To Do Paris

Shopping in Paris is no easy feat if you’re not a Parisian. You’ll most likely be pointed to areas chock full of other tourist trying to get their souvenirs and gifts of Paris. Very few Guide books really have the most up to date information anyways on thrift shopping in Paris, because so many stores open and close frequently, especially in the last  3 years since Vintage has become some what chic and “a la mode”.

One vintage place that I still consider a hidden gem, is Guerrisol Paris. It’s one of my best places to shop for thrift and vintage in Paris because its the only thrift store that doesn’t give a damn about carrying what’s in style or even trendy.

They just hang what they want, and you can leave with a bag of clothes for under 30 Euros!

I went to the one at Place de Clichy last week, and walked away with three blazers and a pair of pants. The blazers were 3 Euros each! Much cheaper than anything I  buy in Freep Star in the Marais ( unless you have the patience to dig through the 1 euro bill bin thats upstairs in the badly lit tiny cluster).

Be aware, because this is more of a Thrift shop rather than Vintage shop, don’t expect the selection to be pre-scanned for your shopping pleasure.

So you’ll occasionally see the “who in da heck would buy that!?” item here and there. But whatever, don’t judge, get what you want and move on. I’ve yet to be disappointed.

Parisian Luxury Lingerie.

I had the pleasure of meeting Fifi Chachnil a while back, at her boutique in the 3rd Arrondisment of Paris, situated on a quite street between trendy Etienne Marcel and Les Halles.

Entering into the world of Fifi Chachnil is like bringing out your inner Bridget Bardot, sensual but never vulgar.

Feminine, soft, bubble gum pinks, french Rivera, playfulness and full of character. It’s almost like you’d expect of a wardrobe full of lingerie for a girl or woman who loves to be feminine and sexy for the fun of it. Lots of silk, lace, frills, and plenty of variety of pinks.

It’s one part Pin-up era and one part Alice in Wonderland.

Sensual Strength.

As for Fifi Chachnil the person; her presence really struck me as effortlessly feminine, charming yet alive. She has a delicate power in the way she dresses and the softness of her voice that’s evident in her designs, music and even the decor of the boutique that’s like a huge yet chic two story lingerie closet. She had her blond hair in a neat up-do with a red silk ribbon and silhouette hugging dress, as if in a 1950′s movie.

The dream Closet.

Like the french say  its a lot of “frou frou”

Fifi prides herself in making lingerie for “real” women. She’s into the art of making a woman feel comfortable in her undergarments. These lingerie are perfect to be worn on your wedding night or a boudoir photo session here in Paris.  Guys this would make a great gift for your special lady.

Shop Online.

Visit any one of her three boutiques in Paris but my favorite is the one at address 68 rue Jean-jacques Rousseau

75001 PARIS

Telephone. 01 42 21 19 93

Selected works of the Master couturier Madame Grès (1903-1993) are on display at the Bourdelle Museum in Paris. All throughout her life Madame Gres stated that  « Je voulais être sculpteur. Pour moi, c’est la même chose de travailler le tissu ou la pierre ». When translated she said she wanted to be a sculpture and that for her working with material is as similar to working with clay.

The exposition displays 80 pieces taken from the Galliera museum as well as from private collections.  Definitely worth seeing if visiting Paris and  have a love of fashion, couture or history.

WHERE:

Musée Bourdelle
16 rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris
Tél. : 01 49 54 73 73
www.bourdelle.paris.fr

WHEN:

Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10AM to 6PM ( except holidays)

FEE:

7 € or 3,50 € (14-26 yrs old)

Free for under  14 yrs old

Found: issue of Vogue magazine 1956

Where: Les Archives de la Presse, Le Marais

51 rue de Archives

75003 Paris

Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Friday  10:30 – 7:00.
Monday – Saturday  2:00 – 7:00

Where was PETA back then? This copy of Vogue was 80 euros.

magazines on display

More Fur a la Balmain

Old Dior Ad, and Lanvin cosmetics ad.

The view from the window of The Kooples Paris in the Marais

I’m in a Smokie Robinson kinda mood lately. These photos were taken last Friday while Cruising around the Marais. Truth be told I went to grab a falafel and L’as Du Falafel was closed, so I just made use of my time while there and went to snapping with Cleo, my camera.

All white window display at Comptoir des Cottonniers

Outside Devernois

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