Five Paris Boutiques Known For Creativity & Design
With Paris fashion week almost done, boutique stores in the city of light are the next best thing to attending runway shows and textile trade events. From icons to vintage to hybrid art/fashion spaces, here are Paris' top five boutiques for design inspiration, creativity and sourcing fabric ideas.
- 58M
In an ode to rock and pop art with a touch of chic, the 58M boutique offers a mix of contemporary bags and luxury shoes in the heart of Paris. Founded by Sophie Rioufol, the shop interior is much like a home, filled with cozy antiques against modern trimmings - all in line with the exquisite tastes of store designer, David Exbrayat. Offering collections from Churches to ACNE, Europe’s favorites are all right here. Of special mention is French shoemaker, Michel Vivien, whose Warhol influence plays out pops of color on heels and boots in leather and suede. Guys, head to brother boutique, 58mr for formal and casual men’s shoes.
58M - 58 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris
2. Dressing Factory The owners of the Dressing Factory, Sylvie Mazzoni and Elisa Pons, wouldn’t sell a single item from their luxury vintage boutique if they weren't so passionate about sharing their reclaimed wares. Found in Paris’ bohemian Saint-Germain, the store’s pre-loved designer pieces are in an impeccable sale condition despite being pre-owned. Using environmental cleaning and repair methods, blouses and trenches from Lanvin and Burberry are joined by original scarves from Hermes collections of the mid-century. Visit the Dressing Factory for a glimpse of Dior’s ‘New Look’ or to see Saint Laurent as it first was, before it dropped the Yves.
Dressing Factory - 92 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris
- L’Eclaireur
An icon in the Parisian shopping circuit, L’Eclaireur was the first boutique to stock the brands Girbaud, Prada, Helmut Lang, John Galliano, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten and Martin Margiela in France. Created by Armand Hadida in the Eighties, L’Eclaireur now has seven stores nestled along the trendy rues of Le Marais and on the prestigious Champs Elysees. The store continues to stock big name brands, alongside newcomers such as Italian shoe designer, Alberto Premi, and China’s Ziggy Chen, who showed his SS15 collection for the first time inside the store. Visit L’Eclaireur for incredible luxury brands, especially for those with a design story woven into their fabric.
L'Eclaireur - 26 Av. des Champs-Élysées 75008 Paris
4. Spree
Opened by stylist Roberta Oprandi and artist Bruno Hadjadj, Spree is a boutique that functions as both a fashion store and exhibition space where art objects and designer furniture get friendly with major and specialist clothing labels. Showcasing foreign and French names from the Fifties to the Eighties, Spree takes the time to take on the new designers of today, promoting forward-thinking fashion in the city each and evert season. When instore, take a look at Japan’s Antipast and their intricate floral collection, as well as Current Elliot's Americana denim. Spree also stocks its namesake ballerina flats collection, made from soft patent leather.
Spree - 16 Rue la Vieuville, 75018 Paris
- Collette
Most fashion people are very familiar with Colette. Spanning three levels, the hip and happening luxury retailer boasts fashion, high-tech, arts, and streetwear collections for the home, bookcase, and of course, the body. Despite its intimidating display of high-end brands – from Alaia to Moncler Gamme and Fendi to Moschino – Colette is the French capital’s go-to store for new label discoveries, pre-releases, limited-edition collections, and the reawakening of forgotten labels. Visit Colette for quirky design ideas – taking a full day out to do so.
Colette - 213 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris