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France

Fashion shopping in France

  1. Maisons de Mode

    Cool, cutting-edge couture by promising young designers can be found in two clusters of studio-boutiques, Faubourg des Modes, about 2.5km southwest of the Palais des Beaux-Arts, and around La Piscine Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, 12km northeast of Gare Lille-Europe.

    reviewed

  2. Le Village des Createurs

    Local, just-known or yet-to-make-their-name designer boutiques.

    reviewed

  3. A

    Givenchy

    The first to present a luxurious collection of women’s prêt-à-porter.

    reviewed

  4. B

    Chanel

    Box jackets and little black dresses, chic ever since their first appearance in the 1920s.

    reviewed

  5. C

    Hermès

    Founded in 1837 by a saddle-maker, Hermès’ famous scarves are the fashion accessory.

    reviewed

  6. D

    Christian Dior

    Post-WWII, Dior’s creations dictated style, re-establishing Paris as the world fashion capital.

    reviewed

  7. E

    Liza Korn

    From rock ‘n’ roll fashion to a new children’s line, this designer’s tiny boutique is a portal into a rich and playful imagination.

    reviewed

  8. F

    Antoine

    Antoine has been the Parisian master of bespoke canes, umbrellas, fans and gloves since 1745.

    reviewed

  9. G

    Ragtime

    Madame Auguet’s Ragtime sells vêtements anciens (vintage clothes) from 1870 to 1970. Count anything upwards of €100 for a designer dress.

    reviewed

  10. H

    Sonia Rykiel

    In the heady days of May 1968 amid Paris’ student uprisings, Sonia Rykiel opened her inaugural Left Bank boutique here, and went on to revolutionise garments with inverted seams, ‘no hems’ and ‘no lining’. Her diffusion labels (including children’s wear) are housed in separate boutiques nearby, with other outlets around Paris.

    reviewed

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  12. I

    Kiliwatch

    A Parisian institution, Kiliwatch gets jam-packed with hip guys and gals rummaging through racks of new and used streetwear. Startling vintage range of hats and boots plus art/photography books, eyewear and the latest sneakers.

    reviewed

  13. J

    Shine

    A limited but discerning collection of designer stuff in the trendsetting 3e: women’s clothing, excellent shoes and handbags with plenty of Marc Jacobs, See by Chloé and K by Karl Lagerfeld, as well as jewellery by Bijoux de Sophie.

    reviewed

  14. K

    La Clef des Marques

    This designer outlet specialises in grandes marques (big names) at knock-down prices for men, women and kids, with labels like Emilio Pucci, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Le Petit Bateau, Diesel and stacks of sportswear. Bargains also span handbags, jewellery, perfume and shoes.

    reviewed

  15. L

    Abou d’Abi Bazar

    This fashionable boutique is a treasure trove of smart and affordable ready-to-wear pieces from sought-after designers as Paul & Joe and Isabel Marant.

    reviewed

  16. M

    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 for men two doors down. Judicious selections from other brands too, including Prada, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent and Dior.

    reviewed

  17. N

    L’Éclaireur

    Part art space, part lounge and part deconstructionist fashion statement, this shop for women is known for having the next big thing first. The nearby menswear store on rue Malher fills an equally stunning, old warehouse-turned-art space.

    reviewed

  18. O

    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.

    reviewed

  19. P

    Didier Ludot

    In the rag trade since 1975, collector Didier Ludot sells the city’s finest couture creations of yesteryear in his exclusive twinset of boutiques, hosts exhibitions, and has published a book portraying the evolution of the little black dress, brilliantly brought to life in his boutique that sells just that, La Petite Robe Noire.

    reviewed

  20. Q

    La Petite Robe Noire

    Paris being Paris, there’s secondhand…and secondhand: in the rag trade since 1975, collector Didier Ludot not only sells the city’s finest couture creations of yesteryear in his exclusive twinset of boutiques Didier Ludot, he also hosts fashion exhibitions in the neighbouring galleries of the Palais Royal, and has published a book portraying the evolution of the little black dress, brilliantly brought to life in his boutique that sells just that, La Petite Robe Noire.

    reviewed