August 9, 2010 by Parisien Salon
Last winter, I was strolling through the Place des Vosges, when I came upon a seemingly endless line of women snaking around the walkway. I wondered what could possibly inspire these women to wait patiently in the cold. Was Johnny Depp offering free massages inside? As it turns out, a designer had opened her showroom to the public, and these fashionable females were simply waiting to get their hands on the fine frockery inside.
In a city known for its fashion sense, designer showrooms have become the new temples for shoppers, offering a more exclusive alternative to the well-groomed Parisienne. A cross between a designer’s workshop and a boutique, these showrooms give the shopping public access to the latest lines, where they can make purchases and maybe even meet the designer. Here are just a few designers who’ve opened their showrooms to the public:
Swedish jewelry designer Viveka Bergström is at the center of haute couture, and opens her showroom on the canal Saint-Martin from Monday to Saturday and by appointment to present her new collections. (23 rue de la Grange-aux-Belles, Paris 10th, Tel +33 (0)1 40 03 04 92; Monday to Saturday, 11am-7pm)
Médecine douce welcomes fans of trendy accessories to its bohemian-chic workshop on rue de Marseille. (10 rue de Marseille, Paris 10th, Tel +33 (0)1 48 03 57 17; Monday to Saturday, 11am-7pm) Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopping | 7 Comments »
June 30, 2010 by Parisien Salon
Hip Paris friend Linda Donahue, behind the wonderful site Parisien Salon, just launched PS Privé - a collection of boutique tours and workshops intended to “give you a glimpse behind the closed doors of Parisian restaurants, fashion houses, artists and entertainers.” Since Linda’s talent for discovering and keeping abreast of the latest Parisian happenings is impressive even to the most jaded Parisians, we trust her new project will soon be just as successful as her wonderful website. Here she gives us a first-hand account of how the inspiration came about.
When we launched ParisienSalon.com back in May 2009, we were hoping for a positive response. We got that and more. In fact, the feedback we received went well beyond anything we expected. One response we didn’t expect was, “When are you going to start doing tours in Paris?” So many of our wonderful readers asked this question, and we just didn’t know what to say. After all, there are so many great people already doing tours in Paris, and we didn’t know what else we could possibly offer.
But one day, over a few glasses of wine in a Paris café, we realized that what we had been doing since our launch – offering insider access to the French capital – was also something we could easily build upon. We knew people, after all.
So, after months of head-scratching, brainstorming and strategising, we’re pleased to announce the birth of P.S. Privé. This “Paris experience company” will offer classes, workshops, excursions and special events in the City of Light. Continue Reading »
Posted in Tours and Classes | 2 Comments »
March 25, 2010 by Haven in Paris
Text by Je Ne Sais Quoi for Parisien Salon
In Paris, the bitter temperatures are finally subsiding and the sun is trying to shine through the seemingly endless grayness. That means one thing: spring is quickly approaching, and heavy down jackets and wool scarves will be replaced with flirty skirts and blouses. But there’s no need to be in Paris, or any other big city, for that matter, to work Spring 2010 trends into your wardrobe. Here’s what you can expect this season. Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopping | 3 Comments »
December 1, 2009 by Haven in Paris
Our friend Linda Donahue (of Parisien Salon) had the opportunity to try out a baking class at La Cuisine Paris. Below, she recounts the mouth-watering results…
Text and Photos by Linda Donahue, Parisien Salon
Ever since Julia Child launched her famous cookbook, Paris has become a magnet for aspiring chefs. Even those not looking to make a professional foray into the culinary world find the City of Light to be the perfect place to pick up a new skill. La Cuisine Paris was created just for these people.
Tucked away in a courtyard on the boulevard St-Michel directly across from the Jardin du Luxembourg, La Cuisine Paris attracts Parisiens, expats and visitors alike with its diverse range of classes. French cuisine isn’t the only thing on the menu here. Students can learn how to make dishes from around the world, from Thai to tapas to tantalizing desserts. Continue Reading »
Posted in Food, Tours and Classes | No Comments »
November 8, 2009 by Haven in Paris
Two of our favorite francophiles, Linda Donahue (of Parisien Salon) and Claudia Strasser (of The Paris Apartment) sat down to chat about Parisian style. Check out the interview below!
Interview by Linda Donahue; Photos by Claudia Strasser and One & Only Photography
Claudia Strasser is a style doyenne, a successful entrepreneur, a Jersey Girl and the author of the ever-popular book, The Paris Apartment. And on top of managing a thriving business, writing another book (or two) and planning her frequent trips to Paris, Claudia still finds time to keep her blog—also called The Paris Apartment—constantly updated.Claudia’s followers—and there are many—have learned how to bring Paris style to their homes in the U.S. So we’re thrilled that Claudia took the time to sit down with Parisien Salon. Continue Reading »
Posted in Design, Parisian Living | 3 Comments »
September 27, 2009 by Haven in Paris
By Linda Donahue, ParisienSalon.com & photos by Virginia Jones
Who started this rumor that Parisians are unfriendly? Even my father, who hasn’t met a single Parisian, let alone been to Paris, believes this to be true.I’ve always found the people of Paris to be genuine and hospitable. But yesterday, travel authority Christopher Elliott wrote in a travel article posted on CNN.com, “And in a move that can only be described as utter desperation, the notoriously unfriendly Parisians, in an effort to ’show that Paris loves its tourists and knows how to welcome them,’ strapped on rollerblades and formed an enormous human smile at Place Vendome.” Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | 6 Comments »
August 16, 2009 by Tory Hoen
Photos by Linda Donahue
A self-proclaimed wanderer and observer, Linda Donahue knows how to make herself at home. A writer and photographer by trade, Linda has built a career around roaming, exploring, and simply getting to know the ins-and-outs of cities around the world. Her latest project is Parisien Salon, a recently launched online magazine that aims to create a “virtual Paris” that will transport readers to the city and offer resources for those planning actual journeys. As with all of her projects, Linda prioritizes quality over quantity, and she is determined to provide her readers—both remote and local—with a true insider’s view of Paris. After five years in development, Parisien Salon launched in May of 2009, and with new features being added all the time, we can’t wait to see how the site develops! Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living | No Comments »
August 14, 2009 by Haven in Paris
Glou Restaurant – Picture by Erica Berman
Our friends over at Parisien Salon, a website with great tips on things to do in Paris, recently posted a helpful list of tasty restaurants that feature canteen-style (communal) tables. Perfect for large groups, eavesdropping on your neighbor’s conversation or making new friends, communal tables offer diners a more relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy their meals.
“Whether they be arty, chic, historic or regressive, Parisian canteens have in recent years defined a new style of eatery. Now found in all districts, they’re putting an air of hospitality back into gastronomy and reshaping the rules of dining. (…) Continue Reading »
Posted in Food, Parisian Living, Restaurant Reviews | 1 Comment »
