FASHION Magazine

By Nicole Popovich

Between the feedings, stroller walks and “Mommy and Me” classes that occupied my maternity leave, I started entering contests to infuse a little excitement into my day. I always hoped I’d win an incredibly lavish prize for my efforts, but I secretly knew the odds were against it and I’d probably end up with a new bottle of shampoo or dog food (for the dog I do not own). Imagine my surprise and disbelief when I received an e-mail last October announcing that I’d won a trip for two to Paris and, to top it off, an Yves Saint Laurent shopping spree.

Was this spam? Surely it must be because, really, how could I have possibly won the most incredible contest ever, just by watching Fashion File and folding laundry? Incredible but true.

As fate would have it, YSL was the source of many style milestones in my life. In the ’70s, my style icon, my mother, donned a tan leather YSL purse and snakeskin belt that I coveted. YSL red (very bright and very ’80s) was my lipstick of choice for all of my university formal balls, accompanied by a spritz of Opium perfume. Over the years, the casual yet sophisticated safari look was always in my wardrobe. It seems the contest had found a winner destined to appreciate it completely!

One complex skill-testing question (I have math issues) and a few flight arrangements later, my mother and I were booked for our trip to Paris.

We left on May 11—Mother’s Day. I could think of no one better to come with me than the person who introduced me to Vogue and the style influence of Monsieur Saint Laurent. I had been to Paris many times before, but this would be my mother’s first trip. The joy of seeing her anticipation was as exciting as what the trip offered us: the opportunity to spend time together as mother and daughter—an incredible gift.

Of course, we had bigger issues to discuss on the plane. Would we see Carla Bruni, the new First Lady of France? Would Stefano Pilati, creative director of YSL, be at the boutique when we got there, possibly fitting Catherine Deneuve for a new ensemble?

It was obvious we had our priorities right where they needed to be. The rest, as it happened, took care of itself. What you will see below is a snapshot of a trip of a lifetime, filled with wonderful memories of Paris and time well spent with my mother.

Day One
We arrive in Paris on Monday morning, and the weather couldn’t be more incredible. It is close to 32 degrees Celsius, and the sky is clear. What a welcome.

En route to our charming hotel, we discover that we may, in fact, see Ms. Bruni as we are staying right around the corner from the president’s official residence and the famed YSL boutique on 38 rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Lucky her to have the world of French fashion down the block. We wonder if she secretly gets good discounts.

We take a brief stroll around Place Vendôme, pass the Louvre and stop in at Angelina on rue de Rivoli for its famous hot chocolate. Yes, it’s hot outside, but a girl needs her caffeine to properly concentrate on what to buy during her shopping spree.

Day Two
We head to the Left Bank to check out the specialty shops and the quaint cafés. We spend time in Le Bon Marché and secure a few purchases for my daughter. On the way back, we pass Les Invalides, the final resting place of Napoleon. My mother’s grandfather was part of the French Resistance, and his name is engraved on a plaque close to the tomb. It’s an honour, and a unique bit of family history that I learned on my very first trip to the city.

Day Three
We’re on a full-day tour at Versailles, learning about the history of French royalty, Marie Antoinette and the Revolution. The weather affords us lovely views of the grounds and landscaping. We walk through the Hall of Mirrors, Grand Apartments, and Petit and Grand Palaces. More removed from the main buildings are Marie Antoinette’s farm, where she could let her hair down; the theatre, where she performed plays for the nobles; and the hidden grotto, where she was with her lover just before she was notified of the start of the Revolution.

Day Four
Today is occupied by the YSL shopping spree. Giles, head of VIP clients (and, for these few hours, me), welcomes us upon arrival and gives us the full treatment. Although Stefano Pilati is nowhere to be found, Giles does take a call from Madame Deneuve on his cell while he is highlighting the redeeming qualities of the safari dress.

We see Inès de la Fressange, former muse to Karl Lagerfeld, in the store as we exit with the results of our shopping: two gorgeous Majorelle purses, two logo belts and a fabulous jacket. Exhausted, we go to Café Marly, which overlooks the Louvre courtyard, to take in lunch and the view.

Day Five
Our next adventure: lunch at the Eiffel Tower and a city tour of Paris. We learn more about the history of the city and hit all the major monuments and important districts. For dinner, we walk up the Champs Élysées and have a high-end cocktail at the George V hotel and a lovely dinner at an outdoor seafood restaurant.

Day Six
A morning cruise on the Seine gives us an incredible view of the cathedral and all the unique bridges. We finish up the afternoon with a long walk to the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps stores on boulevard Haussmann to ensure we haven’t missed any of the shopping opportunities the city has to offer.

Day Seven
On our last day in Paris, we attend service at the church in Place Madeleine and follow up with a quick bistro breakfast. I head out to the Marie Antoinette exhibit at Petit Palais to round out my education about the Queen and her fascinating life as a royal. It is amazing the way her life and spirit still dominate popular culture.

The trip of a lifetime is the best way to describe our time in Paris, made more special by my mother, my style icon to this day.

Footnote: I completed this article on the day of Monsieur Saint Laurent’s funeral. The news agencies described him as one of the 20th century’s greatest couturiers, credited with revolutionizing women’s wardrobes. I remember him as one of my very first fashion influences and remain a loyal fan, as his legacy and fashion house continue to inspire me.

Photography by Istockphoto.com/Shelly Perry

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