famous for her white blouses, designer anne fontaine has opened up a new concept store that combines shopping and spa treatments. the gorgeous white boutique proposes spa treatments with her fontaine's line of organic cosmetics-- and if they promise to make you feel as crisp and clean as a new white shirt, why not?
Catherine Malandrino, the French designer who started her line in New York, just created an exlusive dress, to be sold only at Galeries Lafayette. The dress, made entirely of sequins, is done in a brightly colored patchwork style and spells out "I love Paris"....and for only 3000 euros, you can proclaim your love for the city of light as well.
fancy some classical music in a idyllic garden setting? check out this years "classique au vert" festival in the parc floral. all the concerts are outdoors and free (after paying the park's 2.50 entry fee)-- take a little wine & frommage and make an evening of it. every saturday and sunday at 4pm, until september 23rd.
i've seen this chair around for years, and still can't get enough of it. i recently found out that the original version comes from the brand tolix, and it has been around for nearly a century. still chic today, the chair is made from galvanized zinc, and its clean lines are a bit retro, a bit industrial. oh-so-chic to mix a set of them with a big country table at your maison de campagne, non?
A former jewelry designer for Dior and Galliano, talented young designer Alexis Mabille is one to watch. His amazing line Treizor focuses on the updated bow tie-- in a jillion permuations. With beads, in denim, to wear in your hair or as a belt, the unisex creations are a truly unique accessory. He does not yet have his own shop, but check out his goods at Colette and Le Bon Marche
chic and not cher chain zara has (finally!) brought their home store-- zara home-- to paris. focussing on accessories for every room of the home, the look ranges from white-on-white to spanish hacienda to shabby chic and tradtional french. the kid's line is especially adorable. check it out at 2, boulevard de la madeleine, right next to french homeware shop habitat.
famed fashion house chanel met up with Pritzker prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, and the result is this amazing, futuristc mobile art space. the moveable capsule will hold an art expo featuring artistic interpretations of chanel's famous quilted bag. the mobile art space will travel to 7 cities worldwide, it's final destination being paris in 2010.
famed shoe creator michel vivien is putting out a line for chain store andre this fall. vivien, who is most famous for the square-buckled shoes that catherine deneuve wore in belle du jour, has made a big comback in the past few years. now those with more modest budgets can have some of his original creations as well. ballerinas, above, for 125 euros, along with other gorgeous styles, inspired by some of his best sellers.
prestigious leather goods brand lancel has just announced a new line by cecile togni, a famed nightlife presence and dj. the young and funky line is available at colette starting september 3rd (and later in lancel stores). check out the bags, adorned with drawings of lipstick, stilettos, and records, bien sur.
Inspired by a text about gardens under Louix XIV, the Reunion des Musees Nationaux has partnered up with Gien to create this lovely edition of contempory porcelain adorned with 17th century floral patterns (called l'Herbier du Roy). It can be ordered online or found at some of the boutique musuems around Paris. A good gift option for those who are inspired by France's lovely gardens, and long to take a piece of them home.
i'm starting a new category here-- in an aim to let you paris fans know about all the cute chain stores that are out there. princesse tam tam is one of those great little frenchy shops-- they are sprouting up all over the city, but the lingerie is not as expensive like the big french lines [chantal thomas, huit, etc.], and it is oh-so-cute! great little bra and panty sets, adorable nighties, cute swimsuits-- often with a vintagey theme, with just the right amount of lace and embellishment.
you'll have to admit-- having a scent that is very rare is a very chic thing! serge lutens, who creates exclusive scents for the gorgeous perfumerie salons du palais royale sheisdo, has just come out with his new scent, Sarrasins, his 24th exclusive creation for the boutique. be sure to check out the nearby palais royale gardens nearby.
