Parisian Chic City Guide Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
This pocket-sized book—with maps, expandable pocket, ribbon page marker, and elastic closure—includes Ines de la Fressange’s favorite addresses for fashion and home goods with Parisian flair. Ines de la Fressange embodies the iconic Parisienne, combining elegance and chic, effortlessly. With her fashion savvy and her inspired home interiors, Ines demonstrates an eye for the details that characterize the best in Gallic style, from wardrobe accessories to home furnishings. In this exquisite new pocket volume―the perfect accompaniment to her best-selling book Parisian Chic―Ines divulges her new favorite locations for shopping, dining, and hanging out in Paris with style. To create her impeccably stylish look, Ines combines purchases from chic high-end stores like the legendary Colette along with high-quality basics at low prices from high-street chains. In this city guide, she reveals her fashion haunts for everything from leatherwear to lingerie, and from authentic Norwegian sailor tops to hip and original jewelry. For the home, she shows readers the best interiors sources in the city for sophisticated furnishings, adorable vintage items, colorful Indian print fabrics, and simple, pristine tableware, to create an eclectic and unique home. From her top spots for unearthing whimsical gifts and decorative baubles to her favorite restaurants, and from her preferred stationery supplier to the best Parisian patisseries, Ines shares more than 100 addresses in this new volume—the global resource for all things Parisienne.
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Flammarion (February 2, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 2080202367
ISBN-13: 978-2080202369
Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 0.6 x 7.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (196 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #132,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #60 in Books > Travel > Food, Lodging & Transportation > Dining #109 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Beauty, Grooming, & Style > Style & Clothing #195 in Books > Travel > Europe > France > General
I bought this based on the reviews, product description, and product video here on , and was very surprised when I actually received the product. Everything suggests that this is a guide to dressing like a Parisian. For the most part, it is not. Here's why1. My most important point is that most of this book is not a guide to fashion or style, it's a guide to shopping and travelling in Paris. I did a breakdown, of the 239 pages in the book (many of which are blank, or contain very little text and big cute drawings) 77 pages is comprised of shopping guides (for clothing, housewares, children's goods, almost exclusively shops in Paris, although many have websites), and 55 pages is an idiosyncratic travel guide, listing hotels, restaurants, and some museums and other tourist stops. There is a 16 page guide to home decor and entertaining, 14 pages of beauty tips, leaving only 62 pages discussing fashion and clothing.2. The fact that only 25% of the pages address the apparent topic of the book wouldn't bother me if those 62 pages provided some really keen observations and solid advice, but the whole thing is very glib and basic. Almost all of the information can be found in nearly any modern style guide. I was hoping for some advice on composition - putting clothes together and accessorizing well - which seems to be the real skill of French dressers. The closest I got was the "mix high and low" chestnut, and advice to dress simply and not be too matchy matchy. So essentially a basic description of what French style is, not how to achieve it. Most of the other advice was of the truly revelatory "you must own a trench and an LBD" variety. Um... thanks.3. Like many guides to dressing, eating, whatever like the French do, the text is annoyingly reductive.
The book is dedicated "to my new best friend" and then there's a dotted line for you to fill in.Cringe-worthy?Yes, if the author of a book intended to get you up to speed on Parisian style was just any old supermodel.But Inès Marie Lætitia Églantine Isabelle de Seignard de La Fressange --- let's call her Inès --- is not like the others. Despite her impeccable breeding (she's a distant heiress to the Lazard banking billions) and her privileged upbringing, she's astonishingly down-to-earth, smart and friendly, with a goofy good cheer that suggests a refusal to take herself very seriously. Proof: at 53, she walked the runway for Lagerfeld, never having had plastic surgery or even Botox.Interesting story there. In the `80s, Inès was the first model to have an exclusive contract --- with Lagerfeld. A few years later, she was asked to be the image of Marianne, the native beauty who is the symbol of the French Republic. Lagerfeld ended their relationship, saying, "I do not dress up historic monuments." Inès went on to start her own company and consult for Roger Vivier. But it wasn't until she was named the chicest woman in France by the readers of Le Figaro and became the French face of L'Oreal that Lagerfeld had to have her back."Parisian Chic: A Style Guide" is like a visit with a friendly, clear-eyed woman you trust immediately. It's the best kind of guide book --- you not only get information, you get it in context. That is, you learn quite a lot about the author and how she came to her opinions:"In the magazines we see the latest fashion, on gorgeous girls, but in my book I just wanted to help the busy woman --- a woman who is not thin, and not that fat, but in a hurry, in a hurry, in a hurry!
Parisian Chic City Guide Parisian Chic Work Clothes (Chic Simple): Casual Dress for Serious Work (Chic Simple Guides) Jean-Michel Frank: The Strange and Subtle Luxury of the Parisian Haute-Monde in the Art Deco Period Paris: Monuments, Districts, Parisian Life Sweet Paris: A love affair with Parisian chocolate, pastries and desserts Champagne Baby: How One Parisian Learned to Love Wine--and Life--the American Way The French Market Cookbook: Vegetarian Recipes from My Parisian Kitchen A la Mere de Famille: Recipes from the Beloved Parisian Confectioner Moulin Rouge. History, Stars, Shows, Posters, Photos Album and Parisian Life. Vol.2 Origami Chic: A Guide to Foldable Fashion Happy Homemade: Sew Chic: 20 Simple Everyday Designs Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids: 20 Designs That are Fun and Unique-Just Like Your Kid! Cheap Chic: Hundreds of Money-Saving Hints to Create Your Own Great Look Adult Coloring Book 100 Pages: Fashion Classy Chic Design & Women Sketches Fashion Design Chic Coloring Book (Fashion & Other Fun Coloring Books For Adults, Teens, & Girls) (Volume 2) Fashion Coloring Books For Adults: Classy Chic Designs Fashion & The Best of Paris Street Style Kate's Style: Smart, Chic Fashion from a Royal Role Model Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris Chic & Unique Wedding Cakes: 30 Modern Designs for Romantic Celebrations
