Welcome to Parisian Week at YLF! A business school reunion took us back to France last week and we have lots to share.
Paris is the home of half French, half Brazilian designer Anne Fontaine. Her products are the ultimate eclectic, yet sophisticated, shirt-and-blouse experience. Her tiny standalone stores are filled with a focused range of white, black and cream shirts, blouses, tunics and knitted tops in an assortment of the finest knit and woven cottons, organzas, linens and silks. Apart from avante-garde belts and necklaces to complement the product, this is the entire collection. It’s impossible to feel overwhelmed in an Anne Fontaine boutique.
My Parisian Anne Fontaine experience left me exhilarated. I was greeted at the door by a sales assistant dressed in one of the collection’s funkier styles. I browsed through both racks and chose six styles to fit while hubby lounged in a huge white chair. I fancied all six tops but it was clear which two were coming home. I was impressed that the sales assistant guessed my size correctly and narrowed down her favourites to the same two styles without my opinion.
I chose two blouses (cream and white) that are fairly simple and streamlined in silhouette, but have dramatic collar and cuff detail. They will act as statement pieces and bridging pieces that I can put together in both modern-classic and funky ways. Imagine the style above tucked into a high-waisted black brocade pencil skirt with fishnet stockings and red patent chunky stacked heels. Or, worn smart casually over dark skinny jeans with a broad black waist-cinching belt and ballet flats. I’ll complete the ensembles with a short strand of chunky pearls and white watch.
These items were not cheap, but I’m a blousy girl and they are investment pieces. Anne Fontaine merchandise is available in the US, Asia and Europe, but her products are most affordable in France.
Anne Fontaine on Rue des Francs Bourgeois in Le Marais, Paris.
