season five

paris exhibits

Idid not actually visit a single exhibit during the three days I spent in Paris. I had very good intentions but was distracted by all the fabulous shopping and cafes. You know how it goes. I did venture out early one morning to check out the 30 ft. high spider structure by sculptor  Louise Bourgeois in the Tuilleries. The structure, "Maman", coincides with a retrospective of the artist's work at Centre Pompidou through June 2.

seen on paris streets

There were two dominant sunglass styles worn by women in Paris: enormous or Ray-Ban aviator.

seen on paris streets

Also seen on the streets of Paris (and in many of the stores in Paris and Aix-en-Provence) this Minnetonka boot. Paris is having a hippie moment. At Zappos.

seen on paris streets

Seen on twenty-something women throughout Paris - a print scarf like this one from Isabel Marant's Spring/Summer 2008 collection. They are so ubiquitous street vendors sell them. Photo source: Elle.

why not wear it to dinner

Net-a-porter currently has a feature called 24 hour fashion: Throw out the rule book & dress for night for all summer long. I agree with this one hundred percent. Buy something fabulous but don't save it. I once scored a very glamorous $1500 Collete Dinnigan dress for $200. Despite the steal I almost did not buy it. It looked great but I questioned buying a dress with beaded trim and a puddle hem - where would I wear it? The salesperson's response: Why not to dinner? Good point. Why not? I love designer clothes but if they are going to sit in my closet they are never worth the expense. One thing I have noticed on my trips to Paris is Parisian women abide by this philosophy. Today I saw a woman in front of Vanessa Bruno wearing a cocktail dress that is from the spring 2008 collection (shown here). It is a spring dress for sure - but she paired with with a black blazer, a black scarf, black opaque tights and  black knee high boots. It looks great now - and it will look great in warmer weather. So when shopping in Paris I ask myself - will I wear it...tomorrow? If yes - sold.