Fashionably French
Styling Tips
Je ne sais quoi – How do the French Women do it? Nonchalant elegance & understated chic. Being stylish is all about attitude. Know your body and what looks good on you. The ultimate style is confidence. Get the glow of runway style – bold color, statement accessories & layers of texture.
Bright lips with style– a Parisian pout with iconic allure
Pop-art leaps off museum walls & on to French runway
Seduction in sheer fabrics leaves little to the imagination
Black & White – always right
Fringe, Fringe & more Fringe – boots, bags, jackets & suede dresses.
Wrap yourself in luxury – scarves, capes, furs (faux too)
Want to arrive in style? Let VIP Travel Experience create a stylish trip!
Packing
Thinking about Paris? What to wear? Here’s a few tips!
Leather jacket, skinny jeans, cross body bag
Leather pants, booties, embellished vest
Accessorize w/stretchy black/jeweled belts as accent pieces
Suede and mink fur coats, wear over everything “weather or not”
Pumps adds punch to basic black
Over-sized jewelry, add crocodile leather gloves for drama
Colored cashmere scarves and sunglasses
A watch – you need to be on time for fashion shows
The ultimate – send your luggage ahead of time with Luggage Forward. Better yet? Send an empty suitcase
Shops
Why shop in Pairs? For the most unique fashion. Where to go?
Gavilane Paris Bijoux Couture – The Marais – hip shopping destination. Accessories, skull rings, crystals, hats & antique jewels. A skull necklace with removable stone crown that doubles as a ring!
Merci – Captures the new Left Bank. Distressed former industrial space – three levels containing new & secondhand clothes, collectibles, modern furniture. & items by local designers.
Sonia Rykiel – Do you read or shop? A gorgeous store in Paris. Designer furs, accessories & fashion nestled among 45,000 books w/mirror ceilings! Tres Magnifique!
Barbara Bui – Stroll the unique boutiques of Rue Dragon to Rue des Saint Peres. Barbara Bui is a favorite. Don’t miss her patent leather cape! Also located on Avenue Montaigne
Ernest – Stiletto specialist! Creates endless heel seduction for Parisian dancers, fashion models and you! Heels up to 14cm! (Watch your step)
Make My D – Highlights 20 of Europe’s trendiest designers. In Montmartre’s chic neighborhood w/emphasis on jewelry, bags & scarves.
Didler Ludot – Vintage – Three locations specializing in something different: evening couture, ready to wear & little black dresses.
Jacenko – Menswear – A Paris secret. From Givenchy suits to rare labels. Mix it up with jeans & cashmere. “One of top 12 men’s boutiques in Paris;” we love our men to look great.
Europe, Travel
Buddha Bar, Cafe Stern, Epicure, Fondant Louis Vuitton, France, Le Voltaire, paris, VIP Travel Service
Paris – Always on the Edge
Where2Stay
Buddha Bar Hotel (Right Bank) – Asian decor w/gold silk, tassels, red lacquer & lack accents create a hip, sleek vibe. Situated steps away from Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore & Champs-Elysee (shopping epicenter) recharge & mingle in their courtyard. Great way to meet your next door neighbors!
Hotel Sezz (Right Bank) “Discrete, sexy & artsy.” Black floors & muted red accents create a Zen ambiance in 26 rooms. Staying there feels like you jumped the line at an exclusive club.
Hotel Relais St-Germain (Left bank) “Paris on steroids.”Three adjoining 17th-century houses w/exposed oak beams & velvet drapes. Perk – access to Le Comptoir (6 month waiting list)
Hotel Thoumieux (Left Bank) A 15-room eclectic hotel features leopard throws & flocked wallpaper. Their Brasserie is the place to dine. (Rub shoulders w/ Calvin & Karl) Owned by the Costes brothers.
Who wants to wait on line? You want that front row seat or that impossible dinner reservation. Build your own VIP Experience. Let a concierge luxury travel service create your ultimate Parisian trip!
Stay Local w/ A La Carte Paris
The Marais – Stay in the hippest area of Paris. On one of the oldest streets in Paris, stroll the Place des Voges. Hip boutiques & art galleries at your doorstep! Hungry? Dine at Alain Ducasse Benoit or Michelin Star L’Ambroise. Diet when you get home!
Ile St- Louis – Do you want to know a secret? Staying on Ile St- Louise is like staying in a 17th century village in the center of modern Paris! Remarkably the same as centuries ago. This luxurious one bedroom looks onto your secret garden! Specialty boutiques, bakeries and cafes make this a truly special stay! You’re friends will be jealous!
St Germain – What could be better than stepping out your door onto the elegant Boulevard St. Germain? Retire to your 2-bedroom spacious apartment after a day of shopping & a night of cocktails & people watching at Cafe Les Deux Margot. Don’t forget to visit one of the great museums of the world – Musee d’ Orsay! A well rounded experience!
Champs -Elysee – Do you have shopping withdrawal symptoms? Do you want to be in the middle of the action? Stay at this apartment by the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees. Everything right outside your door. Best news – your apartment faces an inner courtyard so you can get your beauty rest!
70 Michelin Stars makes Paris the Culinary Capital of the World
Where2Dine
Le Voltaire – “Diners Wear Prada.” Never out of fashion in this chic hotspot. Serving French classics in a jewel box of a room.
Café Stern – Stunning new addition. Mingle w/ models & photographers. Walk thru the entrance past stuffed lynx & wolves in diamond necklaces. Design by Phillip Stark, Italian food & French men – a dangerous combo!
Kong – Imagine a glass UFO landing on a Paris rooftop. Every window boasts a different view of Paris complete w/ lucite chairs embedded w/ faces! Lobster hot-dog anyone?
Epicure – Stars have a whole new meaning in Paris. Michelin Stars. Splurge & go for a 3 star lunch – expensive. The dining room is gorgeous & you’re at Le Bristol Hotel. Life is good!
Chez George – Best business lunch. Sometimes classic is the way to go! The quintessential Parisian restaurant.
Where2Play
Le Montana – Exclusive club in St Germain des Pres, making it past the doormen is your first challenge.
Le Bar 8 Mandarin Oriental – Stunning decor & seductive lighting make this bar perfect for business or hot tete-a-tete. Serving street food by day & gourmet tapas at night.
Dukes Bar – Elegant men’s club w/over-sized leather chairs & piano bar. Just drink the “James Bond” & “Duke’s Martini.” You’ll be invincible!
Upcoming Events
Fondant Louis Vuitton – Is it a ship, a whale or an explosion? Architect Frank Gehry & CEO of LV Bernard Arnault create this contemporary art museum. Lunch at Le Frank where food becomes art!
Fête des Vendanges à Montmartre In a city of wine & cheese, what’s better than a festival dedicated to just that? October 14
FIAC Art Fair World’s largest forums for contemporary artists at the Grand Palais Gallery – dealers and owners. October 22-25
Haute Couture Show – Plan your trip with VIP Travel Experience. Winter in Paris – How romantic! January 24-29
Europe, Travel
Flight Courtier, France, Hotel Brighton, Hotel Kepler, Hotel Sezz, La Societe, Le Bat, Louve, paris
Ooh la la…even the fashion directors are in love with Paris. (Anna Wintour, Glenda Bailey and Carine Roitfeld). Everyone’s favorite romantic getaway its beautiful in any season. The city of love, art and fashion it never fails to amaze.
Travel to Paris in Style – Introducing Flight Courtier – an internationally based travel company that offers First and Business class travel at reduced rates. Arrive refreshed, unwrinkled and ready for business. Tell them Wear2Where sent you!
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern (perfect for singles (S)) or quiet & elegant perfect for married (M))? Sometimes you want to “marry” the two. (MS)
Where2Stay
Hotel Sezz – “Discrete, sexy, arty” is this cool hotel’s calling card. Couples only apply. Glass bathrooms, aqua de parma products, book room # 75. Rock a pair of cobalt stiletto booties that are sure to turn your husband’s head! (M)
Hotel Keppler – tucked away only minutes from the Champs-Élyseés (and shopping) this modern boutique hotel is glamorous and super chic. Share a room with you girlfriend, and shop till you drop in an eye catching geometric pencil skirt. (S)
Hotel Brighton – Shh… don’t tell. Best location, best view and won’t entirely break the bank. Situated on the Rue de Rivoli across the street from the Louvre & the Tuilleries. Book the 4th floor corner suite w/ terrace for the best view including the Eiffel Tower. (MS)
Shangri-La Hotel – Imagine a Palace with a Grand Salon mimicking Versailles. And you are only checking in! Perfect for fashion-forward businessmen who need to seal the deal and perfect for women who want to “seal the deal” as well. (MS)
Where2Dine – the classic and the new make a complete gastronomic experience.
New to the Scene
Le Bat – tapas with french touch in Montmartre
L’Affable – French comfort food in the 7th, artistic and elite crowd
Le Enfants Rouges – new modern bistro w/Japanese chef cooking fusion french,
Miss KO – insanely designed restaurant from Phillip Stark, (note the floating teapot)
Ciel de Paris – outrageous views & decor
Kong – an elegant & entertaining (face chairs) glass enclosed rooftop bar and dining room.
Paris – Full of humor
Classic Restaurants
Restaurant Thoumieux
George for lunch
Brasserie Le Grand Colbert
Costes La Societe, (always chic)
Bistrot Paul Bert (value pre- fix dinner)
Le Crystal Room Baccarat Restaurant –
Lounges and Bars
Le Coq – Sexy, dark, east village vibe. Great people watching and music
Club Silenco – Hollywood meets Paris. Owner David Lynch of Twin Peaks has created a golden underground haven.
Experimental Cocktail Club – Let’s play find the bar. Down a narrow alley, thru a barely marked door exists this speakeasy style lounge.
Ritz Bar Vendome – when only the best will do
Travel Tip – This will not fit in the overhead bin!
Co- authored Jade Wu