Poor us. We had a ball soaking up Paris and, well, now we’re buried in deadlines. So we’re going to be brief yet passionate about delightful discoveries that we would love to give–and, OK, receive.
TRUDON
Yes, these cost a king’s ransom, but the new King’s Ball fragrances are pure and so Parisian. They include Angelo (orange and cinnamon), Gloria (wood and spices), Arosa (amber and rose) and of course the classic Fir. We love the new gorgeous holiday collection–and your lucky recipients will have beautiful objets d’art for their home, long after the scent fades, $150-$750, 9.5 oz. to 6.17 pounds.
LOUIS VUITTON
This brand is truly the ultimate–in everything. If you love leather, jewelry or beautiful displays, you’ll be seduced by the merchandise and displays at their stores. At least we were.
We’d love to commemorate our trip to Paris with the Vivienne traveler figurine in leather. She’s 6.7 x 3.7 x 7.9 inches, in wood and Epi leather, with that signature Monogram Flower eye and oh-so-cute Monogram suitcase and vintage camera. Vivienne Traveler Epi Leather, $3,100. Alas, we’d have to get on a waiting list of Louis Vuitton dévotees.
As for our holiday guests, we don’t think they’d ever gripe again about sleeping on a fold-out, once they experienced the Louis Vuitton version. We’ll settle for the classic, but we do covet the Bed Trunk x Pharrell Williams and Bed Trunk x Nicolas Ghesquière. These Exceptional Trunk beds are made to order, and if you have to ask the cost, you cannot afford them!
DIOR
Ready-to-Wear, Spring-Summer 2022
While in the stylish city, check out La Galerie Dior, a museum that opened three years ago at
11, rue François Ier, adjacent to the Dior boutique. You’ll soak in history, starting with the days when the most privileged ladies of a certain income perched on gold-painted bamboo chairs, alongside top fashion editors, and witnessed the nip-waisted Bar jacket that launched Christian Dior’s career and what was dubbed The New Look. So many great designers have worked for the brand in the 75 years since, including John Galliano, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianfranco Ferrè, Marc Bohan and Raf Simons. (Reservations are strongly recommended. And dress to be seen!)
For those unable to flit across the Atlantic, Rizzoli USA just published its gorgeous tome, Dior by Mats Gustafson, Vol. 2, with 200 of the artist’s watercolors and collages inspired by the designs from Dior’s creative director since 2016, Maria Grazia Chiuri. Former New York Times Magazine style editor Holly Brubach provides the perspective–for this long-awaited follow-up to the first book published seven years ago, We found the art breathtakingly beautiful. $115.
REPLICA MAISON MARGIELA PARIS
White is so right when it comes to ultra-chic advent calendars. That’s only one reason I cannot get over this–admittedly brief–advent calendar. These aromas are heavenly and, better yet, the labels tell you accurately what you’re getting. A gift without guesswork. We’re sold. The calendar counts down the week before Christmas with minis of bestsellers including By the Fireplace eau de toilette, Jazz Club candle and Lazy Sunday Morning body lotion, $120; and diffuser, $95, 6.25 fluid oz., Replica Maison Margiela Paris.
We confess we STILL have yet to catch a whiff of these lotions and soaps (or any Hermès fragrance), but the art is exquisite. You might consider these as gifts if you’re all about packaging–and we have been known to fall for the charms of beautiful wrappers and lovely fonts. But if you or your recipient care about the aromas or their potency, we cannot render a verdict. Les Jardins 3 soaps gift set ($95). The lotion doesn’t in the trademark box, at $90, 6.7 fl. oz.
MOREAU PARIS
Our hearts remain in Paris though deadlines await. As for the guide, next year, friends. Next year.
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