wekilledCOUTURE.

22 January, 2012

Le Paradis du Fruit

10 Boulevard des Batignolles

75017 Paris

This restaurant had only just opened and we were there from day 1 I think. It has got to have one of the most beautifully decorated interiors I have seen, not to mention an amazing menu.

We went pretty much everyday since arriving in Paris and I have ordered the same thing each time, I don’t think I could ever get sick of it – a grande Rose Paradis – sans sucre. Alexander is a bit more adventurous and tries a different dessert or drink everyday.

There are many different Paradis Du Fruit restaurants around Paris, some doing take away and other variations. Ours however was Batignolles, and we would not go anywhere else. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was astonishing and the people were incredible.

With each visit I noticed something new, whether it was the incredible blown glass fruit chandelier, the screens that display videos filmed underwater of fruit being dropped in slow motion, or even small things – like how the knives are placed. We were informed during one of our visits that the designer was infact, Philippe Starck the infamous designer of the Ghost Chair.

The staff here are absolutely lovely, extremely welcoming and friendly. On the day we left we gave our favorite waitress a card and a bottle of champagne, thanking her for her hospitality and even more than that – her friendship.

We also gave a card to the manager, addressed to the whole team thanking them as well. And when we had finished lunch the manager and the waitress that was on both met us at the door and said some of the loveliest things, things you would expect from friends, not just from people at a restaurant you go to – even as regularly as we did.

So merci beaucoup to Lea, and the team at Le Paradis Du Fruit Batignolles

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04 January, 2012

Europe Cont.

Firstly, Happy New Year!

After 2 weeks and a beautiful Christmas in Paris, Alexander and I headed off to Munich, Arriving at 730 in the morning to complete darkness and to the coldest place we have visited on this trip. From Munich we picked up our car and Alexander got used to the concept on driving on the wrong side of the street. We had a planned drive of 400km to Frankfurt where we were to stay for the night - however, we were not informed that there was two Frankfurts and both contained the street name of our hotel.
Unfortunately the Nav-Man took us to the other Frankfurt (oder) which is 600km from the Frankfurt we needed. Frankfurt oder is also very close to the Polish border and we had started to see signs in Polish...

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19 December, 2011

Chanel Tweed

Dragging Alexander around to roughly 8 Depot Ventes in Paris was probably not his idea of a good time. However I could not think anything better than being surrounded by Chanel, Lacroix, Dior, Galliano, Hermes, Alaia, Balmain and Vuitton. It was incredible to lay my hands on those garments I never thought I would have the pleasure of seeing in person, to be able to pick up and run my hands over those Balmain SS09 Dresses, Vintage Lacroix gowns and incredible Dior creations was unbelievable.

Having read multiple books on the art of couture sewing and pages upon pages on the workmanships behind these pieces, it was with great excitement that I ever so gently moved between the racks with a care usually reserved for new born babies and highly breakable crystal objects. However in each store I immediately went to find a certain rack, the rack that held the Chanel Tweed Suits. This was the item I was searching for, and I found “the one” after trying on close to 20 suits.

Concealed within the silk lining of a Chanel Jacket is a fine chain that gives the garment its flawless silhouette. This chain allows the jacket to hang correctly against a woman’s figure and ensure the impeccable structure remains intact. Chanel is the only couture house to use ‘weight’ within jackets in this way. And it works, the way this jacket sits is unbelievable and It fit like it was made for me. I immediately knew this one would be coming home with me.

By exercising a continual formula and utilizing the same materials and methods that went into Coco’s first suit, the Chanel suit remains an iconic and highly desired garment of fashion today. The suit has evolved during its existence to fit with ever-transient fashion trends, however the structure of this garment has remained the same at the most fundamental level.

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14 December, 2011

Hermes; St Honore & Sevres

Stepping foot into the Faubourg St Honore Hermes store is like stepping into luxurious controlled chaos - people everywhere, for such a large store it is very cramped. Between the people and the merchandise there is very little room to move. From the scarf counter, to bracelets, ties and onto the other 2 floors, there is always a sales assistant at your service - or there will be as soon as possible.

Ever helpful they arrange your item within it's box and ensure the customers last name is safely secured with the purchase request, as you browse through the store, each assistant will do this and when you are at your last sales assistant you simply tell them which departments have items set aside for you.

Unfortunately I did not have this indulgence as after I chose my scarf, we discovered that there was one black with silver Collier De Chien left in Paris, and it was at Hermes Sevres, I paid for my scarf and departed with Alexander into the first cab we could find and rushed to the Sevres store (we had dinner reservations that are not easy to get and still had to get back to the other side of town and get ready)

Walking into the Sevres store is like nothing else. At the entrance is a flower shop and the loft-like space was built in the former swimming pool of the Lutetia Hotel. A grand staircase made of curved strips of ash wood, and the surprises continue with the floor holding three pear-shaped structures using the same strips of wood as the stairs, creating a lattice work effect. Inside the tee-pees are room settings with items from Hermes Maison. In addition to the usual items there is a bookshop with the latest coffee table books and a cafe, Le Plongeoir (The diving board). The cafe overlooks the main floor and the tea and coffee are served in Hermes tableware Architect Denis Montel maintained the unique facets of the space, keeping the original tiled columns and floors, and the ironwork on the upper balconies yet still making the space modern.

It was here that I was shown the last Black and Silver Collier De Chien in Paris, And I did not hesitate.

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13 December, 2011

Paris; days 1&2

A dream come true, As I type this I am in my hotel in Paris, and it still doesn't feel quite real.

The past 2 days have been amazing, we have settled in, with a Christmas tree for our room, we have found our local supermarket and food stalls (plenty of amazing vegan options) as well as the metro system figured out!

Yesterday brought alex and I to our first year together and we celebrated with a dinner at the michelin restaurant L'arpege which specialises in vegetarian and fresh ingredients. An amazing meal topped off by a Glass of Tattinger after an interesting day running to the other side of Paris from one Hermes store to another (another post on this to come), We strolled the Champs Elysees before heading to the Pont des Arts bridge to attach our lovelock and throw the keys in.