This love, always new

Hasn't everything already been said, written, or sung about Paris? Capital of fashion, of pleasure, even capital of love—the clichés almost write themselves.

So why take another look?
Because there is a new narrative. Unmistakably Parisian, yet freer from the myths that have shaped the city for so long. More down-to-earth, more vibrant, more authentic. As always, this different Paris is revealed through its people. Designers, photographers, artists, creatives—they all offer a view of the city that is less postcard and more realness.
Text: Stephan Huber. Photos: Lou Filippini, @lou.filippini

Adrien Testard
Designer and Visual Artist
"I am a Parisian designer and visual artist who explores the emotional space between tradition and contemporary craftsmanship. My work is rooted in rural memories, travel, and traditional techniques that I studied in France and Japan—from natural dyes to hand-woven structures.
After graduating from ENSAD, I began collaborating with houses such as Lemaire, Jacquemus, and Moismont. I am drawn to materials that carry stories—landscapes, gestures, traces. From these, I form a language in which craft becomes narrative and memory becomes a modern design tool." @adrientestard, adrientestard.com

1| Puces de Saint-Ouen
I live in Saint-Ouen, and visiting the famous flea market is my Sunday ritual. It's a place to take a breather: a coffee in a small alleyway, a stroll through old stalls, always on the lookout for inspiration. I often find antique farm fabrics that I love, vintage clothing, or old paper books that I frequently draw on. @lespucesdesaintouen, www.pucesdesaintouen.com

2| Saint-Pearl
I teach color design at the École des Arts Décoratifs, and Saint-Pearl is my favorite stop along the way. An open kitchen where every gesture and every ingredient is celebrated. A color scheme of dark wood and black lacquer creates a subtle, calm atmosphere that makes the light and space particularly effective. @saintpearlparis, www.saintpearl.fr

3| Topographie de l’art
This gallery was one of the first places I visited when I moved to Paris to study design. The exhibitions are always enriching, surprising, and mostly dedicated to contemporary art in all its media. The place itself tells a lot about the industrial and artisanal past of the Marais, a space full of history and artistic energy. @topographiedelart, www.topographiedelart.fr

Julien Aussel
Founder and Creative Director, Good Morning Keith
"I was born in Montmorency, north of Paris, and grew up close to my grandmother Paulette Amar. Her craftsmanship and her memories of the 1960s and 1970s continue to shape my creative world to this day. The idea for the brand came to me when I was still in school. After completing my master's degree in digital marketing—that was the deal with my parents—I founded Good Morning Keith in 2018.
As a self-taught designer, photographer, and musician, I develop my collections around the musical and cultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Identity and culture always come first for me. I work with upcycled fabrics from couture houses, gender-fluid silhouettes, and a made-to-order approach that reflects my stance on responsible production.
Good Morning Keith is the translation of my greatest passions—clothing, photography, and music—into a contemporary, sustainable vision."
@goodmorningkeith, goodmorningkeith.com

1| Strada Café
My go-to spot for meetings or a quick catch-up. Great coffee, relaxed atmosphere, creative energy—it feels like a vibrant microcosm of the city. @stradacafe, www.stradacafe.fr

2| Arènes de Lutèce
A place outside of time, hidden away in the 5th arrondissement. This is where I come when Paris gets noisy—a quiet place to observe, read, or switch off.

3| Good Morning Kiss
My office, my studio, my spaceship. This is where everything comes together: ideas, photos, clothes, stories. A place of movement and connection, as honest and free as the brand itself.

Margaux Ciré
Founder and Creative Director, Katz
"I grew up in Monaco and later studied at EDHEC Business School before moving to Paris for a double degree—my first real step into the world of fashion. At Dresscode, a PR and influencer agency, I immediately fell in love with the industry: Fashion Week events, inspiring people, and a pace that teaches you an incredible amount.
Six months after graduating, I founded Katz—as a tribute to my mother Natacha, whom everyone called 'Chat'. Her Austrian roots made the name a natural choice. My grandmother, who was closely connected to my mother and fashion, still accompanies me today – through her stories and the Viennese elegance that lives on in our family.
Katz started as a small test collection with a pop-up in Saint-Tropez that exceeded all expectations. Since then, I have been working on the next chapter. I sew each piece myself, focusing on fine materials, deliberately slow creation, and timeless silhouettes inspired by the Austrian imperial era—translated into a modern and feminine style." @katz.paris, katzparis.com

1| Copains
Right next to Dresscode, where I used to work. My regular stop: coffee and something sweet (truly the best). A little ritual before I stroll through the Marais and soak up the energy of the city. This is where I recharge my batteries—nowhere else can you feel the pulse of Paris so beautifully. @copains.paris, www.copains.paris

2| Parc Monceau
Part of my everyday life: jogging, walking the dog, meeting friends. A quiet, green place full of light (except at 4 p.m., when all the parents show up with their children, haha). As someone who grew up by the sea and surrounded by nature, this park just around the corner means an incredible amount to me.

3| Jean Jacques
My favorite place in Paris—a lively bistro with the clatter of cutlery, the aroma of coffee, and light reflecting off old mirrors. I come here all the time for lunch or dinner with friends or family.
A place with effortless elegance. @jeanjacques_paris

Lou Filippini
Photographer
"Born in a small provincial town in France, I moved to Paris right after graduating from high school in search of freedom, creativity, and a more diverse cultural environment. The city immediately became a catalyst: a place where I could grow, experiment, and surround myself with strong, inspiring women from the creative scene.
I recently completed my master's degree in Fashion Image and, at the same time, deepened my passion for fashion photography. I actually wanted to go into art direction and graphic design, but photography found me quite naturally. For three years now, I have been working freelance at the intersection of image design, art direction, and visual storytelling." @lou.filippini

1| The dog park in the Marais, near Place des Vosges
A little retreat in the middle of the city. I come here to clear my head. Quiet, charming, and yet only minutes away from friends and favorite places.

2| Rue de Turenne
Constantly changing. Instead of one boutique, I choose the whole street—a mix of vintage pop-ups, young designers, and temporary spaces. Especially during Fashion Week, it becomes a stage for the new.

3| Partisan Café
My everyday hotspot—coffee in the morning, a quick break in the afternoon. The benches at the entrance are a meeting place for fashionistas. For me, it's like a living Pinterest board: a mood board of looks, silhouettes, and postures.
www.parispartisancafe.com, @parispartisancafe

Helena de Troie
Fashion Office Manager Womenswear, Accessories & Exhibitions, Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, Paris
"With my Swiss-Italian heritage, I was drawn to bigger cities from an early age. My long-standing fascination with department stores began at the London College of Fashion. I spent entire afternoons at Selfridges and Liberty, soaking up everything there.
Professionally, my path took me from Harrods to the buying office at Bergdorf Goodman, and today I work in the fashion office at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, where I curate new brands and concepts for the store.
My Paris favorites take me—naturally—to the Rive Gauche." @helenadetroie

1| Deyrolle
A Parisian institution since 1831: half boutique, half cabinet of curiosities, with a magical upper floor full of taxidermy and natural wonders—all from regulated, ethical sources. Like an intimate natural history museum. Definitely worth a visit with children! @deyrolle_officiel, www.deyrolle.com

2| La Gentiane
A genuine Rive Gauche bistro: warm, down-to-earth, French classics with character. Pierre, the owner, turns every dinner into a small celebration. There is also a hidden costume room in the basement – for changing if the evening calls for it.

3| Conservatoire des Hémisphères
A beautifully designed tea shop on Rue du Bac. Founder Alice curates rare teas with a dedication that you can taste and see. Perfect for special Parisian gifts.
@conservatoiredeshemispheres, www.conservatoiredes-hemispheres.com

Carole Petit
Founder and Creative Director of Diega
"I grew up with a father who was a tailor—trained in bespoke tailoring and fine techniques. As a child, I spent days in his workshop, learning about fine fabrics, precise cuts, and the beauty of details. The rustling of fabrics, chalk lines, the rhythm of craftsmanship—that was my first language.
Diega was born out of a simple, almost instinctive desire to design women's shirts inspired by my father's men's shirts. A brand that carries my personality, my memories, and all the influences that have shaped me." @diega_paris, www.diega.fr

1| OFR
Just a few steps away from my office: a bookstore and gallery full of fashion stories and visual imagery. For me, it's a place to feed the senses.

2| Nice Piece – Rue Charlot
A small vintage museum full of character: old leather, a jacket from the 1970s, a forgotten pattern. I often go there just to browse and rarely leave without finding something. @nicepiece_paris

Samuel Eckert
Artist & Creative Director
"I grew up in Paris and now live in Pantin. While studying graphic design, I worked as a bookseller at the Palais de Tokyo. My first exhibition came about rather by chance during an internship in Quebec, shortly before completing my master's degree.
Back in France, I received my first illustration commissions before becoming self-employed as an art director after a short stint at TBWA.
Since then, I have been combining personal projects and commissioned work that combine illustration and art direction. I love experimenting with new materials and surfaces; it keeps my signature style alive. Today, writing and drawing are equally important to me. I work with fashion, advertising, the press, and cultural institutions, and I give workshops for children and adults. At the same time, I continue to develop exhibitions and tattoo projects." @samueleckert, www.samueleckert.fr

1| Parc de la Villette
I lived right next to it for six years. The park was my giant playground, and it still evokes the same emotions in me today as it did back then. I particularly love Bernard Tschumi's architecture and the "Folies," as well as the sculpture "The Buried Bicycle." www.lavillette.com, @la_villette

2| Aujourd’hui Demain
An inclusive space for vegan culture: art, fashion, books, groceries, and great food. I created their visual identity and decorated the walls with my drawings. @ajddemain

Cassia Halabi-Carter
Fashion journalist and social media manager for Fashion Network
"Working in fashion was a given for me from the start. Growing up in Paris—my mother was an editor at American Vogue—I would flip through magazines and play 'Is this a Patrick Demarchelier or an Annie Leibovitz editorial' while other kids were still looking for 'Where's Waldo?'.
My earliest memories of the fashion world are blurry images: oversized designer shoes at my mother's photo shoots (I could now compete in the Olympic high-heel strutting event), and sitting on my mentor's lap—also known as Mama—in the front row of all the glittering, glamorous shows. So it was inevitable that I would be drawn into this industry. I studied fashion business at EIML in Paris and at the London College of Fashion. But it was the fashion shows themselves that really captivated me: the moment when a perfectly cut look swings down the catwalk, the energy backstage, the sparkle in a designer's eyes as they talk about their inspiration. That's how my career began. My mother's path became my own high-heeled footsteps. I started as a digital editor at grazia.fr and later moved to fashionnetwork.com, where I not only deepened my love of fashion through writing, but also developed my digital persona—to make my passion for this craft visible and share it with all those who love it as much as I do." @cassiacarter

1| My mother's dressing room
I chose my mother's wardrobe because it is the source of my fashion miracle. From the shoes I secretly tried on as a child to the kaleidoscopic rows of shapes, colors, and patterns, this room is just as magical to me today as it was back then.

2| Le Petit Lutetia
Growing up in the 7th arrondissement, I've always been drawn to traditional bistros with a touch of sophistication. And Le Petit Lutetia is just that—and more. Perfect for a date or a night out with my girls: my ultimate chic-sassy rendezvous in Paris. www.lepetitlutetia.com, @lepetitlutetia

3| The little square opposite Le Bon Marché
Whenever I feel agitated, my subconscious automatically draws me to Le Bon Marché—and thus to the little park hidden between its imposing façade and Rue de Sèvres. I love writing there. And for some reason, whether it's raining or snowing, a ray of light always finds me as I sit cross-legged on the bench. My little secret garden.

Lancelot
Musician
"I am a singer-songwriter exploring a new kind of masculinity—tender, calm, and a little different than expected. My second EP, Pas assez, deals with vulnerability, longing, and the constant pressure to be 'good enough'. With my soft, deep voice and androgynous charisma, I try to blur boundaries: between strength and fragility, between who we are and who we are supposed to be. My songs are a place for everyone who feels too much or too little. I'll be touring festivals this summer and playing at La Cigale on April 14, 2026." @lancelot_atx

1| La Fourche Royale
I enjoy spending time at La Fourche Royale. The noise, the warmth, the waiters pretending not to notice me—it all makes me feel strangely at home. Sometimes I just sit there and watch life go by. @lafourcheroyale

2| Thrift stores on Rue Saint-Denis
I often browse the secondhand stores on Rue Saint-Denis. They seem chaotic, but in the best possible way. Rows full of stories, textures, forgotten colors. I like to lose myself there for a while. It reminds me that inspiration is everywhere—especially where you least expect it.

3| My bedroom
My favorite place is my bedroom. This is where I write my songs, usually late at night when the world becomes quieter and my thoughts finally speak. In this gentle chaos of notebooks, instruments, and half-written lines, I don't have to pretend to be anything. I can just feel, listen, and let the music come to me.