Isabel Marant Boutique (Paris, France)

Being ill sucks. So does jet lag. Combine the two and what you get is a grumpy tired me who lacks the energy to sort through all the photos taken during my travels in the past few weeks. Which is my excuse for digging out these Isabel Marant shots that were already on my laptop. But to be honest, I've been meaning to post these for a while, as I've long had the biggest crush on her collections which has only grown since I moved to Paris.

FW09 campaign featuring Milla Jovovich who seems to like grabbing her hair... (images: Isabel Marant).

FW09 collection (images: style.com)

What I probably love most is how Marant's pieces represent Parisian chic like nothing else. Tourists who come to Paris hoping to catch a glimpse of girls strutting around in stilettos and wearing Chanel tweed tend to be disappointed by this look. But as a woman who designs clothing for other women (and herself), casual chic comfort was always the key to what Marant created, resulting in the effortless cool look that has since represented French style. During last December's sample sales, I witnessed Parisian girls rushing towards the Marant racks, piling everything they could find by the label in their little baskets, while YSL, Gucci and other big-name international brands were left somewhat ignored. Yet despite attending fashion school in Paris, followed by stints at Michel Klein and Yohji Yamamoto to name a few, the first things Marant created under her own name back in 1989 were jewelry and accessories - not clothes. She released a small line of knits and jerseys under the brand 'Twen' a year later, which in 1994 was officially renamed to 'Isabel Marant'. Subsequent launches included the diffusion line 'Étoile' and a range of children's wear, inspired by the birth of her son in 2003.

Some of the characters in the store window.

All her boutiques have the same look and feel, though I favor the two in the Marais district over the Left Bank location. Rue de Charonne is where the first boutique was opened in 1998 and it still remains special and quaint because of this. For a bigger selection and a loftier atmosphere, the main flagship on rue Saintonge is the place to be. And don't go in without checking out the store windows first... unlike other designers who opt for regular mannequins, Marant prefers the use of quirky Stone Age inspired statues and other artifacts. The effect is both playful and raw with the pebble and cactus garden in some windows adding an extra touch.

View of the entrance area (left) and the jewelry section in a corner (right).

So many accessories....

The interior follows the same organic feel, but is less cluttered and very spacious. Despite the modern sleek lines and the airy ambiance, the wood paneling of the floor and shelves along with the view of the back garden make the boutique more welcoming than intimidating. There's hardly any furniture aside from a few bamboo chairs and the modern closets which house the racks of clothes. Turn left and you'll see a corner showcasing some of the children's clothes in a mini cabinet. Unfortunately these are definitely too small for any adult to wear (yes, I may have tried...). The small cases on the wall nearby display the jewelry, mostly in silver or adorned with semi-precious stones.

The children's range in a mini-closet (left) and a cool chair near the jewelry (right).

The FW09 range (left) and studs galore, incl. the bootie of the season - now on sale (right).

Anyone who's paid any attention to fashion knows that aside from the cool clothes, Marant is responsible for last year's ultimate 'it' shoes - first the chain suede boots for SS09 followed by the studded 'Otway' ankle bootie for FW09. Girls across the globe went crazy trying to source these items - many were told they were sold out or not in stock. Strangely these shoes were available in abundance in Paris... and few were buying them. I'm sure this would make a great case study on how hype is created when an item isn't just worn by celebrities or featured in editorials, but becomes difficult to obtain and carries an exorbitant price tag. For anyone who's still interested (and in Paris) - both these boots are now on sale at 40% off, but beware that the quality is rather disappointing as reviewed by fellow bloggers Sofie and Hanh, so even the markdown might not justify getting them - though they are still very pretty.

More FW looks including cosy fur (left) and last season's chain boots (right).

Loving the open space (left) and the large changing room area (right).

Needless to say, I saw plenty of these boots during my visit to the boutique (though at the time they were still full-priced). But like most consumers in-store, I was more focused on the fantastic fur creations, draped shirt-dresses, tweed or herringbone coats, leopard print jackets, ruched long skirts and anything else from the current hard rock meets hippie collection. Even though the store was buzzing, the large floor area made it easy to browse. Extra attention should also be placed on the soft slouchy leather bags... some studded, others plain (incidentally Jerome Dreyfuss happens to be Marant's husband) and the soft wool and cashmere scarves which will undoubtedly make any outfit look Parisian chic.

A small section of outfits in the middle section of the store (left). The trendiest items at a glance: fur and leopard print jackets (right).

Cash desk and view of the back area with its little garden.

The front section contained mainly the dressier runway looks, but if you're in need of something more casual, the majority of the grungy tees, knits and the complete 'Étoile' range - mainly consisting of tartan shirts and dresses - is in the back. The small garden gives this section an extra bit of light and for the ultimate experience, you'll probably want to try on some of the clothes in the large changing rooms.

View of the mini garden...

Casual looks in the back (left) and more lovely bags (right).

Some of the SS10 items were also on display last week and I can already tell these will be very tempting - my favorite items being the colorful embellished jackets, striped dresses and draped vests.

The Étoile collection in colorful boxes.

Even though Marant has gained international popularity, her boutiques have yet to expand beyond Paris, with the exception of Hong Kong, which strangely has two flagships, and New York & LA where two boutiques will supposedly open this summer. I'm guessing more stores may pop up in the near future, but according to Marant, she'd like to keep her business small to avoid oversaturating the market. Nevertheless some select/old-season pieces are available online via Yoox, or check out the international stockists on the official homepage for more.

SS10 collection (images: style.com)

Address: 47 rue Saintonge, 75003 Paris
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:30-19:30
Isabel Marant Homepage

Merci (Paris, France)

Main entrance in the courtyard.

There aren't a lot of ways to shop guilt-free these days. Items on offer can either be overpriced, badly produced, linked to dubious labor practices or just so trendy, you'll never wear them beyond a season. The answer to all this could be vintage shopping. Or better yet: going to a charity store. Even if whatever you buy ends up at the back of your closet, at least you'll know your money went towards a good cause. The only problem with this (at least in my case), is that charity stores aren't as wide-spread in mainland Europe. I've always admired the UK for having an Oxfam, Salvation Army or Red Cross in every city or town, stocking everything from boots to porcelain cups. France? Forget it... at least until recently.

Entrance to the flower shop.

Merci is a very unique way of saying 'thank you', at least when it comes to this store which opened its doors in March. Because the French like doing things on a grander scale, Merci isn't just your average tiny little charity shop in a backstreet. It's a luxury concept store, over 1500 m² (approx. 16 145 sq.ft) large that sells you anything you could possibly need, whether it's a book or a roll of yarn. The founders Marie-France and Bernard Cohen (who also created, then sold the luxury children's wear label Bonpoint) have gotten in touch with designers, artists, musicians, actors, stylists, authors and famous friends who have kindly donated items from their own collections or crafted special pieces to be sold there exclusively.

Cafe/library entrance.

Some pieces are vintage, while others are brand new and either come from current collections or have been designed just for the store. The thing you need to know is that designers who are offering their goods on sale here are foregoing their profits, so all the brand new items will cost you around 30% less than the normal sale price. In turn Merci will donate 100% of their profits from goods sold to a foundation benefiting impoverished children in Madagascar, one of the poorest regions in the world and a cause close to the heart of Madame Cohen, who has traveled there several times. Her goal is to give young children (especially girls) the chance of an education so that they can one day have a career.

Courtyard decorations included greenery with bird cages (left) and a red Fiat (right).

What's even more amazing is that during the sale season (which thankfully ended yesterday), Merci slashed their prices even further. So in addition to getting already cheaper items for an almost wholesale price, you got another 30-50% off. Regardless of how much the stuff costs though, Merci is worth a visit, just for the store alone. Tucked away in a back yard, you won't immediately detect the main entrance, but instead see two different storefronts: one for the cafe and the other for the flower shop. Between these two, you'll find a gate that leads to an inner courtyard, where Merci has placed the first vintage item: a red Fiat Cinquecento, occasionally loaded with goods but currently only covered in green foliage. I'm pretty sure this item isn't for sale though.

Overview of the ground floor (left) and skylight (right).

Smaller home decor items (left) and eco-friendly plates (right).

Recycled bags and flower pots (left), some interesting mugs (right).

The first time I walked into this converted factory, I was stunned by how bright and airy it was. The biggest source of natural daylight is the big skylight in the main area, while palm trees and other plants give the impression you could be in a greenhouse rather than a retail space. It's also the least cramped place I've ever shopped in and the numerous staff members are probably one of the friendliest you'll come across in this city. The front area of the ground floor sold mainly smaller home decor and other items such as vases, pots, barbecue grills and a large selection of eco-friendly disposable wooden cutlery and plates. I found a few recycled bags and purses, but the biggest draw is probably the section towards the left.

Annick Goutal perfume section (top and lower left) and the neon lit room (right).

Cohen, who's late sister happened to be Annick Goutal, managed to get the company to donate several scents which are on offer. Instead of selling them in the usual fancy flasks, they are sold in simple glass bottles, though consumers are urged to bring their own containers which can be filled with their favorite perfume. The benefit is that you'll save 40% off the store price. Another great deal.

Jewelry housed in cabinets and glass domes (top image: farawaytrends.com).

I was also fascinated by the fine jewelry, which was housed in various glass cases, some of them resembling displays of art. There was also an area filled with purple neon light, currently shut off, but I was told this section usually displays clothing.

The vintage clothes section.

Heading towards the right side of this floor, you end up in another large room. The first thing I saw was a small collection of vintage pieces under a staircase, mainly formal wear including robes from Dior or YSL, though one rack also held some casual pieces such as vintage Levis or Adidas. Shoes were placed neatly on the ground, with bags and belts displayed on a rack nearby.

The designer section.

Some interesting wall decorations along the stairwell.

The main clothing area is where you'll find the majority of the (new) designer pieces, including Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant, Barbara Bui, Azzaro, Acne, Jerome Dreyfuss and many more who are waiving their profits for a good cause. Some of these are exclusive store-only items, such as the famous YSL safari jackets, which have been reissued in khaki and white. There was also an impressive selection of menswear, and the old-school couches, vintage furniture and other memorabilia made it a fun place to browse.

Menswear (lower image: commeuncamion.com).

The upper level contained mainly furniture, as well as some stationary, a haberdashery corner and a room for children's wear.

Furniture on the upper level (left), along with some beautiful art (right).

Fell in love with this two-seater (left) and more furniture (right).

Overview of the remaining upper level area (left) and stationary + suitcases (right).

The haberdashery section (left) with a nice selection of colorful buttons (right).

The children's section with a very cute elephant (left). View of the ground floor from above (right).

The first few times I came here, I never realized there was a lower level as well. This is the place to come if you need household and kitchen items, whether it's a broom, a few light bulbs or a salad bowl. Towards the back you'll find the restaurant, with a wonderful view of the back garden.

Lower level kitchenware (left) and cantine (right).

But the most cosy place to sit and have a drink or snack is probably the library on the ground floor, which has been designed to resemble an old-fashioned literary cafe. Entire walls are covered in second-hand books, with prices ranging from 3-10 EUR. Tables and chairs can be found in the main area, surrounded by more books, a perfect place to dive into a novel and enjoy a hot cup of coffee.

The library (left) leading into the cafe (right).

And finally, if you suddenly feel the urge to recreate the look of Merci's interiors, but can't redecorate your entire apartment or house just yet, head over to the flower department, where you'll find everything from potted plants to impressive floral arrangements courtesy of the very talented florist.

The area on the left leads right into the flower shop.

Throughout the store, you'll find 'merci' printed on the wall, under which several names or companies are listed, a way for the owners to thank those who have provided the goods on sale. If you haven't noticed by now, this is the ultimate place to do some guilt-free shopping. My friend V. is currently in town for a visit and this is the first place I dragged her to. Some might be suspicious of the fact that a charity store could be so big, clean and design-oriented, but to be honest, it's probably a smart move to get people to shop here in the first place. A small dingy shop, that's cramped full of stuff is less likely to get this much attention or a lot of visitors, so I say: a brilliant idea and merci beaucoup!

Address: 111 boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:00-19:00
Merci Homepage