My First Buying Trip to Paris

It’s never great leaving your family on a Sunday night. However, once seated on the Eurostar with a copy of Vogue and Grazia, when I had promised myself I would read the Sunday papers, things didn’t seem so bad.

On arrival in Paris I slept like a log and headed off to the Jardin de Tuilieries first thing in the morning.

This was my first buying trip to Paris and I had no idea what to expect. Premiere Classe is mainly held in three massive tented structures each of which houses everything from ready to wear to accessories to jewellery. The sheer scale of the thing and the choice available was mind boggling. The visual feast of both the exhibits, the exhibitors and the buyers was heaven. Nearly everyone there was dressed in black from top to toe and although I too was wearing black I wished my jeans were new rather than last years. The people were chic chic chic and the only splash of colour was provided by either a hand bag, red lipstick or, you guessed it, a scarf!

I was super excited to discover 4 new brands for CW S/S15. The first two are French – Epice which is not currently stocked by any online retailer in the UK and Inouitioush which I am sure some of you will be familiar with.

The second two are English – Rose and Rose and Jane Carr, both of whom I have been following on Twitter for a while. All four brands are so completely different from each other which is perfect for Cleverly Wrapped where we strive hard to have something for everyone.

I also visited existing CW designers Laura Orchant, Hetis Colours and Friendly Hunting. I wasn’t planning to stock Friendly Hunting for the summer but on seeing their new cashmere collection I couldn’t stop myself. Their designs are truly outstanding and so different from anything else I have seen and the cashmere is so light you can definitely wear it all year round.

After spending way over my budget (I hope you are going to keep buying scarves in the spring and summer!) it was time to head back on the 8pm from Paris – otherwise known as the Fashion Express. I was so uplifted by the whole experience I walked the whole way from the Jardin de Tuileries to the Gard du Nord. That’s a long walk. My 24 hour immersion in new scarves and Paris fashion put a massive spring in my step.

Roll on March 2015 when I will return for Autumn/Winter.

Harriet x