I like themes for my Paris trips, but I was struggling to identify the common thread for this year’s itinerary. It was a hodge-podge of locations and experiences, a melange of boutiques, an eclectic assortment of places. Now that I’m back and can survey the entirety of the trip and the things that came home with me, I still can’t label my Parisian adventure.
However, the bags definitely took top billing. Ahhh the bags! Five total. Two vintage, three new, all French. Only two were planned itinerary visits, and the others simply found me.
My list included two places I read about in an online article highlighting French bag brands that “everyone” should know about. Taking a peek at the list, some I knew about (ex: Polène), some I didn’t, and these are the two that stood out as both interesting and moderately priced. And, visiting the boutiques did not disappoint.
At Tammy & Benjamin, I got the Emma in burgundy (and added the longer chain strap to my purchase so I have two wearing options). I love the retro clasp and the texture of the leather. At Léo et Violette, they were sold out of the Le Soft Laurence (also in burgundy) that I wanted, but they had the floor sample for me to try on. Gorgeous. The saleswoman offered to have one shipped to me (for free), and it arrived the day I came home.
The Antoine et Lily bag I spied when I was shopping along Canal Saint Martin. Indeed, the store itself was the inspiration for visiting that stretch of neighborhood along the Canal, where there are several other unique shops, vintage stores, art galleries, and cool little places to eat. Antoine et Lily has a few locations around Paris, but their three stores at quai de Valmy were a perfect place to start my walk along the Canal. It was the green metallic color that caught my eye, something about the unexpected shade that drew me in and had me saying yes.
The next I found with Clara (my shopping guide for those of you who are new). Clara knows my taste very well by now, and while I send her a draft list of places I want to shop, she always adds more spots. This store was one of her additions, and she definitely hit the mark. Inside is a treasure trove of second-hand vintage designer items, many on the “harder to find” side, and so packed with merchandise you can hardly move around. Here is where I found a dazzling chocolate brown (alligator, perhaps?), long-strapped bag with a seashell clasp, circa 1960s. No label, no brand, just pretty.
And, finally…a Chanel bag. Not THE bag. Not the classic flap that I always assumed would be my first Chanel. No. Instead, it’s a 2002, exquisitely conditioned, caramel-colored bag with truly unique straps, and two hidden pockets that flap into the inside. It is so understated, you have to see the interlocking Cs clasp to know it’s Chanel. It was love at first sight.
We found each other at Opulence Vintage in the 2nd arrondissement, a second-hand designer boutique with three Paris locations. I had read about the stores in Vintage Icons of Fashion, a great book for understanding classic pieces from designer brands, what makes them so iconic, and the craftsmanship of vintage luxury items. The authors own the boutiques, and sure, I thought, I’ll put one of the locations on my itinerary.
Walking in, I was impressed by the curation, the presentation, and the quality. I circled around the store, taking in the selections within each glass case, perusing the bags, jewelry, and accessories from a variety of houses: Dior, Hermes, Celine, Chanel. It was in the last display cabinet that I saw her. “Ooo she’s different,” I said to the salesman. “Yes,” he said, “we’ve only had one other like her, and that was over a year ago. Would you like to see her?” I immediately replied NO, with a laugh, but I persuaded myself to simply take a look. What could that hurt?
Well.
Seeing her up close revealed everything she had to offer: the straps with the brown and dark red details, the secret flap pockets that folded over into each side, the amazing condition. I tried her on, looked in the mirror, and that was all it took. I wasn’t leaving her there in the boutique. I walked out of the store with my first Chanel bag. And she’s worth every penny.
Au revoir until next time,
~Valerie’s Granddaughter