TRAVEL // PARIS, FRANCE

There's just something about Paris for me that I can figure out.

I am just in love with this city. I love the je ne sais quoi. 

The highlight of this trip was probably me sitting in Jardin des Tuilleries and eating my Laduree pastry. 

It was the most magical yet simplest thing you can think of.

Walking on the cobblestones... criss-crossing through all the bridges that links the city.

Oh Paris, why are you so magical?

I also took a day trip to Giverny, where Monet just painted away. 

This little village is about 1hr train ride outside of Paris...

tucked away in the most beautiful backdrop of greenery hills.

Just magical. 

xx charisse

STREET STYLE // PFW '13

Sick at home. So what better way to catch up on my blog.

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There's just something about Paris that makes you go oohhh and ahhhh. This is probably one of the cities I look forward to the most - not because of the designers that show but because of the street style that gets captured. There's just je ne sais quoi that you feel once you are in the city of love. You always need to dress to the T, so you don't feel you aren't shining but at the same time. Parisian style is not about dressing in the most outrageous outfit but something more chic and it's all about the little details.

charisse

{all images via vogue.com // phil oh}

CAPTURED // FRANCE

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Sitting there, alone in a foreign country, far from my job and everyone I know, a feeling came over me. It was like remembering something I’d never known before or had always been waiting for, but I didn’t know what. Maybe it was something I’d forgotten or something I’ve been missing all my life. All I can say is that I felt, at the same time, joy and sadness. But not too much sadness, because I felt alive. Yes, alive. That was the moment I fell in love with Paris. And I felt Paris fall in love with me. 

{from in the final vignette of Paris Je T’Aime}

BRANDS // THE KOOPLES

During my short but sweet time in Paris, being a shopaholic, it was inevitable for me not to window shop at least. So, I was able to see what French fashion is all about. I unconsciously draw inspirations from them without knowing (but that's another topic). Paris doesn't have malls instead they have streets after streets filled with boutiques or department stores that house different brands. I lived in a walking distance from Galeries Lafayette at the Opera and right beside it had Printemps that was introduced to me by Florence. Printemps housed designer brands so it could be compared to Holt Renfrew.

There I discovered The Kooples. It was founded by the Elicha brothers (Alexandre, Laurent & Raphael), who drew their inspiration from Saville Row, which is a street in Mayfair, London, made famous for its bespoke tailoring. The name is derived from a Franglais neologism pronounced Coo-pels with a French accent. What makes this brand different from all the other brands is the philosophy behind it all: that couples frequently borrow each other's clothes: so there is a men's and a women's collection that are supposed to appear interchangeable. The designers purport to create classics with a cool twist, but the result is an unimpressive range of separates, trimmed with token skull details in an attempt to give them an avant-garde edge. So, in essence, at the end of the day, there is a fine line between male and female and that it creates an androgynous feel. Now, that it has made it's way to NYC, hopefully, it'll come over to Canada soon! 

"It's a bit English dandy, a bit rock'n'roll, with a bit of French chic and je ne sais quoi," explains Alexandre, who does most of the talking. "A bit Duke of Edinburgh and a bit Rolling Stones. When we opened in Paris everyone thought it was very English, but in Britain everyone thinks it's very Parisian."

STREET STYLE // PARIS, FRANCE

The fashion world is in full swing with Fashion Week starting in New York then to London then to Milan and now it's in my favourite city, Paris. I think from now there's something about Paris Fashion Week that will always peek my interest. But as amazing as the designers are showcasing their work, we cannot overlook the style of the Parisians. I was at awe when I was there last May, just seeing everyone dressed so well even if they were just heading to one of the parks, which made me realize there's no such thing as being over-dressed. Because when you are in Paris, once you walk out that door you are going somewhere important. No excuses to dress sloppily. No sweatpants, no runners, in sight. That's Paris... and I love it.

charisse
{all images via Fashionologie}

TRAVELS // PARIS WITHDRAWAL

Not even a full 3 days in Toronto and it's been overcast and cloudy since my arrival. Why does it look so meek and sad all of a sudden?

Anyways, I'm back from France. And I completely fell in love. I did mostly sight-seeing and eating pastries, so there aren't many stories of any midnight rendez-vous with Frenchmen. France was spectacular. Paris was a dream. I never had much expectations for this city with all of the mixed reviews but this time around I had a blast. Seeing all of the architectures and eating the heaven-like pastries were the best part of my trip. I didn't really drown myself into the culture... but it felt like I was living in Paris for a short moment since I opted to rent a flat instead of staying at a hotel.

The location was superb. And I only paid a fraction of the price if I stayed at a hotel in the same arrondisement. Oh arrondisement. You are guessing what that means? So, Paris is divided into I believe 20 arrondisements. I stayed in the 1er arrondisement which was the most central area, just minutes away from Paris' shopping district and 10mins walk from the Louvre. It was the most ideal place for me since I was traveling alone. Just a couple of blocks from the closest metro and I was surrounded by pastry and chocolate shops. It was simply divine.

Anyways, I'm still uploading my photos to my computer. I'll have them up shortly.


Until then...
charisse