyweekendparis.com for more details.

Factory of Hotties

27 Jun

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PB barely wants to tell her dear readers about this find, but give her a few glasses of wine, and you just got lucky…

L’Usine Opera (i.e. Opera Factory) is without a doubt the hottest gym in Paris. The price is a little steep (around 1390 euros for the year), but then again– can you really put a price on running the treadmill next to Justin Timberlake? Hell no! Thou shalt run like hell and then take the wrong turn into the men’s hammam!

JT was there last week on his world tour, and other stars are regulars. Especially frenchie celebs such as M (yes, he goes as M, but his real name is Mathieu Chedid). He is the semi-hot boyfriend/chanteur of Amélie (Audrey Tatou), and has been getting into serious shape at L’Usine over the past few months. Lots of models and designers frequest the place as well.

St. Trop here I come!

 L’Usine

8, rue de la Michodiere

75002

usineopera.com 

BB Ballerine by Repetto

27 Jun

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Looks like our girl BB is still reinventing the fashion universe.

Repetto, the original provider of ballerines to Brigitte Bardot since 1953, has come out with a special edition “BB ballerine” this summer. Featured in a refreshing white, and adorned with metal grommets, Comme des Garcons has added their unique touch to the classic shoe… toe cleavage still in tact.

Bardot, who always preferred to strut her stuff barefoot (and naked), turned to the classic chic styles of Repetto when directors made her wear shoes. Take a look at Et Dieu Créa La Femme, and you will see her glide into ballerines on more than one seductive occassion.

Repetto is available at Printemps, Galleries Layfeyette, and Bon Marché.

Paris Air Show: Travolta comes out

25 Jun

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John Travolta loves Paris for different reasons. No, we don’t mean the Marais…

He flew himself to Paris this week (on his own Boeing 707) for the Paris Air Show, and became the first non-test pilot to take the controls of the A380.

“I did fly that A380 you know. I’m telling you it’s a very easy plane to fly, but technically complicated,” he told Reuters on Thursday.

Travolta, looking relaxed and wearing sunglasses and trainers, stopped to take pictures with admiring fans when leaving the Hotel de Crillon to head out to Le Bourguet air field. Thankfully, the not-so-green Scientologist, who owns an astounding 5 planes, said he was not in the market to buy another.

Model Mania

24 Jun

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Last week were the castings, and this week the kickoff…

Men’s fashion week begins on Thursday, and the city will soon be crawling with hot models ready to strut their stuff for designers like YSL, Lanvin, Gaultier, and Galliano. They are fresh off from Milan’s fashion week and ready for some Parisian partying.

Check out the schedule to plot your vantage point. Just beware: average age is 17 years old!

Vaux-le-Vicomte prepares for wedding of the year

24 Jun

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According to People magazine, Tony Parker has confirmed to Canal + that his wedding to actress Eva Longoria will take place at Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte.

This is not the first time the 17th century castle has hosted fairytale events: it was one of the filming locations for Sofia Coppola’s opulent rendition of Marie Antoinette.

The wedding is still on for July 7th, and the couple confirmed they will have a very brief honeymoon in Paris– though denied rumors they will stay at the George V. Eva is set to resume shooting for Desperate Housewives on July 9th.

Owen Wilson mends broken heart in Paris

22 Jun

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Owen Wilson is another name on the long list of celebrities seen exiting the George V this week. Less than a month after his split from girlfriend Kate Hudson, Dupree was spotted making his way around Saint Germain with an unidentified ladyfriend. Their stroll seemed very platonic however.

After buying some DVD’s on Rue de L’Ancienne Comedie, Wilson stopped over at Brasserie Lipp for lunch.

Let’s hope Paris gets the funnyman back on track. Last we heard he was riding his mountain bike to Score’s strip club…

Kylie back to see her French lover?

21 Jun

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Kylie Minogue was around town today… shopping at Colette and walking Sheba… the dog she shared with Olivier Martinez before their unfortunate break-up. Could this mean she is still shagging the YSL hunk? Lets hope so: why let a good French lover go? I mean, did you even watch him in Unfaithful?!

Regardless, Kylie’s success in both career and life are unquestionable these days: she has just been selected as the first female recipient of the Music Industry Trust Award– a highly prestigious honor recognizing her contribution to the British music industry.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of her first single “Loco-Motion,” Kylie is throwing down over a million euros for a huge bash in London this summer which will include close friends, celebrities and musicians. She is shopping for venues this month, and the date is set for early August.

It looks like a busy summer for the pint-sized diva, who releases a new album in December… to be followed by a world tour in 2008. Can we say… workaholic?

Damien Saez, Bataclan, & the crossover album

21 Jun

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Damien Saez is a household name in France these days. After the success of his first album nearly 5 years ago (with songs like Fils de France), he has successfully won the hearts and minds of a certain sociopolitical youth constituency.

Although bashful at times, Saez seemed fairly comfortable exuding a rock star persona in front of his sold out final show at the Bataclan tonight. Beginning the first half with a new set of English songs (which will be featured on his October-release album), Saez followed in the second half with what the crowd of frenchies really wanted to hear: his older french anthems.

Saez has spent the last month partying in New York City… staying with various friends and then shacking up in the Mercer Hotel with a bevy of models. His eye is set on conquering the US airwaves, and if Petite Brigitte’s friends are any judge of what will work in America, it seems like he does have crossover potential. Saez is sans doute a musical genius, and his songs are a melange of groups like Coldplay, the Verve, and Nick Drake. His English lyrics could use some polishing… I’m not sure how a song entitled “Yellow Tricycle” will work in the US…. but on the whole an impressive English debut.
Now that the Americans seem more ready to let the French back into their lives (hey, they are listening to Justice now!), Monsieur Saez could be set for a US tour by the end of the year. Bonne chance you son of a … French.

The church of $6 million weddings

19 Jun

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Eden Roc is one of the most glam hotels on the Cote d’Azur, and this week has been booked in its entirety, along with the Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat, for the wedding guests of James Packer. Who is James Packer? Je ne sais pas. Apparently the wealthiest man in Australia. He is marrying model/singer Erica Baxter. This will be his second marriage, and looks ready to top the first (Elton John performed at his first wedding to a swimsuit model).

Tom & Katie Cruise arrived yesterday, amidst rumors that Tom will actually wed the couple. Rupert Murdoch and family arrived today, and are staying on Murdoch’s yacht, Rose Hearty. Even Prince is there, and will likely perform during the 3 day bash.

It is sure to be a star-studded and uber-scientologist wedding costing an unholy 6 million USD. Stay tuned for a post-nup update later this week.

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It is taking a lot of restraint not to write an article on Tom&Katie. I will just say one thing: lets hope his bowl cut is for a movie.

Goodbye Gianfranco

18 Jun

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Italian designer Gianfranco Ferre died Sunday night in Milan of a brain hemorrage. He was 62.

Ferre, known as the “architect of fashion” for his structured shapes, lept to the world fashion scene in 1989 when Bernard Arnault tapped him as top designer for Christian Dior. He remained in that position until 1996.

Condolences have poured in today from leading designers, just as the men’s fashion week in Milan sets to kick off this week.

“When I think of Gianfranco Ferre, the idea that comes immediately to mind is the dignity, the calm, the sense of responsibility that he brought to his work,” Armani said, according to the ANSA news agency.

Kate Winslet is a Tresor

17 Jun

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Kate Winslet has landed a lucrative contract with French cosmetics powerhouse, Lancome. She takes the reigns from Isabella Rosellini in promoting the legendary perfume Tresor. Taking a break from her current filming of Revolutionary Road in NYC, she flew to Paris this week for the “unveiling, ” and stayed at the Ritz.

Her inauguration was feted at the Musee Rodin in front of fans, artists, and press. The campaign, which will launch in September, was shot by famed photographer Peter Lindberg on the Pont-des-Arts.

Wearing a tight black Valentino dress from the Fall 2007 collection, she commented on her new role:

“I didn’t feel that I was just being asked to be the face of something,” Kate explains. “It was me as a person. . .and my message to women — about being real in who you are and comfortable in your skin.”

Scout Willis to the Sorbonne

17 Jun

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My how they grow up so fast! Seems like just yesterday when Demi posed for this groundbreaking cover of VF in 1991.

Scout LaRue Willis, the middle child of Bruce and Demi, will soon be settling into Parisian life as she sets up to attend the Sorbonne this fall. She arrived in Paris this week with Bruce, and is currently residing at the George V as apartment preparations are set into motion.

Generally known as the more studious and hardworking of her sisters, Scout has not latched on to the Hollywood party scene as much as older sister, Rumer, who recently dropped out of school. Scout also generated headlines last year after taking a job as an assistant at the Marc by Marc Jacobs store in Los Angeles. Celebuspawn in the working world… unheard of!

Also staying at the George V this weekend are the Rolling Stones, who performed Saturday night at the Stade de France. They also made a few low key appearences around St. Germain, most notably at Gallerie Bailly on Quai Voltaire.

France has a new rock star

14 Jun

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Julien Doré won Nouvelle Star last night. This is the French version of Idol. He has a super sexy voice, and his renditions are one-off and fairly original (albeit a little Manson inspired). The boy (25 years old) knows how to command the stage, even if he admits to getting sick before going on.

Julien, who describes himself as a perfectionist, dynamic, and a realist, counts Bishop Allen and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club among his favorite groups. He also plays the ukalele…

Can we say record deal?!

Just listen to his version of Tainted Love.

Life in the South

13 Jun

No we aren’t talking Dixie.

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Beyonce and Jay Z, who are routine visitors to the Cote d’Azur, are currently in Cap d’Antibes for some R&R. No doubt they will swing by Jimmy’z in Monaco for a night of clubbing, and of course moor off the coast of St. Trop for a bit.

Not a bad life.

How long have these two been together? And they really aren’t married?

I can have my cake, and pay for it too!

12 Jun

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Princess Longoria has been driving her wedding planners up the Tour Eiffel.

The wedding, which is set for July 7, has changed locations numerous times, but we can confirm it will no longer be held at Chateau de Chantilly. In June, Eva visited L’Eglise Saint Germain de L’Auxerrois and spoke with the clerical staff. But then rumors spread to Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte…. so we give up!

What we do know is that she has changed the flower choice three times, ordered a cake from LA costing 50,000 dollars (to be flown to Paris first class), and hit the gym everyday in her build up to the nuptials. As for the performance by Kenny Chesney, Longoria says that he will perform but “he just doesn’t know it yet.” OK…..

Get ready to have your lazy Parisian summer spiced up by some loud and roudy Texans. Yee haw.

Mystery Solved

11 Jun

We were wondering why you had left us all alone and gotten so quiet on the comments boards…

Until we realized the option had been switched off! Oops. Petite B is open to your comments once again! Just click the link below the articles.

The Romper

11 Jun

Parisian girls aren’t terribly fashion-forward, so we are waiting to see if they pick up on one big trend hitting most Paris boutiques this summer: the Romper, or en francais, the “combi-short”.

This look is not for everyone, but on the right person, it can look shamelessly cool. Unless you are of average to above-average height, have skinny legs, and minimal bootie, just stick to a sundress. The Romper takes a certain kind of girl, and the only media darlings it has really worked on are of the Kate Moss/Nicole Richie variety. Even Jessica Simpson is a little too curvy.

Rompers should be worn with minimal accessories, tousled hair, and oversized Marc Jacobs sunglasses.

For the best offerings, go to Diabless, Maje, or Les Petits. Looks cute with braided belt and espadrilles or kitten heels.

Wee-Fee is here!

11 Jun

France still isn’t totally techno savvy (any trip to the local bank can show you that), but the days of the Minitel are long gone.

This month, you can stop fiddling with your LiveBox and cursing France Telecom, because the dawn of FREE WI-FI is upon us!

Thats right, Paris is a wi-fi city starting in mid-June. Just check out this map to see where you are covered.

You Can take the girl out of Cali…

11 Jun

Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas were in Paris last week for a Shrek promo. Give the girl a striped shirt, scarf, and oversized Chanel bag, and she still looks…. Californienne.

The back-to-blonde starlette was spotted dining at Le Stresa in the 8th, Cafe Marly… and getting her cultural dose at L’Orangerie, Versailles, and Musee d’Orsay. She even hit up a Bateaux Mouche.

Shrek III opens in France June 13th.

Vintage Vogue

11 Jun

Throughout high school I had an addiction to fashion magazines (never rehabbed). The day when my mother finally forced me to clean out the closet, I grudgingly hauled them off to the trash– but not before tearing off every cover as a souvenir. The hundred or so covers made it into my college dorm room, creating a rather chic crown molding on the ceiling. Among them were Laetitia Casta’s first American cover (Seventeen Magazine), and some of Christy Turlington’s best covers for Elle. Ahhh, the 90′s….

Now I have discovered the best place to revisit all of those magazines I thought were lost forever. The best of them made it to Les Archives de La Presse, the famed bookstore that is a favorite of fashionistas and artists, and located in the Marais.
Piled to the hilt in dusty tupperware bins, and overflowing from the carpenter’s tables, you will find a treasure trove of vintage fashion magazines– from Vogue, to Marie Claire, to Officiel. It is a massive archive, that even extends into entertainment mags, architecture, and history. Little books of French plays and poetry are 3 for 3 euros, and make a great bus ride diversion. The prices are so reasonable, you will be tempted to start your own archive chez vous!

51 rue des Archives, 75003 (Metro: Hotel de Ville)

   

Sexiest drink for summer in Paris (besides champagne)

5 Jun

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It is June and summer temperatures are upon us this week. While Petite Brigitte is bringing out her hottest sundresses and contemplating Vespa purchases, there is one thing she can’t get off her mind (well, besides that).

It is mojito season.

There are cocktails, and then there are cocktails. A well-made mojito falls into the latter category, yet seldom few mojitos acheive this status. There is more to this drink than slapping together some mint, rum, and sugar. Let’s take a moment and reflect on Mojito’s legendary history.

First off, there’s much debate as to when exactly the mojito was invented and by whom. Many claim it was crafted in Cuba in the late 1800′s. Others elaborate on this theory saying that the mojito was the preferred beverage of Sir Francis Drake as early as the 1500s. According to The Mojito Company’s website, it was English pirate Richard Drake who prepared the first version of the drink using aguardiente (in Spanish that means fire water- the HARD liquor of Columbia), an unrefined kind of rum that he mixed with some sugar, lime and mint. Originally named “El Draque” (or the Dragon after his boss Sir Francis), story has it the swashbucklers introduced the drink to Cuba on their treasure-hunting exploits through the Caribbean and Latin America.

So let’s get to the good stuff. What’s the winning recipe? Based on years of taste-tests, PetiteBrigitte brings you one of the best. Make this for your party guests and you are sure to have a hit:

  1. In a tall, sturdy glass (or shaker), pour in 1 ounce of your simple syrup. This is 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar (use 1/3 brown sugar), heated until the sugar dissolves (you can use your microwave for this). Then let it steep with one cup of mint leaves for at least 30 minutes before you strain it & store it in your refrigerator.
  2. Add 1 ounce of lime juice (or a couple of lime wedges), and a handful of fresh mint leaves (6-12 – yes, even if you’ve made the mint syrup. Add several ice cubes (or crushed ice if you have it), muddle it all together with a blunt instrument of your choice.
  3. Add 2 ounces of light rum, stir passionately or shake vigorously with shaker.
  4. Pour it into a glass, top it off with a spash (or more) of champagne (boring people use club soda), and garnish with a mint sprig or two.

When you are finished, drink up and enjoy. If you’ve got leftovers, consider a mojito spa:

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If all of that was too complicated for you, or you share my level of laziness and impatience… just go to Le Fumoir. They make the best mojito ever, and for a cool variation, ask for the Chinatown.

As if the frenchies would wear THIS!

5 Jun

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“Crocs” have arrived in France.

These shoes, described as a cross between hospital sandals and clam-diggers, have swept the global footwear market since their debut at a nautical shoe salon in Florida in 2002. Marketed as “innovative” by their manufacturers, the shoes are supposed to combat sweat and bacteria with their composite material and ventilation holes. They are available in 17 colors.

In today’s pages of Le Monde, the inevitable criticism was handed down:

“They are terribly lacking in elegance, not to mention a total absence of femininity,” writes Sandrine Blanchard.

So mes amies, save these babies for the jardinage. Or just don’t go there at all.

After all, aren’t these comfortable alternatives?

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Undercover at Agent Provocateur

5 Jun

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Oh reader, see how much I love you?

I risk life and liberty to snap illicit photos of the hottest lingerie in Paris. The boutique corner of Agent Provocateur, featured exclusively at Printemps, is a no-go zone for photogs. But Petite Brigitte is one stealthy vixen…

Or at least I thought so, until my third snap, when the pink ladies attacked. Decked out in their Vivienne Westwood designed dresses, and sporting the trademark AP red lips, they pounced. NOOOO….. interdit!!!

I apologized and made up for it by buying a swimsuit. They forgave me. Meanwhile, the suit is worth every penny– it screams seduction and makes my derriere look tres provocative. I couldn’t resist.

Agent Provocateur is the brainchild of Joseph Corre and Serena Rees (Joseph is the son of Vivienne Westwood). When their first store opened in London’s Soho district in 1994, it became an instant hit with celebrities like Kylie Minogue and Madonna. AP designs are the perfect mix of sexy, burlesque, function, and nostalgia… all amazingly cut and high-end. You just can’t go wrong (listen up boys!). Now the brand offers everything from books, shoes, jewelry, and sexy accessories… and a range of three perfumes, the sexiest one entitled Maitresse.

Check out the award winning website. If you haven’t already, you are missing out (in fact, I don’t know one guy who hasn’t seen it).

Sweet Eva

3 Jun

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Parfums Christian Dior has added French actress Eva Green to the playbill for Poison’s latest act.

The LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned beauty business on Wednesday feted Green’s selection as the face of Midnight Poison, the fifth scent in the Poison fragrance franchise.

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