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As fashionistas, photographers and everyone who is anyone flood to the French capital for front row seats at the most stylish week of the year, we’ve rounded up our top three Carrier experiences to make the most of Paris Fashion Week and our favourite hotels you need to make your stylish base.
1. Inside the world of Coco Chanel
Trace the footsteps of one of the most iconic designers to emerge from the French capital, Coco Chanel. Enjoy beverages at the Ritz before an expertly guided tour of Place Vendome, the 31 rue Cambon store and Coco’s most influential places; later gaining access to the brand’s newest collections and seeking out one-of-a-kind vintage Chanel pieces on an exclusive shopping trip.
2. Le Bristol Paris
Located on the rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, famous for its boutiques and art galleries, Le Bristol Paris has been a firm favourite amongst fashion aficionados since the 1960s.
It now maintains its fashion-forward reputation with a selection of Saturday showcases charting signature garments from renowned designers’ collections over the years. So successful is the concept, major fashion houses including Céline, Yves Saint-Laurent, Givenchy, Chloé, Christian Lacroix and Versace have all presented collections at Fashion Saturdays.
The three-Michelin-star gourmet restaurant Epicure makes for a chic stop for a sophisticated lunch.
3. For the shoe aficionado
The experience that should be on any shoe-lover’s agenda; join your dedicated expert as they shine the spotlight on Parisian shoe house, Maison Ernest. Put your best foot forward and absorb the history of the brand before practicing walking elegantly in high heels. Conclude with a strut around the affluent Saint-Germain-des-Paris to seek out your perfect pair of heels.
4. La Reserve Paris
Built by Napoleon III’s half-brother at the start of the Haussmann era in 1854, the door in bright vermilion conceals a world of grandeur where designer Jacques Garcia’s fabulously opulent interiors emanate quintessential 19th century elegance.
Original marble fireplaces accent expertly installed gilded rococo reliefs, Versaillais parquet, Cordovan leather panelling and 6,000m of silk damask, taffeta and velvet that lines the walls, frame the windows and upholster the chairs.
Giving off the chic and confidential air of a private members’ club, it is also reportedly the only hotel in Paris to offer a butler for every guest, making it the ultimate VIP hideaway for some pampered respite away from the runway.
5. The secrets of scent
Dive into the world of fragrance to discover the intricacies of scent composition. Directed by your specialist perfumer – an exclusive consultant for the likes of Dior and Givenchy – learn the secrets to the craft including identifying notes, accords and why perfume changes over time. Finally, choose from over 50 different ingredients to create your own heady concoction to commemorate your trip.