Paris Shopping: The New St Germain Boutique by Inès de la Fressange

If there’s an icon of effortless Parisian chic then it’s Inès de la Fressange. The time she spent as Chanel’s muse during the 1980s has a lot to do with her insouciant mix of great looks, street smarts and irresistible charm. With her wide smile and legs for miles, De la Fressange – who appeared looking outrageously sexy on the cover of the Paris edition of Vogue last December – has created a small empire. She’s written a best-selling book of her personal beauty tips, Parisian Chic; helmed her own line of clothes, shoes and accessories; and now has a stylish boutique vending fashion and housewares.

The light-flooded shop opened in May and is set on a fashionable street in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It’s filled with the kinds of chic, unfussy items that you’d find in a French country cottage – soft accent pillows, pretty baskets, bright Provençal linens, candles, lighting, vases and gardening tools by the wonderful French brand André Jardin plus, in a cosy room at the back, a small selection of furniture. Long tables, panelled wall nooks and typically Parisian parquet floors make a perfect backdrop for items that represent De la Fressange’s favourite French brands, which have been chosen as much for their quality and appeal as with whimsy and a sense of fun – it’s akin to a selection of colourful toys.

This is all punctuated by De la Fressange’s own fashions, which come in feminine colours and beguiling prints. All of the styles in the boutique are limited editions of often no more than 10 pieces. There are also unique, vintage-style pieces – embroidered and beaded in the atelier on the premises, which is visible through windows in the rear of the space – and a line of irresistible undergarments designed with the doyenne of lingerie, Fifi Chachnil.

As a long-time ambassador for legendary shoe designer Roger Vivier’s label, De la Fressange knows her chaussures, and such models as her sleek, knee-high boots in black calf leather and sexy, high-heeled sandals in reptile skin are perfect for dressing up or down. The stand-out accessories include her popular line of leather goods – ‘hobo’ bags in coffee brown or pale pink and a line of small leather bags and pouches sporting her signature ‘Bambi’ logo. There are also sunglasses and jewellery on offer, to round out your outfit in De la Fressange’s breezy, unpretentious style.

Inès de la Fressange, 24 rue de Grenelle, Paris 7th. Tel: +33 (0)1 45 48 19 06

From France Today magazine