Why hello Paris!
FIRST STOP : La Mode Retrouvee, Palais Galleria.
We were unable to photograph the exhibition, but the outside was definitely well documented by everyone. With its enormous pillars, palatial aesthetic, and immaculate garden, the Museé Galleria introduced us to the architectural beauty that resides within Paris.
(One of our first sightings of that pylon thing everyone bangs on about...)
SECOND STOP : Pyramide de Louvre
So photogenic.
- is it possible to take a bad picture of this?
Because you have to, don't you.
I was really taken aback by the utterly beautiful buildings within this vicinity; its so visibly rich with history.
After this we headed back to the Metro - which we had actually become rather well acquainted with...
and onto my favourite part of our exploration!
THIRD STOP : Merci, Concept Store
Greeted by a collection of hanging lightbulbs, and a seemingly out of place mosaic, we were instantly introduced to the charming mismatch nature of Merci.
The first part of the shop we explored was the vintage selection, which I initially misconstrued as racks of new clothing; an interesting mistake to make in itself. Most vintage clothing in London is laid out somewhat disrespectfully and in a disorderly manner, yet here it were treated as if it were something brand new; with 'flat-lays' of accessories, worthy of Instagram.
The racks were minimalistic rails suspended from the ceiling, which instantly pleased me visually, as everything seemed to be so easily visible and tidy. The vintage pieces seemed to be very well kept and clean, so you felt as if you were touching something that hadn't been horrifically manhandled.
The lightbulbs were clearly a continual decorative theme!
The vintage clothing was so, so, clean and in such good condition - it could have fooled anyone!
This was an adorable themed table; with references to a nautical trend with fisherman knits and sea salt soap!
The styled mannequins were the first thing you saw as you walked into this section, and this was another tool that tricked me. You don't often see vintage clothes having the pleasure of being styled and gracing a mannequin, they aren't blessed with that kind of luxury and I think actualising the antithesis of London's - mostly - 'put up or shut up' sale tactic, is something Merci have done so well tap into.
Also by not only styling the vintage outfits, but styling them with brand new shoes, you are misleading the unassuming consumer who wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
The other side of the shop floor actually did have unworn, brand new clothing, and some of the more high end brands too...
Also on this side of the floor they had their shoe department, selling nike, adidas and new balance trainers and some pairs of boots and brogues, and hats too!
So just on one floor they had a mix of vintage, accessories, high end brands and shoes - such an eclectic mix that is reflected throughout the store.
We then moved upstairs to explore some more and stumbled upon a homeware section, full of lights, sofas, tables and chairs, as expected, all mismatched and unco-ordinating.
We then came across shelves of adorable notebooks and stationary, and little desk knick knacks, which was right next to the bedding department.
We then made our way back downstairs and noticed the menswear section in the corner - where I released my inner flaneur and took a photo of this stylish older lady.
- style really does have no age.
The menswear section was compact, and full of higher end brands. I loved the attention to detail with the jumpers tied up in string, and the fact that because the actual department was so compact, it felt more concentrated. Placed next to the menswear department was an Aesop concession, and behind that a small jewellery section.
You then walk through this library come meeting place come coffee shop, with its vast expansion of literacy smothering the left hand side, and find yourself spat out at the other end, exiting through a different way as to the one you came in!
I really loved this shop front; so simple, so stylish.
Overall, I thoroughly loved Merci - I loved how minimalistic and stripped back it was, I loved how everything changes so often in there, I love the merchandising and stock available. It was such an assortment of covetable style, and is something totally disparate, which makes me appreciate it so much more.
And back on the metro we went!
NEXT STOP: Galeries La Fayette
I had no idea what to expect when we arrived, and was pleasantly surprised when I realised it was a shopping destination!
I almost began to feel claustrophobic due to the amount of designer products falling at your feet; there were brands left right and centre! Celine to one side, Chanel to the other, YSL on the way, Alexander Wang as you walk by, Diane Von Furstenburg, The Kooples, Longchamps; I'd have more of a hard task naming what brands weren't there, actually.
Everything was so glamorous and immaculate, and all concessions were within a few paces of each other - enough to make you feel suffocated!
We then made our way into the beauty hall, which really was a beautiful sight to behold; so much gloss, and shine!
This cascade of Nina Ricci perfume was particularly grand and beguiling - such a simple, but so very eye catching merchandising arrangement.
And then when you took a second to pull your eyes away from the mesmerising makeup displays above you was a christmas display unlike anything I've ever witnessed before.
A harmonious blend of golds and oranges suspended from the ornate, intricate ceiling.
It stole your breath and held your gaze...
We dragged ourselves away from the pretty lights and delved deeper into the centre, where we found Chanel and Louis Vuitton, both accompanied by huge queues to get in.
One thing that I did find a little unwelcoming and elitist were the use of ropes, like pictured above, it made it all feel very standoffish and unsociable and I just found it all a bit too pompous.
We then carried on walking through and came across this rather gorgeous Balenciaga concession, where we tried to discreetly take photos of the beautiful marble without being hounded with the offer of assistance.
FYI - we were unsuccessfully discreet.
Balenciaga is a brand I often forget to check up on, and so when I saw this aesthetically sound concession, it made me want to keep an eye out back in London for them in Department stores; to see whether its as slick as this one.
In conclusion, I found Galeries La Fayette a lovely place to walk through, and treated this experience almost as if I were walking through a gallery. I imagine if you have the money to spend in there, it is a wondrous place to spend a lot of time, and as a high end department store, it really is stunning, but - without the risk of sounding like a menopausal grandmother - it was so hot in there.
I enjoyed being in amongst such high end designers, and for them all to be concentrated within such a small distance of one another, because you don't really get to see them all so closely residing next to each other ordinarily. It was enjoyable to be able to gasp at the sight of Saint Laurent and Celine, and to see them in front of you; our reactions were almost as if we'd seen famous people.
It is undoubtedly a visually stimulating experience, regardless of your financial status.
Then it was off to the Eiffel Tower to gawk at pretty lights and soak up some typical tourism!
Bye bye Paris!
