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Blogging from Paris! Last Day in the City of Light

Ma Chérie,


Thursday's Farewell Dinner

Friday morning found all 24 students up bright and early stuffing their suitcases with souvenirs and the special Paris purchases they had made during their stay.

Treasure-Filled Suitcases

A few students had time for their last crepe at the Brasserie near the hotel, others ran to the bakery to enjoy one last croissant.


The bus arrived on time, the bags were loaded and off we went to the airport for the long flight home.

A reunion will be scheduled soon and all will be able to reflect back upon the special times we shared during the trip.

Bon voyage,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris

Blogging from Paris! Day 17 of FIDM's Study Tour

Ma Chérie,

Wednesday morning, bright and early, we boarded our bus for a trip to Versailles. Our Tour Guide gave us a private tour of the Royal Chapel and the private apartments. We then walked through the public spaces and the beautiful Hall of Mirrors.  Comments included, 'This was the most awesome part of the trip' and 'Can you imagine living here?' Our trip to the gardens was cut short when the heavens opened up and we were rained out.




Once back in Paris everyone scattered to places such as the Picasso Museum, vintage shopping, and quick naps before setting out for more sightseeing and shopping.

A bientot,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris

For more on FIDM Study Tours to the major fashion cities of the world (New York, Paris, Milan, etc.), head to FIDM.edu.

Blogging from Paris! Day 16 of FIDM's Study Tour

Ma Chérie,

As we headed to the metro on our way to the Orsay museum to see the Impressionist paintings the talk was about the ballet and the beauty of the building, the Opera Garnier.  Imagine our surprise to find a scale model of that building at the museum.  We could see where our seats were!

Our guided tour included time to see beautiful paintings, sculpture, and even a ballroom that was original to the building when it had been a railway station.  Degas dancers, plus paintings by Monet, Manet, and Whistler among many others fill this amazing museum.



During the afternoon we visited the showroom of the designer whose menswear fashion show we attended early in our trip.  It was a treat to see the clothes up close and hear the commercial director explain their marketing strategy.  A surprise part of the visit was the chance to go downstairs to the storage room  where they have the archives of the women’s collection. No shopping for clothes for us but lots of looking at five years' worth of a designer’s work. What an experience!



Tuesday night took us to a fashion show, which according to one of the students 'was over the top' with beautiful jewel tone evening gowns heavily beaded and very glamorous. Some had matching jeweled cloche hats.

After the show we were caught in a downpour as we scrambled for the shelter of the Metro.

A bientot,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris

For more on FIDM Study Tours to the major fashion cities of the world (New York, Paris, Milan, etc.), head to FIDM.edu.

Blogging from Paris! Day 15 of FIDM's Study Tour

Ma Chérie,

 Our final week in Paris began with fashion shows and the ballet. It’s hard to believe that we only have four full days left here and then we fly home.

We began with two fashion shows, one at noon and one at 4:00 pm.  Having attended a show earlier in our visit we knew that we’d have to wait and wait to go in, but that the time would fly by as we watched people arrive.  Interesting dresses, shoes and styles.

The clothes in both shows were beautiful and interesting.  And then there were the hats that were big feathered birds – one bright red.  You never know what you’ll see.


Our day ended at the old Opera house, a beautiful building that makes you feel special as you walk up the stairs to your seats.   We sat in what seemed like royal boxes to watch the ballet unfold before us.  A highlight of the trip and certainly of this busy day.

A bientot,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris

Blogging from Paris! Day 12/13 of FIDM Study Tour

Ma Chérie,

We didn’t have a schedule for the weekend--no presentations, no visits--but it didn’t mean our group wasn’t busy.  Not at all.  Everyone had a list of things to do and while we don’t know everything everyone did, we do know that some of our group traveled outside Paris (London, Barcelona, Nice, even Disneyland Paris!).

Other elected to stay in Paris and continue to explore the city.  With museum passes in hand there were return visits to the Louvre plus time for shopping, discovering a restaurant serving Mexican food near the hotel, sitting in the Luxeumborg garden, or taking in the show at the Moulin Rouge.  Sunday morning a small group climbed the stairs up to Sacre Coeur the lovely white cathedral sitting at the top of the hill at Montmartre and in the afternoon it was time to walk by the river Seine in search of cool breezes. 

Monday at noon our schedule starts again as we head off to a fashion show but until then, we continue to explore  - maybe even visit the Catacombs, the Rodin Museum or a local market.  There’s much to see in Paris.

A bientot,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris

For more on FIDM Study Tours to the major fashion cities of the world (New York, Paris, Milan, etc.), head to FIDM.edu.

Blogging from Paris! Day 11 of FIDM's Study Tour

Ma Chérie,

Today we started a bit later in the morning in our hotel conference room.  It was a welcome easy way to begin on a still warm Friday morning.  We’re all a bit tired as we approach the end of our week but with so much still that we want to do!

Our first appointment was with both the creative and marketing directors for the line (and group of stores), the House of Lillith. This women’s wear line is described as both elegant and whimsical.  It’s extremely interesting to hear a designer speak about her inspiration and design process and then listen to the marketing director talk about how they communicate the brand image and product to their customers.  Both brought us lots of print materials, sketches, and examples of their work to help us understand the brand.

The presentation and discussion were followed by a visit to one of their stores where we were able to see, touch, try on, and even purchase their exciting clothing. But the best part of the visit was listening to the designer talk about each piece.  What an unusual and special experience.

 We took a break to grab lunch and then met again this time at the Galeries Lafayette main building, the department store that is an historic monument.  It has seven floors filled with merchandise and we headed for floor seven to see their fashion show.  What a surprise to see clothes from Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren mixed with those of designers from other parts of the world.  We had front row seats so we could see all the details of the clothes and accessories.

The end of the show marked the beginning of our weekend. No formal schedule for July 4 although everyone has a personal list of things to do.  Sunday morning we’ll gather again and head off to explore another part of Paris. 

A bientot,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris

For more on FIDM Study Tours to the major fashion cities of the world (New York, Paris, Milan, etc.), head to FIDM.edu.

Blogging from Paris! Day 10 of FIDM's Study Tour

Ma Chérie,

Our very warm day began with us heading to the metro on our way to the exhibit honoring Madeleine Vionnet.  “Inspiring," “surprising," “beautiful,” were the comments overhead as fashion historian Xavier Chaumette guided us through this exhibit that covered two floors of Les Arts Decoratifs museum. What may have been most surprising to all of us was that many of the 130 beautiful garments, designed from 1912 to 1939 could easily be worn today and look as fashionable as they did then.

In the afternoon we gathered in our hotel conference room to share some of impressions of Paris  - what (so far) has excited, inspired, and interested us the most.  Some people brought handbags, skirts, or jewelry they’d purchased here and explained what was special to them.  Others talked about the confident look of the Parisian women, the color palette that differs so much from LA (more subtle) or the fun of discoveries made at the flea market.  We were also treated to a fashion show, complete with music, by four of our group modeling their Paris purchases.

Everyone in the group had something different, special to them to share with the group.  We’ll see what’s added in the next week when we ask the question again:  What’s inspired, excited and interested us most in Paris? Until next time!

A bientot,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris

Blogging from Paris! Day 9 of FIDM's Study Tour

Ma Chérie,

The first part of our day began with a presentation by the members of a French software company who have created Advanced Fashion Software, an exciting product useful for Fashion Designers, Product Development, Merchandisers, Visual Planners and Store Planners.  “Wow this would be great and easy to use” commented a number of students who also classified it as “one of the best appointments so far”. 

Wednesday afternoon in Paris. The temperature is 'tres chaud' but that does not deter the FIDM students from spending their afternoon with two of FIDM's Advisory Boards members.

First stop is Maison Pery where the students are introduced to 'high jewelry' and see first hand all of the steps which go into fabricating jewelry for such well known high jewelers as : Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpel. Bulgari,  and Boucheron. From design through casting, polishing, setting stones, polishing again and final finishing.  The students were awed by the fact that no one talks about price. What is Important is that every part of every piece is of the highest quality and as close to perfection as is humanly possible. 

 After a break, our group split into two with some at the House of Lesage and others visiting a fashion designer who creates custom made bridal gowns as well as dresses for the entire wedding party.  “The ones for the mother are a bit more subdued” he explained, “as the important person that day is the bride.”  

When asked what advice he would have for the students Christoph replied “work, work hard and don’t worry about sleeping!”

At Lesage, students saw a hush hush preview of the couture embroidery being done by the atelier for Dior and Chanel for the Haute Couture showings next week. All were blown away by the creativity shown and by the archived embroidery samples from past collections  of Vionnet, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Schiaparelli and Balenciaga.

A bientot,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris

For more on FIDM Study Tours to the major fashion cities of the world (New York, Paris, Milan, etc.), head to FIDM.edu.

Blogging from Paris! Day 8 of FIDM's Study Tour

Ma Chérie,

It’s hot here in Paris and its predicted to be hot (the low 90’s) for the rest of the week.  We’re drinking lots of water, searching for spots of shade and places with air conditioning  - its not as common here as at home as we continue to explore the city.

This morning began with a presentation by the Director of Licensing for LaCoste.  We had no idea that the US was their second largest market (after Europe) and that meant they sold 4,000,000 garments in the US in 2008!  We saw their latest fashion show in Europe, all the colors (hundreds) they offer for the traditional polo shirts, and learned the story of why the alligator is their brand symbol.  It’s exciting to learn more about a brand that we know so well.

Our Tuesday afternoon appointment was at the trendiest of the trendy new Parisian boutiques which opened only 100 days ago. 'Merci' is the name and it's located in an old wallpaper factory. Merchandise spans the gamut from Baccarat to 2 euro espresso cups. Everything from children's wear to home products including furniture, women's wear, accessories, shoes, books (new and used), a florist, and a restaurant are located in the store which is on the outskirts of the Marais district.

Ending the day with a movie in an air-conditioned theater on the Champs Elysee was the perfect conclusion to a busy afternoon and after the movie we could stroll one of the most famous streets in the world.  The sight of the Arc de Triomphe is always exciting and some of our group has climbed to the top to see the view!

A bientot,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris

Blogging from Paris! Day 7 of FIDM's Study Tour

Ma Chérie,

This was an early morning! We headed for the metro at 8:30 a.m. for a 9:15 a.m. appointment at the Louvre.  Even at that hour the museum (the largest in the world) was crowded with visitors.

Our guide led us through the seemingly endless rooms each filled with paintings and sculptures.  It was impossible to take enough pictures.

As we entered one of our group said, “I may stay after the tour because I really want to see the Mona Lisa.” But she didn’t have to stay behind because it was the second important piece we saw--up close, beyond the ropes, close enough to have Mona Lisa's eyes follow along as we moved. 

At the end of the tour we headed to the gift shop and then off to shop Colette, an important store for trends and ideas, then a quick lunch in a café and off to our second appointment.

We visited the House of Legeron to learn the technique of making flowers for Couture. The students marveled at the expertise of the workers who make all of the flowers by hand. 

Until tomorrow,

Lanie & B.B. from Paris