The heady days of New York in the 70s and 80s have long past as the city has picked up an homogenized "Westfield" shopping centre feel to it much like most of the Mediterranean resorts including the once exotic Morocco where fascinating cities like Tangier and Marrakesh are almost indistinguishable from Manchester or Melbourne. Every bit of local 'colour' now has a forced tourist attraction feel to it especially when you see billboards advertising Gucci or Fendi near the old souks. The days when Whispers sat alone at a tiny Marrakesh coffee shop and within an hour found ourselves invited for drinks at Yves St Laurent's magnificent house and dinner with Madame De Gaulle are long past. Now St Laurent's house is a museum.
When designer Jasper Conran opens a hotel in the old city you know the good days have finally passed.
The Greek writer Taki Theodoracopulos, an admitted snob, has ripped into the Met's Gala Ball in only the way he can. But he's spot on.
"Once upon a time, the Metropolitan Museum’s gala ball was fun. Serious
social-climbing multimillionaires competed openly for the best tables
and for proximity to blue-blooded socialites like C.Z. Guest and her
ilk. Pat Buckley, wife of William F., ran the show with military
precision, allotting the best seats to those who had paid a fortune for
them, but also to those who were young and handsome and whose pockets
were not as deep. I used to be a regular. Then something happened. Anna
Wintour took over after Pat’s death and the party turned into a freak
show no self-respecting circus would allow on its premises. 
