When I first arrived in Paris my expectations of haute couture were very high.
All fashion roads lead to the city that gave birth to Coco, Yves and Christians (plural).
No other fashion week in the world is treated with such reverence. Can you imagine London coming to a grinding halt for a week's worth of catwalks?
But as I embarked on my expedition around the style mecca -- Faubourg St Honore, St Germain, Opera and even Le Marais, something seemed terribly wrong.
I kept searching and searching for something original and cool. We're not talking zany cool here but All Saints individual, Top Shop creative?
Ok so maybe I am slightly exaggerating. But let's put it this way: I saw far too many court shoes and twin sets for my liking. I started observing my fellow shoppers and they were equally traditional.
Identical blow drys -- bobs sprayed down within an inch of their life -- dark trousers (nothing above a muted brown tone), silky top and some form of unremarkable trench.
The sales assistants also had the same attitude -- no smiling and banter, more of a snooty nod mixed with a grimace.
At one high-end store (that will remain nameless) I asked an assistant for some advice on shoes. Anyone would have thought I'd asked him for the answer to global warming.
Then at another, I returned a broken necklace and asked for it to be repaired. Not possible. I referenced Hermes, who had been very helpful in mending something for me. "Oh no madame, we aren't as good quality as them." Hmmm not sure their head designer at this leading French createur would be happy with that.
Everybody had raved about the store Colette -- a fusion concept store supposedly only selling the most cutting edge garb. I was sorely disappointed.
If all the other stores along the street were non-cool, Colette was painfully try-hard trendy. Overpriced accessories that no one will ever wear. Furs and leather skirts that are impossible to put on and extortionate in price. It was a museum not a store. Hamleys for adults with some weird clothes thrown in.
On my travels, certain places started to whet my clothes appetite. Zadig and Voltaire. The Kooples. Fab grungy t-shirts and leggings. But I was missing that one-stop experience.
My beau took me to the Champs Elysees to try and change my mind. He had to be kidding! Gap, H&M?
We entered one of the many Galerie arcades -- Galerie 66 -- and I was literally blown away. A mecca of young designers or nouveaux createurs, all merchandised in a hip, non-conventional way. In fact, it's more than a store. It has its own music label and the layout is Philippe Starck-esque.
Shoes were our first stop. I drooled over Vivienne Westwood heels and bought some red ballerina shoes with pom poms. We then entered the clothes zone. And I felt home again. Brit pop was blaring. Tassle bags draped everywhere. Iconic graphics on t-shirts. Sexy one-piece short and crop tops.
This was just the beginning. I was like a crazed shopaholic. Clothes piled high -- nothing was getting left behind. I found the most perfect multi-color bag -- in fake snake skin.
As for my beau, it was makeover time. Out with the suit, in with the smoking jacket. Groovy waistcoats, double layered t-shirts and suede slip on shoes. Thank goodness mens' shoe designers have started to offer something more interesting than the stock shiny lace-up. I mean, would women wear them?
Best of all were the staff -- a funky chick carried all our clothes around the shop as I ran around frothing at the mouth. As we paid, the manager then paid us the greatest compliment. He actually admired our outfits.
I was wearing an unusual blue YSL sleeveless sky-blue puffer jacket and my beau a pale grey knitted jacket from Venise.
I had all but given up shopping in Paris. Galerie 66 was a revelation.
If you're planning a shopping spree weekend -- take a shortcut to Galerie 66. Then finish it off with an apero at the Costes cafe Madrigal next door and spare a thought for passerby shoppers clutching their bags of same same silk scarves and cashmere cardis.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.