Paris

Première Vision and Pastries.

Beautiful architecture, beautiful food, beautiful people. Tiny apartment.

This is what Paris had to offer us, and we were in no way disappointed.

We were dropped outside a pair of large wooden doors, in the middle of a narrow, cobbled laneway, surrounded by similar narrow, cobbled laneways. Through here, and up the stairs painted red, white and blue, was our apartment. Though small - kitchen in the bedroom, bathroom in the kitchen - the sunlit balcony was the ideal environment for a cold beer.

We were here to visit our textile partners at Première Vision fabric fair, but would end up doing more eating and drinking than we did business.

Nonetheless, the trip was a successful one. We met old friends, and new ones, and were inspired by the exhibits and collections on show. For us, a fair is a chance to catch up with our associates from across Europe and Asia, to share stories, and maybe an order or two over an espresso. It’s a joy to be surrounded by people as passionate about fabrics: cottons, wools, linens, all colours and textures.

Come night, we explored the underground dive bars, the elegant cocktail clubs, and the late night boulevard cafes, which spilled tables, chairs and lively locals out onto the street. Each night promised a new experience: a delicious falafel, a scenic rooftop view, a unique conversation. And each morning promised the same: coffee and a croissant.

Eats: Tradi, Clamato, Big Mamma, L’As du Fallafel

Drinks: Lockwood, Le Perchoir, La Pointe du Grouin