How not to fall in Dior, in Paris

Returned to Paris (No Louis sightings yet, sigh…), checked into Hotel Le Littre and made a resolution to face my greatest fear—falling in Dior! Do any of you remember that episode of Sex and the City, you know, the one where Carrie falls in Dior?

As I set out for the boutique on avenue Montaigne, I rehearsed a smooth, skid-free entrance in my head like an Olympic athlete. It must have worked because I walked in and stayed upright—until I saw the most incredible sailor-inspired dress from Dior’s Spring-Summer 2011 Prêt-a-Porter collection. Oh my Dior!

After Dior, it was time for the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, near the Champs Élysées, renowned for such shops as Hermes, YSL and Chanel. A quick trip to the Musée des Arts décoratifs, where there’s an exhibit about fashion in the ‘90s, and I feel positively giddy; so much fashion, so little time.

Coco Chanel is another fashion favourite of mine, so I decide to visit the site of her impressive boutique. From the moment I stepped into the building, I felt as if I had gone back in time, transported via the aroma of her signature scent, Chanel No. 5. As I stood on the famous spiral staircase surrounded by faceted mirrors, I felt much like Coco must have herself, easily able to gauge what was going on all 4 floors from this angle. Smart woman!

I could stay in Paris forever, wafting on a cloud of fashion and fine food, but Milan calls and I’m off to catch the Artesia from Paris’ Gare de Lyon to Milano Centrale… ciao for now.

By the way, does anyone happen to know the best place for a gelato in Milan or Rome?