This is the tour for the curious, gourmets, enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fashion and luxury by Sébastien Girard, creator of www.icon-icon.com and @iconiconmedia.
A tour of the iconic and enchanting places of the capital. These places where the icons of fashion, luxury have been, in turn, thought, imagined, created, concocted, and lived! Come and discover our heritage, the great luxury houses, the palaces, which has forged the reputation of Paris as the indisputable capital of chic, luxury and the art of living.
Discover the places where Paris’ reputation as the indisputable capital of chic, luxury and ‘joie de vivre’ has been formed. With a Parisian, coupled with a professor operating for the prestigious schools of fashion, commerce and hospitality, he will tell you the little stories and fascinating anecdotes hidden behind these pieces, these places, these experiences and these emblematic people.
I invite you to stroll with me – starting from Place Vendôme. Where the first modern palace stands – the Ritz! So many stories have happened there.
So many innovations too – in particular that of the French School of Gastronomy, with Auguste Escoffier operating from the kitchens of the Ritz.
A unique expertise, and excellence for signature, Chef Nicolas Sale is in charge. On the pastry side, it is François Perret who revives the taste buds today. But the iconic hot chocolate and madeleines, especially that of Proust, are still very much in the news!
We then continue up Rue de la Paix.
The street of jewels, of couture and diamonds of goldsmiths…Cartier. Mellerio said to Mellers. The boutique of the first designer in history, whose name I’ll keep to better reveal later. And that of Massaro, whose name may not arouse anything…for the moment.
Now, we arrive at the heart of French luxury. Place Vendôme and its aura of magnificence. The Mecca of fine jewelry – Chaumet, Boucheron, Van Cleef and…let me tell you about the scandal caused by the first collection of fine jewelry cut by a seamstress…
This seamstress was inspired by the octagonal lines of Place Vendôme for her perfume N°5.
And then?
Then this tour that retraces the hotspots of fashion and luxury will plunge you into the heart of Rue Saint Honoré.
With Goyard, first of all. The trunk maker settled here in 1853.
Further on, it was the Moynat universe that linked fashion, dance and opera.
Then, it’s time to come back to the art of Francis Kurkdjian, a key vendor of French perfumes.
Next, we disembark on the lively artery that is Rue de Rivoli.
It is here that the secrets whispered by the ceramic of its sidewalk, under its arcades, will all be revealed to you…
The bookseller Galignani, Angelina, Meyrowitz at 5 Rue de Castiglione… the first luxury eyewear manufacturer!
Goutal, another company that makes the greatness of French perfumery.
Meyrovitz, Grolet and even the Palace of Mauritius had so much to say about the icons of luxury and fashion! Pieces that have revolutionized the genre, but not only that!
The pastry of Meurice by Cédric Grolet merges sculpture, fruit and gluttony. Le Meurice, again, from where Alain Ducasse has literally revolutionized cooking, advocates a return to culinary simplicity. A taste experience that has become an example of the genre.
This is also where Guerlain founded his company. In 1828, the Guerlain perfumery moved to the ground floor of the Meurice hotel!
Another icon of gastronomy, it is at Mandarin Oriental where we will find Thierry Marx cuisine – and his signature dish – Le Risotto au…
We now pass in front of the place which hosted the very first Yves Saint Laurent parade.
Now we find ourselves at the heart of the Chanel universe. Where the heart of his workshops has been beating since 1910, Rue Cambon.
We now find ourselves the heart of the Chanel universe. In particular with the surrounding houses, purchased by that of Coco. Like Maison Michel – we can imagine the Chanel woman in a Virginie hat, right?
Finally, we arrive in Parisian night time – Maxim’s, the Mecca of the Second Empire of Napoleon. Hotspot of Parisian life, where the pleasure of the senses has become a way of life. Haute couture, champagne, parties until the early hours – casseroles laid the foundations of Parisian life.
The Hôtel du Crillon has seen Parisian women. The first palace in old history to have this sophistication!
We now will cross over to Rue Royale to join the artery world – the beautiful and the sublime.
Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré – the most luxurious street in the world holds the keys to more than one universally desired product today.
Now it’s time to go back up, not too far, to the boutique where the ecstasy of French luxury was acquired. The Hermès boutique is brimming with objects of desire, very inspirational display cases. And anecdotes that have raised the standards of fashion and luxury all over the world!
Jeanne Lanvin, too, had her part to play. In 1889, she opened here, at 16 Rue Boissy d´Anglas, what would become the oldest French fashion house.
Paris is a story of chic and sophistication.
A story of pleasure and of knowing how to live. A story that La Durée always tells. So, how not to end this “Paris Fashion and Luxury Icons Tour” with these macaroons, such chic delicacies.
You have to have seen and tasted these little bits of Parisian life to understand it better!