this sunday, october 14th, more than 70 french and foreign designers will show off their new collections of ethically-made fashions. using ancient textile methods or the newest recycling procedures, the show is a mix of couture and sportswear. the ethical fashion show is open to the public, 6 euros entry fee.
you heard it here first-- chic & cheap japanese chain uniqlo arrives in paris this fall. already a huge hit in new york, this muji-meets-h&m chain shop stocks well-designed basics for men, women, and children at incredibly low prices. the location is said to be in la defense, in december 2007, but we are hoping that one will also open in central paris. a voir....
i've always loved these antique french baby rattles, but couldn't find the perfect one for my new niece. then i discovered this french website, sanaissance.com, which offers new versions of antique models, complete with engraving, all at a very reasonable price. they also offer baby spoons, egg cups, silver cups, etc. the website might be a bit simple looking, but the customer service is top-rate-- my order was hand-delivered to my door in 24 hours as i needed it in a hurry. bravo!
fab francophile john malkovich is at it again, directing another play here in paris. the last one, hysteria, was such a success that monsieur malkovich has taken to directing, in french, an american play by author zach helm. good canary is about a tumultuous love story in new york in the 1980s, directed under the close eye of mr. dangerous liasons himself.
the above is one of the rooms in the christian lacroix designed hotel, the hotel du petit moulin, in the up-&-coming haute marais district. the over-the-top decor is signature lacroix, so if you are visiting and can't afford some of his couture, you may just be able to check into his hotel instead. the surrounding area is definitely worth checking out [hip new shops, restos, etc.] as well.
the second place to check out is the marais house, near the centre pompidou. this place is a giant hotel particulier [mansion] that has been redone to the highest standards. the entire place can be rented out if you are having a huge fete, or if you just want to have your own not-so-humble abode in paris for a week or so. recently featured in w magazine and on dailycandy, plan to book way in advance.
check out this clever design from 5.5 Designers, a great way to spruce up old chairs. the plastic 'prothesis' adds a funky deco edge as well as a practical way to keep you from falling through the chaise. from 150 euros, available online.
for fashion fans, the much anticipated film about designer karl lagerfeld, lagerfeld confidential, looks like a must-see. lagerfeld takes off his infamous dark glasses to show the real man behind the creative genius, as well as his theories about his mother, his drawers full of gloves and stiff collars, and his collections. the film opens in paris on october 10th- be sure to check here to find a theater playing the film in french with english subtitles.
get off the plane with a bad 'do? stop by the marianne gray salon in st. germain to take advantage of her bar a chignons ["bun bar"]. on thursdays and fridays, you can stop in for a super quick up-do-- the price of which depends on how long it takes to do up your hair! (10 euros for 10 minutes, 20 euros for 20 min, etc.)
famed made-in-france glove house causse has just opened its first boutique in paris at 12 rue de castiglione, 1st arr. fans of the french gantier (which dates back to 1892) include madonna and karl lagerfeld, the latter of whom orders 250 pairs of his famed fingerless gloves at a time. the chic 07/08 winter collection includes lovely specimens in golden lambskin and panther pony.
scarves are making a big comeback around paris this season. check out the hermes carre 70, a 70cm square scarf made for the 70th anniversary of the infamous hermes scarf., available in several styles, including a redition of their first scarf. so chic!
another great accessory to add to your makeup case--chanel's latest fall lipcolors, with the glosses in the shape of their signature camelia flowers. made to wear layered together or alone, these lipglosses are almost too preety to use! all this in the shiny, black chanel compact that oozes paris chic.
the ritz is famous for its bar, its stars, and now, its limited editions. from october 4th to 7th, the ritz will host the vendome luxury trade show, which will offer a boutique filled with limited edition pieces [such as the patent leather repettos, pictured], a luxury bar to relax in between two fashion shows, as well as a beauty center tucked away in the ritz gardens. so if you aren't invited to the fashion shows in paris, you can at least pretend you are part of the It crowd by stopping by the ritz...
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.
