A Cool Brand Founder’s Insider’s Guide To Paris

The vintage store I always drop into is Thanx God I’m A V.I.P. Without hesitation, you’ll find some of the coolest archive pieces there.

A brand I recommend to friends time and again is Guest In Residence. Partly because it’s a friend’s brand but mostly for the quality and designs. I always go to the men’s section or size up in women’s to get that oversized look and the cashmere is just the softest.

The best fashion investment I’ve ever made has to be my python Alaïa coat from Azzedine’s era. It’s a statement coat that turns even the simplest outfit into something special.

When I’m short on time but still want to feel put together, I keep it simple: vintage Levi’s and a white crew-neck tee. Then I add a long statement coat, ideally with a pattern. It instantly elevates the look and turns it into something strong, effortless and memorable.

The shoes I can wear all day are my Fairy shearling-lined flats from The Row. I’ve had them for years and they feel like wearing slippers.

The bag I rely on daily is my Prada Galleria in lime green. It’s such a statement color but weirdly, it pairs easily with almost anything. It adds a bit of colour and personality without ever feeling over the top.

Right now, the trend I’m really loving is colorful leather gloves. They’re such an easy way to add interest to any outfit. I pair them with neutral coats or oversized knits to make my look that little bit more playful and unexpected.

The Instagram account I follow for inspiration is @Nenthe. It describes itself as a ‘visual archive of feelings’, and that’s exactly what it is.

The beauty product I can’t live without at the moment is my Medicube Jelly Mist Serum. I found it during my Seoul trip earlier this year and now I can’t go one day without it.

The restaurant I‘d recommend in Paris is Benchy. It’s a Japanese café in the 7th and you should try any of their sandos.

The one piece in my wardrobe I couldn’t imagine being without is my Gotham cream leather coat from Nour Hammour. I’ve never been stopped in the street so much by people asking where it’s from. It is just one of these pieces that feels like me every time I  put it on.

The city is full of hidden gems but some are best kept as exactly that. Places lose their magic the moment everyone knows about them. I like the idea that a few things still feel like they belong just to you.

Le Musée de l’Orangerie is my favourite art gallery. It houses the breathtaking Water Lilies triptychs by Claude Monet. Seeing them in those light-filled oval rooms feels almost meditative and it’s honestly one of my favorite artworks ever.

My mother’s apartment is where I go to get away from it all. It’s the place that feels the most personal and inspiring to me. There’s something about being surrounded by objects with history and emotion that no hotel or designed space can really replicate.

For a beauty refresh, I always go to the Ambassade Biologique Recherche. The treatments are incredible and the products are honestly the best of the best.

For as long as I can remember, my favourite fragrance has been Bal d’Afrique by Byredo. I’m definitely a creature of habit and it feels completely timeless to me. Recently, Dior Beauty sent me a bottle of Cuir Saddle, which I’ve been really enjoying.

Follow @ALFIETOOTSIE & @ALFIEPARIS_