Without question, September is my favourite month in the French calendar. Referred to as La Rentrée, there’s a flood of energy in the streets and a cheery ‘after hols’ mood in the cafés...
Without question, September is my favourite month in the French calendar. Referred to as La Rentrée, there’s a flood of energy in the streets and a cheery ‘after hols’ mood in the cafés. Still, this ‘Rentrée’ has been intense due to our daughters beginning collège (secondary school) and a looming book project. After four years spent on the rue Cambon – their former state school's classroom looked onto Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel studio – it’s weird to be accompanying them to a grungy part of the first arrondissement. But change puts spring in the step and I’m happy to report that their 11-year-old pals look suitably looké [put together], favouring Finger in the Nose’s slim jeans, Converse footwear and Eastpak for their books and gear.
Viewing them en masse, reminds me of Soeur and how my daughters need their yearly check-up. Created by sisters Domitille and Angelique Brion, both Soeur boutiques are a godsend for mothers with 11 to 18-year-old daughters. The clothes which include a cape-like duffle coat, a blazer with narrow sleeves and short, cropped skirts are sophisticated yet charming – think a mini-me Françoise Hardy (circa 1960s). Like Biba – the 1970s Mecca-like boutique – Soeur has dark walls and causes the same certain sweaty-pawed frenzy. There again, Domitille – Soeur’s designer – is one of those Inner Chic pros. I met her when she was a stylist at Elle Magazine and remember her insistence that my YSL Rive Gauche leather top with trousers was perfect for a seriously stuffy gala – she was right. Domitille briefly left fashion only to return – with her baby son in a stroller – to transform Bonpoint and then eventually spin out Bon Ton. And now there’s Soeur which is the only place where my daughters and I actually agree about the clothes!
Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni is a Paris-based British journalist who covers fashion and lifestyle as well as being the author of Sam Spiegel – The Biography of A Hollywood Legend, Understanding Chic, an essay from the Paris Was Ours anthology and soon-to-be released Chanel book, for Assouline's fashion series.
Robert Beck is former New Yorker currently based in Paris. Also known as C.J. Rabbitt, he is the author and illustrator of several children's books, including The Tale of Rabbitt in Paradis, Un Lapin à Paris and the soon-to-be-published A Bunny in the Ballet.
