March 1, 2012 by Erin Dahl
Posing in the Tuileries in between shows, Paris Fashion Week 2012 (Boswell)
When early March hits, something in the air changes. Models come out of the woodwork and women in New York, London, Paris and elsewhere put a bit more effort into their attire. If you’re not in the fashion industry, it’s easy to be bewildered by the overnight switch from simple booties to stilettos. Fashion week is both daunting and exciting; add a locale like Paris to the mix and both sensations are heightened. Fear not, mes amis – dressing like a chic insider for Paris Fashion Week is possible.
Think of this week as an opportunity. March also (hopefully) marks the end of winter, a season when dreary days have the masses stuck in a style rut. Fashion choices are understandably made based on the practicality of pieces rather than how they actually look. After all, freezing temperatures make it near impossible to trade your puffy coat (the one that doubles as a sleeping bag) in for a cropped leather jacket, right?
Comings and goings in the Tuileries, Paris Fashion Week 2012 (Boswell)
Now that the weather’s turning around, ditch the bulk and grab your most daring pieces. Remember that quirky vintage hat you just had to have? Here’s your chance to wear it and not hear “mon dieu” whispered more times than you can count. Or those wonderfully whimsical printed tights that you feel just a little bit funny wearing around on any old day? Pull ‘em up. Parisians embrace Fashion Week, but that’s not to say you’ll get away with what you could in, say, New York. Here are a few guidelines to aid in your PFW sartorial adventures: Continue Reading »
Posted in Events, Parisian Living, Shopping | 9 Comments »
March 4, 2010 by Maggie Battista
When I said I was moving to Paris for three months, those who know me well were worried for me. I’m a city girl, so adapting to the hustle and bustle of this little métropole (metropolis) wasn’t a concern. They knew I’d adapt eventually, and I totally have.
My friends, my family and (especially) my husband were all concerned that Paris would prove to be a frenetic playground on which I’d wield my stash of credit cards. They were worried I’d arrive with two suitcases and return with seven, stocked to the brim with pricey designer fashions and cool vintage finds. I promised everyone, especially my husband, that I’d closely monitor my passion for shopping (including my ongoing quest for the perfect handbag), focusing on the bare necessities and perhaps, from time to time, a great deal.
Of course, while visiting Le Bon Marche, I lost myself for a moment. Everything was so pretty that I almost convinced myself that a soft blue scarf with a €245 price tag was, in fact, a steal. Whoever said you could find a steal in Paris was either a true local or a very well informed touriste (tourist).
To ensure I fit into one of those categories, I paid an initial visit to Le Marché aux Puces in Saint-Ouen. Continue Reading »
Posted in Shopping | 7 Comments »
November 12, 2009 by Haven in Paris
The Salon du Vintage, a vintage fashion and furniture fair, is taking place this weekend in St. Germain. Our friends over at Vingt Paris have a great article for those looking to stock up on vintage finds…
Text by Mabli Jones writing for VINGT Paris
Vintage shopping can be a truly rewarding experience: the joy of stumbling upon a forgotten classic and finding new ways of re-interpreting the old and mixing it up with the new. The organizers of Salon du Vintage - true enthusiasts – understand this, which is what makes this vintage fashion and furniture fair special, its reputation keeps growing amongst collectors and casual shoppers alike. Held this year at the beautiful premises of a Hôtel particulier in Saint Germain des Prés, with over 50 exhibitors the fourth edition of the Salon du Vintage promises to be a treasure trove for vintage enthusiasts. Continue Reading »
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October 9, 2009 by Genevieve Sandifer
Attention all design and interior décor gurus! This weekend there will be no respite for the aesthetically minded. After a week devoted to decorating the flesh, it’s time to think about the home. October 8-11, two not-to-be-missed events are competing for weekend shoppers – the Puces du Design and the Mondial de l’Antiquité – and turning the outer-limits of Paris into a playground for decorators and amateurs alike. Continue Reading »
Posted in Design, Events, Parisian Living | No Comments »
May 14, 2009 by Genevieve Sandifer
Courtesy of Fadwebsite.com and Freedomrecord
How many times have you wandered around a department store, and with every identical rack and bored attendant felt your eyes glaze over and the thrill of shopping fade perceptibly? In my earlier post I wrote about the annoying pretense of many so-called concept stores; that post withstanding, this type of boutique does offer a refreshing alternative to mass-market retail when you’re looking for something a little more… creative.
On a recent afternoon I had the privilege of wandering through Paris with the grandiose objective of visiting and analyzing The Concept Store. As my esteemed colleague Tory had already entertained this blog with her witty rendition of Merci, I was left with a couple must-sees, Colette and Kiliwatch, and the new kid on the block, Suite 114. Continue Reading »
Posted in Arts, Parisian Living | No Comments »
March 1, 2009 by Genevieve Sandifer
Although we all want to channel a little Coco Chanel/Edith Piaf/Laetitia Casta while wandering through St. Germain, the price points attached to the fashion dream can be more than a little dissuasive. Here to rescue the dream felled by “recessionitis”: Thank God I’m a VIP, a gem of a vintage store located just east of Pl. de la République in the up-and-coming 10th arrondissement. Continue Reading »
Posted in Parisian Living, Shopping | 3 Comments »
