Page 318 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

316  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Clothes and Accessories

For many people, Paris is synonymous with fashion, and to look out for are Zadig &
Parisian style is the ultimate in chic. More than anywhere Voltaire, which has made its
else in the world, women in Paris seem to be in tune with mark with chic casual basics
current trends. Though generally less fashion conscious, such as everyday T-shirts and
cashmere jumpers; and Vanessa
Parisian men have a keen sense of style, and mix and match Bruno, whose clothes are
patterns and colours with élan. Top designer boutiques are popular with all ages for their
concentrated around the Champs-Elysées, on streets such as classic, high-quality designs.
Avenue Montaigne, Rue Francois-1er and Rue du Faubourg- The northeast of the city,
St-Honoré, and also in St-Germain. High-end labels abound around the Marais and Bastille,
is another great area for clothes
on Rue Etienne and around Place Sainte-Victoire. Further east, shopping, with a mix of
in the Marais, Canal St-Martin and Bastille areas, as well as established and more cutting-
in South Pigalle and Montmartre, there are lots of trendy, edge designers. Rue des Francs-
independent fashion labels. High-street fashion tends Bourgeois is full of elegant
to be concentrated in Les Halles and surrounding streets. boutiques, such as Autour du
Monde, selling young, colourful
clothes and canvas sneakers by
Department and concept store Centre French designer Bensimon,
Concept Stores
Commercial, concerned while the quieter roads to the
A good place to start a clothes- with the environment and north, such as Rue Charlot and
shopping spree in Paris is one fair trade, and stocking eco- Rue de Poitou, harbour some of
of the city’s grand department friendly French designers such the city’s most exciting young
stores (see p313). Galeries as Valentine Gauthier, plus a fashion designers. Yves
Lafayette has an excellent decent selection of lesser- Andrieux et Vincent Jalbert
range of high-end fashion, known men's labels. create elegant jackets and skirts
nearly a whole floor of lingerie, from such unlikely fabrics as
and another of shoes, while Parisian Chic recycled 1950s army uniforms,
Printemps is particularly strong while Swildens is worth seeking
on men’s fashion, with seven There are many wonderful out for feminine clothes with a
floors of clothes and accessories. shops where you can achieve nod to vintage style. La Fausse
Less upmarket, but carrying a the Parisian look without Boutique stocks young
wide range of women’s and spending over the odds. French designers.
men’s fashion, is BHV Marais. Boulevard St-Germain and Rue Keller, in the Bastille, also
At the budget end is the Rue du Jour/Rue Etienne Marcel has a cluster of independent
popular discount department are good hunting grounds for designers, such as Gaëlle Barré
store Tati, which includes French labels. For many, Agnès B, and Anne Willi, while trendy
Catherine Deneuve among its on Rue du Jour, epitomizes Rue de Charonne is home to
customers. Parisian chic – her clothes are Sessùn, where Emma François
Also handy for a one-stop understated and timeless, and creates casual-chic clothes from
shop are the city’s ever-growing not overly expensive. Other quality fabrics. A few blocks
concept stores. One of the best labels nearby include Paris- down is Isabel Marant (and
known is Colette, which based B&ash, creating fresh, her more affordable line, Etoile),
combines high fashion, design modern chunky knits, wool internationally renowned for
and hip accessories. Spree, in dresses and bold-coloured her flattering, understated
Montmartre, mixes fashion, art silk tops; and Claudie Pierlot, womenswear. The shops along
and design, while Merci, set in whose designs sport an the Canal St-Martin reflect the
a huge old wallpaper factory, elegant, slightly gamine look. bohemian-bourgeois character
sells an attractive range of Comptoir des Cotonniers is of its residents; one that stands
women’s clothing, alongside very popular for its well-cut out above all others is Antoine
homewares, jewellery and basics, while a little more daring et Lili, with its three candy-
second-hand books; the clothes are the designs by Paul & Joe coloured shopfronts. It is
are not especially cheap, but all for both men and women; known for its bright, cheerful
profits go to charity. The Rue Paul & Joe Sister caters to a clothes with an ethnic twist
Sévigné branch of L’Eclaireur younger, more contemporary for women and children.
is vaunted as an “interactive look. With many branches Also good for more alternative
installation”; clothes, mostly by around the city, Sandro, fashions is the area at the foot of
top fashion designers such as founded by Parisian Evelyne Montmarte and South Pigalle.
Balenciaga and Jean Rousseau, Chétrite, is a good bet for well- Streets worth checking out for
are hidden behind screens and cut staples, as well as floaty offbeat designers are rues des
sliding panels. Just off the trendy dresses and casual men’s Martyrs, des Trois Frères, de la
Canal St-Martin lies pioneering clothes. Other reliable brands Vieuville and Houdon.

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