Archive for March, 2009

As Alex has said, we’ve just come back from our bi-annual show in Paris Premiere Classe, which is where we show our new collections to International buyers. This time we received orders from stores across Japan, and also gained new stockists in Taiwan, Bucharest,  Milan, Paris and Monaco - very exciting!

A walk in the Park....

So perfectly French!

The show takes place within the Jardins Tuileries, right in the centre of Paris - it’s a long day, 9am - 7pm but when you do get chance to take a breather you can see some pretty sites!

The show was fun, but I have to say, it was hard work! So it was very nice to have a bit of time off….Sunday’s are lovely and peaceful in Paris, as pretty much everything is shut, but it’s a great time to go to markets….

Piles of Fruit & Veg

Brocante

It was a bit of a cold and wet morning, but I couldn’t wait to check out some of the Flea Markets or ‘Brocante’….I heard that ’Marche aux Puces de Vanves’ is one of the best, so I headed to Porte de Vanves Metro. The market starts where Ave. Georges Lafenestre meets Ave. Marc- Sangrier.  There was lots to see, but I bought some great religious charms for €5 each.

After all of that, it was time to warm up with a coffee and a slice of tarte tatin, and after heading to Le Marais (the only shopping area open on a Sunday) I found a really sweet little cafe called ‘Comme a la Maison’. It’s in Village Saint-Paul, a little courtyard, and is like stepping into someone’s kitchen - there were only about 3 tables!

Coffee Break!

Le Marais is full of lovely little boutique-y stores, my favourite was the Corpus Christi jewellery shop which was tiny and felt like a treasure trove. This can be found at 64 Rue Vieille du Temple.

Piles of Hats.

Breton T-Shirts

Also worth checking out is ’Vintage Desire’ - 32 Rue des Rosiers. Another Aladdin’s Cave, where you can find t-shirts, hats and blouses for €5, and dresses for €10 - well worth a rumage! 

And after all of that, I suggest a visit to L’As du Fallafel for a pitta bread bursting with falafel, humous, salad, roasted aubergine and chilli sauce.  Almost next door at number 34 - people seem to travel across Paris for these delights - check out the queues!

The best Falafel in Paris....

After a day of wondering, I went back to the show to see how Alex had got on - and he had been rushed off his feet! Monday was another busy day, then we had to pack everything up and head back across Paris to the Gare du Nord……it was all a bit of a whirlwind really!

Au Revoir!

Well, we just finished London Fashion Week, and it’s straight off to Paris. It might be hard work but at least the food’s great in the evenings.

There are so many shows on in Paris this week. We do Premiere Classe, which is held in the Jardin Tuileries, and is the best show for accessories.

It’s packed full of lovely things, and buyers come from all over the world to snap up the newest collections from their favorite designers. The sad thing is that lots of my personal favorites are not always available in the U.K. So I thought I would show you a few and perhaps you can track them down on the Internet or persuade your nearest Jewellery shop to get some in. Anyway, here are a few treats from Paris….

Eric et Lydie are old friends of mine. They are based in France and make the most lovely delicate pieces of jewellery popular around the world. Check put their gorgeous display at the show, and if you’re in France you should visit their shops in Lisle or Paris.(Here’s a map) We go and stay with them every year in their petit chateau in France, the kids love it! (and my wife Denise LOVES their jewellery).

Eric et Lydie

Eric and Lydie on their stand

Alexandre Francoise has also been a favorite of mine since I first saw her amazing original designs. She’s a real artist. And do have a peek at her fantastic web-site too. (here) Here’s a few snaps, but I’m sure you’ll find more on-line. I know she sells on my favourite French/Japanese web-site Petite-Paris.

Alexandra Francois on her stand

Alexandra Francois jewellery

More lovely treats!

And Lyie van Rycke, again based in Paris, makes the cutest things. Cool hey? We share our lovely Australian agent and we’re both really pleased with how well it’s going out there. And she’s lovely!

Lyie van Rycke

There are loads more, Servane Gaxotte (again at Petit Paris) and from Japan, Noguchi (can’t find them on the net), and Yukie Deuxpoints, another French/Japanese fusion (www.yukiedeuxpoints.com)

Anyway, good luck jewellery hunting. Here’s where we popped out for a breath of fresh air, right outside the exhibition.

Au revoir!

Boats in the Gardens

Lucky me! I have a lovely design project on with Kew Gardens west London. Today was a beautiful sunny day, so I packed up my sketch books and headed for Kew. It was amazing! Outside was covered with flowering bulbs, inside the Palm house it was hot and damp and smelt of the rain-forest. And best yet, I was there for the Tropical Extravaganza! (ends 8th March) Thousands of flowering orchids and tropical flower. Actually, it was a bit overwhelming, so I retired to the tea shop for a cuppa.

A carpet of flowering bulbs at Kew

A huge palm in the Palm House

Hanging orchids in the Princess of Wales conservatory

The Palm House