Follow our Fashion Buyers to Paris, as they scour the world’s fashion capital for what we will be wearing next.

In the heart of Paris, where haute couture reigns supreme, fashion is more than an industry, it’s a way of life. Step into the shoes of our Fashion Buyers; Emma, Lucy, and Imogen, as they navigate the labyrinth of streets and opulent showrooms, where every day is a blend of style, strategy and a touch of magic. Join us as we offer you a sneak peek and delve into the fast-paced, ever-evolving life of a Fashion Buyer in the City of Lights.

SCHEDULE

07:30 – It’s an early wake-up call in order to prepare for the busy day ahead. We usually stay at Mama Shelter when in Paris as it’s a great location for all our appointments, and is always full of people we know from the fashion set. We meet over breakfast to go over our schedule for the day, and take a look at any relevant sales reports etc. in preparation.

Dressing for the day usually involves simple outfits styled up with great accessories. We try to pack light so working our outfits around one jacket is key. Black trousers and denim are always a staple, and comfy footwear is a non-negotiable.

09:00 – Our first meeting of the day is usually around this time. The morning consists of back to back appointments with both new and existing brands, eating showroom snacks as we go. The brands look after us so well when it comes to fueling our day; Ulla Johnson does a great Matcha, and we always pick up a fresh juice to balance out Farm Rio’s delicious homemade cheese balls!

13:00 – If we have a window we’ll usually stop somewhere for lunch. We have been coming to Paris for so long that we constantly have a lengthy list of old favourites or places we want to try next. A favourite lunch spot is Le Petit Marche for a classic French fix, though sometimes the day is so hectic it doesn’t allow for break, in which case we eat on-the-move (and are usually pretty satiated from all the delicious showroom catering!)

14:00 – The afternoon looks a lot like the morning; back-to-back appointments right into the evening. We have so many brands to see in such a short space of time, so we try to be as efficient as possible. Both Arma and Almada Label have been stand-out new collections for us this AW24; the Ohanna Suede Blazer had our hearts at first sight!

20:00 – We tend to call it a day around this time, as our last appointment comes to an end. We’re likely ready for a drink of something special by now, so we’ll share a glass of Champagne or rosé with the account managers at our final meeting of the day.

After that it’s straight out for dinner. There’s no time to head back to the hotel, so we will choose somewhere off our list of reccos and enjoy a relaxing meal whilst discussing all the best things we’ve seen that day. Biondi is our favourite steak spot in Paris, whilst Carbonis is a small buzzy Italian in the Marais which is always worth a visit.

Sometimes we’ll meet with some of our friends from the industry for a catch up, in which case Kubri is a lovely Lebanese spot which is incredible if dining in a group as it’s perfect for sharing!

22:30 – It’s time to head home for bed, or in some cases a quick dance and night cap at the bar in our hotel! It has such a cool vibe, and as we mentioned, is often full of the fashion crowd, so it’s hard to resist. Finally time to turn in, ready to do it all again tomorrow!

FINAL DAY – Our last day often consists of half a day of appointments, and then a few hours of free time before we have to head to the airport for home. We love to use this time to do a recce of the brands we stock, search for industry inspo, and just generally check out the store windows to see if we pick up on any trends etc. If there’s time we’ll do a little bit of retail therapy ourselves, heading to Galeries Lafayette for their tax-free service which is super easy and great if we are looking for an investment purchase! Merci is a must to pick up a little gift for the husbands/kids all in one place, whilst the French pharmacies are a winner to stock up on winter cold and flu remedies!

Until next time…