Paris Lover’s Gift Guide
Paris is one of those places that instantly reminds you why it is the fashion capital of the world, in large part due to the incredible craftsmanship and dedication to quality in many of its old and new Maisons. I’ve curated a list I think you will love to gift from, and best of all, you can get them in time for Christmas (fingers crossed.)
They all ship worldwide; most can deliver something within a week or two. These gift ideas are also non-seasonal, and non-gendered, making them an incredible surprise at any time of year. If you have any other suggestions for great places in Paris where you can find special handmade objects or other fabulous gifts, please leave them in the comments. I would love to hear what you’ve found!
Handmade fashion fan by Maison Duvelleroy.
Maison Duvelleroy The one item I can’t live without is a (manual) hand fan. Whether I’m using it to cool down or push that Paris terrace cigarette smoke away from my face when I am eating on a sidewalk, it always comes in handy. I’ve also lost a fair number of them, so the next one I buy will be this one from Éventails Duvelleroy in Paris, a recently revitalized Maison in Paris that specializes in hand-made fans. Called the Take-Away Hand Fan, it comes with a long lanyard cord attached so you can wear it as a crossbody or a necklace, has many fun colours (black for me though!) and is a little shorter than most fans so it can fit inside a smaller bag when needed. There are many other glamorous and creative couture fans here with something for everyone. Prices start around €75; you can get your gift personalized in gold for an extra €18.
The Grand Voyageur by Officine Universel Buly 1803
If you’ve never been to Officine Universelle Buly 1803 and don’t think you’ll make our next travel dates, do yourself a favour and shop them online. While you’ll miss out on the charming ambiance of the lotions and potions layering the neo-Belle-Epoche-styled cabinets, you can choose from a wide array of beauty apothecary items. Their offering of a lip balm in a customizable leather case with a gold monogram gets a lot of attention; however, I love the idea of a small acetate tortoiseshell comb with your loved one’s name on it or even one of their inventive fragrances in the form of candles, perfumes or even matches! Especially special is the Nécessaire du Grand Voyageur (or the Petit Voyageur,) featuring everything you need on your trip tucked into a monogrammed case: shampoo, conditioner, shower oil, an acetate toothbrush (monogrammed, bien sûr), fragrance, face and body cream, and even that coveted customized lip balm. You can even request your someone’s name on the famous Buly wrapping in beautiful hand calligraphy, making this an extraordinary little luxury.
Lifelike faux wisteria by Flora Magnifica.
Flowers are always well received, but the recent findings about how pesticide-laden most of our flowers are might give you pause. Why not purchase a bouquet of incredibly lifelike silk flowers featuring your loved one’s favourite blooms? Do not confuse this meticulous flora with the cheap synthetic flowers decorating the front of every cafe in Paris ( AMITA, if I don’t like it?) Each of the flowers, foliage and even trees here are hand-made by artisans from quality materials, and I am telling you, they even feel like the real thing. I’m still trying to process the possibility of having a lifelike wisteria in a living room; how incredible! Best of all, not a single pesticide. Shipping is available, and Diederick, the owner-operator, will be happy to work with you to create something unique for the object of your affection.
Lambskin perfumed gloves in purple from Thomasine Gloves.
Thomasine Gloves is a relatively new shop in Paris, situated in one of the most charming covered passages from the 1800s, the Galerie Vero Dodat. Thomasine is a Swedish glovemaker specializing in gloves, or as she calls it, “jewelry for your hands.” Thomasine creates various collections of gloves in addition to her special haute couture and television clients (Emily in Paris is wearing them!). One of the most remarkable is her line of perfumed gloves, a nod to the historical practice of scenting the leather with fragrance to hide the smell of the tanning process of the leather. While all of her gloves smell fine, it is incredible to give a gift to your kinfolk in the same vein as Queen Marie de Medici gave to her daughter as far back as the 1500s.
Gold plated ring with a cabochon amethyst from Empreintes
One of Paris's most underrated and overlooked concept shops is Empreintes, a project designed and created by Ateliers d'Art de France, a union of over 600 artisans to raise the profile of French Arts and Crafts. Housed in a three-story, light-filled shop in a beautiful building in the heart of the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, everything is unique or created as a small series. Glassware and pottery for your table, gorgeous textiles, artwork, and a fabulous jewelry selection are collected from around France. I love the look of this gold-plated ring with a cabochon amethyst, and it comes complete in a personalized box. No two items are the same, so you can be sure you’ll find a singular gift for the artistic people on your list.
A beret being made in the workshop of Maison Laulhére.
Some people insist that only tourists in Paris wear Berets, but these flat woollen hats are actually perfect for any winter weather. People in Paris actually do wear berets (even the French ones), but if you’re going to partake in this iconic cultural headwear, make sure it’s of high quality. The 180-year-old company Lauhlére, sells its berets in its Paris shop and online. They are all made in the southwest of France, and this house is among the last remaining beret workshops in France. They have an extensive array of colours, and worldwide shipping makes it easy to get in the French spirit. Delight your Francophile friend with an authentic piece of handcrafted French history, and dream together about your next visit.
Copper pots and pans at E. Dehillerin.
Not exactly fashion-related, but one of the best shops anywhere for French cookware is E. Dehillerin. Since 1820, some of France’s most honoured and beloved chefs have shopped here for professional gear, including Paul Bocuse and Julia Child. You certainly don’t have to break the bank on a complete set of gorgeous copper pots, but some specialty items are precisely the right tool for the job, like a pan just for making madeleines or even an old-fashioned mill for your herbes de Provence. The in-house shopping experience remains old school; you order at the counter, and they find the items in their stock to bring to the counter (even the stuff you can reach yourself!), but their online system is distinctly modern and accessible. If your bon ami loves French food history, they will love a gift from this icon of French cuisine.
Hand made flowers in a Parisian artisan atelier.
Lastly, what could be a better gift for the Paris lover on your list than a trip to the city itself? We visit many of these same shops and ateliers during the week-long Paris Fashion Experience, including a special viewing of the incredible fan archives at the Maison Éventails Duvelleroy that‘s listed above. It’s thoughtfully designed to ensure you get the best of Paris’s fashion and creative craftsmanship and meet actual Parisians in their artist studios. Alongside world-class fashion exhibitions, French gastronomy, shopping with a stylist, a private 4-star hotel room, and just the right amount of free time, this gift will inspire your creative loved one (or yourself) for years to come.
Studios are tiny in Paris, so space is limited to only ten people. Email me for more details, or click the menu items at the top of the page to learn more. Subscribers get a special discount until Jan 15! Let’s go to Paris!