Wet & Wild Paris

I could have worn a sweatsuit for 5 days straight which should tell you how many times I took off my trench coat.

Before I get into Paris, AF is headed to New York next week for a mixed bag of fashion stuff - Fashion week, market week, and our pop up at WSA. We will be at WSA on the 17th floor from the 5th to the 7th - come say hi! Here is the link to add your name to the list for entry.

Ok. This was my first time in Paris for the Pre Fall Market, and because I’m headed back in a month, it was quick. Frantic, almost. We had 3 full days with appointments scheduled from 9 am to 5 pm in 1 hour slots. Still, it’s Paris and it’s my favourite part of the job.

I’m going to tell you what I packed that made sense, where we ate, what the french pharmacist told me and which designers I did a little happy dance for.

I simplified my travel makeup and it turns out I am a Sephora teen based on my favourites.

The Rhode Pocket Blush is presently my most-used product. Such a nice formula and the colours are warm and cozy. Freckle is my favourite. Another go-to is the KJH Soft Smudge Lip and Cheek in Raisin. It’s portable, hard to mess up, and works on eyes, lips and cheeks. I also use the Hyper Shine Serum, which appeals because I’m not big on sparkly/glittery highlighter and this just adds a touch of sheen. I also mix it with matte eyeshadow to create a wet look which I think is cool but who knows. Lastly, the Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation will be the last foundation I will ever use. It’s light, it looks like my skin but better, and it’s in a compact little pot that travels well. I can’t stress enough how perfect this is. And then at the end of the day I use this Allies of Skin Cleansing Balm and it doesn’t dry out my skin but removes every trace of makeup. A+. The drmtlgy luminous eye corrector with SPF 40 also travels everywhere with me. Great for beach vacations and rainy French work trips.

The french pharmacist told me the A313 that I’ve been using is a sub-par retinol because it’s not a natural retinol. She was calm and welcoming and I trusted her implicitly so I didn’t buy more of it. She told me to use it on hands instead of the face. Yes Ma’am.

Paris is one big case study for the necessity of owning a good trench coat.

No matter the time of year. I won’t link mine because I feel like an asshole telling you where it’s from but here I am, feeling put together in the rain because I’m in my chic business-lady trench.

We have a perfect vintage Burberry trench at Absolutely Fabrics right now - it's oversized and lightweight, unisex, classic Burberry but on the relaxed side. If you want very classic, this J.Crew New Icon Trench is a great option. It’s timeless outerwear that will outlast any trend. This Lemaire Burgundy Light Trench is the one I have for shoulder seasons, and I hate to send you to Ssense but they have one left in an XL (for reference, I wear an L and it’s roomy) and I can’t find a better trench color so if that’s your size, run don’t walk. It’s also on sale. This Rue Sophie Cassis Trench is somewhere in the middle design-wise. Slightly more fashion-y than the J. Crew trench, but still classic and timeless. This Cos Layered Double Breasted Trench is very cool. The oversized fit is nice and makes it feel very easy, and the layering is a good detail. This is the one I would go for if I needed another trench. (Reader, I do not). You know what, I do not find myself drawn to Frankie Shop because it feels SO trend driven and I don’t entirely trust the quality, but I will give them credit for the outerwear because the coats are good. This Oversized Trench is my favourite. I like this CO Checked Wool Blend Trench Coat for colder months.

If I’m travelling in a city, I bring these Le Monde Beryl Babouche Kitten Heel in Black every single time. The perfect heel height makes them wearable in the day, and the sharpness of the toe makes them appropriate for evening as well. A new iteration in the Studded Black Leather is very special.

Here’s a (likely unhelpful) picture of them on my feet (I’m wearing them with sweatpants, apologies) —

If I want sparkle when I’m traveling I bring the Dorsey James Bezel Necklace - it’s luxurious and sophisticated and I like it best with a t-shirt.

Here’s a film picture of my butt so I can tell you once more, these Jeans are it.

These are the brands I got most excited about during market —

Recto is a Korean brand that I loved. The quality was impeccable, with very easy tailoring and standout outerwear. It felt accessible and exciting. I hadn’t seen the brand physically before and wow, what a difference it makes. A collarless, fitted blazer was a big standout. As was the shirting - interesting shapes with convertible options and butter-soft tees.

Meryll Rogge was thrilling. I literally danced when I saw all of our selects lined up on the rack. Rogge was the former Womenswear designer at Dries Van Noten, which is evident in the explosion of prints, jewel tone silks and crisp shirting. And yet it feels entirely new and different. I honestly can’t wait for it to be physically in the store and also my closet.

As usual, I loved Bettter, Neous (these are new to us and I love them) and Panconesi. We saw Another Tomorrow this time around and it was lovely. Fabrics that felt inviting and soft, great classic cuts and no shortage of infinitely wearable pieces. Commission was weird and fun and wearable at once — Very aligned with the 80’s office aesthetic that’s currently ubiquitous.

Here is where we ate —

Le Collier de la Reine // In the 10th, a cute spot that feels local and does a nice cocktail. It used to be in a big, open, white space on the corner but moved into a small, cavernous and cozy spot with melted candles everywhere that feels much more apropos. The food is good for sharing.

Semilla in the 6th was accidental. We were trying for Freddy’s, which is a casual wine bar with small share plates that I love. It was packed, so we sat at the bar at Semilla and had an excellent dinner. Definitely more upscale than we wanted but a nice treat.

We had dinner at Ogata on our last night. It’s worth the flight to Paris. The whole building is beautiful and the experience is singular. It feels like a ritual. The food was traditional Japanese, and our Sake was buried under snow (it’s possible I misunderstood that part but it was an exceptionally fresh sake). Solange was there as well and I tried so hard to get Colt to walk over and say “I loved you in the elevator” and then leave but he wouldn’t do it.

I love to be the tourist that I am and get a ham and cheese on a baguette from Caractere de Cochon in the Marais. The man that works there will talk you through everything and you’ll end up with the best sandwich of your life. Don’t forget the pickles.

That’s all. Have a fantastic weekend and I genuinely hope your house is not plagued with the hellish flu that mine currently is.

xx
Kael