If the French method of discourse is based on la paradoxe, then the Left Bank of Paris is its cultural and aesthetic embodiment: A 7th century Abbey is situated on an Haussmanian boulevard, the most expensive department store in the city is named Le Bon Marche (translation: cheap or low budget!), and the intellectual elite rub shoulders with the fashion elite. But this being Paris after all, perhaps one shouldn't be so quick to polarize fashion from intellectualism. In fact, on the left bank, fashion is defined precisely by its inherent intellect. The haute couture designer of the left bank - Yves St. Laurent, Sonia Rykiel, Karl Lagerfeld--cannot be accused of aesthetic superficiality. These are the Sartres, Hemmingways, Derridas, and Barthes of contemporary fashion. It is by no coincidence then that Martin Margiela, the darling of the intellectual Antwerp wave, chose the rue de Grenelle-a street smack dap in the middle of the left bank-to open his first Paris store.

The Left Bank is tellingly anchored by two landmarks: Le Bon Marche and the Cafe de Flore. Between the two lies the Rue de Grenelle (home of Margiela, Yves St. Laurent, Miu Miu) as well as the rue de Rennes (Kenzo, Burberry, MaxMara) and the rue Jacob (Karl Lagerfeld). Sonia Rykiel, on the Boulevard St. Germain, is directly across from the Cafe de Flore. After a heavy day of shopping, the Flore is the perfect respite for your feet and wallet! Rub shoulders with the penseurs of French society on the first floor of the cafe, never the Deux Magots and never the downstairs of the Flore, for tourists only cherie! Vive la mode!

The following photos were taken October 2005.

Publisher: infomat
InfoMat serves as a one-stop information source for international apparel, textile & accessories professionals. This is where retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and service providers interact with our network of over 350,000+ fashion companies. We make it easy to source, connect, compare, research and assess industry-wide business opportunities.
Web: www.infomat.com
Published: september 23 2005
Market: mens womens
Region: france
Industry: apparel accessories

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Information in this report relies on sources including Trade Shows, Associations, News Releases, Government Reports and other public sources. Infomat can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof.