The Kooples (Paris, France)

If you've visited Paris in the last few years - or London in more recent months - chances are you'll have seen quite a few boutiques belonging to The Kooples. And even if you missed them, you've probably seen the fairly prominent ad campaign featuring real life couples, posing in very chic clothes. The Kooples (a spin on how 'couples' is pronounced in French), is a bit of a phenomenon that started in Paris and is currently sweeping the UK. The label was founded by the Elisha brothers (Alexander, Laurent and Raphael), who are also responsible for the successful Comptoir des Cotonniers - a brand known for highlighting a different relationship: their ads feature real life mothers and daughters.

Real life couples posing for the FW10 campaign.

The current SS11 ad campaign.

The Kooples concept is based on the idea that people in relationships frequently borrow each other's clothes. And since it's usually the women who steal their boyfriends' shirts, blazers or accessories, it's not surprising that the majority of the collection is slightly more masculine and androgynous than girly. While I was initially told that the clothes were 'unisex', there are two distinct collections for men and women which are meant to complement each other. The line focuses on perfectly tailored clothes with a rock vibe. Most of the buttons, embroidery or jewelry feature the signature skull logo, which give classic blazers and military coats a bit of an edge.

Overview of a typical boutique (top). His & hers blazers featuring a skull emblem (bottom).

Items on display range from basic to feminine and lacy.

The first time I entered one of the Parisian boutiques, I was instantly addicted. I'll start off by mentioning that the prices aren't the lowest, but the quality and tailoring of the garments are superior to what you'll find in most high street stores. The monochromatic color scheme of the shops is identical in each location, and decor is kept to a minimum. The only notable elements are the campaign posters on the walls and a classic couch near the changing rooms. The staff is generally quite knowledgeable and if you end up in one of the new London flagships, you'll note that most of them are French as well.

The signature skull logo on a cardigan (left), and on bow ties & cuff links (right).

Some of the best pieces include blazers, such as the velvet version (left) or the light summer one (right).

It's worth mentioning that the accessories and shoes are just as coveted. Usually adorned with mini skulls, they're a good alternative if you're not in the market for another blazer. Delicate lace and silks are often used for dresses, skirts and shorts, and provide a more feminine style if you're worried about looking too much like your other half. This is probably the kind of label hipsters will flock to, but thankfully the selection is versatile enough to be combined with anything you might already have in your closet.

Another look for the gents (left).

Shorts, shorts and more shorts.

If you're in the UK and Ireland, the good news is that The Kooples are rapidly expanding, but I'm guessing that other countries will follow soon. In Paris, there are several boutiques in every arrondissement, so you'll be spoiled for choice. If you're in France or Great Britain though, you can always take advantage of the very tempting online store - filled with items that are very hard to resist.

Changing rooms (left) and a skull buckle belt (right).

More beautiful lace.

Address: various locations throughout France, UK & Ireland.
Opening Hrs: Mon: 11:00-19:00, Tue-Fri: 10:30-19:30, Sat: 10:30-20:00
The Kooples Homepage France / Great Britain

Topshop Secret Store (London, UK)

Anyone who's been to Topshop's London flagship on Oxford Street (and possibly NYC's equivalent), will know that it can be a scary scary place. Unless you go first thing in the morning or shortly before closing time, it's always packed - primarily with young teens and eager tourists. Despite my courage when it comes to tackling crowds (using public transport in rush hour, braving mosh pits/front rows in rock concerts & festivals or fighting my way through designer sample sales), my tolerance when it comes to the bustle within the fluorescent-lit, windowless space is surprisingly low. So when I was told that Topshop had launched a special pop-up 'Secret Store' - which was hidden away from the rest of the retail area and that promised to evoke the charms of a treasure trove - I was both skeptical and intrigued.

'Wild At Heart' Florist by Meadham Kirchhoff & the hidden entrance to the Secret Store.

More from the floral display (left) and the flowers leading the way to the store (right).

The small potted plants and flowers included cute adornments, such as the eyes (top). Left image via Topshop.

To make matters more challenging, I decided to visit on Saturday, since I happened to be in the area. Thankfully the store was less busy than expected, and following the floral footprints to the lower level, I was lead to the beautiful 'Secret Store' entrance that doubled as a florist. This gorgeous 'Wild At Heart' floral arrangement was curated by Meadham Kirchhoff, who had also taken it upon themselves to hand paint flower pots and choose the most adorable decor to add to certain plants. Everything was for sale and made a great souvenir if the pieces in the actual store were a little too pricey for your liking.

Overview of the Secret Store interiors (image via Topshop).

Topshop Boutique items in a wooden trunk.

Meadham Kirchhoff stacked rings and bracelets in a heart-shaped box.

Tearing myself away from the flora, I finally found myself inside the Secret Store, which was like stepping into a completely different world. Antique furniture was carefully placed around the small area, which held limited-edition one-off pieces from some of London's and New York's most renowned designers in collaboration with Topshop. On display were also sought-after items from the 'Unique' archives and the 'Boutique' range, as well as carefully selected trinkets.

Emma Cook lingerie.

Michael van der Ham velvet wedges displayed in a cabinet.

Nasir Mazhar hair accessories (left) and Pamela Love jewelry (right).

Some of the special designer goodies I spotted included the stacks of rings and bangles by Meadham Kirchhoff, which came in an embroidered heart-shaped box. Pamela Love's current collaboration pieces could be found in a cabinet nearby, while funky wedges by Michael van der Ham were displayed on plush velvet cushions. Some garments, such as Tom Scott's cropped tops hung from the walls like works of art. Others either had their own wardrobe space or were placed along the racks on the far side of the shop. The cozy changing room with the fringed lamp, gilded mirror and retro wallpaper was a nice touch as well and added to the vintage boutique vibe.

Topshop Boutique items among vintage decor and flowers.

The lovely changing room (left), Tom Scott tops (top) and more Pamela Love jewelry (right).

More trinkets including furry hats (left) and nail polish (right).

Aside from the fashion treasures within the store and the vibrant flowers in front of it, the best thing about the Secret Store was the enchanting atmosphere and the fact that you could actually escape from the chaos beyond its walls. The pop-up space will shut this week, so I urge you to go before it disappears. It's open exclusively in the Oxford Street branch and in NYC's Broadway flagship, but if you can't make it to either - don't worry: most items can be found in the online version of the Secret Store here.

Nasir Mazhar hair clips (left), Topshop Boutique crochet top (right).

Another view of the Secret Store (left), various gowns (top), Maria Francesca Pepe tank & jewelry and Ann-Sofie Back crochet top (right).

Surface To Air (Paris, France)

Anyone who's spent a bit of time in Paris, keeps up with every 'it' fashion brand or is an avid follower of Garance Doré's blog, might already be very familiar with this label. I, like many, first stumbled upon it when I sighted the hugely popular buckle wedges one day and suddenly Surface To Air seemed to be everywhere: on Jessica Alba's feet, in some of the coolest fashion magazines and even as a collaboration with Kings of Leon (who designed a few menswear pieces for the label last year).

FW10 lookbook (images: Surface To Air).

SS11 lookbook (images: Surface To Air).

Style wise, Surface To Air (or S2A) can be described as a cross between Acne and Alexander Wang offering casual luxe pieces with an edge - and an eye for detail that goes beyond simple basics. Like Acne, Surface To Air isn't just a fashion label, but also consists of a creative direction/consultancy studio (clients include Louis Vuitton and Sony) as well as a film division that covers everything from music videos to TV commercials. Founded in 2000, the company started out as a group of friends who merely wanted to work on projects they liked - most of these involved fashion, photography, music, art or films. In a shop and gallery near the Louvre, they would exhibit and publish works from the likes of Banksy or Feist. These days though, the easiest way to appreciate their work is to take a leisurely browse in their Marais store, which is just one of two flagships in the world (the other can be found in Brazil).

Slouchy bags in the shop window (left) and a few floaty pieces on the first rack (right).

A quick look at the gallery area (left) along with some of the work exhibited (right).

Once you step into the boutique, it's a little hard to ignore the 'artsy' side of S2A. When I last visited, a small area near the entrance had been transformed into a gallery space, showcasing various graphic prints and an engraved axe to name a few. Chances are, you'll be more interested in the clothing and accessories. The brand is also hugely popular among the gents, so don't be surprised if you find more hip guys than girls perusing the collections. And because S2A has just recently launched a line for boys, I'll be expecting cool toddlers to be browsing the shop next.

Overview of the front part of the store (top), a few belts and the bead curtain of the changing room (bottom).

Wall art near the shoe section (left) and a first look at the tempting shoe area (right).

Oh, so many shoes! The iconic buckle wedges in various colors (left), and a few close-ups of the boots (right).

Yet it's still the ladies who get some of the best stuff, including beautiful cape coats, edgy leather dresses, flattering jeans and leopard-print cardigans. The store layout follows the gallery vision ingrained in S2A's philosophy. You'll never find more than a handful of clothes occupying a rack... and these can only be found along the walls, while the center is either reserved for benches, display tables or other decor. While the front area had many of the seasonal looks for women, most shoppers will undoubtedly end up gravitating towards the shoe section in the middle, where the famous buckle wedges (in various colors - this season's 'it' style features floral prints), boots and current season sandals are lined up neatly.

The second half of the store (top), where I found more lovely dresses and coats (bottom).

Clothes as wall art (left) and the illuminated pyramid.

Passing the snazzy changing room (adorned with the S2A logo), you'll find more in the back, including menswear and additional goodies for the ladies. Key looks were arranged along the wall, with garments showcased like works of art, while miniature TV screens underneath showed pictures from the lookbook or runway. Though the first part of the store might give a more rustic vibe with its wooden floors, the cool marble in this area definitely has more of a gallery feel. And the coolest prop? Probably the black pyramid in the center, which mirrors the company's logo, but most likely also pays homage to their first location near the Louvre.

The second part of the store as seen from the back (top). The modern shelves filled with cute kiddies' clothes (bottom).

Men's shoes in the middle of the room and yet more clothes on minimal racks (right).

If you like cool feminine looks (some draped and slouchy, others tight and fitted) or if you're a shoe fanatic, this is the ultimate place to be. Despite its popularity, the label's styles aren't as ubiquitous as even some of the more expensive designer brands. Pricing is in the mid-range and global stockists include Saks (in the US) and Browns (in the UK). But if you don't feel like fighting the models, fashion editors and creative types for that last boot wedge or drape cardigan, I suggest you head to their well-stocked online store instead.

A small selection of this season's shoes - and one really nice bag (images: Surface To Air).

Address: 108 rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 11:30-19:30, Sun: 13:30-19:30
Surface To Air Homepage & Online-Shop

American Retro (Paris, France)

A few seasons back, when the likes of Balmain made 80s rock chic one of the hottest looks, every high street brand released distressed, torn, studded and leather items - but there was one label that did it better than most. In fact, they even did it better than the luxury brands. When I started sighting cool French girls clad in slouchy leather jackets, checked shirts and studded ankle boots, I soon realized that American Retro was behind this - and they managed to pull off the whole rock thing without making it look costumey or fake.

FW10 collection (images: American Retro).

A selection from the SS11 lookbook (images: American Retro).

Of course the brand, which is now widely available throughout the world, wasn't always associated with an edgy rock style. Back in 2002, when it was founded by the Pariente brothers (who's parents are responsible for the famous Naf Naf label), the idea was to create clothing that would emulate the style of bohemian pieces so often found in second-hand stores in the States. Having visited the U.S. the Parientes fell in love with the denim items they found, in particular Joe's Jeans which they ended up exclusively distributing in France. Initially more popular in the U.S. market, where the hippie vintage looks were first snapped up by Fred Segal, a revised lower pricing soon made American Retro a mainstay in France, with a first boutique opening in Paris a year later. These days, American Retro is sold worldwide, has several boutiques in the French capital and has also added two additional lines to the collection: ZoeTee's and My Lovely Jean. Though some of the clothing may still have a bit of that boho retro vibe, especially the SS11 pieces, the bulk of the collection now consists of casual chic clothes with a glam edge.

Overview of the ground floor area (left) and a selection of cool tees (right).

Modern touches along a wall...

...while the rest of the store features partially exposed brick walls and wooden beams (left). More tees and antique trunks (right).

While there are plenty of Parisian American Retro stores to choose from - I believe there are seven in total - I usually prefer browsing the Marais boutique which is one of the oldest. It spans two floors, with exposed brick walls and wooden beams on the ceilings and throughout the space reminding you of the fact that you are in an old building. Most of the furniture has an antique feel as well, including scruffy wooden tables, copper coat hangers and worn trunks. In contrast, the walls of the ground floor are plastered with graffiti or collages. And then there are the clothes themselves, studded, sequined, illustrated and fur-lined - always on-trend but still wearable enough to last beyond just a season. When I went, the FW10 looks were still around, but judging from the new Spring collection, some of the vintage inspired 60s pieces might actually fit the antique decor.

More from the ground floor, where I found these very studded booties (lower left).

The army and military looks on my way to the second floor.

High ceilings and more wooden beams on the first floor.

While the majority of the trendier looks are on the ground floor, along with a large ZoeTee's section right next to the entrance, jeans and more timeless pieces, such as knits, wool jackets and blazers can be found one floor up. Passing the first flight of stairs, I was greeted by a lot of khaki green army looks, but once I arrived on the top floor, the rustic ambiance of the wooden beams almost made me feel like I'd entered another store. Looking out, I could see a little terrace belonging to the boutique, but of course the main distraction were the numerous items, especially the bags and shoes, which American Retro does so well. In the past, I've seen Ann Demeulemeester inspired lace sandals or heavily studded boots. For more unique accessories, the store now also offers candles, cushions, books and other items by various brands which can be found towards the back.

A selection of jeans and other goodies, such as the lace-up boots.

The front area featured mainly jeans and basics.

Towards the back, I found books, decor items and other gift ideas.

While I have always associated American Retro as being more rock than girly (their leather dresses, shorts and skirts are phenomenal), there are looks for everyone and as mentioned, the current season caters to the more romantic bohemian woman. If you're ever in France, this label should be on your shopping list, but even if you're not, the brand is easily found around the world and has it's own e-shop as well. The good news? Sales are still on, so click away if you want to snap up a bargain...

A quick look at the terrace (left), and an even nicer view of some leopard shoes, knits and studded tees (right).

More from the FW10 lookbook (images: American Retro).

Address: 40 rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75004 Paris
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:30-19:30

American Retro Homepage and Online-Shop