Paris, amore
Now then, I havent done a blog in a hell of a long time, dont get me wrong i have been busy but nothing has really moved me enough to write about it. I have had the most amazing long weekend of my life. My mum always says "Try something new everyday" that quote is stuck in my head and i am trying my best to acheive that.
On Friday morning at 5am i set sail and jumped on a train to Paris, Gare Du Nord. I realised the other day, i havent spent more than 12 hours alone. I love seeing friends and talking so this was a HUGE step for me. I was on my way to another city, alone.
I love Paris, its not only beautiful but its so chic. Everything is so effortless and it is what any city in the UK wants to be.
I stayed in a little hotel called Princesse Isabelle, Puteaux. Apparently this means shit in french... but i was thinking maybe someone made that up because it is an actual shithole. Just because it was so suburban and so quiet, i wanted the noise of Paris waking me up not a baby crying.
I dropped off my bags and set off to the Marais, my favorite part of Paris, its where everything "arty" happens. Lets just say its the Northern Quarter of Manchester or the Hoxton Sq of London... apart from much better!
So my task for this journey was to find as many vintage Boutiques as possible, i searched all over the internet for shops in Paris and listed them all down ready for my adventure. It was difficult, i travelled so far to find some had closed down, it was very exhausting but a task is a task.
I covered Vintage shops in the Marais (these i will list at the bottom of the page) i then had some cheese and bread with vin rouge then felt awfully tired so i headed back to the hotel slowly to sleep.. oops i forgot to mention, i bought 2 pairs of shoes on the way.
Good Morning, so i woke up having fell asleep to CNN (the only english speaking channel) constantly going on about Micheal Jackson, leave him in peace for crying out loud. I went downstairs for my breakfast to find HUUURRAAAH boiled eggs. hmm now then how the hell do i eat a boiled egg without a egg cup... so i started to hack away at the egg, flicking bits of shell all over the place to realise a man was staring at me... peeling the shell off the egg,
soooo thats how you do it. sorted.
I got ready and set off for a market searching day. The main thing Paris does brilliantly is fresh food, i went to the most amazing food markets. Nothing like they are over here. Quality and Tons of it. Name a food, i bet its there. You should see all the garlic. Its worth just living there for the food.
After the food markets i took the tube to Port De Clignancourt. Biggest market in Europe. FACT. ok so when you get there, you think, golly what is all this shit cheap market stuff... but you need to go deep into the market to find archways into little antique shops covered in Ivy.
Every single person that owns these little shops sit outside smoking and drinking coffee. You have never seen antiques like it. Cupids... archways.... everything, i mean the price you will be paying is well over the odds but like any antique lover... you will the price if you love something. Paris is renoun for antiques and here is the place to go to see it in all its glory.
After the markets i went back to the hotel for a freshen up then went out back to the Marais to meet my old friend Rory. Hes modelling for the fashion week. Gay pride was on and it was incredible. Amazing outfits and everyone was so happy! I had some wine in my favorite wine shop "La Belle Hortense" You can sit back, read a book off the shelves and watch the Parisians pass you by. Perfect.
After some wine Rory gave me a ticket for Dior Homme fashion show on Sunday @ 4pm. Problem was, i was going home at 2pm. I thought it over and decided, Im going to have to stay. I cannot miss a show like this.. so i scurried back to the hotel and organised my manager to book me a flight back at a later date.
Sunday was all about getting myself hyped up for my first experience of a fashion show.. not just any fashion show, a Paris fashion show. It couldnt get any better really.
At 3.30pm I was ready, i gulped down a glass of red wine and headed to Christian Dior. We got in straight away and the crowds were so antisipated on what they were going to see. it was like a suprise.. but with Christian Dior. So lets get this straight, i was having first peeks at Diors collection. sounds good to me!
When i walked into the building (it was massive and very old, apparently tramps sleep underneath) everything was white, just covered in sheets... not like your painting... done properly. Then all of a sudden, i look round and loads of people were taking pictures of me. so i had to stand there, like a stiff model while these people took pictures of my outfit. Majority of people were in classic black and white.. like i was. I wore a 1950s black dress with a white collar. I think they liked it because it was very Chanel looking and everyone loves Chanel. I just couldnt get over the picture taking. When i flick through my Vogue its just the thing that was going on. Its quite crazy to see it in real life. This is where it all happens.
I go and find my seat then in the corner of my eye i see large crowds of people whispering and pointing.. i obvs go and investigate to find it was someone quiet spectacular. The kind of guy that stands out in a crown. Karl lagerfeld. I lost all interest around and just stood there in shock. He looked so impecible. Stylish to the max... just like you see in Vogue. I took 1 picture, then paniced, not only did i have a shit camera but i didnt want to smother him. He was with his friends and surrounded by papz.. i dont think hed like me to join in too.
I sat down on the... so called seat.. which was a bench covered in clothe. then i heard more whispers, i look to my right and see a guy with body guard and sunglasses on.. surrounded by papz (like flies on shit so to speak) i squint, hmm who the hell is it. Is it Will Smith? Kanye West? nope.... its USHER!
i thought he disappeared. Looking very fly and not bothered about anything.. just posing for the camera.. nice to see you too. he was 2 people along from me. fancy that. Meeting someone from corrie is big stuff for me ha so i sat patiently then the show started, loud music while everyone was completly silent. antisepated as to what was going to happen... its like seeing your favorite band perform new songs.
The show lasted about 10 minutes. Every single item was as simple as can be. Beige, Black, White, Brown, Cream. The thing that i have noticed is when classic designers design they stick to 2 colours, look at Chanel, thats a perfect exsample. Simple is best and im talking about everything. I really loved the collection, it was quite a relief. I was thinking.. oh god, some arty OTT fashion... but it took me by suprise. Slightly cropped linen trousers with ankle boots and a large zip at the back with a flowing double breasted jacket. Effortless, like the french are.
After more pictures got taken we headed to watch Paul Smiths show. I love his mens wear, not so much the womens. This season was very sporty but with a "simple twist" when i say simple, its not simple like Dior, its a totally different colour scheme, Paul seems to use brighter colours. Reds, Yellows, Electric Blues! you name it. No fancy shit, that was so 2004. Every seemed so Vintage. Crazy. When it got the end, the music went louder as Micheal Jackson "thriller" came on. Out came the models dancing like mad with a rather small Paul Smith squashed like a sandwitch between 6ft odd boys! I loved it, the fact he came out dancing shows he has real passion for what he does. Unlike other designers who just come out and wave. He gave us a dance. Well worth sweating my tits off throughout a show hey.
After the show i sat back and drank wine..
So then i spend 2 days resting, after all the excitement i needed too. Drinking coffee (i had my first espresso - try something new everyday) I did however go to the Louvre to have a look at my favorite vintage shop in Paris DIDIER LUDOT. Named after the owner and "Oh sooo fabalous!" Original Chanel jackets and YSL 1950s heels. YUMMY.
Coming back was a nightmare. Not only did i get off at the wrong terminal but someone collapsed on me because it was too hot. I must of ran around the whole airport because noone gave me a straight answer. then one woman said i missed my flight... so i sobbed my heart out then thought.. fuck you bitch, i havent. and managed to get on because i checked in online! Deeeerrrrrrrrrr! Sat next to a Dior Model the way back who told me that every single fashion label when designing has rails and rails of vintage to copy off.
What has the world come too? Can someone please answer that?
I finished off my trip with a book shop where apparently if you read a book a day you get to stay there for free. Thats how kooky Paris is
Anyway, thats it from me.
VINTAGE SHOPS IN PARIS
Didier Ludot - Pricey but Quality. Top end vintage designer but worth having a look for a traditional Parisian boutique. Majority of the stock is Parisian from Chanel to Christian Dior. This would be the first place i would come if i wanted something especially nice (24 Galerie Montpenier, metro - Palais Royale)
Mam'zelle Swing - The heart of the Marais with some fabulous stock. I bought some 1940s heels, very pin up girl. Quite a good price for what you can get but its good quality and the stock is older than most of the other vintage shops in the Marais. The lady is very stylish and pinup girl and she has been a dedicated vintage shop owner for over 15 years. (35b, Rue du Roi De Sicile, metro - Hotel De Ville)
Rag-Time - Tons and Tons of Vintage in this shop. Lets just say you need a good hour and make sure you have something cool on, its pretty stuffy... but i love a good rooot so its fun. The stock isnt my sort of thing, its very 80s/90s (which is in atm) easy to wear stuff and pretty cheap. I prefer something a little more glam but for a girl who likes comfortable things, this is pretty good. (23 Rue de l;echaude, metro - St-Germain-Des-Pres)
Falbalas - This shop is amazing, Some gorgeous 1940s dresses and shoes, Its defo up there on amazing vintage shops. Beware of the lady who works there, she can be a little offhand with trying things on. If your going to this shop you may as well kill 2 birds with 1 stone and go to the amazing market (This shop is in a large open market with a few other vintage shops. Marche, 140 Rue de Rosiers, Saint-ouen, metro - Port de clignancourt)
Free'p Star - Good shop to have a root in, Got some nice stuff if you look deep enough, i think they buy in bulk so it doesnt have the best smell but thats what washing machines are for. I came accross some lovely 40s dresses and pretty good prices. (8 Rue ste-Croix-de-la-bretonneire, metro - Hotel de Ville)
Free'p Star2 - Same kinda idea! Rue de la verrerie (round the corner is a brilliant wine and book shop that i have mentioned above. defo worth a glass of wine)
The King of Trip - Lots of stuff. Plenty of 1960s and retro 80s stuff. worth a good rummage (Rue Vielle Temple, metro - Hotel-De-Ville)
Rag - Another shop who buys in bulk. Tons of 80s stuff at bargin prices (85 Rue st.martin, metro - Hotel-de-ville)
Noir Kennedy - Good shop for men, plenty of skinny jeans, retro tops. Original womens stuff, Quite dark nothing very pretty but hey some people like dark stuff. Very kooky shop and nice staff (10 Rue De Sicille, Marais)
Coffeur Vintage - Lovely shop, nice layout, interesting to see. Lots of junk and another rummage shop. seems like there are loads! (32 Rue de Rosiers, Marais)
Frip'irum - I liked this shop, sells vintage and some new designer, saw a couple of chanel bags in the window, weather they are real, its beyond me. worth a look
(3 Rue de Verrerie)
Good luck, try and do a few shops at once when your in the area. I tried to do that:)x
posted by Lucy & The Caterpillar @ 5:36 PM
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