Which fashionista does not daydream when thinking about Paris Fashion Week? After New York, London and Milan, the fashion business crowd is due to land in Paris (27th September to 5th October) – the most glamorous of the European capitals.
This summer is all about Prada’s colored stripes, Gucci’s brilliant colors and D&G’s whites and flowers; during this Paris Fashion Week designers are going to reveal the prêt-a-porter collections for 2012 ready to walk the catwalks.
Designers and models are getting ready to fit in the sparkling shows, journalists and editors are sharpening their pencils and clearing their voices for the TV shows and celebrities are elbowing their way to get their first row seats.
Follow WorldTop 7 advices for the places to go for the coolest parties and have some good munchies.
PARIS BEST FASHION WEEK HANGOUTS
LA PERLE
Hip 70s-style bar
If you want to make sure you are right in the middle of the fashion crazy and cool gossiping, there is no other place than LA PERLE.
Get your heels ready and patient for the long queuing, you will be repaid with joining the hippest crowd led by the eccentric and now disgraced John Galliano and his crew.
For the local citizens’ dismay, during the hot season people prefer the outdoor to the indoor and the street becomes a crazy and noisy lounging area.
Spotted-celebrities: Doctor House “Hugh Laurie”, John Galliano
78, rue Vieille-du-Temple , 75003 Paris, France+33 142726993
LE BAL CAFE
Cafe in Museum
If you want to escape from the usual brasseries and have a peculiar breakfast or lunch between the shows, head to LE BAL CAFE , in the 18th arrondissement, in an alleyway behind the noisy “Palace de Clichy”.
Located in an exhibition gallery, in a design and cool space, this little café’ will offer you a peculiar menu, far from the pre-packed usual museum café’s offer: in the buffet you’ll find fusion cuisine specialties, difficult to find elsewhere in Paris, together with pancakes, fried eggs and bacon.
Opening hours; Wed–Sat, 10 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
6, impasse de la Défense, in the 18th Arrondissement, Paris, France+33 1 44 70 75 56
LA PHARMACIE
Neighbourhood bistrot in 11th arrondissement
Located in the lively 11th arrondissement, this café and bistro often hosts celebrities from the Fashion shows: even Jessica Alba chose LA PHARMACIE for a gourmet break between the shows.
With a daily changing menu, according to what’s available on the market, it is the ideal venue for a lunch among friends. Open every day.
22 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France+33 1 55 28 75 98
http://www.lapharmacie.net/
STYLISH FASHION WEEK BARS & CLUBS
BAR HEMINGWAY @ THE RITZ HOTEL
Director Sofia Coppola’s fave in Paris
With its worldwide renowned classic and fashionable atmosphere, “the Ritz hotel” features one of the favorite bars among celebrities. Lost in translation’s superstar director Sofia Coppola is a regular here, it is the ideal to relax after a stressful day by the Fashion week’s catwalks, to enjoy the legendary Ritz cool vibes while sipping the best Martini in town.
15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France +33 1 43 16 33 65 http://www.ritzparis.com/jump_to.asp?id_lang=2&id_target=1340
COSTES
Drinks with the fashion folk
Costes brothers have been ruling Paris and international hospitality scene for a long time and they are not going to let down even the most exigent customer.
Either you stay at the hotel or not, you can’t miss a drink at the bar, an all time favorite among the trendy and fashion crowd throughout the year. To get the most from the Costes experience try to secure a table on the terrace.
Spotted-celebrities: Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Nicole Kidman, the Prodigy, Kirsten Stewart, Fergie, Paris Hilton, Beyonce Knowles
239 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France +33 1 42 44 50 00 http://www.hotelcostes.com/
LE BARON
Intimate hotspot
You will need good connections to get on LE BARON’S list, but you’d better do whatever it takes to make it, because you can’t miss the most trendy night in the most fashionable European capital.
Celebrities and fashion business people don’t need to sell themselves to get in, so once you’re there you will certainly dance to the electro, pop and rap tunes cheek to cheek with the stars. Needless to say, it’s totally worth it to lose some dignity to get the chance to say “I was there”.
With its decadent atmosphere, obtained stressing the opulence of the club’s retro interior furniture, the lavish dance floor crowned by red velvet boots, it has been the celebrities’ hot spot since the celeb entrepreneur Andre’ Le Baron opened it in 2004.
6, avenue Marceau 75008 Paris, France +33147201110 http://clublebaron.com/
BEST FASHION WEEK RESTAURANTS
RESTAURANT FERDI
Best cheeseburger lunch with Penelope Cruz
With its informal and laid back atmosphere, with a similar flare as the Burger Joint in the “Le Meridien Hotel in New York”, it doesn’t surprise that even celebrities like Penelope Cruz come here to feel at home. (http://www.worldtop7.com/best-restaurants/usa/new-york-nyc-midtown.aspx)
The restaurant FERDI’S interior is packed with funny signs from the old times and old style kitsch kids toys and it features the best cheeseburgers in town.
Go early for lunch or get ready for long Parisian style queues: it is not cool to stay in an organized line, so show your laid back attitude and get ready to argue for your precedence.
Should you want to have dinner at FERDI, bear in mind that tables for dinner are booked months before.
32 rue Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris, France +33 1 42 60 82 52
LE CLOU
Out of the way but a Parisian must
Since you are in France, you must try a traditional bistro meal and LE CLOU is the ideal place.
Hidden under an unappealing exterior appearance, in a building you may not even notice while walking in the 17th arrondissement, it feature a fine dining menu with dishes from the Poitou – Charentes region, a central – western region; it’s run by Segolene Royal, the socialist presidential candidate.
Try the three courses lunch, not the cheapest meal in town, but perfectly appropriate to the extremely refined quality of the food.
French celebrities Marion Cotillard and John Galliano are regulars here; don’t forget to try the signature dessert: frozen nougat.
Remember to book your table in advance, the restaurant is closed on Sunday and on Saturday for lunch.
32 Rue Cardinet, 75017 Paris, France
+33 1 42 27 36 78
LE STRESA
Italian hotspot for a-listers
LE STRESA is the Italian food embassy in Paris: As featured in all genuine Italian restaurants, the atmosphere is friendly and cheerful and the food is just mouthwatering. Here you will mate your delicious meal with some unbelievable celebrity sightings, Naomi Campbell, Ines Sastre and Sarah Jessica Parker are regulars and you’ll have the chance to dine right next to them.
Therefore make sure you reserve your table well in advance. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
7 Rue Chambiges, 75008 Paris, France+33 1 47 23 51 62 http://www.lestresa.com/
LE CHALET DES ILES
Super romantic on a little island
If you are looking for the most romantic meal in the most romantic European city, head to the 16th arrondissement and on a little island of a lake you’ll find this precious gem.
You will have to book your table in advance, but the escape here, far from the usual bustle of the city, is totally worth it.
Chemin Ceinture du Lac Inférieur, Porte de la muette, 75016 Paris, France+33 1 42 88 04 69
reservation@lechaletdesiles.net http://www.chalet-des-iles.com/
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