The Paris Review
Howdy Travelers,
After a trip to Paris in July, I can now confirm that there is not a bad time of year in the City of Lights. While tourists were melting in coastal towns in Italy and further South in France, the weather in Paris was perfect, the crowds were average, and the shops and restaurants have abandoned old ways of shutting down for all of July and August. And though there is not a bad time of year in Paris, this, right now, is really the best time of year in Paris.
Paris changes slightly every year. On this year’s trip, it hit me how modern and livable Paris has become. With hip coffee shops like Ob-La-Di and MataMata, my beloved Moda Yoga (a la NYC) opening a studio in Paris, and Le Comptoir General - a backyard treehouse style tiki bar, it has become obvious that today’s Paris is not the formal, stuck Paris of yesteryear. Our robust Paris guide is now in tip top shape to help you plan your next trip.
The beauty of the “new” Paris is that even the fresh, modern spots still feel classically French, just with more energy pumped into them. Hotels are no exception. There are now so many good modern, luxury hotels sprinkled around the city that make you want to stay forever. Two of my favorites are Hotel Providence and Relais Christine, both now have a permanent spot on the Overnighter.
It’s always been a goal to have a narrow roster of designers and sources in Dipa locations that fill our SHOP. Beyond the right designers and sources, is the lofty goal of hand-carrying products back to the States. No trip to Paris is complete for me without a visit to see Sophie of Sous Les Pavés. Sophie’s workshop and studio sits on the ground level within a classic Paris courtyard in the 6th. Her relaxed, cool and classic sensibility translates directly into her handbag design and I am always amazed by how much each bag feels so much like her. Her bags are all designed and made in France (process the “made in” part, so rare these days). Lucky for you, I was able to take the Sous Les Pavés Fall Collection for Dip A Toe with me from Paris, and just so you know the depths of this feat, I brought them from Paris to Switzerland, before they made their way to the U S of A. They are now all available here and some shiny objects to pull you in here:
Sous Les Pavés was the first real Dip A Toe partner that our model was built on. Since then, we have established similar relationships with designers in Athens (Greece), Merida (Mexico), and the Faroe Islands. For vintage and second-hand, we also now have sources in the places we go back to most, and rely on for hand-to-find pieces. Lastly, and of course my most favorite - our own designs! Which brings me to wishing a HAPPY LANKI SEASON to those who celebrate. LANKIs are felted wool boots that pair with all-weather, rubber overshoes.
