Coolest place for hottest design
ASHION, history and gardens. It’s an only-in-Paris experience at the Palais Royal, where luxury shops line the columned arcades of a 17th-century palace.
It’s a stellar location for visitors: the Palais Royal is set in the 1st arrondissement,opposite the Louvre and near the Jardin des Tuileries. Nestled in its Montpensier and Valois galleries, high-end designers Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Rick Owens and others show their latest collections and vintage clothing in windows that reflect the trees, serene rose gardens and grand historic architecture.
The Marc Jacobs Collection at his shop on Rue de Montpensier sells the American designer’s latest shirts, sweaters and accessories.
Haute couture vintage fashion may be found at the Galerie Montpensier shop of Didier Ludot features Dior, Chanel, Paco
FRabanne and other classic designers. Gabrielle Geppert’s shop, Lux & Vintage, stocks chic, vintage clothing and a boutique next door shows her design collection of accessories, including bags, belts and jewellery.
Taiwanese designer Sophie Hong’s boutique resembles a refined jewellery box, with a small, precious interior displaying her unique hued silk fashion creations.
British designer McCartney’s shop window in the Galerie de Valois features her line-drawn faces – a motif used on sweaters, tops and jackets. A recent display included a casual look pairing a sweater with her Tomboy Diamond Jeans and other signature clothing.
Pierre Hardy, who previously designed shoe collections for Dior and Hermes, creates striking, trendy shoes for men and women, including a spunky high-heeled shoe. The Corto Moltedo boutique has cool, luxury bags by designer Gabrielecorto Moltedo.
American designer Rick Owens captivates shoppers with a trompe l’oeuil statue of himself dressed in hip garb and viewable from the shop window. His Fall14 Moody Collection includes jackets with off-centre zippers, belts, scarves, bracelets, and the “Moody” cap.
Combine shopping – or depending on your budget, window shopping – with a stroll along Le Petit Canon du Palais Royal to enjoy the flowers in season, then stop in at a café for wine or dessert.
To add another layer of French history, visit Le Grand Vefour, the classic gour met French restaurant, which counts Napoleon, Balzac, Cocteau and Colette among those who have dined there since it opened in the palace arcades in 1784.