Fashion & Accessory shopping in Paris
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APC
The hip streetwear of the renovated and expanded Atelier de Production et Création (Production and Creation Workshop) is very popular with those young Parisian guys with pop-rock haircuts, white sneakers and jeans. The focus is on simple lines and straight cuts, though some pieces are more adventurous. It also has women’s clothes. There’s also a branch on rue de Marsaille ([tel] 01 42 39 84 46; 5 rue de Marseille, 10e; [hrs] 11.30am-8pm; [metro] Jacques Bonsergent).
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Marithé & François Girbaud
This globetrotting designer couple call themselves ‘jeanologists’, having devoted themselves to more than 30 years of denim. They have four other boutiques in Paris, including a Marais branch ([tel] 01 44 54 99 01; 20 rue Malher, 4e; [hrs] 11am-7pm Mon-Sat, 2-7pm Sun; [metro] St-Paul) and a St-Germain branch ([tel] 01 53 63 53 63; 7 rue du Cherche Midi, 6e; [hrs] 11.30am-7.30pm Mon, 10.30am-7.30pm Tue-Sat; [metro] St-Sulpice) with its own ‘vegetation wall’ inside.
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L’Éclaireur
Part art space, part lounge and part deconstructionist fashion statement, this new shop for women is known for having the next big thing first. You’ll find Dries Van Noten rubbing shoulders with objects by Piet Hein Eek and Piero Fornasetti. Just down the road is another stunning Marais branch ([tel] 01 44 54 22 11; 12 rue Malher, 4e; [metro] St-Paul), for men and converted from an old warehouse.
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Antoine et Lili
All the colours of the rainbow and all the patterns in the world congregate in this wonderful Parisian institution with designer clothing for women (pink store) and children (green store), and hip home decorations (yellow store). There are five other locations in Paris, including a Marais store ([tel] 01 42 72 26 60; 51 rue des Francs Bourgeois, 3e; [metro] St-Paul), which keeps the same hours.
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Surface to Air
This shop has very edgy clothing as well as arty books and accessories. With an exceedingly up-to-date collection of daring local and international designs, the space also welcomes regular installations and collaborative events with artists. Its other Marais branch ([tel] 01 44 61 76 27; 68 rue Charlot, 3e; [hrs] by appointment; [metro] Filles du Calvaire) is smaller and more exclusive.
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Kabuki Femme
Opened some 20 years ago, this is the shop that brought Barbara Bui to world attention. Her own eponymous store is next door and you’ll find Kabuki Homme ([tel] 01 42 33 13 44; 21 rue Étienne Marcel, 2e), for men, two doors down. In addition to Bui’s own designs there’s a judicious selection from other brands, including Prada, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent and Dior.
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Agnès B Femme
Style stalwart agnès b excels in extremely durable, comfortable and sometimes quirky clothes. The foundations are excellent; the rest has somewhat lost its cachet of late. On the same street you’ll find agnès b homme ([tel] 01 42 33 04 13; 3 rue du Jour, 1er) for men and agnès b enfant ([tel] 01 40 39 96 88; 2 rue du Jour, 1er) for children.
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Barbara Bui
Franco-Vietnamese Barbara Bui’s Kabuki Femme was an instant success here in Paris and she went on to open her own shops, known for their elegant modernism and beautifully cut trousers. There’s also a Marais branch ([tel] 01 53 01 88 05; 43 rue des Francs Bourgeois, 4e; [hrs] 12.30-7pm Mon, 10.30am-7pm Tue-Sat, 1-7pm Sun; [metro] St-Paul).
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Erotokritos
Greek-Cypriot Erotokritos’ clothes are chic and colourful, combining and contrasting fabrics with amazing prints. They’re also quite affordable, considering the designer’s reputation. There’s also a Les Halles branch ([tel] 01 42 21 44 60; 58 rue d’Argout, 2e; [hrs] 1-7.30pm Mon, 11am-7.30pm Tue-Sat; [metro] Sentier).
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Eres
You will pay an arm and a leg for a swimsuit here, but anyone who has despaired at buying one in the past will understand why these have become a must-have item for those in the know. The stunning swimsuits are cut to suit all shapes and sizes, with bikini tops and bottoms sold separately. It also stocks magnificent lingerie.
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Abou d’Abi Bazar
This fashionable boutique is a treasure trove of smart and affordable ready-to-wear pieces from such young designers as Paul & Joe and Isabel Marant. There’s also a Latin Quarter branch ([tel] 01 42 77 96 98; 15 rue Soufflot, 5e; [hrs] 10.30am-7.15pm Tue-Sat, 2-7pm Sun & Mon; [metro] Luxembourg).
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Bonpoint
This is an immaculate collection of classic children’s clothes (newborn to 14 years). It’s a longstanding tradition for the chic bébés of Paris to be besuited by their grannies in Bonpoint, but if you’re looking to buy into it, expect to pay €90 for a pair of perfectly crafted first-time booties.
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Alternatives
This resale shop stocking mostly men’s high-end fashion has great bargains in superb condition. This is an excellent place to pick up Japanese designer wear at a third of the original price. You can also come across Miu Miu, Prada, Martin Margiela, Comme des Garçons and Rick Owens here on a good day.
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Kenzo
While Kenzo himself may have retired from designing some time ago, his successor Antonio Marras has brought a new joie de vivre to the label. The Pont Neuf flagship store is spread over five floors and is a tantalising temple to fashion and beauty for both men and women.
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L’Habilleur
For 15 years this shop has been known for its discount designer wear – offering 50% to 70% off original prices. It generally stocks last season’s collections including such lines as Paul & Joe, Giorgio Brato and Belle Rose. The selection of men’s clothes is quite extensive.
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Maria Luisa Femme
Every fashionista knows the eminent selection of classic and avant-garde designers at this shop, which also carries a range of swimwear. Around the corner you’ll find an accessories branch ([tel] 01 42 60 99 83; 38 rue du Mont Thabor, 1er; [metro] Concorde).
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Shine
A limited but discerning collection of designer stuff in the trendsetting 3e. Young women’s clothing and some excellent shoes and handbags have been astutely selected, with plenty of Marc Jacobs, See by Chloé and K by Karl Lagerfeld, as well as jewellery by Bijoux de Sophie.
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Alexandra Sojfer
Become Parisian chic with a frivolous, frilly, fantastical or frightfully fashionable parapluie (umbrella), parasol or walking cane, handcrafted by Alexandra Sojfer at this parapluie-packed St-Germain boutique, in the trade since 1834.
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André
This branch of a footwear chain is where ordinary (and still very stylish) Parisian women buy their shoes and boots. At the same time each year André invites hot new designers to create new lines of shoes and handbags at affordable prices.
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Maje
A Parisian prêt-à-porter brand featured regularly on the pages of Elle, Glamour and Marie Claire, Maje doesn’t come cheaply – that is, unless you know about this outlet store, which sells most items at a 30% discount.
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Lin et Cie
Simplicity is the charm of the organic jewellery created for mother and baby at this unusual boutique. The nail-sized silver, precious stone or porcelain motifs delicately strung on nylon and tied with knots can also be ordered online.
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Galerie François Rénier
Un jour un sac (a bag a day) is the philosophy of handbag designer François Rénier, who creates bags from paper, fabric or leather and leaves his customer to pick which handles to attach. Buy a couple to mix ‘n’ match at home.
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Bazar Éthic
An excellent shop for a browse, Bazar Éthic specialises in chic fair-trade and ecofriendly products. It carries a range of clothing (organic cotton jeans, children’s wear) and home-design handicrafts, such as lacquered bamboo bowls.
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Sobral
Brighten up your life with a bangle, pendant, pair of earrings or other costume jewellery pieces made from recycled resin by Brazilian jeweller Carlos Sobral. Yes, he makes toilet seats and Eiffel Towers, too.
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La Citadelle
This designer discount shop hidden away in Montmartre has some real finds from new French, Italian and Japanese designers. Look out for such labels as Les Chemins Blancs and Yoshi Kondo.
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