Independent boutiques have grown in popularity over the last couple of years. The pandemic allowed everyone to shift gears, resort back to their roots and bring the focus back to what is just around the corner. Social media means we can shop from a brand on the other side of the world, but the allure of shopping small and local comes with heritage, intricate craftsmanship and lots of love and care. We’ve created a list of less-known brands that you might just want to keep a secret from your friends. What’s the good in something if everyone else has it?
PHI 1.618
Eco-responsible leather goods brand PHI 1.618 is based around the golden ratio. The figure symbolizes the divine proportion which is prevalent in the craftsmanship of these bags. Working circularly in France only, there’s full transparency between the Maison and customer. Both the models and the craftsmen are French, and the materials are excess from bigger fashion houses.
Unique in their design, the bags come in a variety of styles, sure to make you stand out from the crowd. In a vibrant orange, classic chestnut, marine blue, you can find trendy round shapes, or a classic shopper tote. The circular ‘Sac Philo’ has a convenient handle on the side of the bag, disguised as a logo. A fabulous meeting of function and fashion. Smaller cross body bags are also available in a soft leather grain. As well as bags, you can match with leather belts, tied in a quirky knot style.
Katia Sanchez
Queen of joyful sweaters, Katia Sanchez creates life-long friends in her garments. Made with a whole lot of love near Venice, the colorful and funky jumpers are for women of all ages and all sizes. Inspired by a trip to India, a magnificent place full with colour and flavour, Katia embarked on a quest to create responsible mohair sweaters. More than just a well-made sweater, Katia Sanchez designs less but better, and proposes to treasure beautiful things instead of constantly renew them.
Sainte Isaure
Founded in 2016, Ingrid Monti created leather goods brand based on her love for the arts. Inspired by dance, each of the bags she creates have movement in mind. Whether it’s the smaller, functional design of the ‘Carmin’, or the dazzling beauty of the disco ball-esque ‘Renée 3D’. Ingrid lives by the rule that ‘gold is the new black’.
The hyper feminine designs are produced in Spain by traditional craftsmanship, and the leather itself is up-cycled and high-quality from Italy. What’s not to love? Available in super fun colours that are sure to get your body pumping, Sainte Isaure hold pop ups every few months in Paris, keep tabs on their instagram for the details!
Chatelles Paris
If Cinderella were real, she’d be wearing Chatelles slippers to balls. These cute ballet pumps, loafers, kitten heels and mules come in an array of colors and styles.
Beautifully blue in design, the Chatelles store on Rue du Bac is decorated with flowers, changing depending on the season. A true fairy tale experience, the store is home to perfectly poised shoes across glossy walls and podiums. You can also customise the shoes with bows, jewels and fluffy bobbles. Looks like a perfect fit!
ADDRESS: 94 Rue du Bac (7th arr.) / 91 Rue de Courcelles (17th arr.)
PRICE: €€
INSTAGRAM: @chatelles_slippers
THYRS
French sustainable leather goods brand THYRS, live to create color for a vibrant life. The unique and mega trendy satchel style, iconic with the brand, comes with loads of pocket space for everyday activities. Whether it’s dropping the kids off, going to work or even a session at the gym, these unisex bags have got you covered. The trademark design comes in a wide range of sizes and colors, as well as being eco-friendly with carefully chosen materials and sourced in close proximity.
Available at La Caserne as well as their own website, you’ll also find many other sustainable goodies in the large concept store.
Yuni Yunan
Asian heritage is the foundation of Yuni Yunan, who produces and sells responsible leather goods. Literally translated to ‘here and there’ in Lao, the brand acts as a porthole to the beauty of Asia. Combining the culture of Asia with the tradition and craftsmanship of France produces a harmonious blend.
Find the innovative ‘Baluchon’ bag with a tie top and bucket shape, or look for the best-selling ‘Obi’ bag with chain strap. All in wonderfully wearable colors of pastels and neutrals. Yuni Yunan often has stands at Printemps, as well as at La Caserne in Paris.
ADDRESS:12 Rue Philippe de Girard (10th arr.) / 64 Bd Haussmann (9th arr.)
PRICE: €€
INSTAGRAM: @yuniyunanparis
Faubourg 54
Bringing a taste of Italy to Paris, Faubourg 54 hosts a collection of artsy t‑shirts, sweaters, accessories and more. Adding a little edge to the classic Parisienne chic, Faubourg 54 adds embroidered slogans onto their vibrant items reading ‘tutto va bene’, ‘l’amour, la vie, l’aventure’, ‘la dolce vita’, to name a few.
A vintage interior with wooden floors, pastel colors and tiled walls, the store on Avenue Trudaine is classically Italian and also includes a little espresso bar. A quick hit of caffeine while you shop – smart idea. Mamma mia, we want more.
Alice Watier
The joyful designs or Alice Watier are nothing short than a ray of sunshine. A full rainbow can be found in the dynamic brand that creates made-to-order bags. This clever design means no materials or products are wasted, a very efficient and eco method. As well as this, customers can get exactly what they envision, avoiding disappointment all round!
Choose from weaved baskets for summer in the ‘Ana Cabana’ or how about ‘Sac seau Ana’, a cute bucket bag where you can choose to mismatch interior to exterior colors. Card holders, clutches and even customizable furniture – you can find all the playful goodies at Alice Watier. Available to order at La Caserne.
Ann-So
The cool geometric designs of Ann-So are made to survive the daily travels of life. Fully designed and made in Paris, the vegetable tanned leathers are picked in Italy due to their strong nature and resistance to the elements.
In sleek black with pops of electrifying yellows and pinks, the durable bags are simple, drawing inspiration from architecture. Discover the collection at La Caserne Paris.
Atelier Farny
The cosy bags that are Atelier Farny are more than just an accessory, they’re the whole outfit. Pouchy in design with a gathered opening, the large range are responsibly hand made in Paris. Each piece enhanced by an elegant imprint or golden jewellery, high quality leathers are sourced from bigger fashion houses to ensure luxury that’s less harmful to the planet. Atelier Farny are also releasing new canvas bags mixed with faux leather in a neutral palette.
Louizon
Calling all gypsy souls and boho addicts, Louizon designs floaty caftans, soft cotton maxis and light wide-legged trousers. Sporting the total hippy vibe, the clothing is created with embroidered flowers and crochet shapes, fully embracing the ‘70s spirit! Yoni and Jessica Seror founded the brand in 2015, inspired by travel and their love for folk and indie music. Art-nouveau graphics are apparent, as well as important ‘little’ things like buckles, braids, buttons.
Head to their showroom to check out the stars of the show, long imprinted dresses that can be worn throughout the day and into the evening.
Bag Affair
Sourcing bags for the busy business women of Paris and indeed the world, Bag Affair create 100% vegan products that are compostable. Using cork and French linen, the bags are eco-friendly, while also looking cute – awesome. Generally larger in size to store a laptop, lunch and makeup, think of Bag Affair as trendy briefcases for stylish ladies.
Caire
Innovative bag and luggage brand Caire create practical items that are timelessly trendy. With a range of products from phone holders to large shoppers, Caire offers show stopping elegance that’s sure to turn heads. Similar to its phonetic sister ‘care’, the brand uses eco materials with non-animal alternative leathers, nurturing the fashion industry in order to thrive and sustain.
ADDRESS: 12 Rue Philippe de Girard (10th arr.) / 4 rue Papillon (10th arr.) / 10 Passage Thiéré (11th arr.) / 9 rue Française (2nd arr.)
PRICE: €€
INSTAGRAM: @caire_officiel
Lenny B. Paris
#lennybgirls are equipped with a cool-girl-chic, effortlessly put-together outfits that remain stylish throughout the seasons. Made in France, all designs are sketched and created in their atelier, with careful craftsmanship and attention to detail. The boutique is simple and modern, much similar to the stock it keeps, with chunky knits, satin shirts and floaty skirts. The concept of Lenny B is that the items can be seamlessly mixed and matched, to get ultimate variety and wear.
Lironie
Uniquely striking, the bags of Lironie present a French savoir-faire combined with a punchy Mexican attitude. Championing individuality, Lironie is a wholly inclusive brand and create for the daring and bold. Quirky details are what makes these bags magical, such as the original peg brooch design to open and close. Each collection considers the environment without compromising creativity, all with a sense of humour and wit that transpires through the bags.
LAJU
Created by Justine Bossard in 2018, LAJU was founded to take a stance against the abundance of waste apparent at high-end fashion workshops. Previously working for big names herself, Justine formed LAJU using leather scraps for a responsible future. The unisex brand is minimalist with clean silhouettes for bags that suit anyone and everyone. Premium materials are sourced and bags are made 100% in France, keeping the supply chain small. Choose from a range of smooth, soft-grained products in contemporary shapes that won’t go out of style.
Maison Peaux Neuves
Sustainably sourced materials make up the exquisite Peaux Neuves designs. Aside from wine, it turns out raisins can also be used to create beautiful bags too. Grape leather goods offer an ethical alternative to animal leather, paying homage to France’s wine-growing culture. With as little impact as possible, Peaux Neuves design simple bags with a chic aesthetic that’s wearable 365 days of the year. Next time you’re considering a bottle of vino, opt for the lifelong friend in a Peaux Neuves bag instead.
17H10
Shoulder pads, statement suits, tailored trousers and sexy tees. Power dressing is the 17H10 brand, designed for ethical workwear that makes you feel confident. Available in sizes 34 to 48, the brand is committed to creating for all women, using natural and recycled materials. Enhancing beauty both inside and out, 17H10 also operate a tailor-made service to cater for all silhouettes.
The boutiques have a vintage feel with a cosiness, and plenty of friendly assistants to measure you for your perfect fitting suit. 17H10 additionally offer personalized advice on colorimetry and morphology to see what suits you best.
ADDRESS: 36 rue de Sévigné (3rd arr.) / 12 rue du Cherche-Midi (6th arr.) / 28 rue des Batignolles (17th arr.)
PRICE: €€
INSTAGRAM: @17h10.paris
Domestique
Created by Simon Delacour, the Domestique style is vibrant and passionate, incorporating bags into everyday activities. Unique designs come in the styles of mini box-like crates, as well as leather shoppers that look like paper bags. Every day is market day with Domestique – you’ll always want to fill your bag with colourful goodies. This is the charm of the brand, who produce chemical-free natural leather with a unique material that softens with the contact of your own skin.
Made in Paris at their atelier, respecting the planet is at the heart of Domestique, always made-to-order to reduce waste. Domestique will have you craving freshly squeezed orange juice without reason.
Idano
Born in 2014, Idano is a no-nonsense ready-to-wear clothing brand which aims to make quality affordable for all. Feminine silhouettes and lively prints are at the core of Idano. Reducing the amount of third-parties in the creation process, they work with a vertical manufacturing method that allows for an ethical, quicker trend turn around. Buying Idano items is a personal experience, designed to bring fun and joy to both your wardrobe and life.
Keep your eyes peeled for pop-ups in Printemps.
Natalys
Calling all soon-to-be mamas and those with children to Natalys. Offering the most adorable baby fits with that chic Parisienne charm, friends will be ooing and awing all day long. They’ve got the mom’s covered too with gorgeous pregnancy fits that match nicely with baby.
Warm, flowery and comfy styles, and floaty dresses to accentuate pregnancy curves while cotton dungarees can hold bump comfily in place. As well as this, shop for accessories of high chairs, changing bags and blankets, bibs and more. Founded in 1953, find Natalys items in concept store ‘Natalys and Friends’ on Rue Saint-Denis.
Le Petit Dakarois
A dynamic fusion of culture from Africa and art-deco modernism from France, Le Petit Dakarois hand-makes patterned bomber jackets, sweaters as well as interiors such as cushions. Friends Nil Yahiaoui and Yoann Aboulkassimi fell in love with Sénégal and its local traditions, drawing inspiration for their clothing brand which they formed in 2019.
Traditional designs from Dakar are evident in the hyper-colorful floral shapes and geometric lines while Parisian style comes through in the fit and structure. A brand that consistently gives back, Le Petit Dakarois have many ongoing charity projects with the villages around Dakar, giving meals and forming close relationships. You’re bound to feel the love of Africa with Le Petit Dakarois.
Carlos-Carlos Paris
Vintage-loving house of ‘60s inspired dresses, Carlos-Carlos was founded by Scarlett Claverie-Bulte. Creating just dresses, Claverie-Bulte believes that it is a staple piece in a feminine wardrobe that can cause drama and exude assertion. The cut and material are intrinsic to the Carlos-Carlos brand, using warm and luminous colors to flatter all skin tones. Transparent in nature, the brand work with upcycled materials in a zero-waste production.
« If the soul of Carlos-Carlos was for a moment, it would be dawn, a (strong) coffee in one hand, a croissant in the other.» Let’s start living life to the full embracing our inner Twiggy.
