What do people do on Sunday?

Nothing. People in paris loves the outdoor, I guess also Paris has quite a nice climate most of the time throughout the year. People always sit on the outside of cafe, restaurants, steps of Opera is also a favorite hangout. I went to Palais Royal and the Jardin (Garden/Park) there is really nice. People just sit there, read a book, or simply sun tanning. 

Flea market at Port de Clignancourt

It was a pretty cold and grey sunday when I was trying to find this place. My coworker suggested it and I searched online which apparently this is one of the biggest and most famous flea market in paris. 

I was pretty excited to go there. But when I got out of the metro I feel that this place is a bit...ghetto? There were alot of outdoor booths selling cheap clothes, bags, which kind of feels like the "women street" in HK. (for those of you who don't know, that street is also a famous and touristy street in HK which sells tons of cheap items) So I thought, this can't be it, and when I tried to ask around with my poor french and people would just point me to the wrong direction. So finally, I realized that the place I was trying to find is tucked inside those cheap markets! It was more hidden but basically the same location as the cheap markets...sigh. 

I was happy to find myself surrounded by old/antique furniture and odd objects. Although it wasn't really a fine day (quite cold) to visit the flea market, I was glad that I went to see it. There was absolutely nothing I want to buy in that place but it is equally inspiring just to observe, browse through old post cards (even those are expensive...). The clothing selection was not impressive at all I think there should be another place that is more designated to old/antique garments. 

Long time no post...

This is getting a bit pathetic I know. As I got used to the paris life things seems to become normal to me... especially during the weekdays, since work is so close its always back and forth, home to work, work to home (even during lunch hour). I have gotten quite good with what I am doing at work which is great, I feel much less pressured each time and can just do my own thing while listening to A LOT OF TRANCE. Yes... as I said before it is extremely quiet at work, no one talks and people just do their own thing. I started getting my own project which means I could really not speak to anyone for the whole day basically. Trance music gets me going with what I am doing and putting me in my own world. My fiance sent me some podcast links and music which I liked: Armin van Buren, ATB, Ocean Lab, Above and Beyond, Paul van Dyke...etc. 

I have gotten too used to drinking wine for each meal. Well here everybody does it so I don't feel like an alcoholic, plus I am only drinking one glass (usually) during lunch and dinner maybe 2.5 glass. One bad thing is that this really contribute to some weight problem, well another problem is that I can never do anything after dinner because I would be too tired...

So lets see if I will be doing something interesting this weekend...my friend from germany will be visiting with his gf.

A demain!

Fauchon

Surprisingly bad coffee. The vanilla layered cake was good. I really love their almond croissant and milk chocolate. My mom just got me four boxes of those today!!

My new favorite drink

Strength...

It really take a lot more effort than I thought to keep up with this blog. I really want to just jog down what I feel and encounter everyday, but since I am not always alone now (mom is here) so its harder to have alone time and reflects on things quietly (maybe I do that during my sleep).

Work is still exciting and really fulfilling. I have a feeling this is going to be a great help to prep for my future goal. I am so glad to be surrounded by people that cares so much about every process, and have such a high standard and attention to details. Its funny how I am improving my japanese instead of my french due to the fact that the head designer (whom I report to) and most of the other people I work with are japanese. A lot them can only speak japanese and french. Turns out quite interesting.

I quite like the selections at the supermakets here. I don't find them to be especially fancy and big, but the selection for cheese, cold cuts and wine are pretty amazing. There are also alot of specialty stores nearby my place, which is good because they are open on sunday whereas the other chain supermarkets are all closed. Yes, most of the stores in paris close on sunday. I don't mind it at all, the street feels peaceful and quiet, there are also flea markets on sunday which i will be checking out soon!

Showroom week

This week has been quite tiring and stressful. Well, since the fashion show has finished, we have diligently progressed to the reality - seeing the buyers! selling the clothes!

So everyday is dramatic, buyers are bizarre in their own way, I have probably memorized all the 100+ items for this seasons already as we constantly changing and matching the clothes like 10+ times everyday. Selling is definitely hard work. Really getting the clothes out of the door is something that can't be done only by the designer, no matter how great a review he/she got from style.com, wwd...etc. But I think one thing that is important which the designer must do is BE NICE TO THE EMPLOYEES. That's one thing I really discovered. It sounds like something that is so simple and easy but for some reason it is a rare case. But in here I can see how effective it is, the designer is really caring even to interns, models, everyone - and I see how the model is really trying her best to present the clothes because she feels like she owes it to the designer. That's the way it should be. I never believe in yelling, mean and narcissistic behavior in the industry, maybe some people get away with that but I don't see the point.

So tomorrow is the last day of showroom...I will be out and about again soon so hopefully more pictures later!! Ciao Ciao~

L'Atelier

I know I will always miss this scene. All the young, talented, quiet individuals with different background, all holding a dream and little naive spirit in one room. The pure sound of steam from the iron, the sewing machines and the french radio station on low volume...all of this will be something I would want to hold on to forever.

Everyday I was presented with challenges, and everyday I realized how little I know and how much more I need to learn from here. 3 months is really not a long time but I hope to take in as much as possible.

Paris Fashion Week!

Yesterday was our big day. The designer presented the Fall 2009 Collection at her beautiful space inside her studio. Well, I was too tired to blog it all yesterday and is still trying to absorb it all. Sometimes it feels surreal, sometimes it feels like its too hard to feel the magic when you are in the midst of it all. But the fact that I am in Paris and working at the perfect design house (in terms of aesthetics, size, learning experience...etc.) just adds so much flare to it. Running through the schedule with the designer, checking garments, models came...then all the sudden the show started. Boom! Viola! What was still pieces of lace and trims last night is now transformed into a beautiful gown that meets the scrutiny of press, editors, buyers, and so and so. What was trivial and conceptual is now relevant, wearable, and tangible . It again inspires me tremendously.

Je suis fatigue

Tonight had been a memorable night. I learned how to do something I thought will take me 3 days to do in 3 hours. I learned you have to have immence patience, impacable tastes, incredible team of designers, craftsmans and interns to start an admirable fashion company.

Anyways, tonight was a long night and tomorrow will be the big night. I am so grateful I got to be in the midst of it all. I can't wait to see how all of tonight become something so magical tomorrw.

Oui...plus de vin blanc, s'il vous plaît!

Café de la Paix

Some pictures from my visit at the famous Café de la Paix. I am sure I will have a special category for cafe visit very soon.

First day at work

Comment ça va?

Today I finally started work. This is my forth day here in Paris but it seems like it has been a long time already. Done quite a lot of walking, settling down at the new apt, unpacking, cleaning, getting groceries, checking out the surrounding area. There are so many supermarché, boulangerie, fruits and légume and other specialty stores. Tonsss of café on the Bonne Nouvelle main street, and my work place is right at the turn of my street! It's only about 3 mins walk, I can actually go back to eat lunch everyday if I want to!

The studio is a beautiful old french style decor building which is so subtle from the outside. I can immediate feel the atmosphere and design philosophy, the spirit and the energy. There is nothing so frentic and the feeling of stress and urgency is somehow non-existence. And in a few days their show is coming up. So this is the French way. I was able to meet with the designer immediately, and I was really surprise at how at ease I feel when I met her. She is kind, elegant and always with a very warm smile. My previous nervousness was gone. Work is quite hands-on, especially towards the last few days of the show. It feels quite surreal to see all the gowns and delicate pieces that is undergoing construction in the workshop, its is definitely extremely inspiring! So many couture details, and I have already learned to do some...

It was around 8:30 when I started walking home. I was quite exhausted so I decided to get myself a bottle of white wine. I started to prefer white wine in France, its so refreshing and especially flavorful.

So therefore I am about to fall asleep with my computer...Bonsoir, à demain.

Opéra

Bonsoir! Its actually my second night in Paris. The keyboard is very difficult to type because everything is arranged differently and alot of numbers and periods I have to use shift to access. But this, certainly does not count as anything negative when Musée du Louvre is less than 10 mins walk from the hotel I stay at, as well as Cafe de la Paix...!!!

Sorry for the minimal photos because i am just using hotel internet access on the ground floor.

So what have I discovered so far?

-When ur in Paris, u know ur in Paris

-Paris looks different and feels different from morning to night

-Coffee is not Starbucks, Coffee is the little cup of espresso full of enjoyment and enlightenment

-Calling is expensive and reception is sometimes not so good

-Wine is the same price as water in the restaurant, I am not kidding

( I got a carafe of red wine for 4.5 euro and a bottle of water for 4.3 euro!!)

I am sure I will have more things to add to the list as I stay for longer. I am just really absorbing everything at the moment and feeling very grately to be here. I know more charllenges is ahead of me from work to everyday life. I hope to make the best out of this.

Today I also checked in to my apt the first time. Its a cute apt on ground floor and I really like it. Except I can't get any phone reception inside the apt which is a big problem...well, more update soon!

Au revoir!

Bonjour!

This is a blog that I am going to try to keep up with for the 90 days that I will be in Paris. It will be a journey I will never forget. I know. So to give a little bit of background (I am sure most people here will probably know), I am going to Paris to work for a fashion designer who I really admire. (not the most common one you would see in the media, she is more under the radar and well-known in the industry)

I have been really excited about this opportunity and I know this will definitely have a great influence on me in both my perception and career. I am also nervous because I know I will be facing many obstacles, like, "lost in translation"? I have been taking the advice from my teacher from Parsons that I will very much need to learn as much French as possible. I have also started plotting frenetically on google map of all the restaurants, cafe, museums, shopping places that I must visit!

So, I will be posting frequently on my experience in Paris - I will be living in the Bonne Nouvelle area which explains my blog title. I hope this little storybook of mine will enlighten you in some way as well.

Au revoir pour maintenant...