Souvenir from Paris

The 'Rendez-Vous Rive Gauche' 70 carré (by Cyrille Diatkine) was first released in 2010, in celebration of the opening of Hermès' first left bank boutique, in the Rue de Sevrès. This year, the design has been re-issued in several CWs for the SS2012 collection. Mine is a much-cherished gift from a dear and wonderful friend, and I adore the marine/turquoise/caramel (it has a white contrast hem) she picked for me.

The scarf isn't the souvenir I brought home, but it had a big influence on something else that I did bring back!

On the Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the Roger Vivier boutique is just a minute's walk from Hermès. After taking the photos of the current H window displays, I went across the road to admire the beautiful spring offerings at RV. The tri-colored Belle Viviers reminded me so much of the Rendez-vous scarf I was wearing, both in color and spirit. Both seemed to have been made for each other..

 45mm Belle Viviers in tri-color patent leather

The scarf carries wonderful memories of spending time with my friend, and reminds me also of the many happy times spent in the charming left bank quarters of Paris. The vignettes depict 'la vie quotidienne' ... you see friends meeting for coffee, people walking their dogs, lovers in a park and waiters preparing their tables for lunch.... and there are plenty of Hermès scarves and bags to be discovered too. The design even shows my friend and me walking together, or at least that's what we both 'see'.

left: in the basic bias fold, right: in a criss-cross knot, one end left longer

 

with Bleu de Prusse Bolide

The new shoes quickly made friends with several scarves in the drawer and staples in the wardrobe,  here with my much loved 'Monsieur et Madame' 90 carré.

Have a wonderful week everyone xx

You might also like:

This week in Paris - part one

We've been very lucky while visiting Paris for a couple of days this week.. on our arrival the sky cleared after days of rain, and we had a few days of beautiful crisp and golden autumn weather.

After running errands in the 2nd arrondissement we found ourselves near the charming Bistrot Vivienne at lunchtime.

We settled into a cosy banquette and enjoyed the traditional atmosphere, and had excellent ravioli and Tarte Tatin.

The Bistrot Vivienne is located near the Place du Victoire and the Jardin du Palais and decorated with large mirrors, banquets, velvet armchairs and wooden tables and chairs. The Gallerie Vivienne divides the two dining rooms of the Bistrot and dates back to 1823. It houses beautiful shops and a wonderful wine bar (Lucien Legrand http://www.caves-legrand.com/univers/), a great place for an apéritif.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galerie_Vivienne

Bistrot Vivienne, 4 Rue des Petits Champs,
75002 Paris 
01 49 27 00 50
www.bistrotvivienne.com 

None of the Hermès stores had the elusive 'C'est la fête' scarf in stock, but there was certainly a big fête going on in the window display of the Rue de Sèvres boutique! The orangutan, dromedary and goose from a previous display where joined by new friends, and together they've sucessfully created as much havoc as before..

...again assisted by Jean-François Fourtou

You might also like:

Hermès window displays - Rue de Sevrès

What on EARTH is going on?

And who made all this mess!

Oh No! (and the door to the store is open too!)

I doubt our friends needed any 'help', but apparently the artist Jean-François Fourtou was involved too

it's a zoo!

More evidence.. this bottle of Chateau St Boutisse explains A LOT.

Hee haw..what a party!

Excusez moi, did I hear a belching sound?!

It's been a soirée magnifique!

Hermès Rive Gauche
17 rue de Sevrès
75006 Paris
Tel: (0)1 42 22 80 83

Next Paris stop: the new Hermès pop up shoe shop!

Rue de Sevrès - Koto Bolofo booksigning 'La Maison'

The vibrant and playful window of the Rue de Sevrès store could not have been in bigger contrast to the rich decor displayed at FSH, but of course much in tune with the colorful and lively atmosphere of the 6th arrondissement the store is located in.

Last Tuesday night, the boutique hosted Koto Bolofo's 'La Maison' booksigning event,

it was a truly fun and fabulous evening

Meeting the artist was more than special, I so much admire his work
Koto Bolofo

About ten of the book's 1000+ photos were on display throughout the store, on simple yet beautiful easles. One of my favorites is a portrait of Jean-Claude Ellena, creator of Hermès parfums ( the 'Hermesessence' line amongst many others ) since 2004.

The host of the evening, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Hermès' creative director

It could not have been a more fun and lovely event, merci!

You might also like:

Yesterday in Paris...

.. it was a cold but beautiful winter's day. As usual, no visit would be complete without a stopover at FSH. The horseman on the roof top held Aloha Carrés from the SS2010 collection, matching the vibrant colours of the current corner window's display.

All other windows were in the process of being redecorated, so no new pics this time!

Moving over to the left bank, I went to check on new treasures displayed in the 'bamboo baskets' (love this expression, thank you, dear Scarf Enthusiast!) of the Rue de Sèvres boutique. I spotted a few more scarf designs turned into homeware, and the beautiful 'Plume' (by Henri de Linares in 1953) looked particularly lovely and inviting as heavenly bed sheets. The cashmere throws depicting the Quadrige pattern were another favorite, so gorgeous!

Stepping outside H, you'll see the fabulous department store 'Le Bon Marché' just a stone throw away. I needed a winter hat, and fell in love with this dark chocolate brown one, which kept me wonderfully warm for the rest of day.

Scarf: Brides de Gala Dip Dye 90 Carré
Scarf ring: MT Collection grande in black
Scarf tying method: Scarf wrapped once around the neck and ends secured with the basic slide method.

I was hoping to snap some pics of petite Parisians wearing jeans and ballet flats for dear Tabitha, Trudye and SMR, but as it was so cold, everyone was wearing jeans and boots instead. I decided to at least practice my 'paparazzi skills', and got lucky on the escalator in the 'Bon Marché', were a stylish Parisian was shopping with her daughter, carrying a beautiful Picotin!

I had no chance with catching up on everyone's lovely comments on the previous post, but will try my best to do so soon.

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
24 rue de Sèvres
75007 Paris
+33 1 44 39 80 00
www.lebonmarche.com

You might also like:

Hermès Rive Gauche

And here the dernier snippet of my trip to Paris last week.. a visit to Hermès' new store on Paris' left bank (opened a couple of months ago), located at 17 Rue de Sèvres in St. Germain de Près. The space is enormous (14,500 square feet) and used to be the indoor swimming pool of the Hotel Lutétia. Many of the original art nouveau features were kept, such as the mosaic floor and iron balconies. The vastness is broken up by three wooden 'tents' in the middle of the basement floor, designed by Denis Montel. It is a truly breathtaking sight, and to explore them, one walks down a sweeping staircase with fabulous curved banisters made from ash wood. The 'tents' feature the interior design collection, and it was fun to spot many familiar scarf designs, which were turned into cushions, wallpapers, trays, plaids and throws.

There is a book shop called Chaîn d'encre (encre is 'ink' in french, a nod to the chaîn d'ancre design element), a tea room called Plongeoir (diving board), and a flower shop (by Baptiste), which is located right by the entrance and is part of the front window display.

The store has a scarf department, and a small rtw, shoe and bag section, but focuses mainly on interior design. Below a bedroom display in one of the tents, wallpaper panels (Pele Melee and Bibliotheque) and some designs of the fabric collection (OP'H and Finish).

I found a lovely souvenir at the store, a clic-clac bracelet in bourgogne. I have persued this colour for some time, and am so glad to have finally found it.