From mysterious tropical islands to the golden quarter of vintage-chic boutiques in Paris… here in the (blog)house you know I like to take you with me everywhere I go. And since it’s been a busy week for all of us, I think we all need a Friday afternoon treat. This time I am taking you to one of my favourite little finds in the maze-like backstreets of Le Marais…
Welcome to Maria Vryzakis’ gorgeous boutique: Marie Louise de Monterey, tucked away on Rue Charles Francois Dupuis. Filled with hand picked classic vintage French clothing, Maria’s eye for the refined is apparent the moment you step in…
I name this to be one of those ‘destination’ places, a not-to-be-missed fashion treasure of Paris. It is here that you will find the sophisticated Paris garment that you have been coveting for as long as you can remember. But what else makes this boutique stand out from the crowd in this fashion capital of Europe?
Okay I will give you a clue…
image courtesy of Lyell.
Yep, Marie Louise de Monterey is not only home to the most stylish and romantic Parisian vintage garments but is also Europe’s showroom for one of our favourite fashion labels, Lyell. Both Maria and Emma (the talented designer behind Lyell) are friends from Australia, and when Maria decided to open her boutique in Paris last year, it just made sense for the incredible vintage-inspired collection of Lyell to be in this beautiful space too.
Marie Louise de Monterey oozes sophistication but don’t be intimidated by it’s beauty as Maria, being an Aussie like myself is very relaxed and welcoming, and believe me this is a refreshing treat when you are out and about shopping in this town. I have one more surprise to share for those of you who live oceans away from Paris. There is no need to just window shop from the (blog)house…
… as Maria places some of her pieces on Ebay and has future plans for online selling. So just pop her an email for enquiries. And I’ll be visiting Maria again soon which will bring us ANOTHER surprise. This one has something to do with her, and everything to do with us being sticky peaks and loving Paris abodes. OOh I can’t wait!
all photographs by Pia Jane Bijkerk (PJB) unless otherwise stated.
what a beautiful space in those top photographs. wow!!
March 14th, 2008 | #
Thanks for the tour,I love Le Marais but i live so far away…
i like those tiny vichy bikinis
March 14th, 2008 | #
Lovely, lovely photos! Beautiful space!
I have to go there next week… and Marais oh! I love, love it (it’s simple, whenever I’m in Paris I always go there all the time). I used to work there, needless to say that my lunch time was spent doing shopping 🙂
March 14th, 2008 | #
pia, i love this. exactly what i needed 🙂 thank you
March 14th, 2008 | #
ps. i love that cute underwear:)
March 14th, 2008 | #
ah to be shopping in Paris!
I’m in a shopping mood these days…gorgeous shots, Pia!
March 14th, 2008 | #
What beautiful images. Like a massage for the eyes.
March 14th, 2008 | #
I love the top two pictures. They have such a wonderful mood. It definitely looks like a good place to spend the Friday afternnon at.
March 14th, 2008 | #
This is incredible. I too love the cute underwear on the hangers! And, as a new fan of Lyell, this will be a must stop when I make it back to Paris! Thanks for sharing it all, Pia.
March 14th, 2008 | #
If it’s possible, I just fell more in love with Paris! Lovely pictures!
March 14th, 2008 | #
Thank you – so beautiful and inspiring! The floor, the shoes, delicious!
March 15th, 2008 | #
as if i needed one more reason to love paris…bryan and i stayed in le marais when we were in paris several years ago. bliss.
March 15th, 2008 | #
Oh my! What a gorgeous place! And the floor… beautiful!…
March 15th, 2008 | #
awesome photos, pia! my heart did a little dance when i saw them. this is the kind of boutique i love to visit when i’m in paris. everything looks so feminine and sweet!
March 15th, 2008 | #
Ooooh! I’ll be heading to Paris in a couple of weeks and staying in the Marais! Adding the address to my list of places to see….
Thanks Pia!
March 15th, 2008 | #
oh so sweet! i’ll be visiting in may!!
(can’t wait to see in her home too!)
merci
March 15th, 2008 | #
Oh Pia, you know exactly how to make me feel better!
Last time I was in Paris I actually went to find this store but it was closed! The sadness.
This post and that first photo especially make me determined to go back and visit. Thank you. x
March 15th, 2008 | #
Ooooohhh… This is the kind of place I go to in my dreams… What a great find (to me), thanks Pia!
I love all the pictures. That one with the mirrors and vase+shoes is just dreamy.
And yes, the floor is so beautiful. Can you believe that some friends of mine bought a house with that kind of lovely old tiles only to break them all and place something else in their place?! A crime!!
Have a great weekend!
March 15th, 2008 | #
thanks everyone! yes if you are travelling to paris in the near future go and check out maria’s shop and be sure to say hi from me! i will have more for you from paris in the very near future, and it will all be leading to a lovely pinnacle of something special next year!
itsasne – don’t you hate it when friends do that, my heart just smashes into a million pieces along with the floor tiles. But luckily for me my friends always ask my opinion when they suggest their plans, so i have a chance of steering them away from the disaster. On the other hand, friends and family inevitably don’t listen to me, only my clients do. figure that out, i can’t!
March 15th, 2008 | #
I absolutely love that shop too. Blogged about it – and my obsession with the tiles – here: http://lolaisbeauty.blogspot.com/2007/06/charming.html
Sigh…
March 15th, 2008 | #
Hey Pia, when I mentioned how nice they were and they casually said they were going to be replaced for something more contemporary (??!!!) I really couldn’t believe it. I suggested they salvage them and give them to a constructor or sell them off somewhere so that someone with a different taste (ie, anyone not blind to their beauty) could use them. But given that it was probably easier for the workers to just break them off, I guess that’s what happened… (snif!) You can only give well meaning advice, then cross your fingers… To those close to you you are seldom a ‘professional’, you are just a voice, an opinion etc. Frustating, I know.
March 15th, 2008 | #
I love paris and I love marais area.. I’be there in april! I especially love paris in spring.
March 16th, 2008 | #
This looks like such a beautiful space! I love the tiles.
March 16th, 2008 | #
I’m in lalalalove. Thank you for taking us with you, Pia. I adore that top photo the very most.
March 17th, 2008 | #
Wow! So many of us in April? I’m visiting in just under three weeks. Maria will be flooded with hellos from Pia!
March 31st, 2008 | #
This is one of my favorite things to look at and read…I imagine myself in this little shop. (like heaven.) 🙂 Perhaps a stop while I’m in Paris someday…because I will be. Best to you….Anna
June 7th, 2008 | #