PFW diary day TWO

Every good day starts with a good breakfast. My hotel does the best apricot jam and I have a whole baguette... a long one!

Good to go, nobody to take my pic so this is the best I could so so far: Whistles leather jacket, Moschino lurex dress, French Connection pumps and my cherry red Smythson Emily bag.

During shoes you never know when you are going to stop and eat so I stock up with snacks in the car!

First stop is the Paul Smith showroom. I've seen the show in London and it was lovely, seeing the whole collection up close is always exciting and during resees we get to see the entire commercial collection and all the accessories too. I take pics of everything I like and start making notes of emerging trends.

Love this front pleat trouser look with oversize clashing print knit

Next stop in Tila March showroom. She is a fabulous french fashion editor turned designer who makes beautiful everyday shoes and bags. I love the simplicity of the collection, lots of great walkable wedges in wearable colours and really good price points too. She is lovely and shows me around the showroom to explain what she's all about..

These wedge side buckle boots were my favorite, I can see myself wearing the navy pair next winter with a skinny jean and mannish coat.

After this I have a 90 minute brake before my next show.. must make the most of it! 

Read my blog entry on Redonline on my 90 minute shopping spree at Rue des Francs Bourgeois by clicking HERE

First stop: SANDRO (j'adore)

I try this jacket and almost buy it.. but then I think I've' still got a good 80 minute to look around, should I be splurging straight away? It is so cool though.. I'm thinking with a white t-shirt and skinny black jeans, maybe with a bit of a lace up heel (which I haven't got so note to self: find). Albeit, I manage to constrain myself and walk out on to my next shop.

Then I stumble onto a newby: Claudie Pierlot, it has some gorgeous things, a bit more playful and girlie than Sandro and Maje.

Lots of pinks and funky prints

I loved this neon pink sweater (roughly 80 Euros so not bad prices)

Could these be my black lacey shoes???

I also try on a  very cool navy. grey and black panelled extra long jumper- I was thinking maybe worn over my  (notice my Converse trainers worn with my Moschino dress.. people did look at me as if I was a bit mad dressed like that on a Sunday morning...)

This was very cool: bretton t-shirt with black leather sleeves (47 Euros), but they didn't have my size :-(

I have a quick look in Iro, it's a bit Isabel Marant at premium high street prices. I wish I could wear all those cut off denim shorts, skiiiiiny jeans and fringed bits.. but I don't think I'm cool enough. However i highly recommend it, they have some great stuff and a small selection is also sold on net-a-porter.com

Always love a little look at this unaffordable swimwear heaven. One day, one day!

Back in the car I still have 30 min to spare! I always love going to Merci- I usually don't end up buying much but it's just such a fantastic set up and the crowd only is worth looking at.

At Merci it's all about flowers this time around.

Oh the Ritz! 

I'me here for the Gina resee- sparkly shoes and killer heels heaven.

I ask my driver to take my pic with the lovely Place Vendome in the background but he decides to opt for the refurbished background!?

Next I'm off to another resee, Bionda Castana shoes. i love her things! The designer is Italian so we end up chatting for ages. Her shoes are stocked under Bionda Castana at Browns

Cacharel is next - lots of pops of red again... I see a trend there.

On my way out I quickly head to see the Hermes windows that are always sensational.

This time it's no exception: colour themes and packed with amazing Hermes summer buys, each window is filled with a beach like scene of pure pigment powder. I stare at them for ages with my friend Kate with which I'm just about to grab a quick late lunch.

Kate and I (she's wearing a Peter Pilotto skirt I literally want to 

Next is Vivienne window.. it's in a garage like venue and there are strobe lights and lasers beaming everywhere... very underground

The show is M.A.D! 

My train is at 7pm so I have to rush of to the station and before you know it.. I'm back in London!

It's been an amazing 48h and I can't wait for next season. 

x

PFW diary day ONE

  7.30am

My Anya trolley and I are ready to leave the house. In my suitcase two day-to-night outfits complete with bags and shoes, beauty case (with my must-have sachet of bath salts from Dermalogica and mini candles from Diptyque for de-stressing evening bath), make up bag, overnight essentials, chargers, camera and phones.

8.31am

I'm on the Eurostar from King's Cross straight to Paris Gare du Nord. I love this trip, long enough that I get to read, snooze and breakfast but short enough that I don't get bored! There's always some fascinating people on this train during Fashion Week and I can't help but listen to some of the conversations ;-)

11.45am

My driver Stephan comes to pick me up and take  me to the hotel. I always say if I won the lottery I would get a driver!

12.00pm

I arrive at my hotel, the Park Hyatt Vendome. It's in the perfect central location to go to the shows and some fabulous shopping areas. My room is not ready which is just as well as I head to a Paris favourite spot...

12.15

I'm obsessed with foreign pharmacies, you can always find amazing affordable products and French ones are no exception. I once read an article on GOOP about French Pharmacies and literally bought everything on her list. Here it is http://goop.com/newsletter/114/

Today I am looking for a make-up artist must have: Bioderma cleansing water. All of them say it's the best make up remover, gentle and hypoallergenic.

Found it! 

12.30pm

My friend gave me a great heads up on children clothing, Monoprix has a premium range called Bout' chou which is more like Bonpoint but at a fraction of the price. My sister is pregnant (I'm going to be an aunty!!) so I go and buy her a few cadeau. I can't resist this cardi and matching ecru shoes!

1pm

Back in my room and time for me to get ready!

1.15pm

Showered and time for make up. At the moment I'm obsessed with Bobbi Brown's liquid eye liner pen £18.50 - it draws the perfect line. I also love Laura Mercier tinted mosturiser which leaves you with a flawless complexion (Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser £33), I know probably every one says that but there is a good reason behind it. My mascara is another favourite and from Clinique (Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara £16) and my bronzer from Giorgio Armani. I also love Becca's eye lid cream shadow- it's the perfect colour for any make up weather you are going for a bronzy effect (like what I'm doing today) or a statement lip.

 

I'm taking inspiration from my March shopping shoot and wearing a statement trouser. I bought these Zara tie print trousers for the shows- I am going to wear them with a navy sequin jumper, my Chanel shoes and my New Look navy coat with leather sleeves. Simple with an edge!

2pm

In the lift and ready for my first show of the day! 

I looove being a Madame in France..

On route..

I'm in LOVE with my new Anya bag 

Anya Hindmarch Mini Gracie leather shoulder bag £395

 

2.30 

Arrive at the beautiful palais for Dior's show...

 

 The photographers are ready to immortalise Anna Wintour who is walking right in front of me..

And here she is with Grace Coddington and Toone Goodman. The US Vogue team coplete.. I wonder what Anna's smiling about!? 

The show is beautiful, grown up ballerina dress-up box like and very girlie..  here are some of my favorite looks.

Anyone a bride or bridesmaid this summer?

Next I'm off to Isabel Marant. On the invite she gifts us with a little leather bracelet with gold eye pendant. So cute!

 

Here's a short video from the amazing decadent venue..

 

I don't love love the show (a  bit too hippy cow girl for my taste) but I do love the shoes and a few looks like the ones below. Red seams to be a hige colour for next season. 

Back in the car we cross the Seine. It's not a nice day but Paris still magical and I love it!

Sonia Rykiel next!

It's a huge venue with sumptous lilac carpet and I get to have a little chat with some friends from Glamour magazine

I loved the faux fur apricot coats and jackets

The finale, as usual, with all the girls running down the catwalk!

8pm

 Back in at the hotel, hot bath, make up free and in my robe I order room service and watch a movie. Perfect end to a busy day. Take a look at my entry on today's Redonline fashion blog

See you tomorrow for my diary of day two in Paris.

x