La Bella de Maria Luisa ... The Crux of Parisian Chic

Luxury fashion freaks know it well that when it comes to shopping, nothing beats the charm and allure of Paris fashion scene.

But say, if you’re tired of spending those hard earned Euros at the same old likes of Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, or swank shops lining Rue Faubourg Saint Honoré and Avenue Montaigne (think Dior’s refurbished flagship), why don’t you seek greener fashion pasture at Maria Luisa for a change?

Swank to the max maybe the best line to describe Maria Luisa, a cult and modern luxury store in the heart of Paris. Founded by Maria Luisa in 1988, the boutique embodies the eclectic and efficient mix of both traditional and new.

Thanks to her sharp taste in fashion and her spontaneity, Maria Luisa and her boutique became not only the talk of Paris, but also the world over with wide coverage on hallowed pages of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and more.

This is where then new and emerging designers such as Christopher Kane, Nicholas Ghesquiere, Olivier Theyskens, and Rick Owens gained their humble beginnings before spearheading top fashion and couture houses in Paris. Apart from that, Maria Luisa also carries brands that have highly influenced the world’s style taste such as anarchic punk queen Vivienne Westwood, Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, Martin Margiela, and Helmut Lang.

Now, one may wonder what’s inside this cult store and what makes it so appealing that your Paris shopping trip won’t be complete without dropping by into the store for a peek on Azzedine Alaïa’s new gowns?

Designed by Laurent Buttazzoni and Frederic Lavaud, the store’s appeal lies not just on the well-edited selections of ready-to-wear, shoes, and accessories. The unique interior sense too attracts the crowd to browse and shop in the store.

Inspired by the apartment of a renowned conceptual art collector, Ghislain-Mollet Viéville, the 200 square meters of retail space is well-accented by mirrors, charcoal-grey walls, and a 22-metres long clothing rail. Paired with fabulous glass display with façade overseeing Rue du Mont Tabor, the attractiveness of the store is further enhanced with presence of lively colours on interior decor such as red furnishing, blue columns, and yellow space.

Of course, with a lavish yet contemporary décor comes a seductive array of ready-to-wear and accessories brand to spree on. From new and upcoming designers discovered by Maria Luisa to the world-renowned legends, a trip to Maria Luisa will definitely make you addicted, thus prompting you come over again day after day. The store also created history when its shoe store, opened in 1998, earned exclusive retail rights for Manolo Blahnik in Paris!

As years gone by, more designers made Maria Luisa their home in Paris. Furthermore, the store also received global acclaims and high reputations that soon prompted to their first store outside Paris in Hong Kong. Located at the Causeway Bay store, the Hong Kong branch of Maria Luisa also carries the same embodiment and spirit as its Parisian sister with eclectic yet vibrant mix of Parisian fashion staple (Givenchy) and fresh budding designers.

Come November, Doha’s most discerning fashionistas will get the chance to shop and dress like their Parisian counterparts too as Maria Luisa will expand her wings into the cosmopolitan Gulf city.

So, if you are looking for the amazing designs of British new gems Marios Schwab and Hussein Chalayan in the city that utters Dior and Chanel as part of their daily conversations, then you know where to head to – the splendid Maria Luisa boutique.

*Photos courtesy of Maria Luisa.

Maria Luisa – 7, Rue Rouget de L’isle, 75001 Paris (womenswear); 38, Rue du Mont Tabor, 75001 Paris (Menswear).