MERCI Paris

The owners are the same peeps behind Bonpoint, an exclusive children clothing brand from Paris that has art-like window displays and most of their shops in the seventh arrondissement.

On the way back home, I had kept a note to visit this newly-opened giant boutique, Merci that has been getting loads of favorable attention from blogger and french people as well. The warehouse-like building with high ceilings, combining lots of black steel and aluminium is a very cool shop indeed. At first I was very sceptical because a lot of french has been saying that the clothes are way to expensive and all just 'for show' but you know what, I loved it. Just the way I would imagine it if one day I have my own place. They have vintage furniture, french-designers clothes, perfumery by Anick Goutal and homewares in the top floor. The concept is anything but new, but they did it well and I would recommend it for anyone visiting Paris.

An old fiat, if I'm correct? Stuffed with plants and flowers. A cool display of spontaneous art.

CHERCHEMINIPPES

Since living in Paris for the past two months I share this fact with almost every non-french human living creature I met in Paris who loves to shop and basically loves fashion (who doesn't) that Paris is so hilariously expensive and we could easily get the same exact looking piece of clothing in our own country whether Australia, America or the UK for half the price. Shoes are insanely overpriced, a cheap looking ballerina flats would start at about 59euros normally so that is equivalent to almost 120Aus dollar and you could get a really nice pair in Melbourne. So anyway while I dream of buying clothes at local boutiques like Sandro, Zadig & Voltaire and Isabel Marant almost every second day, I happened to (I think I was meant to find it after two months in Paris) bumped into CHERCHEMINIPPES at 102 Rue de Cherche-Midi (hence the name I suppose). It was literally like finding a treasure box filled with gold coins! There were racks and racks of brands that I mentioned above plus Agnes b, Paul & Joe, Margiella, Comptoirs de Cotonniers and many other chic French local brands. And to my advantage the prices started at 4.50euro, yes you red it right!! Being an experienced shopper, I think I am very good at controlling my spending here, ha ha, I surveyed the whole shop for probably about 1 hour and really really found a lot of things that I really like. However since I already know that I will probably come back a dozen times more, in the end, I only bought two really nice cream-rosy blouses for a total of 13.50euros!! I still can't believe it and it is truly one of those unexpected joys in Paris and one of the reason I love this place so much, is that everything is so mysteriously hidden and that you just have to find it at your own pace and not force it.


End of story, I found three other Chercheminippes along Rue de Cherche-Midi, high-end couture boutique with Diane Von Furstenberg silk dresses starting at 45euros (insane!!), Costume National skirts from 20euros and designer shoes and bags from 40euros. Chercheminippes for Men, Children and one specially carrying only shoes and bags. All European labels and all starting at the most 10euros. I love PARIS.

the above photos are from http://www.magasins-paris.com/magasins/chercheminippes-femme-createurs/

Bonpoint: très jolie

Parisians love their bebes and moreover, they spoiled their kids!
Case 1: Bonpoint
There are four Bonpoint boutiques behind my apartment around Rue de Grenelle and Rue du Bac, and each of them has specific clothing, for boys, for girls, for bebes, and the last ones...I'm not too sure...the ages in between?

Their window displays are so artistic, cute, imaginative and super Cool.

The strings with the little flying butterflies around the pink dress actually rotates 24/7. Unbelievable!

Bonpoint for boys. With their own green plastic car on display.

A childrenswear couture house, as it is described in their website, Bonpoint is expensive. Not your typical daywear for the little ones. Childrenswear is big market I've noticed in Paris, every commercial street has a few boutiques catering for 'couture' kidswear. This particular one that I passed every day has the most unbelievable window display.

A big bear cuddling a cub in a garden of Eden!

How could you not stop and say "aaaaawwwww......"

Some shops are funny

There are only a number of speciality shops in Paris selling just one or two specific items. Artisan shops that are century old or even older, just waiting for their owners to retire and closed. I hope this is not one of them. Just selling umbrellas with gloves and crochet-like cluches, it offers the most exquisite looking umbrellas with wooden animal heads, and lavish gloves made of soft rich leather in the most striking colours. Since I passed it everyday, I thought, why not take some photos, I am running out of stories at the moment. French class is taking most of my time and I hardly do my tour around Paris! ah time to re-organise my dear!

I was right, the shop was opened in 1834, meaning it is more than a century old! Good gracious! Previous president, Francois Mitterand used to buy his umbrella there! at 218 Blvd Saint-Germain.

Imagine wearing everything black, top to bottom, sleek, pointy boots with a hint of those gloves and those clutch! ah tres chic!

Le Jupon Rouge

Ah! lunch time in Paris where everyone takes at least two hours. Yes I should have known before visiting Le Jupon Rouge at Rue Rochechouart in the 9th arrondissement at 1 30pm. A little note on the door says she will be back at 2 30. Too bad I had another appointment at 3.

A vintage designer mix/second hand boutique, it has a few eclectic feel after peeping from the front window displays. White ottoman with red kitsch objects and a throw of antique looking knic-knacs, this place might need another visit sometime next week. I red they sell cheap Repetto shoes. Well another time...

Le quotidien de la mode a Paris

DAINTY is the word to describe Paris Le quotidien de la mode (everyday fashion)

Instead of buying one of those Paris 'chic shopping guides' books or commentaries, I decided to make my own fashion guides and share them with you. Here are some of the shops around Paris that I think is cute, cool, feminine and worth more visits in the future. (I'm adding them as I go)

1. Kyrie Eleison at Rue Monsieur Le Prince, Saint-Germain 5eme
younger fashion orientated but the pieces are structured that they would appeal to older market as well with leather bracelets, denim skirts and simple coloured tops.


2. Rue de Picardie. I forgot the name! argh. They have an online blog shop as well. I liked the little lamp-posts at the top. Most Parisian boutiques are small and will most probably have a layered scarf around the neck of the mannequin.


3. Yesim Chambrey at 1 rue de l'Abbaye, near Passage de la Petite Boucherie
One of my favourite area, where you could find a picturesque dreamland in a very hidden area in Saint-Germain. Cocktail party wear in bubbly ruffles and beautiful detailing.

4. Audrey's is at the next rue after Rue des Rosiers, Marais Jewish quartier.
Small. Personal. Layery.
5. Le Depot-Vente de Buci, 4 Rue Bourbon Le Château, 6eme. Saint-Germain.
Expensive vintage and designer fashion but the display is fun. The green furry coat is so in fashion at the moment.
6. Diane Hameline at 68, Rue Vieille du Temple, Marais area
Rustic decor filled with artisan wedding gowns and formal wear

7. Binome, at 5 Rue Conde
Besides pearly silver jewelry and bracy rings, they carry layery silky tops and leather bags. I've notice most leather (real or not) bags are very $$$$ here, median price starts from 200E +++ in most shops. Zara is always a cheap alternative :)

8. Rue Fleurus near Alliance Francais centre has a few nice boutiques and artisan boulangeries I've noticed after walking up and down repeatedly sometimes twice a day. l'Oeuf and another white capsuly looking boutique is good to check out.

The one is called mobilier/mode/objet, which means furniture/fashion/objects or maybe I just missed the name of the boutique...anyway...it's very Melbourne artsy Brunswick-kinda place but cooler.