These panda shoes would look cute on one of my little nieces. FYI: Seen in Macon, France.

A new trend in fashion in France? For those of you who’d like to adopt this style, I certainly hope the weather warms up.

Although I don’t know when they were ever in, the timeless designed Palladium Boots are apparently back! In 1947 the legendary Pampa boot was born, and the functionality, comfort and durability were so outstanding that the French Foreign Legion adopted it for their use. The Foreign Legion put the boot to the test in the harsh desert conditions of North Africa, and throughout the rugged terrain of the Atlas Mountains.

Palladium Boots $50 – $70

via

Meet Mademoiselle Fifi (yes, Fifi). Apparently, she’s the summer mascot at Laduree and is featured on this cute macaron box. Personally, the box looks like dog biscuits should be inside, but… it’s cute, anyway. A box fits 8 macarons and costs 14.70 euros. Laduree

While we’re on the subject of boxes, designer Christian Louboutin got together with Laduree and came up with these boxes covered with macarons and shiny Louboutin shoes and purses.

The macarons will take on a Mediterranean flavor created by pastry chef Philippe Andrieu.

12 euros for a box of 6 macarons. Available in September, 2009.

Photo by Swedish photographer Therese Aldgard and styled by Lisa Edsal

via

From viewonfashion:

“…Hermés is launching a graphic design competition in collaboration with Designboom. Famous all over the world for their exquisite luxury creations, they’ve always paid special attention to their silk tie collections. Now, they want to find new prints, so they’ve opened a competition to design students, amateurs and professionals. They want them to present their ideal print, whether it’s their own design or a reinterpretation of the French brand’s classic styles.

The options range from a remake of a classic print to your own unique print… The designer can take their inspiration from the following themes: horses, marine life, flowers, animals and geometric design… The only requirement is that it can be printed on a silk tie.

Entrants will be in the running for a first prize of €3000, a second prize of €2000, and a third of €1000.

The jury is made up of the following people:

Pierre-Alexis Dumas, General Artistic Director – Hermès International
Véronique Nichanian, Artistic Director Hermès Men – Hermès Sellier / Deputy Men’s Artistic Director – Hermès International
Bali Barret, Creative Director – Hermès Silk & Textiles / Deputy Women’s Artistic Director – Hermès International
Hélène Dubrule, Managing Director – Hermès Silk & Textiles
Christophe Goineau, Director of men’s silk collection – Hermès Silk & Textiles
Christine Duvigneau, Graphic Design Studio Director – Hermès International.
Corinne Poux-Bernard, Innovation Director – Hermès International
Gabriele Pezzini, Designer, Design Director – Hermès International
Birgit Lohmann, Editor-in-Chief – Designboom

You can register on Designboom by clicking here.”

From viewonfashion:

On the 20th of May Paris will host an auction that you should attend if you love vintage fashion, and particularly if you like the iconic pieces created by French brand Hermés. Over 700 of their creations will be auctioned at the Hotel Marcel Dassault.

Auction house Artcurial have managed to collect 700 iconic Hermés pieces. Many of them are from the 60s, 70s and 80s, with authentic jewellery in some cases starting at just €70.

From their legendary foulards to jodhpur boots and beautiful bags. As you can imagine, the 700 pieces feature many interesting and unique creations. Don’t forget, you need to book in advance…

Hôtel Marcel Dassault
7 rond-point des Champs-Élysées
75008 Paris

Sessions
20 May 10:30am: Lots 1-250
20 May 2:30pm: Lots 251-End
Auctioneer: François Tajan

Viewing Information
15-18 May, 11am-7pm
19 May, by appointment

Contact: Cyril Pigot
Phone: +33 1 42 99 16 56

Bid Department
Marianne Balse
Phone: +33 1 42 99 20 51

With the most famous landmark in Paris as his muse, designer Alexander McQueen, reinvents the Eiffel Tower to put a new spin on women’s apparel. The leggings cost 85 euros, the matching top is 125 euros.

Cute shoe laces for 10 euros from Lacets Decocad

Hey Carla fans, you might be happy to know that Pardon, a company (brand) from La Réunion, began giving away these bags with a purchase from their stores. The bags sport a nude Carla Bruni on them. The slogan, “Mon mec aurait dû m’acheter du Pardon” (My man should’ve bought me forgiveness or a pardon.)

Want one? Find Pardon in these cities: Marseille, Toulouse, Dunkerque et Besançon.

tags: france, french, carla bruni, pardon

Here are Jean Charles de Castelbajac‘s recent designs inspired by nearly everyone’s favorite childhood toy products at Lego. The clothes are modeled after Lego playsets and the hats are actual assembled Lego bricks. I really love the house hat! (Now you know what to get me for Christmas. I’m kidding. Sort of.)

[via]

tags: france, french, lego, Jean Charles de Castelbajac

In the past, I suppose I haven’t been too kind when mentioning the designs coming from Philippe Starck. My opinion is a matter of subjective taste, which happens to be in the minority and generally, I hate am disgusted dislike immensely his designs. I can’t help it. Let’s say that I WANT to like it, but it just doesn’t happen for me. I mean, c’mon look at what he created for babies here.

I have more examples. A couple of days ago, he was making headlines that corresponded with the opening of a new boutique hotel launched by the founders of Club Med because he designed it. The hotel, called Mama Shelter, is located just outside of Paris. It looks fun and it seems to be a budget hotel that is warm open. I do think they achieved their goal.

Now, the design. It’s not horrible. Alright. I am not too thrilled with the sconces that Mr. Starck designed. They are essentially plastic Halloween masks he bought from Walmart or somewhere, then decided to reassign their function and hang them on the wall. When I saw these, I wanted to laugh and cry and the same time.

That said, Philippe Starck once admitted that he tries to make his life worthy of existing as a designer… and although his designs don’t impress me in the slightest, he was nevertheless impressive, if not entertaining during his 18-minute talk at TED. In some way he and his speech redeemed himself to me in many ways as he explained in a fun and charming way, why he designs, and in the end, it doesn’t really matter if it’s ugly or ridiculous or silly.

[via apartmentherapy]

tags: france, french, paris, mama shelter, philippe starck, mask sconces philippe starck, ted talks

The people over at gizmodo find the new cable box, “le cube” a lot more “stylishly French” than I think it is… I don’t find it stylish nor particularly French, except for the fact that it’s in France. I WANT to like it, but it’s not working for me. Anyway. More about it below.

From gizmodo:

“French cable provide Canal+ teamed up with touted OLPC and Jawbone designer Yves Behar to produce “Le Cube,” their new, ultra-stylish HD cable box with DVR and video on demand functions. Looking like a Wii all dressed up for a formal event, Le Cube blends simple geometry with simple colors to create something that’s visually striking.

But looks aside, this thing puts all of its interactive electronics and LED display into the black square portion of the box, leaving the rest relatively unscathed. It even comes with a remote control that matches the black and white motif. Call me crazy, but I wouldn’t mind moving to France just to have this in my living room. Le Cube will be available for Canal+ subscribers around November 4.” [source]

tags: france, french, cable box, canal plus, olpc, jawbone, le cube, yves behar

From brandrepublic:

“The original James Bond Sir Sean Connery has been photographed by Annie Leibovitz posing on a beach in the Bahamas for Louis Vuitton’s Core Values advertising campaign.

Connery, who recently turned 78, is pictured sitting on a rough wooden landing stage on a beach near his home in the Bahamas with a waterproof version of Louis Vuitton’s Keepall travel bag next to him.

The strapline for the ad, created by Ogilvy & Mather, reads: “There are journeys that turn into legends. Bahamas islands, 10:07″.

It is the sixth in a series of portraits shot by Annie Leibovitz for Louis Vuitton’s Core Values campaign, on the theme of travel as a personal journey.

Louis Vuitton is making a donation to the Climate Change Project, spearheaded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore, on behalf of Connery.

Other celebrities to have been photographed by Leibovitz in the campaign include: Andre Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf; Catherine Deneuve; Keith Richards; Sofia Coppola and her father Francis Ford Coppola; and Mikhail Gorbachev, last head of state of the USSR who contributed to the end of the Cold War with perestroika and glasnost.

Antoine Arnault, head of communications at Louis Vuitton, said: “We are extremely proud that an actor of such immense stature should have agreed to participate in Louis Vuitton’s Core Values campaign.”

Pietro Beccari, senior vice president of communication and marketing at Louis Vuitton, said: “Our aim was to broaden the idea of travel beyond its geographical dimension and the campaign has achieved this in a truly remarkable way.

“We are particularly proud of the acclaim it has received from within the advertising industry, witnessed by numerous awards.”

The ad will appear in major international titles from October 30.” [source]

tags: france, french, luxury luggage, sean connery, louis vuitton

In our world that has unfortunately embraced the notion of “planned obsolescence,” when I encounter quality-made, let alone hand-made items, AND made in France, they stand out like stars amidst the dark universe.

In a small village not too far from where we live, we walked by an unassuming, “blend-in-the-background” studio and I’m happy we actually noticed what was inside because we saw these flowers in pots:

Nope, they aren’t really flower pots, they’re leather purses! Aren’t they totally adorable and original? They are one of a kind and there are several whimsical and unique purses inside this handbag artist’s studio: an haricot purse, carrot purse, and my favorite, an eggplant purse. Sorry, but the photo of the aubergine was too blurry to post.

We talked with Sylvia, an expat from Switzerland, who is the creative mastermind behind these works of art and we chatted a bit. She’d mentioned that she took several purses to a luxury handbag store in the south of France, a fancy store that sells designer handbags. The owner of this store had rejected her purses because he said, “They are too nice and well-made.” He wanted purses that would break in a matter of months so customers would return to buy new purses. Grrr!

Her purses, wallets, etc. – are all made out of high quality leather. They will last forever. These are also unique. As an artisan specializing in purses / wallets (and other maroquinerie / leather goods) in France, she is by law, not allowed to make more than 6 of the same style items. This isn’t a problem, she says, because it gives her more freedom to be creative with new styles.

And creative, she is. Look at this watering can key chain holder.

Here’s her “book purse.”

If you’re not into these playful designs, she does make more “serious” styles as well. Everything is impressive.

I love that these purses are so much fun, different and one of a kind (or at most 6 of a kind). It’s perfect for people who want a designer purse that no one else has. It’s a shift from mass produced to niche unique, which I feel is becoming a nice trend. The “mass market” used to be considered as highly demanded and therefore of quality value, but that is simply no longer the case. In reality, mass produced purses, even if they’re designer brands, represents a recognizable label that exists because of savvy marketing/advertising executives calling out to a shallow, broad appeal.

Niche items, like these purses, have much more value, are beautiful, and they will last a long, long time. Note: You can also order custom made bags from Sylvia. If you’re interested in purchasing any of her works, check out her purses at the following link below:

One of a Kind Handbags Made in France

tags: france, unique handbags,handbags, purses, made in france, leather, niche purses

In sync with the new road safety laws in France regarding a vest and triangle to be kept in cars at all times, this amusing ad campaign was launched and features famous designer fashionista, Karl Lagerfeld. Via LA Frog (merci!)

C’est jaune, c’est moche, et ça ne va avec rien, mais ça peut vous sauvez la vie.

Translation:

It’s yellow, it’s ugly, it doesn’t go with anything (else), but it can save your life.

tags: france karl lagerfeld road safety ads

French company Louis Vuitton is up to its old misguided antics getting all litigious on guitarist, Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel). They’ve got their knickers in a twist over the fact that Navarro has been using a LV strap for his guitar. Um. I’d call that free advertising for LV! But nooooo. Louis Vuitton legal cronies sent the guitarist an ugly threatening letter expressing, “We have no doubt that this copying has been willful and is intended to trade upon the fame and cachet of the LV Trademarks to elevate the status of the infringing Guitar Strap, and of Jane’s Addiction.” Basically, they’re going to sue his ass if he doesn’t cease and desist his LV guitar strap use. Pffff.

Read about it on Dave Navarro’s blog, 6767

Related: Louis Vuitton is Suing a Darfur Fundraiser,
Getting Caught with Designer Rip-offs (Fakes) in France and Italy, iPod Cases from M. Louis Vuitton, Kawaii Contrefaçon

tags: france louis vuitton guitar strap dave navarro

[via]

Isn’t this Hermès apple purse (and knife) adorable? Yes. It IS small and restricted in its use (ONE apple or keys or condoms or credit cards or change or an iPod Nano…some other stuff) but if it were bigger it wouldn’t be as CUTE.

Hermès

[via]

Leave it to outside-the-box thinking* French designer, Philippe Di Méo, to design tableware inspired by sex toys. The collection of erotic tableware called, Souper Fin (which is a play on words of “fine dining” and “super fine”), was designed in collaboration with renowned luxury companies Baccarat, Goyard, Cristofle and Orfèvrerie d’Anjou among others.




Souper Fin will be exhibited at L’Eclaireur (Paris) in July. Each item will be complemented with a specially created chef’s dish and recipe. (I guess so you know how to use some of the utensils!)

* Philippe Di Méo once designed perfumes based on sweat, tears and saliva.

Souper Fin

[via]

From wwd:

“Make no mistake — Louis Vuitton is well-equipped for combat against counterfeiters.

Tonight, Vuitton is celebrating Takashi Murakami’s “© Murakami” exhibition with a “Brooklyn Ball” at the Brooklyn Museum featuring a special performance by Kanye West, the unveiling of a new camouflage print developed by Murakami and Marc Jacobs called Monogramouflage and a special installation designed to bring attention to one of the industry’s biggest travails — counterfeits.

But rather than simply hand out leaflets to alert guests about the importance of protecting original designs, the French luxury goods house will be taking a novel, somewhat intriguing route. Outside the museum, Vuitton is setting up 10 New York-style street vendors — not to sell fakes, but rather authentic Louis Vuitton product and special Monogramouflage canvases that Murakami has created specifically for the exhibition.

While it may seem lighthearted on the surface, the presentation is meant to underscore just how serious Vuitton executives are taking the counterfeit trade, and how diligently they are working to stop copycats from getting their merchandise to consumers.

“We always thought that counterfeit requires zero tolerance for several reasons,” Yves Carcelle, chairman and chief executive officer of Louis Vuitton, told WWD in an exclusive interview. “It’s a gray economy that escapes all rules of normal labor and normal economic rules and taxations, so it’s a bad thing for every state in the world. Secondly, it’s bad for any kind of creativity, research and development, because if you don’t protect intellectual property, why should people dedicate time and energy to create?”

Carcelle will highlight the issue in a press conference with Brooklyn Museum director Arnold Lehman and New York City deputy mayor Ed Skyler prior to the gala’s cocktail hour tonight.

Vuitton is no newcomer in the fight against counterfeiters. This year also marks the centennial of its first court case. In 1908, the brand won a ruling from the Paris Appeal Court to halt the distribution of look-alike trunks.

The luxury brand now employs a 40-member team that focuses exclusively on protecting its trademarks, designs, models, copyrights and domain names. The team is based in Paris, with regional offices in New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Milan, Dubai, Buenos Aires and Guangzhuo, China.”

[via]

Can you imagine the First Lady of another country posing nude? *shudders!*

Paris Prêt-á-Porter / Paris Fashion Week

Monday 25 February
10.00 Atsuro Tayama Salle Pleyel
252 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
11.00 Véronique Leroy Espace Pierre Cardin
1/3 Avenue Gabriel
12.00 Gaspard Yurkievich Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
13.00 Robert Normand Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
14.30 Christian Dior Espace Ephémère Tuileries
Jardin des Tuileries
15.30 Isabel Marant Espace Eiffel
Quai Branly
16.30 Sharon Wauchob Palais de Tokyo
13 Avenue du Président Wilson
17.30 Undercover La Cigale
120 Boulevard Rochechouart
18.30 Maison Martin Margiela Palais de Bercy
8 Boulevard de Bercy
19.30 Vivienne Westwood Hotel Westin
3 Rue de Castiglione
20.30 Yohji Yamamoto Palais de la Bourse
Place de la Bourse

Tuesday 26 February
09.30 Balenciaga (Invitation)
10.30 Junya Watanabe (Invitation)
11.30 Tsumori Chisato Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
12.30 M&F Girbaud Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
13.30 Lutz Espace Pierre Cardin
1/3 Avenue Gabriel
14.30 Viktor & Rolf (Invitation)
15.30 Issey Miyake Musée de l’Homme
17 Place du Trocadéro
16.30 Ann Demeulemeester Couvent des Cordeliers
15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine
17.30 Comme des Garcons (Invitation)
19.00 Jean-Paul Gaultier 325 rue Saint-Martin
Paris 3e
20.00 Véronique Branquinho Maison des Métallos
94 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud
21.00 Loewe Opéra Comique
Place Boieldieu

Wednesday 27 February
10.00 Karl Lagerfeld Espace Eiffel
Quai Branly
11.00 Andrew Gn Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
12.00 Akris Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
13.00 Emanuel Ungaro Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
14.00 Costume National Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
15.00 Dries van Noten Manège du Grand Palais
Avenue Franklin Roosevelt
16.00 Christian Lacroix Espace Ephémère Tuileries
Jardin des Tuileries
17.00 Requiem Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
18.00 Givenchy Carreau du Temple
3 Rue Dupetit Thouars
19.30 Hussein Chalayan (Invitation)
20.30 Bernhard Willhelm Maison des Métallos
94 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud

Thursday 28 February
09.30 Stella McCartney Carreau du Temple
3 Rue Dupetit Thouars
10.30 Calentino Palais de Chaillot
1 Place du Trocadéro
11.30 Léonard Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
12.30 Barbara Bui Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
13.30 Anne Valérie Hash Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
14.30 Giambattista Valli Espace Eiffel
Quai Branly
15.30 Zucca Ecole Nat. Sup. des Beaux-Arts
13 Quai Malaquais
16.30 Celine Espace Ephémère Tuileries
Jardin des Tuileries
17.30 Haider Ackermann Couvent des Cordeliers
15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine
18.30 Sophia Kokosalaki Palais de Tokyo
13 Avenue du Président Wilson
20.00 Yves Saint-Laurent Grand Palais
Avenue Winston Churchill

Friday 29 February
10.30 Chanel Grand Palais
Avenue du Général Eisenhower
11.30 Agnès B. Palais de Tokyo
13 Avenue du Président Wilson
12.30 J-C de Castelbajac Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
13.30 Alena Akhmadullina Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
14.30 Sonia Rykiel Espace Ephémère Tuileries
Jardin des Tuileries
15.30 Junko Shimada Ecole Nat. Sup. des Beaux-Arts
13 Quai Malaquais
16.30 Rue du Mail Couvent des Cordeliers
15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine
17.30 Es Orchestres La Sorbonne
47 Rue des Ecoles
19.00 Jose Castro Palais de Bercy
8 Boulevard de Bercy
20.00 Alexander Mcqueen Palais de Bercy
8 Boulevard de Bercy

Saturday 1 March
10.30 Kenzo Carreau du Temple
3 Rue Dupetit Thouars
11.30 Elie Saab Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
12.30 Wunderkind Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
13.30 Paul & Joe Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
14.30 Commuun Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
15.30 Chloé Espace Ephémère Tuileries
Jardin des Tuileries
16.30 Martin Grant Ecole Nat. Sup. des Beaux-Arts
13 Quai Malaquais
17.30 Hermès Espace Eiffel
Quai Branly
18.30 Limi Feu Couvent des Cordeliers
15 Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine
20.00 John Galliano Grande Halle de la Villette
211 Avenue Jean Jaurès

Sunday 2 March
10.00 Vanessa Bruno 8 Rue de la Pierre Levee
Paris 11e
11.00 Nina Ricci Espace Ephémère Tuileries
Jardin des Tuileries
12.00 Chapurin Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
13.00 Yuki Torii Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
14.00 Collette Dinnigan Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
15.00 Louis Vuitton (Invitation)
16.30 Sakina M’sa Le Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de Rivoli
17.30 Lanvin Espace Eiffel
Quai Branly
18.30 Moon Young Hee Ecole Nat. Sup. des Beaux-Arts
13 Quai Malaquais
19.30 Miu Miu (Invitation)
20.30 Chado Ralph Rucci Couvent des Cordeliers
15 Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine

[source]

From ENN:

It’s widely known that lead poisoning poses a threat to public health. The metal’s negative effect on the nervous system as well as its propensity to cause renal and cardiovascular diseases has promoted the FDA to continually lower the legal limit of lead content in paint, children’s toys, and playground substrate since the late 70’s.

In October ’07, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released an alarming report, “A Poison Kiss,” on the lead content of lipstick. They found that more than half of the name brand lipsticks tested contained detectable levels of lead. France’s Largest Cosmetic company’s L’Oreal Colour Riche “True Red” topped the list at .65 ppm lead. Even Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer Merlot contains lead (less than .1 ppm.) However, with a little bit of research and awareness, you can find safer (and environmentally friendly) lipsticks.

From Businessweek:

“During frenzied invitation-only clothing sales called ventes privées, chic Parisians strip down to their underwear to try on deeply-discounted designer clothes in bare rooms with cement floors and florescent lighting. After fighting over last season’s stilettos and then stuffing as many glamorous gowns as they can grab into extra-strength trash bags, they put back on their street clothes and haul their take to makeshift checkout counters.

Distasteful as such cut-rate shopping orgies might sound, top designers such as Givenchy—the fashion house that gained fame with clients like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, and is now owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH.PA)—find them a reliable and time-tested way to get rid of overstock.

But now luxury marques and even consumer products companies increasingly are turning to an online alternative that is shaking inventory-clearance to its foundations…”

Continue Reading

From AFP:

Snail’s egg caviar anyone? It may sound like a challenge to the taste buds, but the salty, pink-white delicacy could be gracing hundreds of French tables this Christmas.

Caviar and champagne are a byword for the festive season in France, while a dozen “escargots” — or snails — cooked in garlic and parsley butter and served in or out of their grey-brown spiralled shells, are a much-loved staple.

But a couple of snail farmers from Soissons, in the Picardie region northeast of Paris, found a way to roll two delicacies into one: their snail caviar, called “De Jaeger”, hit the shelves in October.

Dominique and Sylvie Pierru ditched their old jobs in 2004 — he as a construction worker, she running a fine food market stall — to set up their snail farm, and start work on a recipe for caviar.

The next three years were spent perfecting a way to harvest the eggs of their 50,000 gasteropods, reared on an open-air diet of herbs and cereals, and to tenderize them without altering the taste.

The result: small, cream-coloured pearls that burst on the palate to reveal what the producers describe as “subtle autumn flavours with woody notes.”

The Pierrus recommend serving the caviar on a…”

Continue

From Luxist:

For Louis Vuitton lovers the ultimate gift might be the Ultimate Travel bag. The company has teamed up with fashion editor of the Times of London, Lisa Armstrong, to create the bag which is being auctioned in aid of CLIC Sargent, a London-based charity benefiting children with cancer. The bag is inspired by the silhouette of the Eole bag but has two separate compartments trimmed in purple leather. The bag also includes a passport cover, cashmere eyeshades and a blanket, a computer case, a transparent toiletries kit, a foldable jewelry kit, a laundry pouch and an evening leather clutch. Bidding ends December 18th.

Although the authorities in France aren’t fans of fakes, there’s a fine line between the real deal and the contrefaçons, the fakes. Take these, for example. They are so cute, Louis Vuitton may not want to admit they look like theirs…

I’m not into LV but I am into kawaii. Btw, I’ve heard our French friends say “kawaii!” adopting the adorable word for “cute” in Japanese.

I kind of like those shoes. But French authorities don’t!

Un faux pas qui vous coûtera cher. En France la loi prévoit jusqu’a 300,000 euros d’amende et 3 ans d’emprisonnement. La contrefaçon est un vrai fléau.

Translation: Stepping out of line will cost you a lot. In France by law, you risk paying up to 300,000 euros ($438,780) and 3 years in prison. Counterfeiting is a real plague.

Spotted at the airport today: a purse with a hand-held type showerhead with piping as a handle. The purse was round and black with white polka dots. Thought it was fun.

In celebration of their 10th anniversary, Colette teamed up with veteran designer Lacoste and launched these cute limited edition sneakers costing 120 euros ($155), and a series of 14 polo shirts. The new editions sport each of the label’s mascots (dogs and crocodiles). The shirts cost more than the shoes! 140 euros ($182)

Tags: france, french, labels, colette, lacoste, sneakers, spring+edition, trainers, designers

Salon du Mariage – January 12, 13, 14
Rub shoulders with celebs Eva Longoria (marrying Tony Parker) and Jeri Ryan who are planning their summer weddings in France. Actually I have no idea if they’ll be at this salon; I think they might have already planned everything. Who knows. Anyway, Maybe you’re planning your day to tie the knot in France? This salon helps you plan your perfect Parisian style big day even if you do decide to wear that black wedding gown.

Wedding Salon
Carrousel du Louvre
99, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris France
admission: 10 €
Tel: 33 (0) 1.43.16.47.47
Website: Le Salon du mariage au carrousel du Louvre

Puces de la Cité (Antiques Market) – January 14
You’ll definitely find the famed porcelain of Limoges, the capital of Limousin here but on the 2nd Sunday of every month, you’ll also find their huge antiques market. It is one that rivals some of the very famous antiques markets in France, and is worth a peek if you’re into antiques.

Puces de la Cité (Antiques Market) at the la Cathédrale Saint-Étienne
Place de la Cathédrale (the the town center)
Limoges France
Tel: 33 (0) 5.55.34.46.87 (Limoges Tourist Office)
Hours: 8am to 6pm

The 12th Annual Megève Polo Masters – January 18 – 21
Called “ski joëring,” this is the equestrian sport on a snowy playing field. Some of the world’s best polo players show up in Megève for this exceptional event. There is a total of six teams. Since we’re having such a mild winter, I’m not sure if there’s snow in Megève (in the French Alps) right now. If all goes well, try to attend this unusual sport in a few weeks. Check their website regularly or contact the tourist office.

The 12th Annual Megève Polo Masters
La Plaine d’Arly
Megève France
Website: Megeve Tourist Office
70, rue Monseigneur Conseil BP 24
74120 Megève France (Tourist Office)
Tel: 33 (0)4.50.21.27.28
e-mail: megeve@megeve.com

Le Salon Du Meuble / Furniture Fair – January 20 – 25
Tired of the same ole furniture from Ikea or the ugly expensive furniture everywhere? Do you have a Clic Clac? Pressed board white shelves? Plastic anything? Yuck. Get rid of it!!! Go find something nice at this furniture fair. Please remember to consider the materials that your furniture is made of. Some materials can be toxic to you in your home and then for the environment. Choose wisely. The show usually attracts about 40,000 visitors and the exhibitors come from all over the world, representing 50 countries. (60% French, 40% International)

Le Salon Du Meuble / Furniture Fair
Porte de Versailles
Paris France
Admission: 10 € (for the day) (to visit extra days see the website)
Tel.: 33 (0)1.40.76.45.00
Email: salondumeuble@cosp.fr
Website: Le Salon du Meuble
More information: Download the brochure (pdf)

This is not the first time I’ve pointed out funny shirts I’ve seen in France and I have a feeling it won’t be the last either. I absolutely had to take a photo of this French guy’s t-shirt. It would’ve been hysterical without an apostrophe and S (though would not have been true in this case). Also notice the “4U 69.”

I lied to him to get him to pose for me just to make things quick and uncomplicated. I told him I collected photos of t-shirts and post them on my blog. I like to consider this a “partial truth.”

Tags: france, french, t-shirts, english, funny

I have a feeling this photo has been around since the last presidential elections in the U.S. but I just saw it yesterday and seriously, had to post it.

It’s a clothing label from a jacket that was manufactured by an American company that exports their products to France, so the label is in English and in French, but some of the French wasn’t translated into English – and is necessary here! The translation:

Wash with warm water.
Use mild soap.
Dry flat.
Do not use bleach.
Do not dry in the dryer.
Do not iron.
We are sorry that our president is an idiot.
We did not vote for him.

[via]

it had to happen. monsieur louis vuitton jumped on the ipod band wagon, and why shouldn’t he?

LV is not really my cup of tea but i thought it would be fun to post about these for the LV people out there, particularly those ipod users who also collect the multicolored monogramed series of LV merchandise. this particular ipod series was designed by takashi murakami.

here are the specs and prices from the LV website: there are three new LV ipod cases: “etui ipod classic” is for larger ipods: ipod photo and the larger 1G through 5G ipods. the case costs 170 euros ($208); the “etui ipod mini” goes for 160 euros ($196) this case might also be ok with the nano (i’m not sure). the third ipod case is the “etui ipod shuffle” which goes for 90 euros ($110).

the canvas multicolored monogram case is lined with natural peach colored calf leather and has gold brass pieces. the case has a flap and snap closure and comes with a shoulder strap. there is easy access to the screen, controls, jacks and dock.

LV can obviously get away with selling a case that is nearly as expensive as an ipod. never mind that he designed a case for the ipod mini and they don’t make those anymore (i wonder if he knows!?) [via shiny shiny]

the temporary schedules for fashion shows in paris from january 23 to 25, 2006 are up. collections from: giorgio armani, christian dior, felipe oliveira baptista, anne valerie hash, adeline andre, maurizio galante, valentino, chanel, dominique sirop, christian lacroix, christophe josse, givenchy, franck sorbier, jean-paul gaultier, elie saab. [via modeaparis]