Notes from Paris
From fashion week to trade shows, vintage shopping, flea markets and more
There’s something about Paris in the fall. Add Fashion Week, and the city’s energy is truly unmatched. Buyers, brands, and showrooms converge from all over the world. While the week’s hustle can be overwhelming, catching up with friends from the fashion circuit truly keeps you going.
This Substack breaks down notes from fashion week and the trade shows. I also highlight my favourite vintage shops and offer tips on how to navigate the famous flea markets.
PFW
The street style in Paris is always superb, but when it comes to fashion week, it’s on a whole other level. Being in the city is an electrifying experience for any fashion enthusiast, and the atmosphere is worth soaking in.
This past season was a special one. With 13 designer debuts, 8 of which taking place in Paris, it was one for the books. Below is a breakdown!
Virgil Abloh Tribute
The Grand Palais presented Virgil Abloh: The Codes — a 10-day exhibition and the first major European show fully dedicated to Virgil Abloh and his impact on fashion, design, and music. An exclusive experience not to be missed, and one that will truly stay with me forever.
Read more about the exhibit here.
Trade Shows
During Paris Fashion week, several trade shows take place. These trade shows align with the fashion week calendar creating spaces for designers to meet with buyers and other industry professionals. I’m breaking down two notables trade shows I attended this season and some designers that stood out to me.
Splash Paris
A premium resortwear and swimwear focused trade show held at the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris.
Notable brands
Isabel Beachwear - Luxury swimwear for day-to-night appeal
Seaquelle - Premium Scandinavian swimwear & clothing brand
Nau bikinis - Handcrafted swimwear studio from Brazil
Shani Shemer - Luxury swimwear and resortwear brand, known for its feminine designs, fit, soft premium fabrics, and quality
Sun of a beach - Vibrant, fun beach towels
WHEVE - Sustainably made handwoven from Uruguay. When Kelly Rutherford shops the brand and shares one of her signature elevator outfit photos, you know it's a favourite of the chic girls
Premiere Classe
Showcasing accessories, jewellery, footwear, leather goods as well as ready-to-wear, Premiere Classe is a massive trade show held at the Jardin des Tuileries. This is a crucial event showcasing new trends and young designers. Featuring over 350 brands and 10,000 visitors.
Notable brands
CAHU - A Parisian accessories brand founded by stylist Clémence Cahu, famous for its durable, colourful, and practical bags made from repurposed PVC canvas, inspired by her family's inflatable castle factory in Normandy. I have been loving this brand for quite some time now
Cecile Boccara - Parisian designer Cécile Boccara handcrafts exceptional, nature-inspired floral and baroque jewellery and accessories in Paris using silk flowers, crystals, pearls, enamels, and coral.
Amori Mori - A vibrant, handmade jewelry brand created by a Spanish mother-daughter duo, offering unique, story-driven accessories inspired by nature, travel, and culture
Dragon diffusion - Handwoven leather bags. Not to be missed - this booth was packed with buyers
Anthology Paris - Shoes and bags designed in Paris, manufactured by crafts-people in Portugal
Softromaine - Footwear and handbags that are light-to-the-touch and pure-to-the-feel from a South Korean design house based in Seoul
Jack Gomme - Since 1985, cultivating a unique and unconventional vision of leather goods by offering bags and accessories that are light, modern, and colourful.
Domestique - Accessory brand repurposing everyday objects into subversive icons
Olivia Dar - Made in Dehli, handcrafted collections combine Indian craftsmanship with a French touch
Lucas Jack - Individually hand-crafted jewellery using the highest quality resin from Switzerland and embellished with 18k gold-plating, 100% of which is sourced from recycled materials
My Bob - Colourful handmade fashion accessories from Belgium
Shopping. Thrifting.
Vintage
I love a vintage store and have for as long as I can remember. So whenever I travel, I save as many as possible onto my Google Maps that way when I’m wandering the city with the help of that map, I am sure not to miss it.
Notable Vintage Stores
The Vintage Society - High-quality, designer pieces
NUOVO - A truly vintage experience revitalizing iconic designer pieces as well as forgotten brands
Revoir vintage - Vintage & modern concept store with poetic spiritEnface - Curated vintage and designer pieces
Come on Eileen - Packed to the brim, get ready to dig for designer pieces
Didier Ludot - Couture’s golden age one-of-a-kind finds feels like a fashion museum
Skat Vintage - Scandinavian influenced vintage store
The Parisian Vintage - High-end vintage selection for women & men
Bobby - Consignment store with a strict no fast fashion rule
29 Rue Charlot - Curated vintage and designer archives
Flea Markets
Not everyone loves a flea market. The size can overwhelm, I get it. But for me, the bigger the better! I love to search for and find those hidden gems. The reward and one-of-a-kind nature brings me tremendous joy. I should probably preface that with when I worked in television, doing styling for an array of different shows, I practically shopped for a living, so I became pretty good at it and developed a strategy that works.
Flea Market Breakdown
Pop-up Markets
Every weekend in Paris, there’s around 3-4 popup flea markets (called Brocantes) that happen. The locations change each weekend and the vendors range from home goods to fashion. If you enjoy a good flea market, be sure to check at least one of them out! Pin this website so you can keep track of where and when markets are popping up.
Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
Just north of Paris is the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. One of the world’s largest flea markets and simply a must-see for anyone who loves to shop these kinds of places. Open Saturdays, Sundays and sometimes Mondays, it ranges in incredible antique offerings to vintage finds. It’s big, so bring cash and plan to stay a while. Strolling through the beautiful alleyways with incredible antique home-wear items was a highlight.
Thanks for reading! If you’re still here and hunting for Paris food recommendations, my husband is a big foodie. Let me know if you’d like him to share his list!
Until next time,
Bronwyn xx
Saving the vintage recs!
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