Paris Days September 26th-28th
I recount my first few days in Paris
Apologies for the delay! Before we dive into today's piece, here are a few housekeeping notes:
First, my latest collection is now live, and you can explore the entire array here! Some pieces have sold out, so don’t wait too long if something catches your eye.
If you'd like to stay updated on the restaurants and shops I’m visiting, most of that will be shared in the chat. Please note that access to the chat is exclusive to paid subscribers.
Regarding Paris show coverage, I’m holding off for now, but
and I will be going live next Sunday (October 6th) to discuss the Paris shows and the season in full. I’ll confirm the time with you all later this week. Also if you have any questions about the week that you want us to discuss feel free to leave them in the chat!
That wraps up the logistics—now, let's dive into the main event!
The outfits:
Muji rain jacket (my color is sold out there is this one from Uniqlo), Prada sweater from TRR, Sunspel t-shirt, Attersee the relaxed pants, The Row Venetian slipper (This style is a bit older, so you could go for an updated slipper from them like this one, or maybe opt for something from Dries Van Noten. Alternatively, you could buy an actual Venetian slipper.), Tory Burch small marshmallow bag (I only brought two bags on this trip, so prepare to see a lot of this bag!)
Rue Sophie anorak coat, High Sport jacquard-knit stretch-cotton vest, L.L. Bean long sleeve shirt, Essentiel Antwerp sequin shorts, Chanel slingbacks (there are also these on the market), Hunting Season clutch, Don’t Let Disco necklace, At Present x Jalil Johnson “Bold Collection” ring, earrings, and bangle.
Rue Sophie anorak coat, Prada sweater and tote bag both from TRR, Attersee “Beach Tee” (this one from Ozma is quite similar), Stoffa trousers, Sperry CVO classic sneakers.
At Present x Jalil Johnson ring and Juju Vera cuff.
Doen Petra cardigan, Drake’s t-shirt (here’s a similar one from Cos), VTG Levi’s 501, Gemsun hat, Margaux calf hair loafers.
Fforme dress, The Row knot heels, Charvet socks (there are so many red socks on the market!), Amy Downs bunny hat, Renato Cipullo chain, fingerless opera length gloves are from a little shop in Paris!
Sept 26
I arrived in Paris on the morning of the 26th, and the flight felt like a fashion parade in the sky. I spotted two
a bright green Telfar shopper, a Balenciaga tote, and a vintage Fendi bag, and that was just among the carry-ons I could see. Who knows what other treasures were stashed on that plane? As if the designer luggage wasn’t enough, I found myself sharing the flight with two (possibly three) designers: Maria McManus and Maryam Nassir Zadeh. And as we were waiting in the customs line, I had the chance to admire Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s full outift, and I am now convinced I need a fanny pack.
After what felt like an eternity navigating Charles de Gaulle airport, Nick and I managed to secure a car to whisk us away to our charming little apartment in the Place Vendôme. I chose this spot mainly because of its proximity to Charvet. Even though I don’t plan to pop in every day, it’s comforting to know that it’s just a couple of minutes away.
That evening, it rained—which felt quite romantic—while I walked to my Sézane appointment. The collection was lovely: effortless pieces with a slight vintage look and feel. Afterward, I wandered into a pharmacy, where I must have lost all sense of control. I emerged with a few Caudalie essentials (my favorite toner, body wash, and their famous refreshing spray), Nuxe body oil, A313, a travel-sized tube of Marvis toothpaste, and an assortment of other little bits and bobs. That was when the romance of the rain began to fade. My bags, soaked through, started disintegrating in my hands, forcing me to awkwardly bear-hug all my new treasures back to the apartment.
By the time I returned, it was time to get ready for the Casablanca show, which was followed by a delightful dinner hosted by Aeron.
Sept 27
I had a fitting for an event around 10 a.m., and then I walked over to Charvet for my appointment.
Since Nick is only in town for a few nights, I decided to leave most of Friday open to spend time with him, so my Charvet appointment was the only event scheduled—and what an event it was. I first discovered the brand through a video of André Leon Talley picking up shirts, where he mentioned he once had boxers made to match them. In many ways, André was a possibility model for me. He was proof that I, Jalil Johnson, from Hurt, Virginia, could will myself out of my origins and live a life of my own choosing. A life that could involve working in fashion, living in places where culture is truly made, and, yes, buying shirts at Charvet.
Gaby Katz (PR maven and who I have dubbed my fashion fairy godmother) arranged the entire visit with her contact at Charvet, and let me tell you—shopping in Paris has changed my brain. I'm usually a very decisive shopper. I know what I want, and in the States, I don’t often feel inclined to trust sales clerks because it seems like they’re more focused on pushing products for commission than truly helping. The one exception in the U.S. was when I bought my cotton drawstring pants from The Row. The salesperson took the time to show me how to properly tie the drawstring and where the pants should sit. I didn’t feel pressured to shop, and I’m certain that if the pants didn’t look good, she would have told me, which is why Betty Halbreich was so revered. I experienced the same attentive service at Charvet.
Redha, who I later learned has lived many lives before Charvet—including years on Savile Row and working as a DJ—has been with the brand for numerous years. The appointment began on the first floor, where they display ties, belts, scarves, pocket squares, and their famous slippers. The ties—knitted or silk—retail for about 250 euros, the belts for around the same price, and scarves range from 300 to 600 euros. Pocket squares start at about 105 euros, depending on the size, and the slippers are around 350 euros (I own the red suede pair and was considering the leather version; someone recommended the white leather, which is incredibly luxe). From there, we went upstairs in an elevator, where the carpet was the same shade of gray as Laura Mars' apartment in The Eyes of Laura Mars—in my opinion, the best gray, like a cloud of smoke. That’s one of the wonderful things about Charvet: the colors are divine. The reds are the most vibrant you’ve ever seen, the greens are lush, and the blues are as rich as the ocean.
The third floor housed more of their ready-made pieces: shirts, robes, socks (which vary in price depending on length), and pajamas. When I asked about pajamas, everyone said Charvet was the best, though I was hesitant to spend that much on sleepwear. Interestingly, when I asked a local French woman about good pajamas outside of Charvet, she laughed and said Paris isn’t really known for pajamas because most men sleep either in the nude or in boxers, which may explain why no one could recommend anywhere else.
From there, we headed to the 2nd floor to do what I’ve always wanted: get a made-to-measure (MTM) shirt. The 2nd floor is stacked with reams of fabric in every conceivable color, pattern, and material, from beautiful cotton blends to silk and linen. The first task was to choose the fabric. I knew I wanted something in green, so we headed to that section. As I started pulling out fabrics, Redha observed and discussed each one with me, clearly excited that I wanted something unique. Ultimately, though, I went with a fabric he had suggested at the very beginning—a green and blue check that, from a distance, almost appears purple. Magnifique!
Next came the measurements and choosing the collar and cuffs. I trusted Redha’s expertise and went with a French collar and single cuff. He even adjusted the sleeve length slightly to accommodate my watch and to prevent fraying. For the shirt length, since it will likely be more of a casual throw-on piece, he gave it enough length to either tuck in or leave out. Of course, I opted for a monogram, choosing the perfect shade of coral. Redha advised that the most "chic" placement for a monogram is on the body, rather than the cuff, which he described as "not chic." With that, the process was complete, and now I wait about three months—I should receive it by mid-December.
Though I still have a few days left in Paris and more time to shop, I think I’ve done the bulk of it at Charvet, and that feels deeply satisfying.
Sept 28th,
This was the day when things really kicked off, starting with an early appointment to view the Doen spring collection, which was packed with standouts. There were updates on best-sellers, like this dress now offered in a longer length, more ruffled lace tops, a crochet dress with a ruffled collar perfect for effortless summer holiday dressing, and some irresistible gingham pieces. From there, I stopped by Nia Thomas, whose collection was also full of summer-ready gems. Highlights included a crochet mini tank dress adorned with large silver paillette discs, versatile jersey dresses that can be worn as a dress or two-piece set (perfect for wedding guests), and a raffia skirt that I instantly envisioned styled for a summer look.
Next, I visited Akoni to check out eyewear from their house brand, as well as from Balmain and Valentino. The in-house collection is handcrafted in limited batches in Japan, with designs that feel ultra-modern, from the beautifully colored acetate to the refined titanium finishes. I also had the chance to preview eyewear from Alessandro’s pre-fall collection for Valentino, which was classic Alessandro through and through. The collection had a strong vintage influence, with some frames inspired by the archives—like the butterfly silhouettes—while others took a more modern twist, like abstract circular frames that became my instant favorite.
Before I knew it, the day transitioned into evening, and it was time to get ready for an intimate dinner hosted by Substack. The dinner was delightful in every way—delicious food, engaging people, and stimulating conversation.
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