Favourite/most inspiring showroom or show on your buying trip?

Nicola: The Henrik Vibskov runway show is always a favourite... it’s always so much more than a runway show, he is a true artist, and his shows reflect this. This year he was inspired by sky farming how fashion is now taking a more sustainable approach to designing.

Orlando: Henrik Vibskov AW 19 runway show  at the Arab World Institute-Institut du monde arabe. It was on the top floor  (great view)  a nightmare to get in but once we were there it was worth the fashion scrum.

Nicola: The best showroom was Mira Mikati... the collection was inspired by her trip to Peru and she created some beautiful installations.. a ribbon teepee and a coloured paper plane.

The best views?

Nicola: Top floor of the Pompidou centre at sunset

Orlando: Arab World Institute-Institut du monde arabe 10th floor– Most of Paris as you know is only 6 floors high so anything above that will afford one a great view of the city. Not so much a secrete any more but Tour Maine-Montparnasse at 200 meters high is great too.

Which item of clothing did you find yourself wearing the most?

Nicola: My Heartmade blue floral puffa jacket. I feel the cold and it’s like wearing a sleeping bag, so cosy! Moncler hiking boots.. you have to wear sensible shoes on Paris buying trips... there is a whole lot of walking involved.. and I am really into hiking boots at the moment.. especially these once’s because they have a bit of sparkle!

Orlando: My Griffin Studio sleeping bag coat. A must when the day time temp is hovering around zero and it's reversible.

Cafes and restaurants to visit?

Nicola: Clown Bar for a Gin and tonic, clamato for the best seafood, Le grand Bain for a great group dinner.

Orlando: Most of our appointments are in and around the 3^rd. Le Progres on Rue de Bretagne is an oldie but still a great corner spot to watch the global fashion buyers and locals alike. Another restaurant that popped up on our radar is called Pamela Popo - 15 rue François Miron, 75004 Paris - A fun name but serious culinary delights.

Where to stay?

Nicola: We stay in a beautiful apartment in the Marais... I found it on Airbnb, owned by an x fashion editor, however, it’s no longer on Airbnb, she only rents it via recommendations so ask me for her deets!

Parisienne hotels are so small so the apartments are much better, especially if you are working. My 2 favourites are hotel Providence ( great bar ) and hotel Panache ( stylish and reasonably priced)

Orlando: Hôtel Bourg Tibourg - Paris Marais

Any new places you discovered this time around?

Nicola: When Colette closed down it left a huge gap to go to retail inspiration. But an amazing new store opened last month in the 10th “ the next door” definitely visit.. its 4 floors of total fashion inspiration!!!

Orlando: Great new fashion store opened end Jan 2019 called The Next Door http://thenextdoor.fr as yet not quite filling the void of Colette closing down but doing a damm fine job in experiential retail and if limited release trainers are you thing this is the place to go

What to expect on TSS rails from your recent buying trip? 

Nicola: There is lots of colour which is super exciting, especially as we do the same season as Europe so we were looking at winter collections for our summer which can be challenging. It’s good to see designers thinking globally and less seasonally. We have also picked up an exciting footwear label which we cannot wait to share with you guys!

Orlando: For men think our take on the aw winter ( its our summer remember) urban hike  with a splash of pale pink

 

From left to right, Sessun, Ally Capellino, AMI Paris