Eva Galambos has led Australian luxury retail for 15 years, buidling a carefully crafted brand portfolio at her boutique PAR LOU R X . L’Officiel steps inside her world as Galambos hits the road for the new season’s buy.
PA R I S , SAT U RDAY 27 TH J U N E
6.30A M: CH A RLES D E GAU LLE A I RP O RT My buying assistant Rebel Sorensen and I land in Paris in the midst of a 40-degree heat wave and a massive taxi strike where drivers protest against Über. I come here four times a year and this buying trip, for resort 2016, is one of the most hectic to date: six days, 19 appointments, plus a quick day trip to Milan. All the while I must project manage the fit out of our new boutique back in Sydney. We hit the ground running.
11.3 0A M : BAO BAO IS S E Y M I YA K E One of my favourite appointments and, fortunately, the quickest: carryall bags with structural, engineered design—all about flexible functionality. This season we experiment with clutch styles in block, bold colours. An easy start to the week.
0 0 PM: PRO ENZ A SC H O U L ER With only one season under our belt and a second due to arrive, we’re still cultivating our clients’ expectations for this brand. We hone in on the technically progressive knitwear in addition to effortless, modern separates.
2 .0 0 P M : AC N E Hello again. A personal favourite, I’m bringing the Swedish brand back to our portfolio. I’ve been quietly watching the evolution of their ready-to-wear: it has matured and become highly sought-after. When buying, the showroom experience is paramount—something might photograph exceptionally but may not work for our customer. We must buy with real women in mind, so only by feeling a piece and seeing the fit can we be confident in our buy. Seeing it in person, the timing for Acne feels right.
3.30 PM: BA L M A I N An unexpected departure from Olivier Rousteing: a completely neutral palette with signature blazers reimagined in earthy tones. I get a distinct 1970s Yves Saint Laurent ‘Saharienne’ influence from a batwing mini dress. I imagine Balmain women will line up for this.
5. 3 0 P M : MSGM This is one fun showroom. I’m delighted with the bright, bold offerings full of pattern and colour blocking—a lot of stripes but with a sense of calm. Designer Massimo Giorgetti was inspired by a Brazilian landscape architect whose work is intended to be as beautiful viewed from above as from the ground.
7.0 0 PM: DINNER, L’AVENUE My first night back in Paris feels like dinner at home, with friends Simonne Einfeld, Jackie Frank and Charlie Russanou. I’m overjoyed to just sit down and bypass the jetlag with an espresso martini. Dining alfresco on the terrace, the summer sky doesn’t get dark until 10.30pm. I love the menu here and it’s also one of the best spots for one of the greatest Parisian pastimes: people watching.
PA R I S , SUN DAY 28TH JUNE
9.30A M: C É LI N E One of our biggest appointments every season, Céline can take hours—and we love every minute. Being alert despite a packed schedule is paramount. The Céline buy is becoming more significant: client demand is exceeding expectations. The headquarters is phenomenal and sets the tone for a cohesive collection of striped cotton shirting and classic cashmere turtlenecks. I imagine Céline’s sleek jumpsuits will be prominent at Paris Fashion Week in September. The pièce-de-résistance? A refined red houndstooth coat with clean lines—so Céline. Given the unprecedented response to the belt bag, we reorder it. I anticipate customers will again load up on the geometric cuffs, so I double our units.
5.0 0 PM: VICTO RIA BECK HA M Sleek and elegant as ever, this season Victoria Beckham has fun and loosens up with colour, print and texture for a lighter, more youthful offering. Our selection focuses on the brand’s strength and core customer: signature body-con dresses with new necklines.
7.3 0 PM : D I N N E R, C A M ELI A R E S TA U R A N T Time to catch up with friends Heidi Middleton, Kym Ellery and Karin Upton Baker at Camelia at the Mandarin Oriental. We eat in the open air courtyard on a table perched high in a pergola—so beautiful. The food is outstanding. Actor Owen Wilson sits nearby on one side and designer/editor Natasha Goldenberg dines with her children on the other.
M IL A N, MO N DAY 29TH J U N E
7.0 0A M : PA R IS TO M I L A N After 14 years, Parlour X is moving into the historic St John’s Church [now a retail space] in Paddington so I find myself making critical design and fit out decisions in the back of taxis. Today I spend hours on the phone from the moment I leave the apartment—thankfully my architect is in Sardinia so we’re in the same time zone, corresponding with the builder back in Sydney. Crafting a space with luxury finishes that will complement the heritage listed building takes much attention on this trip.
30A M: S TE L L A MCC A RTN E Y Distinctly sunny, the
collection conveys a certain joie de vivre synonymous with the label. A silk floral printed story referred to as ‘English Blooms’ dominates, as does her equestrian side with a dancing horse print playing a major role on flirty cocktail dresses, silk jogging pants and oversized blouses. Love the accessories: a fabulous glomesh take on the ‘Falabella’ bag and a bucket bag that will be on many wish lists. Another favourite: a bejewelled knuckle duster style iPhone case.
0 0 P M : VA L E N T I N O Precollections are always shown
in Valentino’s beautiful Milan headquarters which stretch over 10 rooms. The beauty of the marble showrooms is only surpassed by the collections. Inspired by the idea of freedom and Diana Vreeland’s famous quote “the eye has to travel”, we love the signature ’60s style cape dresses and are drawn to an intricate lace wedding dress. Breathtaking. We also revisit the embroidered ‘Camubutterfly’ story and ‘Rockstud’ shoe that were such big hits instore. Plus we nab Valentino’s next big item: the fabulous ‘Love Latch’ footwear.
8.0 0 PM : M I L A N TO PA R IS
PA R I S , TU ESDAY 30TH J U N E
9.3 0A M : ISA B E L M A R A N T É TO I L E As the longest standing stockist of Isabel Marant in the southern hemisphere, this is a partnership I deeply value. The team has become like family and we buy both the main line and Étoile. Always effortless, always cool, the formula is foolproof: a little skirt, slouchy pant and hero pieces like the printed jumpsuit. Never disappoints.
2 .30 PM: C H LO É J’adore Chloé. The rep reveals that Clare Waight Keller was inspired by musician Brian Eno’s different performance personas, so we’re briefed to approach the collection in categories: black, leopard and glam romantic pales. I, of course, can’t go past a leopard print—it’s so versatile it has become its own neutral. Chloé accessories are popular at Parlour X, so the ‘Drew’ and ‘Faye’ bags are re-ordered. Chloé is having its moment, and everyone is watching.
8.0 0 PM: DINNER, FRENCHIE Back with the gang: Kym Ellery, Sophie Endrey (Ellery), Toni Maticevski, Prasana Lee (Maticevski), jewellery designer Jennifer Fisher and Rebel. I’m lucky to collaborate with talented creatives whom I call friends. My Paris dinners are a staple of my buying trips and have become quite a hit. This place has a six-month waiting list. We have the degustation and soak up the amazing vibe and service. Kym and I kick on at a nearby cocktail bar, as you do.
PA R I S , WED N ESDAY 1ST J U LY
3 0 A M : B A L E N C I AGA Alexander Wang seems to have truly found his footing for resort 2016: a fabulous tweed story, white towelling (Wang’s ironic nod to summer) and evening dresses with corsetry boning and jacquard peplums. I feel the divine beaded necklines will work well in our expanding black tie category.
2 . 3 0 PM : ISA B E L M A R A N T M A I N L I N E Back again. This season, the statement prints, easy to wear tunics and overall bohemia are ever-present. We again order a selection of sandals—local clients love them.
PA R I S , T H U RSDAY 2N D J U LY
0 0 A M : AL A Ï A All week, between appointments, I fervently catch up on emails, communicating with the team back in Sydney. Not to mention project managing the relocation. Last stop of the trip. Designer Hedi Slimane transformed Yves Saint Laurent with more edgy and directional offerings, but our clients respond to the timelessness of Saint Laurent: precise tailored cuts and suiting. As such, we gravitate to classic blazers and smoking suits along with wallets, monogrammed bags and logo cuffs. With the buy complete, I look forward to the flight: no running around, no phone reception, and home and family waiting on the other side.
9.3 0 PM : PA R IS TO S Y D N E Y