Roopal’s Paris Journal – Au Revoir
72 hours left in the City of Lights! The shows may be finished but our team is out in force, in the showrooms. This is when we see the clothes up close, and buy the collection for our stores. It’s a collective edit, so we can bring the best of the best assortments to a store near you. Here are a few highlights from my last few days in Paris.
Friday, October 7th
8:15 am: Breakfast with Akris‘ Albert Kriemler. I always love to have a little one-on-one time with Albert. An early breakfast Chez Kriemler sounded like a perfect start to my day.
Breakfast at Albert's
I was curious to hear about what is happening in Albert’s life, what was the reaction to the collection, and what is on his agenda in the coming weeks. Albert is always on the go. After breakfast he was heading to his Spring 2012 photo shoot somewhere outside of Paris. (I can’t say too much, but it is very cool).
Akris, S/S 2012 Photo by Dan Lecca
He is coming to New York in the next few weeks, and will be showing his Pre-Fall 2012 collection to our teams some time in November! The newlywed Princess of Monaco has been seen in a few custom Akris creations. She looks elegant and chic in a one-shoulder column dress one minute, then casual and cool in a printed Akris sheath the next.
Akris, S/S 2012 Photo by Dan Lecca
I love the versatility of Akris, and the spirit this Spring season. Breakfast with Albert is the perfect start to my day!
Akris, S/S 2012 Photo by Dan Lecca
2:30 pm: Chanel, Rue Duphot. Arrive at the Chanel showroom for shoes with Katrina Bradley and Julee Butler.
The Chanel Showroom
The “under the sea” influence was not just reserved for the runway, but also for the handbags and jewels. Small sea urchins are the actual heel on the silver runway bootie and coral heels on a sandal named “Reef” with sea beads.
Chanel, S/S 2012 Photo by Dan Lecca
Chanel, S/S 2012 Photo by Dan Lecca
Saturday, October 8th
9:30 am: Chanel again, bright and early! We get to see the whole Chanel runway show up close. It looks even more beautiful. The undersea fantasy comes alive! Before the show begins, I walk up and down the famous Chanel mirrored staircase.
The mirrored staircase at Chanel
Chanel Pre-Show
Sabrina Mitchell and I are a swimming in a sea of handbags! Stunning metallics, gorgeous pythons, and beautiful colors in some of our favorite Chanel classics. The black and white deco pearl clutch and the pearl seashell bags are real collector’s items.
I spend most of Saturday at Chanel and plan to return on Sunday for a good part of the day.
Chanel, S/S 2012
Chanel, S/S 2012
Chanel, S/S 2012
4:36 pm: Azzedine Alaia. The Alaia shop and atelier is a such a gem in the middle of the bustling Marais area. I love to visit, as there is always a suprise. Mr. Alaia’s art collection is always on the pulse, his new creations fill his shop space, and there’s always a new vision in the showroom. Sometimes, Mr. Alaia himself is present. It is always such a treat to see him. Today, I get to detail the shoes for our shoe buyer, Tom Lindsay, who left for Dallas yesterday. I am going for all of the Alaia signatures! No pictures allowed, but I promise you, they are beyond cool! A must-have on my list.
Inside the Alaia store
Sunday, October 9th
All day at Chanel…
Chanel, S/S 2012
Chanel, S/S 2012
4:30 pm: Gertrude Stein exhibit at the Grand Palais. They’re showing the art collection of Stein and her brothers, Americans from San Francisco who set up in Paris and became legendary patrons of artists including Matisse, Cezanne, Picasso, Degas. I have to speed through it, but I couldn’t leave Paris with out seeing this exhibition. The Stein family were such visionaries and such great supporters of these legends early in their careers. I’ll have to return when I have more time.
7:00 pm: A cozy “family” dinner in Chinatown with Andrew Gn, BG’s Elizabeth Hui and Mariko Ichikawa and our friend Michelle Yang. It is the perfect end to my Sunday, my week in Paris, and the Spring 2012 collections. Back home to NYC in the morning. I am sad to be leaving this beautiful city, but will be back in just a few weeks for a friend’s wedding. There’s always a great reason to come back to Paris! Au revoir!
