Antik Batik (Paris, France)

If you've always wanted to try out a bit of ethnic-chic, but didn't know how to achieve this without looking like a tourist who just got back from Thailand or someone left over from the Woodstock era, the answer is simple: Antik Batik. As the name suggests, this includes a fair amount of batik-print dresses and tops, but we're not talking about tacky tie-dye jobs here. Everything I've seen from this brand so far has been impeccably made and very wearable.

Two of the best boutiques to visit are the flagships in the Marais area - this time around I went to the store in the 4th arrondissement. The shop area is extremely spacious and the decor is an odd mix of Southeast-Asian wood tables used to display accessories, deer horns adorning the walls and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling. Somehow it works though and the dark floors make the beautiful colors of the clothes stand out even more.

The most popular Antik Batik items are kaftans, tunics and djellabas, available in a wide array of colors and patterns. Everything is hand-made using the ancient process of block-printing and dyeing, which was inspired by founder Gabriella Cortese's travels to Asia. The more summery clothes feature liberty-inspired floral prints or bold graphics. A number of garments are also intricately embroidered and beaded (using either sequins or pearls), resulting in some stunning pieces that won't need further accessorizing. Materials used range from silk chiffon to fine linen.

There are also more casual pieces to be found, such as basic slouchy jeans or simple blazer jackets. And if you wish to complete the hippy look, you'll find a good selection of boho leather bags and beaded sandals. You might also want to check out one of the bestsellers: the sarongs. There's usually a big selection of these hanging from a wall in various colors and styles. They can be worn either as scarves or tied around the waist if you do happen to be near a beach.

Of course anything that's hand-made (or even well-made) comes at a price, but the items are reasonable for what they are. Prices start at around 50 EUR for the sarongs and go up to 400 EUR for more embellished dresses. If you're not visiting a flagship anytime soon, you can also order via their website, Asos or Net-a-Porter.

(individual images: Antik Batik)

Address: 18 rue de Turenne, 75004 Paris
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:30-19:30
Antik Batik Homepage