It’s Paris Fashion Week: 5 Things To Do in the City of Light
I’ve been lucky enough to travel to all four fashion capitals for fashion week and Paris is hands down my favourite. Maybe it’s because I studied in France in university or maybe it’s because I have an unhealthy addiction to pain au chocolat, but there’s just something about Paris (and the twinkling Eiffel Tower at dusk) that’s pure magic.
Given the designer shuffle that’s happening and all the buzz around the city’s brightest fashion stars – we’re looking at you Demna Gvasalia and Simon Porte Jacquemus – it’s an exciting time to be covering the shows. But there’s just as much action happening off of the runway too.
Here’s where we’ll be ducking into between the shows.
Kardashian Sightings at Ferdi
Last time I was in Paris, a friend recommended the restaurant Ferdi (rumoured to flip Kim and Kanye’s favourite cheeseburger in Paris). I never got the chance to make it there, so I’ll be sure to cross the 15 Euro “Le Mac” off my must-try list and keep my eyes out for the celeb couple this go-around.
Ferdi, 32 rue du Mont Thabor
More Foodie Fail Safes
Stand on any street corner, point in any direction and you’re likely to hit a great restaurant in Paris. But some have become institutions for the fashion set. If you want to stop for a drink between shows with the ladies who lunch, L’Avenue in the Triangle D’Or is your best bet. Editors cram into Caviar Kaspia for late-night baked potatoes topped with glossy dollops of black caviar, and my personal favourite is the hot chocolate at Angelina that’s as thick and creamy as melted chocolate bars. If you’re in a hurry, you can even get it to go.
Caviar Kaspia, 17 Place de la Madeleine; L’Avenue, 41 Avenue Montaigne; Angelina; 226 Rue de Rivoli
Fashion Shows
Paris counts all the biggies. I’m looking forward to the imaginative sets at Chanel, the quirky invitations for Stella McCartney and H&M’s (rumoured) epic after party.
Night at the Museum
It’s sacrilegious to visit Paris without hitting a museum or two. Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer – think ‘The Girl With A Pearl Earring’ and ‘The Milkmaid’ – will be on display at the Louvre and a history of the kimono, which includes pieces dating back to the 1600s and stunning designer versions from Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano, will be showcased at the Musee nationale des arts asiatiques.
Musée national des arts asiatiques – Guimet, 6 place d’Iéna
Spending All My Euros
While they’re a good place to go if you’re strapped for time, shopping in Paris goes beyond Gallerie Lafayettes and Le Bon Marche. The Broken Arm, opened by 3 former fashion bloggers is a lifestyle shop that sells sneakers alongside indie magazines. Chez Moi, another concept shop is set up apartment-style (the owner actually lives in the space) and everything is for sale. Finally, with it’s vintage furniture, curated clothing and used book library, Merci tops my list as a splurge worthy shop.
 that's pure magic.
Given the designer shuffle that's happening and all the buzz around the city's brightest fashion stars - we're looking at you Demna Gvasalia and Simon Porte Jacquemus - it's an exciting time to be covering the shows. But there's just as much action happening off of the runway too.
Here's where we'll be ducking into between the shows.
Kardashian Sightings at Ferdi
Last time I was in Paris, a friend recommended the restaurant Ferdi (rumoured to flip Kim and Kanye's favourite cheeseburger in Paris). I never got the chance to make it there, so I'll be sure to cross the 15 Euro "Le Mac" off my must-try list and keep my eyes out for the celeb couple this go-around.
Ferdi, 32 rue du Mont Thabor
More Foodie Fail Safes
Stand on any street corner, point in any direction and you're likely to hit a great restaurant in Paris. But some have become institutions for the fashion set. If you want to stop for a drink between shows with the ladies who lunch, L'Avenue in the Triangle D'Or is your best bet. Editors cram into Caviar Kaspia for late-night baked potatoes topped with glossy dollops of black caviar, and my personal favourite is the hot chocolate at Angelina that's as thick and creamy as melted chocolate bars. If you're in a hurry, you can even get it to go.
Caviar Kaspia, 17 Place de la Madeleine; L'Avenue, 41 Avenue Montaigne; Angelina; 226 Rue de Rivoli
Fashion Shows
Paris counts all the biggies. I'm looking forward to the imaginative sets at Chanel, the quirky invitations for Stella McCartney and H&M's (rumoured) epic after party.
Night at the Museum
It's sacrilegious to visit Paris without hitting a museum or two. Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer – think ‘The Girl With A Pearl Earring’ and ‘The Milkmaid’ – will be on display at the Louvre and a history of the kimono, which includes pieces dating back to the 1600s and stunning designer versions from Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano, will be showcased at the Musee nationale des arts asiatiques.
Musée national des arts asiatiques - Guimet, 6 place d'Iéna
Spending All My Euros
[caption id="attachment_294171" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photography via hipshops.com[/caption]
While they're a good place to go if you're strapped for time, shopping in Paris goes beyond Gallerie Lafayettes and Le Bon Marche. The Broken Arm, opened by 3 former fashion bloggers is a lifestyle shop that sells sneakers alongside indie magazines. Chez Moi, another concept shop is set up apartment-style (the owner actually lives in the space) and everything is for sale. Finally, with it's vintage furniture, curated clothing and used book library, Merci tops my list as a splurge worthy shop.){kind=link}