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Who could ever forget the extraordinary fashion designer,

Valentina Schlee?  Of Russian origin, she was Greta Garbo's stylist. 

They both lived in the same building in New York.  Greta Garbo

eventually became the lover of her husband, Mr. Schlee. 

Valentina always dressed like the Great Garbo.  Or perhaps the

Great Garbo was always dressed like her.  A mass of tangled locks

hid her from view even in the middle of summer. 

She was both the joy and the desperation of all our waiters and

cooks and those of the Hotel Gritti as well, where she usually stayed. 

When she finally left, all the men heaved a huge sigh of relief.  I sent

a bottle of champagne over to the staff at the Gritti, and made sure

that everyone who had served her got their share.