Paris: the Anne Fontaine experience
June 2nd, 2008Welcome to Parisian Week at YLF! A business school reunion took us back to France last week and we have lots to share.
Paris is the home of half French, half Brazilian designer Anne Fontaine. Her products are the ultimate eclectic, yet sophisticated, shirt-and-blouse experience. Her tiny standalone stores are filled with a focused range of white, black and cream shirts, blouses, tunics and knitted tops in an assortment of the finest knit and woven cottons, organzas, linens and silks. Apart from avante-garde belts and necklaces to complement the product, this is the entire collection. It’s impossible to feel overwhelmed in an Anne Fontaine boutique.
My Parisian Anne Fontaine experience left me exhilarated. I was greeted at the door by a sales assistant dressed in one of the collection’s funkier styles. I browsed through both racks and chose six styles to fit while hubby lounged in a huge white chair. I fancied all six tops but it was clear which two were coming home. I was impressed that the sales assistant guessed my size correctly and narrowed down her favourites to the same two styles without my opinion.
I chose two blouses (cream and white) that are fairly simple and streamlined in silhouette, but have dramatic collar and cuff detail. They will act as statement pieces and bridging pieces that I can put together in both modern-classic and funky ways. Imagine the style above tucked into a high-waisted black brocade pencil skirt with fishnet stockings and red patent chunky stacked heels. Or, worn smart casually over dark skinny jeans with a broad black waist-cinching belt and ballet flats. I’ll complete the ensembles with a short strand of chunky pearls and white watch.
These items were not cheap, but I’m a blousy girl and they are investment pieces. Anne Fontaine merchandise is available in the US, Asia and Europe, but her products are most affordable in France.
Anne Fontaine on Rue des Francs Bourgeois in Le Marais, Paris.
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 am
Angie, you look amazing! Wow! Everything I imagined and then some! That white trench is gorgeous on you and is that a black one you are wearing in the last (slightly smeared) photo?
Sounds like you had a wonderful experience at Anne Fontaine. Maybe one dsy for me when I get a real job.
That white shirt in the first photo is amazing. Does it have a criss-cross detail in the front similar to this BCBG one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/118-BCBG-D.....dZViewItem
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:40 am
Angie, you look taller and thinner than I imagined. And as chic And that blouse looks lovely
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:58 am
I’m so excited about this post (you know how I feel about Anne Fontaine)! This AF shop has more of an “old world” feel to it than the one near me (very white and modern) but I had a similar experience to yours when I bought my blouse a few weeks ago. Which two tops did you get? Are they on the website?
P.S. You look so cute (I love your hair), and I love that Kyo & Soia trench on you!
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
Bon Jour Angie. I was so intrigued by this blog I went to Anne Fontaine’s website - and Wow. It is beautiful experience. You actually get to gracefully turn the pages in the online catalog. The store experience must have been fantastic as well. I’ll be looking for one of these investment pieces soon! Thanks for sharing your experience.
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 am
You are awfully kind Tanya, thank you. (I’m a lot older than Agyness Deyn!)
It’s a pity that you can’t see the cuff treatment on the blouse that I’m fitting. It has elbow length sleeves with huge organza turn-up cuffs that you can fit cuff links through. Funky galore. It actually came with an obi style wrap around belt and that’s what the sales assistant is tying around my waist. I purchased that too.
That’s not the black trench that I own in the other photo. It’s a funnel neck double-breasted trapeze jacket. And you can’t see them, but I’m wearing my black Swann flats. I walked Paris flat in them and I’m a fast walker. 10-hour shoes! I am definitely duplicating them.
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:08 am
So chic Angie!
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 am
Angie, it’s very nice to see you in person. I totally agree with Tanya, you are everything I imagined and more. Now I wish we had AF locally and I were taller to wear their beautiful clothes.
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 am
I thought of you in Paris, Ana. I know that you share my excitement for Anne Fontaine product. I couldn’t find the styles that I bought on her site to show you though. (And the hair is a little all over place because I was trying on blouses).
Bonjour Susan! Ca va? This experience is right up your alley. You’d LOVE it. Get to a store in your neck of the woods as soon as you can.
Thanks for the compliment Anne. Is that Anne from down under?
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
I love everything about this blog: the Angie-in-action shots, the style, the story, the resolution. I felt like I was in Paris shopping with you! I hope to see more blogs like this in the future. What fun!
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:26 am
Wow! What great photos! Is hubby a bit of a photographer?
You look lovely, Angie. So glad you got yourself a few goodies while on your trip. Were you familiar with Anne Fontaine prior to Ana’s original post?
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
I love the top blouse– just my style. My husband and I were hoping to go to Paris to celebrate our tenth anniversary this year but we’ve backed off because of the weak dollar (we’re kind of last minute planners). Now that I’ve shopped there with you, as Meredith says, I have renewed resolve.
It’s good to see you, Angie. I think Tanya was most right in her guess but you also look very familiar and down to earth.
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:07 am
What fun photos. Thankyou for sharing. I love your hair and you are so beautiful and have a beautiful figure and stature. You look so put together and make it look effortless which is the key we are all learning from you.
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:10 am
And the Paris posts begin! Your trip to Anne Fontaine sounds wonderful. I will definitely have to save up for one of those lovely blouses someday. There is no Anne Fontaine in my state, but my husband travels a lot and I plan to go on some of his business trips when I’m out of school. It’s so great to see you Angie. You look chic and funky all at once. Like Tanya said “Everything I imagined and then some!”
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:53 am
Thank you for sharing the photos and your experience, Angie! You are so elegant! I love your trench, too. I am looking forward to the rest of Parisian week.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 am
Wow Angie! You look absolutely astonishing, une vraie parisienne!
And now I’m even more determined to get a Soïa & Kyo coat this winter (that trench looks like it was made for you). And the AF blouses… longing sigh…
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Wow it’s almost creepy how much you look like the picture I had in my head! All I can do now is think about how T&S’s shape advisor told you that you are an apple! What a riot! I am in envy of so many things right now: your hair, figure, Parisian holiday, and ability to afford such amazing pieces.
I already expressed my adoration of AF in Ana’s topic, so I won’t repeat it here. There are just some things I will always have to admire from afar though!
June 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Angie, so fun to see your Paris trip…and what a store! I agree, you look fab in that trench!
I already knew how fab you look, though…when I saw your video show with Whitney and Wyatt way back when…that’s how I found out about your site…I got hooked on your blog, even though I haven’t been back to W & W too much (sorry ladies).
Here’s the link for the video if anyone else wants to watch: (scroll down the page to episode 1)
http://whitneyandwyatt.com/arc.....26+Fashion
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Oh my goodness, Judy. That’s a blast from the past. I’d say at least 2 years old. It’s extremely odd seeing yourself on camera. *cringe*.
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I think you look gorgeous Angie! ( I hate myself on camera) I love the necklace you are wearing! And your accent is the most adorable one I have ever heard!
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I got to see AND hear Angie today! What a treat! Your accent is absolutely adorable. I know what you mean about feeling weird seeing yourself on camera but I agree with Tanya–you are every bit as pretty as I had pictured! I love your specs and your necklace. I think I like your hair super short though, the way you have now.
Now I know how I should read your posts!
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I like the way you described the ensembles you plan to wear with your new blouse.
What are your tips or suggestions for accessorizing a high quality classic white button up blouse?
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I understand the cringing feeling, Angie, about “watching yourself”…but you are adorable! I too loved your accent.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:28 am
Oh my goodness - you’re beautiful! I would definately swivel my head to take a second look at you, you’ve got such fantastic personal style. I’d love for you to address hair styles at some point, your short hair looks so modern and chic and I am in an everlasting battle with mine.
Love the specs as well, maybe a post on choosing spec styles as well?
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:14 am
Help! At the end of this month I am taking a tour of Europe which will take about 3 weeks and will include: France, Germany, Czech Republic, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium & Italy. I will be staying about 2 or 3 days in each country but I am clueless on what to pack. I don’t want to look sloppy but I do want to be comfortable since I will be doing tons of walking…help!!!
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:10 am
Angie–Wow! I am as excited as Maya. I actually hadn’t expected you to have such a, well, what is it, British accent? I Love it. Now, I really think the “bobs your uncle” sounds perfect. I do love you with the short hair. I think it is perfect. Your husband must have been proud to parade you around Paris!
Did look a little chilly, though…Trench coat in May? Brr….
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:24 am
I can’t wait to get out of work so I can actually watch and hear the video clip. (My computer at work has no sound for some strange reason) and I don’t like doing anything too personal on my work computer.
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:43 am
Bien sur Nicole regarding whether I’d heard of Anne Fontaine before Ana’s post. Have been admiring her collection for years. Don’t hold your breath when you watch that video though. I’m not comfortable in front of the camera and it shows. Oh well, it is what it is!
It’s a good idea to post your questions on the forum Patricia and Rachael. You’ll get an informed response that way.
A big thank you to everyone’s endearing compliments. I am quite taken a back.
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:34 am
Angie said: “I’m not comfortable in front of the camera and it shows”
For what it’s worth, I think Angie’s fantastic in front of the camera!
Who’s with me?
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
It’s Angie! How cool is this?! I love the pictures. You are so beautiful and so stylish! (As expected, of course). The video is fun and I also definitely love your charming accent. I’m with you, Greg - Angie didn’t look uncomfortable at all! We’re always our own worst critics…
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I’m definitely with you! I love the video, and now I get to have a voice in my head on her posts, too.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Ok I finally had time to watch the notorious Angie video. Angie, you make me smile, and I think I’ll have this dumb grin on my face all night long. You are wonderful and you certainly did not seem awkward on film at all! I am thoroughly impressed.
I also want to comment on what a difference the accessories made on the women’s outfits. I mean, I know it was staged for them to start off plain Jane and heavy onthe necklaces…but the piece really shows how important accessories are!
FWIW, I think we should start a video thread on the forum. I think you can upload video clips to Photobucket and view them that way. I think it would be really fun to hear and see the members in action!
June 4th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
For those of you that watched the video, you’re awfully kind. Sort of think I shan’t be quitting my day job though. And at the very least I made Nicole smile all night long!
Interesting point about videos. We could have You Tube on YLF.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:55 am
I just found the video, how did I miss it!? I’m with everybody on this, you look graceful, elegant and beautiful, not a bit uncomfortable! I wish that I lived close by so I could hire you.
June 5th, 2008 at 9:58 am
[…] article about what shopping should be like (and see real, live photos of Angie): Paris, (Angie’s) Anne Fontaine Experience. Consider this quote: I was greeted at the door by a sales assistant dressed in one of the […]
June 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Ooh! We could call it “You (Look Fab) Tube.” Hmm….that would be so fun! Will you do it Nicole? I will if you will, hee hee.
June 5th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Brilliant, Ana! Well you lot have seen how “dorky” I am on video, it’s time to see you guys in action.
June 5th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I saw the blouse you tried on today at the Anne Fontaine store here in Austin!–it is gorgeous! I tried it on, but it was snug, and they didn’t have a size larger, so I had to take a pass.
But I did end up getting the other blouse with the puffy organza sleeves and ruffly collar, which I’m very excited about!