The designer on traveling back to her former home, Paris, including its best bistros, shops, neighborhoods, and delicacies.
For the fashion designer, Paris’s culture, cuisine, and couture are what she craves on time off—so much so, she used to live there full-time. Her tips on Paris’s best caviar, macarons, shops, and neighborhoods.
To get away from it all, I go . . .
Anywhere . . . could be my bedroom, L.A., Paris, or Asia.
My (least) favorite way to travel there is . . . Unfortunately, for farther distances, I have to fly. Which I hate!
My favorite travel pastimes are . . .
My iPad . . . and a cocktail!
My ideal travel companions are . . .
My family and friends, or my staff, who are like family.
__My favorite place to stay is . . .
__Paris is always an issue. For years I kept an apartment in the 16th [Arrondissement], near the Bois, with a view of the Tour Eiffel. Now I am hotel-bound—either the George V or the Plaza Athénée. Roll out of bed and voilà, shopping!
When I’m in the mood for room service, my favorite order is . . . Spaghetti Bolognese and a vodka. What a luxury!
Upon arrival, I most look forward to . . . It’s mostly about gallery hopping, shopping, eating, and dining until I drop.
My favorite spots to indulge in a delicious Parisian meal are . . . I always have a Montblanc at Ladurée (the one on Saint-Germain-des-Prés) and caviar at Caviar Kaspia or La Maison du Caviar. For a true French bistro, I go to Voltaire.
To stay in shape, my on-the-go fitness regime is . . . I shop! Trying on clothes burns a lot of calories.
My suitcase must absolutely contain . . . Two BlackBerrys, multiple BlackBerry chargers, leggings (always), and a sleep mask.
My favorite best-kept secret about Paris is . . . My personal history: Paris is like my second home and I love my friends, the experiences I’ve had there, and the beauty of the place.
When I’m in the mood for some retail therapy, I must visit . . . Balenciaga, Givenchy, Rick Owens, L’Eclaireur, Montaigne Market, and Hermès always. And Joseph’s on Avenue Montaigne.
When I’m in the mood to paint the town red . . . I go to the Ritz.
Upon departing, I am most happy to leave behind . . . My worries.
Footer credit: From top: from Getty images, courtesy of the Plaza Athénée, courtesy of Ladurée. (2).