Paris Ethical Shopping Guide: Free'p'star

Free'p'star is one of many little vintage shops that are scattered around Paris, but judging by the fact that it is always swarming with shoppers, it's one of the better ones! The shop has a really odd layout, with two mezzanines on either side that you have to climb up a ladder to access. At the moment, one side is piled high with boots at €5 a pair. If I remember correctly, there was a rather cool pair of platforms up for grabs.

Like many shops in the city, there is a basement too, containing lots of sale items - adding a nice literal dimension to the term 'bargain basement'. Don't be put off by the narrow spiral stairs!

Before researching this post, I was unaware that this shop is actually one of three bearing the same name - which is great news, although I haven't yet visited the others! They are all in fairly close proximity, scattered around the bustling Marais area in the 4th Arrondissement. There is a little map on the Free'p'star website so you can go on a little vintage 'crawl' if you have a spare afternoon.

Addresses:

8 rue Sainte-croix de la Bretonnerie, 4th Arrondissement
61 rue de la Verrerie, 4th Arrondissement
20 rue de Rivoli, 4th Arrondissement

Sadie xxx

Montmartre in the Snow

 

Just a few poorly-timed (late!) photos of Paris in the snow. I had a friend visiting and we decided to brave the icy slopes of Montmartre to get a few of those snow pictures that occupy far too much of the internet at this time of year.

Still, it's Paris. In the snow.

With added scouts:

Sadie xxx

Paris Ethical Shopping Guide: Guerrisol

For the ultimate thrifting experience, vintage fans should head to one of Paris' many Guerrisol shops for a good old afternoon of rummaging. After picking up a shopping basket at the door, battle your way through the seasoned Parisian thrifters (people who simply want cheap clothing and hipsters alike) to grab a spot at the edge of one of these huge clothing 'bins', and delve to the bottom to see what treasures you can unearth.

For those are aren't big fans of the vulture-esque 'bun fight' method, there are plenty of shirts and jackets hanging up around the edges, and no shortage of that much-coveted peterpan collar or grungey denim jacket.

The quality and condition of the clothes varies wildly. Previously, I've been surprised to see paint-splattered shirts with giant holes in the armpits cosied up to cashmere jumpers and Comptoir des Cotonniers dresses.

Prices fluctuate throughout the week - sometimes everything is €5, other times it drops to €3, with shoes and frilly 80s wedding dresses (!) selling for a little more. Saturdays are mayhem, but if you pop in during the week you can browse at your leisure.

See this post for a little outfit sourced mostly at Guerrisol, as well as Lyzi's super cute pink skirt found when we met up for a day last summer for shopping with Ella!

Addresses:

19, avenue de Clichy, 17th Arrondissement
96, boulevard de Barbes, 18th Arrondissement
45, boulevard de la Chapelle, 18th Arrondissement
17, boulevard Rochechouart, 9th Arrondissement

For more information: Guerrisol Website

Sadie xxx

Elbow Patches: Repairing my favourite cardigan

The other day I was pretty sad to discover that my favourite cardigan EVER had developed a rather large hole on the right elbow. Before I even had time to get fully upset, another hole sprung up on the other side. I never thought I'd ever have a genuine need for elbow patches, but there you go. Excessive head-on-hand-lecture-listening has taken its toll on this little thrifted favourite.

I popped to a little haberdashery to see what my options were. I nearly went for some teacher-esque corduroy ones, but settled on these faux-suede ones instead. Ridiculously, they cost more than the cardigan itself (£2 vs. €3.50!) but to me, it's well worth it! The cardigan should have been a lot more expensive - it's made from cashmere, and originally from Jaeger!

If you look at this photo, you can see how thin all the surrounding fabric is...

Attaching the elbow patches 

Using iron-on elbow patches is pretty self explanatory, but I needed to deviate a bit from the instructions! Firstly, I had to sew up the actual hole, just to make the surface a bit more even. I also decided to make the patches a bit smaller by cutting off the edges (but leaving the pre-cut sewing holes in tact!). I think these patches are also designed for men's jackets, so are a little too big for women's cardigans.

When positioning the patches, I marked out where the tops and bottoms should go with pins, then made sure they were completely symmetrical before pinning the actual patch on to the cardigan.

Then all you need to do is iron them on, and for extra security, you can also sew around the edge!

 

Repairing old favourites is a great way to be a bit more environmentally friendly. The rest of the cardigan is fine, but cold elbows are no fun!

Sadie xxx

Paris Ethical Shopping Guide: Emmaüs

I've decided to start a little ethical shopping guide to Paris, as I've had a few requests for ideas on places to go!

First up is Emmaüs, one of the biggest (and best) charity shops I have ever visited! This particular shop is open on Saturdays only (get there early for all of the best stuff), and is located up in the north-eastern 19th arrondissement. The charity was founded by Abbé Pierre in 1949 in order to help the homeless, some of whom are actually employed by the organisation, to help in the shop and in the processing of donations.

The shop itself is more like a giant warehouse, with a quirky-yet-tastefully-merchandised boutique-feel. The ceilings are high, the décor is bright and colourful, and large wooden structures artfully divide the huge space into specific zones. There is a section for second-hand haberdashery goods, men's, women's and children's clothing, white goods, other electronics, furniture, shoes, books and CDs, as well as a little vintage section. I even spotted a little knitting class taking place on some comfy looking sofas in a quiet corner. This place has everything you could ever want!

I left with some 60s flower-shaped elbow patches, a giant bag of buttons, some balls of wool and a chic little black cardigan, all for under €15.

Address:
42 Rue Riquet

75019  Paris

Sat: 10am-6pm

(I recently discovered another one, about a 5 minute walk away, over at the Centquatre):
104 bd d'Aubervilliers

75019  Paris

Weds-Fri: 3pm-7pm

Sat : 10am-7pm

Sadie xxx

Dusting the cobwebs off the sewing machine

There is something about writing essays for uni that makes me really want to sew. It's probably procrastination, but I also find it really relaxing, and I also love the idea of making things with my very own hands. I'd take fabric and thread over writing out long bibliographies any day!

Now I've finished my first major essay of the year, I'm deliberately giving myself a few weeks off to do things I feel too guilty doing when there is a deadline looming. I brought these three retro patterns back from home after Christmas, and found this salmon-pink fabric for €5 at a vintage shop in Montmartre (living the dream!). It's a bit more pink than it looks in the photo, and I think it'll make a lovely blouse à la this one, but probably with sleeves this time.

I'll let you know how it goes...

What's your favourite thing to do to de-stress? Does anyone else sew or knit?

Sadie xxx

Hedgehog print! (Aimée by People Tree)

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of silly prints! If you open up my wardrobe (or rather, look across my room at my temporary year-abroad-clothes-rail), you are greeted with a ridiculous mix of 70s flowers and 60s geometric designs (take a peek at some of my finest blouses here). I love each and every one!

My latest addition is this fabulous organic boxy hedgehog print top from People Tree, my favourite ethical brand. Isn't it cool?! Organic cotton is always preferable to conventional cotton, as it is more sustainable and means dangerous chemicals aren't leaked into the ground, affecting local producers' health. I've started thinking more about buying organic vegetables too, for the same reasons.

The best thing about People Tree is that you can trace your supply chain really easily - they provide information on which factory made each item. According to the website, this top was 'Made in India by Assisi Garments' - the less cloudy a supply chain, the less room there is for exploitation, this is all good in my books!

I had planned to wear it with some bright red tights and a skirt, but it was a bit chilly so instead I wore it with my new Monkee Genes. Seeing as they aren't even in the photo, I think I'll be posting about them in the near future!

This top is now 50% off in the People Tree sale, making it just £14. There are quite a few other amazing things to be found! If you can't afford their clothes at full price, this is an excellent chance for some fairly guilt free shopping! And if you can... can I tempt you with this fabulous Peter Jensen soldier print top?!

How would you wear this hedgehog print top?

Sadie xxx

P.S. If you were wondering how People Tree is able to have a sale and still pay its workers a fair price, have a look here.

Paris Christmas Market

Just to spread a bit of extra post-Christmas cheer, I thought I'd share a few of my snaps from the Champs-Elysées Christmas Market in Paris, taken earlier in December. Aside from the usual enticing sweet smells and clouds of hot steam found at Christmas markets across Europe, there were a few extra little French specialities to be enjoyed. Macaroons, anyone?

 

 

 

My favourite part (by far) was the ice rink at the end of the market, complete with euro-pop DJ and ridiculous robotic animals all dancing the night away, whilst skaters tried their very best to make their way around a very (dangerously) lumpy track.

Sadie xxx

Ethical designer: Samantha Pleet

Sometimes, you come across something completely by chance, and it really holds your attention. I was reading an article on Ecouterre and an interview video was embedded in the sidebar, and I decided to click play (can you tell that I'm supposed to be writing an essay?! haha). In the video, Ecouterre interviewed young Brooklyn designer Samantha Pleet, who has been producing stunning clothing made using organic & ethical fabric in her New York studio since 2006.

I seriously appreciate the mod influences in some of her pieces, as well as that chilled 70s boho vibe that she has managed to capture. Or, as the website more elegantly puts it, 'intertwining elements of the mysterious and fantastical with a sense of modernity.' All topped off with a cool hat. What's not to love?

Samantha emphasises that she, as a business owner, wants to be responsible about what she produces. She deliberately doesn't follow trends, preferring just to develop her own unique line, resulting in timeless pieces that you can wear for years on end.

I'm not sure what held my attention the most: the fact that such beautiful fashion can be created ethically, or the fact that I'm seriously jealous of her career! Either way, I feel more motivated than ever to keep exploring ethical fashion if this is what can be found.

What is your favourite piece? Have you got any tip-offs about amazing ethical designers?

All images found on SamanthaPleet.com. I urge you to have a peek!

Here's the video:

If you fancy splashing out on some investment ethical fashion, Samantha Pleet is stocked in the UK here.

Sadie xxx

People Tree AW 2012

   

These videos by People Tree were released a while ago now, but seeing as it's still winter, I thought I'd post them up as a bit of last minute Christmas present inspiration (or, rather, a procrastination opportunity). There is something very Orla Kiely-esque about their womenswear video. I can't quite put my finger on it except, obviously, some of the Orla Kiely collaboration pieces that are featured (my fave being this dress, and of course the peter-pan collar blouses which now appear to have sold out - boohoo!). 

 

In a completely different style, the menswear video is also shorter, but effective at showing off their finest menswear pieces in a casual, two-lads-hanging-out-looking-cool kind of context. I like the little message at the end thanking the producers for making the clothes!

It's nice to see ethical retailers using film to get their collections seen (i.e. seen in that vital fashion-forward video context that a lot high street brands have mastered). I'm already looking forward to the SS2013 versions!

Sadie xxx