The Art of Shopping in Paris

As museum shops get bigger and bigger, more and more fashion and design stores have elevated merchandising to curating, blurring the lines of what is commerce and what is art even further. The symbiosis of art merchandise and fashion as art only makes the act of shopping a more layered and nuanced experience, and just gives us more excuses to buy stuff.

Commes des Garçons debuted late last year The Trading Museum, within the same courtyard of their flagship store on the Rue de Fauborg St. Honore. This annex is laid out like an art gallery, with pristine white walls, an imposing platform right by the entrance, and strategically placed square stands that make certain items stand out, such as a canvas tote bag with multiple handles or a supremely simple pair of shoes. When we went there, two collaborations were given importance: a project with artist/activist Ai Wei Wei, and a line emblazoned with vintage Beatles motifs from their earlier works. Each item also comes with a newspaper with more info on the current exhibit and announcements of future collaborations.

Posing at the entrance of Comme des Garçons along San Honoré.

The hallway leading to Trading Museum of Comme des Garcon.

Giant bonsai? (May ganon ba?)

See, I told you it's a giant bonsai! It's taller than me.

Museums can be of many kinds and be founded for many purposes, such as recreation, study, education, tourism and even civic pride.

The realm of trading is where mankind's most significant meetings take place, bringing together all kinds of people.

Trading Museum Comme des Garçons is a space where two above mentioned notions come together.

Beautiful bejeweled cross. Very Imeldific!

I love these rings, one of a kind!

More stuff from designers like Christopher Nemeth, Ek Thongprasert,

Noritaka Tatehana, Katerina Jebb, Azumi & David Yamashita.

Oops, found a shirt!

There's a size that fits me! Love it!

Now, let's go to the Comme des Garcon store which is just across.

Photo op at the entrance. (Para may proof)

Inside the store paying for my t-shirt. (Para may proof)

This dress is so beautiful. I can see Julia Montes wearing this in the next Star Magic Ball. 

Or my BFF Angelette in the next Tatler Ball.

Colette, also on St. Honore, made the idea of a concept store a more mainstream endeavor, but ten years after it first revolutionized fashion retail by fusing art, design and whimsy, it is still a favorite stop of the stylish set. When we were there, I was charmed by the tote bags designed by cult fashionista fave Olympia Le Tan, and the votive candles designed by Jason Wu with the Slatkin Co.  Their next window will feature the unveiling of the Diet Coke bottles designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. Too bad I wasn't able to see it anymore.

Gang of four (or five) outside Colette. Me, Jackie Aquino, Angelette & Joseph.

Inside Colette.

It's so neat! (Paano closed pa when we took pics. Hahaha)

With my favorite fashion designer Randy Ortiz, right outside Collette.

Randy working it along St. Honore.

Sashay away!

Hello, Ate V?

But my absolute fave concept store is Merci. It is off the beaten track, on 111 Beaumarchais Ave, in the third arrondissement and not only does it provide visual delight, all the proceeds of the shop go to charity. There is a street level cafe that opens out onto the street, with both French and English books that you can read or discuss with friends. The displays are aesthetically profound and mundane at the same time. At various corners of the shop were hangers made of wood, metal and plastic. Merci means thank you in French, and when you leave, you do feel gratitude that so much creativity and such a childlike sense of wonder could come together in one place. Merci indeed!

Posing at the entrance of Merci. (Para may proof ulit)

It's Angelette's turn.

The courtyard right before you enter Merci. I love the little red car accent which greets you as you enter. Pa-effect lang.

Welcome to Merci!

One of my many favorite areas was the coffee shop which is walled by shelves and shelves of books!

Let me check if the books are real. 

More books! Love it!

When we were there, the exhibit, if one could call it that, was on hangers.

I wonder if there's one from the Philippines? Hmmm Let me find it.

Waley! Panay first world. Hahaha

Suspended from the central skylight was a seemingly random selection of hangers and white tank tops.

If you're in Paris, it's called créatif (creative) ...

 imaginatif (imaginative) ...

inventif (inventive) ...

artistique (artistic) ...

But in Manila, puting labada na nakasampay lang 'yan.

Correct?

There were picture books of hangers from all over the world.

Now these can pass as hangers from the Philippines. As Joan Crawford would say in the movie Mommy Dearest, "I hate wire hangers!"

Just looking and also getting some ideas. Like Randy Ortiz would say, "pulot aral lang." Or in other words, pwedeng kumuha ng idea at tapos gayahin pag-uwi. Hahaha

In the basement, there is a canteen and an herb garden.

A giant "bon" on the wall! It means OK or all right in French!

Look how neatly they present the fruits in the boxes. All fresh too!

See how they have different creative ways of potting the herbs? Awe-inspiring.

I really love the way they display their merchandise...

Tambak-tambak lang.

Shoot lang sa supot na folded in half. Concept na.

But when you look at all of them together, it just works!

Bahay Kubo, Merci (Bahay Kubo Version), kahit munti, ang halaman doon

... ay sari-sari.

Basil, Burnet, Calendula

Chives, Dill, Fennel

Geranium, Lavender, Lemon verbena

Oregano, Parsely, Peppermint

Rosemary, Sage, Southern Wood

Spearmint, Paragon, Thyme

... sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga.

More HANGEEERSSS!

On the second floor, you'll find unique and non-traditional furnitures. It's so so so beautiful!

Reminds me of the Luther Vandross song, A House is not a Home.

"A chair is still a chair, even if no one's sitting there."

"But a chair is not a house. And a house is not a home."

"When there's no one there to hold you tight. And no one there you can kiss goodnight"

"A room is a still a room. Even when there's nothin' there but gloom."

"But a room is not a house. And a house is not a home."

"When the two of us are far apart. And one of us has a broken heart."

Ano ba 'yan? Couldn't remember tuloy if I'm looking at a chair or a room or a house! Na-confuse na ako.

There's a also a section for school supplies.

And some items for the home. (Oh ayan na naman yung song in my mind. Mako-confuse na naman ako)

More selection of chairs.

Love this giant plate!

Love the groupings!

Wonder what's on the other side of that door? Nothing! It's a fake door. Nice no?

Now shelves of bed sheets!

(Window, window) Shopping shopping. (Props lang ang bag)

View from the top.

Hi Angel! Where's your props?

Even the busy counter looks artistic in every way.

One last photo before we say goodbye to this amazing shop. Angelette, say Merci!

Au revoir Merci!