Monday –

Hello bad makeup day!

I said I would wake up extra early today but I didn’t…

I was uncharacteristically sluggish that morning~

The bed was warm and I was sad to be leaving Paris. Is that perfect timing for a day of roaming around Paris taking selfies with iconic monuments and buildings? Yessir! I really had enjoyed myself so much in the past couple of days. I was already eyeing up apartments on Avenue Foch and enquiring if there were any designers-in-residence spaces available next to the Louvre >;) So – a plan was devised late in the previous night, pinpointing the locations and a route that Bronte and I would execute if we could, to make the most of the final day.

Last day of the tradeshow –

I made a final visit early in the morning to the tradeshow to make an order for three gorgeous fabrics for my samples at Les Tissages Perrin and to bump into more people. Perrin sure knows how to make some gorgeous fabric. I am so impressed with the quality! My selection from their range fits in so well with my theme; I may even use it as a main base.

I had really enjoyed visiting this huge event. I look forward to attending the same events in the future!

The catwalk shows were outstanding…

This image from the Salon International de la Lingerie website gives you an idea of the quality of the shows.

Some of the exhibiting companies that I visited on the last day:

Gilda & Pearl
Designer Lingerie made in the UK.
http://www.gildapearl.co.uk/

 

Round 2! I had actually met Diane Houston at a Lingerie Collective event that I was working at a few years ago and had the pleasure of seeing her collection in person. It was great to pop by again and also meet with my ‘wifey’ Kayleigh Aitchison, who is now the Studio Assistant at Gilda & Pearl. Come back to London please~

My love life (or lack of) was one of the main topics as per usual… Though, this time I will actually take your advice Kayleigh, because I agree with it! Once I graduate, many things will change.

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I.D. sarrieri
Luxury High-end Fashion Lingerie
http://www.sarrieri.com/

I bumped into David Finlayson before he had to rush off to the airport and this gave me a good opportunity to quickly see Iulia Dobrin, designer of the brand and take a sneak peek at the latest collection.

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Epiphany
High-end Lingerie brand
http://www.epiphany.be/

I saw something interesting to my right…

I met the lovely Designer Epiphany Vanderhaegen, daughter to Kaat Tilley a renowned Belgium fashion designer and Kim Brams at their stand and discussed her Fashion approach to Lingerie design.

Adventures –

The calm before the storm…

Bronte and I stopped off at a tasty Crêperie nearby to the Port de Versailles named L’Atelier Du Parc to eat before our epic and dangerous journey across Paris. I was greeted by yet another flirty waiter… He loves English accents he said. I see? “Talk to me in English!!” he requested, beaming a smile at me. Sure~ English is one of my strengths~ (￣ω￣) So I ordered the homemade chocolate crepe with Pineapple juice – AMAZING!

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The epic journey begins…

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro? No, it wasn’t.

Trekking in the Amazon rainforest? Not quite.

Taking selfies of oneself with the iconic buildings of Paris with hastily-done makeup, wind and potential rain? Well, it was just as intense as the previous two… Really!

Trocadéro metro station was our first destination. After narrowly dodging two enthusiastic performers on the train, we hopped off and we walked. It was quite the blinding pace! “Gazelle legs!” my friend shouted, trying to slow me down. Albeit, I was quicker on my ‘long legs’, but I think it was actually the lack of towering Platform heels affecting my velocity. Flat shoes are a rather big contrast to my normal footwear. Note: I actually had my heels in my bag ‘just in case’. However, there was no time for wobbling around, we had many locations on our list and we didn’t want to take taxis in-between so…

Miss ‘Gazelle Legs’ was going to keep a strict, brisk pace.

We stood on the Palais de Chaillot in-between the impressive Musée national de la Marine and Théâtre National de Chaillot, viewing the Eiffel Tower across the beautiful fountains of water. Time for a selfie? Okay… It was windy and cold but I managed a reasonable shot or two. Though at this point, I was distracted by a cute little but rotund Seagull/Bird/Thing – What was more interesting? The Eiffel Tower or the Bird Creature?

Hmmm, I think the little thing wanted a photoshoot! Snap, snap, snap~

We wandered past some rather yummy French Military Soldiers and I will be honest here, I have a real thing for uniforms! I have been told far too many times to visit uniformdating.com but NO! Not yet. Perhaps when my colony of hungry, feral cats grows too large in numbers; then and only then, will I consider it.

Reluctantly, we walked down Avenue Kléber, away from the heavily-armed beefcakes and towards the huge Arc de Triomphe roundabout. No traffic lights or lanes? Looks like an accident waiting to happen.

“Health and safety!” I hear someone cry.

After taking a selfie at the Arc de Triomphe, we wandered down Avenue des Champs-Élysées making important stops at Ladurée, Ann Tuil – with the Willow/Cherry Blossom decorations at the front and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. I was disappointed that the A&F models didn’t have their tops off like in London, but I guess they were outside and it was cold~ What an amazing building though, I expected nothing less!

Next, we passed the Franklin D. Roosevelt metro station. Cue some Roosevelt quotes? …If you insist!

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

There is nothing I love as much as a good fight.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Let’s grapple!

Next stop was the simply amazing Obélisque monument… Another confession, I am literally obsessed with all things Egyptian; those close to me already know this. I had to contain myself from bouncing around or making too much noise. There were also elaborate lamppost-style poles nearby in an Egyptian style; using lapis lazuli tones and gold! Selfie time again.

Can I take these home with me?

The River Seine crept up beside us as we strode along the path to the Louvre; our final stop! As they say, the Mona Lisa is tiny… but I already knew that!

Mementos –

I wanted some touristy items as mementos, but I appreciate luxury, quality crafted items. So, equally I wanted well-made tourist items, not the super tacky ones! So we made a quick stop at a local Monoprix… and suprisingly their tourist products were lovely in comparison to some I had seen and were made in Europe. I wasn’t looking for diamonds anyway~ Maybe next time!

Time to get back to the hotel and grab our bags!

The Departure –

Royaume-uni welcomed me back with opens arms… Ahhh~ My beloved land! This was indeed an interesting contrast to my departure at the London terminals; being patted down because of the metal on my Marlies Dekkers Bra – Priceless!

“You dare to leave this island?!”

Lingerie can get you in trouble!

Yes, yes! I will try to add as much metal to my collection to create this effect, at the same time taking care not destroy your washing machines… washing by hand anyone? pillowcase protection?

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A Time of Reflection

“It’s lonely doing your own thing!” Stacy Stube, Bali Fashion Dream.
http://balifashiondreamblog.com/

Despite all the energy and happiness, I certainly had my moments of worry, panic, fear and apprehension during this trip…

Regardless of how big your plans are, if you have drive, ambition, focus and dedication; with or without support, you can use your inner strength to fulfil your goals… you really can achieve great things.

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Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives.

 Tony Robbins

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Back in London!

I hope you enjoyed reading my trip to the Paris tradeshows! I am currently working on an extra side project involving lots of white fabrics *cough* and swarovski crystals, etc.

This will likely be the first of many trips to Paris.

Feel free to click on the pictures below to view the photos in detail

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