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Forget the Eiffel Tower: This Guide Reveals Paris’ Hidden APC Outlet Store and Rick Owens’ Secret Hangouts



Ever wonder where Rick Owens shops for socks, or where the staff of Colette hides away to work out? Go Go Paris, a fashion insider’s guide to the City of Lights, wants to tell you the city’s best secrets.

Started by transnational hipster and journalist Kate van den Boogert, the series of pamphlets aims to shed light on another, more relevant side of the city to people who are sick of hearing about the Eiffel Tower and the Mona Lisa.

Having lived in Paris most of my life, I can honestly say I’ve seen as many tourists as I’ve witnessed bad guidebooks. (And the same applies to New York–how many Europeans come over and only know about Time Square?)

Well, you’ll be happy to hear that I’m impressed with Go Go. An example of the goodness: In the latest issue, Guillaume Henry, new artistic director of Carven, reveals that he likes to rummage through vintage books in a tiny bookstore on the rue de Rivoli, and his favorite hangout is a taxidermy haunt on the Left Bank.

And in each of its seasonal issues, the guide features a selection of fashion figures who live in the French capital, who map out their own version of the town.

Go Go also tells you which hotels (affordable, decent ones, filled with attractive waiters, not tourist traps), restaurants, and clubs to go to, along with the dress code, and crowd type. It also offers advice on where to get your hair cut in case of emergency, and venues that you just must know as a self-respecting, nomadic fashion enthusiast.

There’s more–it introduces you to Paris’ long-kept secrets. For example, where to find the APC Outlet Store (yes, there is one, with current and past collections at least half-priced; it is an urban legend amongst locals). There’s also an Alaïa outlet, but shhhh.

For those of you coming over for Ready to Wear week next month, Ms. Boogert is working on a special fashion week edition, with addresses of descent bistros around the show venues, but also with Go Go discounts, events, and parties, bien sûr!



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