Dita Von Teese is hardly a stranger to Paris. More than a girl about town, she is a former resident of gay Paree, where she lived between 2009 and 2012.
And although she’s let her residence there go and now calls Los Angeles home, she still finds time to visit the world’s most romantic city at least four times a year.
Von Teese counts designer Jean Paul Gaultier among her close friends, and has walked in three of his fashion shows, including his recent autumn/winter ’14 couture show, where she wore a feathered, tightly corseted minidress designed to resemble a butterfly in an electric shade of blue.
After she strutted down the catwalk, Dita dished to Alexa about her favorite French spots:
A day in the life in the City of Light
“I use Uber cars to get around, or sometimes my bicycle if I’m feeling brave. I usually peruse the shops of my favorite designers who are friends, like Alexis Mabille, Elie Saab and Jean Paul Gaultier.
“I rarely buy on impulse, instead I see what there is and think about it over lunch or even for a few days.
“I almost always stop in to see my friend Christian Louboutin at his atelier to have my shoes for my burlesque shows fitted. His atelier and store are also on the same block as a favorite restaurant of [mine], L’Epi D’Or.
“I always make a stop at teahouse Mariages Frères, where I might have lunch or just a tea, and I stock up on Lapsang souchong, violette, serenade and Rose Himalaya teas.”
Expert shopping tip
“The key is to be very specific and to buy things that will always remind you of Paris. I would rather save up for one wonderfully Parisian thing than to shop on a whim and buy several things. I like to plan, think about what my purchase is going to be, and then have one exciting thing to unwrap and be excited about rather than having a bunch of bags of stuff.”
A regular at Chanel? Mais oui!
“I like to buy certain things in Paris for the ritual of it. I like to buy a Chanel bag occasionally, Chantal Thomass underpinnings, Fifi Chachnil cardigan sweaters and negligees. I also like to visit Chez Sarah at Saint-Ouen for vintage lingerie that inspires my own collection, which is now available at Bloomingdale’s in the States.”
A Parisian shopping spree must include . . .
“Mariages Frères, Chez Sarah, Christian Louboutin, Chantal Thomass [and] Alexis Mabille.”
Gift wrapped
“I can create special memories of a place when I buy a gift in Paris — I always remember the moment. I tend to indulge more in Paris, so the things I buy are usually more extravagant than usual. Plus, everyone loves a gift from Paris.”
What the Parisians do better
“The haute couture, of course! The term ‘haute couture’ is used so loosely these days, but I have a huge respect for the authentic, official and legal standard of true haute couture in Paris. It’s fashion as art.”