Monday morning; croissants, mimosas and 2 suitcases filled with the most beautiful Parisian-vibe clothing. What better way to start your week?! Over the next 4 days we will visit 3 of our Parisian designers. Our days will be filled with small, intimate shows from their new bridal collection. And our free moments mainly consist of wine, cheese, French fries and vintage shopping.
We arrived Monday afternoon in a heated Paris. Directly on to one of the nicest hotels in the city, Le Pigalle. A lovely, ultimate French hotel in the 9th arrondissement. Laid back vibe, bit artsy. And everywhere you looked you saw beautiful vintage design pieces. And the ultimate dream; a claw foot bath with a view over the roofs of Paris… We loved it!!!
After a short touch-up at the hotel we went to our first appointment, Caroline Takvorian.
Day 1 - Caroline Takvorian Caroline's studio is located in Lyon, but she has a beautiful showroom in Paris. An old building in one of the back alleys of the French city center. Upon entering you will be amazed by the high ceilings, the most beautiful ornaments, antique doors and frames and all this styled with beautiful vintage design items. Exactly as you hope it will look!
The most delicious macarons from Pierre Hermé were waiting for us on arrival; the way to our heart. And then the new collection... We were completely mind blown by the elegance of her dresses and can't wait for them to hang with us! It's a perfect mix between soft ruffles and cool statement sleeves... floral embroidery combined with modern lines. In short, a completely new collection, but all without losing herself as a designer. We are in love!
We ended our first day on an ultimate French terrace in the warm afternoon sun with a good glass of red wine, delicious burrata, pasta vongole. The perfect first day in Paris!
Day 2 - More wine and some vintage shopping The next day was filled with vintage boutiques, strolling through the narrow streets in search of shade, wine (what else…), cheese and croissants. Where better than Paris?
The rest of the day we prepared the meetings for the next day; a full day with two beautiful French designers.
Day 3 - Laure de Sagazan On Wednesday morning we walked from our hotel, with a croissant in our hand, to the beautiful studio of Laure de Sagazan. Laure's boutique and studio are located in an old, robust factory hall. Literally goosebumps upon entering. The whole building seems to breathe calm. The studio is located directly above the showroom, so as a bride you can try on Laure's wedding dresses and immediately see where they are made. It remains incredibly special to see how the most beautiful, subtle, ultimate French dresses are made in peace by a very experienced team. You can see the enthusiasm among the team members and literally feel the tension to be able to make all the special creations, but nevertheless there is a very impressive calm.
After a small tour of the studio, we took a seat in the back of the studio and we could enjoy delicious mini-croissants and pain-au-chocolats. After a nice chat with designer Laure, we were surprised with a combination of soft silk fabrics and detailed lace designs. A collection that is feminine and playful and fits perfectly with the French feeling of Laure de Sagazan. We are impressed time and again by the attention to detail and impeccable craftsmanship of Laure de Sagazan.
After this great meeting we sought refreshment in a delicious Italian restaurant. Classic Italian with a funky twist. And the biggest pizzas ever, perfect for sharing. A glass of wine should of course not be missing. And for dessert, how could it be otherwise, tiramisù e un caffè.
Day 3 - Margaux Tardits We could use a walk after the heavier lunch. So we went on foot to Maurgaux Tardits. But... we had totally misjudged our heeled sandals, the uneven cobblestones of the Parisian streets and the distance we had to travel. Let's just say we were happy when we finally got to Margaux. The showroom is very intimate with a funky vintage twist. Think dark warm colors, velvet, antique jewelry and daring wallpaper.
And her new collection is truly breathtaking! She has literally taken her new designs to the next level. We're not just talking about wedding dresses here anymore. But they are all fashion items with incredibly beautiful statements. The bride who falls in love with this brand dares to think outside the box, enjoys all the attention on her wedding day, is not afraid of a small twist. But also loves the classic wow factor that is woven throughout the collection.
After this intense but perfect day we decided to go back to the hotel. We wanted to scroll through our photos of the new collections in peace. We ordered room service, chatted and listened to a musician not far from our window. The perfect last night in Paris!
Day 4 - All about macaraons
The next day we went to the other part of the Seine. We really wanted to take those delicious macarons from day 1 home. Then some vintage shopping, went to small art studios and before we left we ate french fries, cheese and a small salad.
A short summary; we are in love with the French culture and miss the lovely atmosphere, it feels like 'coming home' every time. It's great to interact with our designers in such a personal way and to let us be taken to each of them her own unique world. We can't wait to show you the beautiful collections of our three great Parisian designers; Laure de Sagazan, Caroline Takvorian and Margaux Tardits.
The dresses will arrive from the end of September! Book your appointment for October here. jouw afspraak voor oktober.
