Paris Fashion Week is undoubedlty the créme de la créme of a whirlwind fashion month. But if you weren’t lucky enough to score an invite to the City of Lights, mon dieu! don’t fret, because Elle’s Accessories Director, Maria Dueñas Jacobs, offers us a glimpse into the busy (and glamorous!) day of a magazine editor—complete with French pastries, front row seats, and dinner with Cartier!
8:15am
It’s my first time staying at the Park Hyatt and I’m pleased to say that I slept all night and was even able to sleep in without any interruptions or worry. I have a 1 1/2 year old child at home, so this a real treat! I spent the early morning lounging in bed catching up on emails and Instagram while waiting for my breakfast.
9:00am
Room service arrives! I ordered oatmeal with berries & honey—it’s my absolute favorite, and my staple breakfast. It’s basically like a dessert and so, so filling. I’m not a coffee drinker so instead I try to drink as much water as possible first thing in the morning (as well as throughout the entire day).
9:15am
I eat quickly and then start to get dressed. My morning routine is pretty simple and even more basic when I’m traveling because my outfit choices are limited, and for the most part pre-planned. In general I dress ‘comfortably,’ but especially during hectic fashion days I think it’s important to wear shoes that aren’t going to make your feet throb at the end of the night! I’m in for a long day and likely wont have time to come back to change so I have to plan accordingly. Today I’m wearing my new and very fun Saint Laurent fringe, suede jacket paired with an off-white Celine turtleneck, highwaist Mother jeans, a Louis Vuitton “M” necklace, my LV vintage black epi clutch, and my favorite Vuitton black patent boots that ARE made for walking. Off I go!
10:00am
Stella McCartney show. I’m a big fan of Stella and what she does with faux-fur is really impressive! I’m also really into her new take on pearls. Plus, the invitation was a pair of light-up glasses…so cool!
11:00am
I spotted a beautiful boulangerie, so I made a quick pit stop for some French pastries…and it just so happens that Monoprix is next door! They have inexpensive and cute kids clothes. I went on a (very) fast shopping spree before my next appointment—it’s all about maximizing time!
11:45am
It was very nice seeing the Guillame Henry (formerly of Carven) first collection with Nina Ricci up close to truly appreciate the details. The accessories selection is very small so I breezed by this appointment and snapped just a few pictures before heading out (and I’m doing great on time!)
12:00pm
The Nina Ricci ‘re-see’ is conveniently located just under the Nina Ricci boutique…so I couldn’t resist popping in to visit the cutest lace overalls I’ve ever seen. I swooned, pretend-tried them on, and was off.
12:15pm
Rupert Sanderson appointment. Stopped in to vist Rupert Sanderson and his new fall collection. He had so many great pieces! Velvet is a big trend for fall and I’m coveting a pair of his lace-up booties (especially in red!).
12:30pm
Lunch! I can hardly believe it but I actually have a small window for lunch! Joann, Leah (my colleagues at ELLE) and I stopped at nearby L’Avenue for an expedited nibble. I had a salad and french fries, with dijon of course! The meal was delicious and unexpectedly spotting Kris Jenner and Rihanna at nearby tables made for fun people watching.
1:30pm
Giambattista Valli show. This show was so beautiful, filled with gorgeous prints and lean lines. Wonderful.
2:45pm
Balenciaga ‘re-see.’ This is my favorite collection that Alexander Wang has done for Balenciaga since he began designing for the house. The details and embellishments were very impressive in person. The accessories and jewelry were absolutely gorgeous. I especially have my eye on a black and white bucket bag that I spotted.
3:30pm
I’m a mom, so when I’m in Paris I MUST visit my favorite kids shops. Luckily a couple of my colleagues (who are also moms) and I have the same agenda, so we squeeze in time for these ‘errands.’ Before heading to the Hermes show we make a quick pit-stop at the very cool and wonderful children’s shop, Bonton. The damage on my credit card is substantial, but totally worth it.
4:30pm
Hermes show. I’ve been looking forward to this show as Hermes is one of my favorites of the season. The second look coming down the runway automatically slays me. I never knew I needed a pair of leather overalls until they walked right by me at Hermes!
5:30pm
Cartier has a way of doing everything flawlessly and their Paris Noevelle Vague jewelry presentation is no exception. They collaborated on a short film with the beautiful Bianca Brandolini, created an indoor ferris wheel (filled with Cartier boxes + jewelry!), and showcased an exquisite new collection inspired by Paris nights. I was fortunate enough to see and try on a few of my favorite pieces. I was especially taken by the Malachite adjustable necklace and the stunning lapis bracelet that is completely articulated.
6:30pm
Paris is filled with high profile shows and appointments but it’s also important to make time for new and smaller designers. Charlotte Chesnais formerly designed jewelry for Balenciaga, and today she is debuting her first solo collection. She is as charming as her jewelry is cool, and definitely one to watch.
7:00pm
Jennifer Fisher cocktail party and collab launch with Fivestory. Jen is a friend from New York and a very talented jewelry designer. Tonight she is celebrating her collaboration with Fivestory on a small capsule collection of solid gold signet pieces that are a both a bit gangster and a bit lady (a winning combo!). The pieces are cool but having a quick champagne with friends was a nice break.
8:00pm
The Saint Laurent show. This show is always fun and very ELLE. Tonight didn’t disappoint—with so many sexy looks it will surely sell out in stores.
9:00pm
Drinks with Louis Vuitton at Caviar Kaspia. My night was double-booked but luckily my dinner with Louis Vuitton was at the same place as my dinner with Cartier—Caviar Kaspia! I joined my ELLE team for a toast and a had a quick catch up with the LV team (maximizing my 30 minutes) before moving to a different part of the restaurant and joining my other editor friends at Cartier’s intimate dinner.
9:30pm
Cartier dinner. Caviar Kaspia is a Paris institution and during Paris Fashion Week the restaurant is completely booked up with every fashion editor, model, designer, and publicist you can possibly imagine. The menu is very small—salmon salad or crab salad to start, followed by a very decadent and absolutely delicious baked potato stuffed with caviar. The champagne and flavored vodka flows all night and the evening is filled with laughs. I end the meal with a plate of juicy raspberries and, before heading to my hotel, stop to take the obligatory picture of the sparkling Eiffel Tower.
11:45pm
Back in my hotel room and it’s finally time for bed. Bonne Nuit, Paris! Until next time…
Maria Dueñas Jacobs photographed in Paris, France