Save the Elephants

I’m very excited to present my latest Kenya inspired handbag collection, designed in collaboration with my friend and photographer Kirsten Alana. During her trip to Kenya, I was deeply moved by unruly poaching of innocent elephants, all for their tusks. As Kirsten mentioned in her #dontletthemdisappear post, Every day in Africa, somewhere on the continent: an elephant loses its life to illegal poaching on an average of every 15 minutes. More than 90 elephants a day lose their lives for the ivory in their tusks.

I decided to take action and do what I could to help these African elephants. Together with Kirsten, we designed a bag collection in the colors and spirit of Kenya. Each bag is named for a region where elephants roam wild. With every purchase from this collection, I’m donating 30% of proceeds to Wildlife Direct and Elephant Trust.

Below are the Amboseli and Sambura bags, all reversible and made in Paris. Sustainable fashion for a cause!

Here is the Tsavo bag along with the Laikipia, both foldable to fit inside their matching purses. Travel savvy!


Photos by photographer Catherine O’Hara wearing Koshka Mashka in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum.

La Rue du Made in France

I’ve always been an advocate for artisanal design, even before launching Kasia Dietz handbags and commiting to local manufacturing. To expose others to what I consider true luxury, items made locally in small quantities, I offer fashion tours, mostly in the Haut Marais where these artisans showcase (and often produce) their wares.

Walking around my Haut Marais neighborhood recently, I was thrilled to discover that an initiative was started to highlight these local creators. Passionate about French craftsmanship, Virginie Millet and Françoise Naudet took to the streets, Rue du Vertbois to be exact, and launched their project, La Rue du Made in France.

From May 15th until July 15th, this fashionable street boasts seven pop-up boutiques featuring ‘Made in France’ designers, from clothing to accessories to housewares, and everything in between. On neighboring Rue Volta an eighth shop supports creations by emerging student entrepreneurs. Not only are all of these creators environmentally sustainable, but by providing jobs locally they also help to sustain the French social ecosystem. Bravo!

Who are these 130 French-made designers on display in Paris’s Haut Marais? To name a few, there’s clothing by Orjins, stylish men’s underwear by Garcon Francais, 1083 and Dao Davy jeans, Manufacture Degorce sneakers, shoes by La Manufacture, art de vivre by Le Jacquard Francais, including aprons and kitchen towels, and biodegradable toothbrushes by Bioseptyl.  I’m proud that my handbags are among the items featured. If you’re craving a savory French bite while shopping, head to bar Chez toi ou chez moi for tourtes or saucissons.

How better to shop in the fashion capital than by supporting local artisans creating some of Paris’s most high quality, original and sustainable products? See you in the neighborhood on Rue du Vertbois!

Dining with Madame Eiffel

With so many haute cuisine options in Paris, it’s hard to decide where to dine. Yet very few of these addresses will include a gourmet date with Madame Eiffel. It’s at Maison Blanche from atop the Theatre des Champs Elysees on avenue Montaigne that you can enjoy an intimate encounter with this Parisian icon, over a decadent dinner where you dine like a star! This elegant address has been wooing its clientele for over 28 years.

Both from the inside dining room of Maison Blanche‘s Montaigne terrace to the more confidential outdoor George V terrace, the panoramic views of Paris are captivating. At once you’ll feel a part of the city from high above its characteristic rooftops.

Since March 2015 Executive Chef Fabrice Giraud has been concocting creative dishes at this elite restaurant, influenced by Mediterranean flavors and world travels. In his words, “Human contact and historical places have always influenced my choice. Maison Blanche is a magical and unique place which attracted me.” Prepare for the feast of your life! Chef Giraud has just created his new seasonal tasting menu including a savory monk fish plate with zucchini cream. The rest I will leave for you to discover.

I recommend booking for dinner and staying until Madame Eiffel illuminates the city with her radiant light. Come sunset, there is plenty of toasting to be made at Maison Blanche, with some of the best champagne and wine on offer. Here you can truly experience the French joie de vivre.

Prepare to capture memorable moments with Madame Eiffel, certain to charm you with her elegance and grace.

Paris Picks: Anglo Entertainment

While strolling around Paris can certainly provide hours of entertainment, in recent years I’ve discovered a few noteworthy options for non-French speakers to relax and enjoy la vie parisienne while becoming better acquainted with French culture. Buy a ticket or book a seat and prepare for a little Anglo entertainment on your next visit to Paris!

Started by my dear and ingenious friend Daisy de Plume several years ago, THATMuse, short for Treasure Hunt at the Museum, is the most thrilling way to acquaint yourself with Paris’s most remarkable museums, including the Louvre and Musee D’Orsay. Having attended her first ever hunt at the Louvre, and many to follow including her Paris street hunts, I can well testify to the hours of fun her treasure hunts provide. She’s even recently expanded to the British Museum,  Victoria & Albert Museum and Natural History Museum in London.

THATMuse (Treasure Hunt at the Museum)

Ready to enjoy French plays without speaking a word of French? Theatre in Paris offers performances with English surtitles,  allowing you to watch and understand the original show, whether it be a musical, opera or comedy. The setting in one of Paris’s many historic theatres alone will impress! Here’s my recent experience.

Theatre in Paris

Experience France’s famous cinema culture, in English. Lost in Frenchlation provides the best of French cinema, both new releases and classics, to the Anglophone community in Paris. Enjoy screenings at independent cinemas all over the city, while mingling with old or new friends over a cocktail before the show.

Lost in Frenchlation

If you’re looking for a few good laughs while visiting the city of lights, leave it to Julia Collas. This one-woman show is 100% in English and 100% guaranteed to entertain. A natural comedian who left the corporate world to pursue her passion, Julia will introduce you to the Parisian life in this one hour show, French accent and all.

Oh My God She’s Parisian

Secrets of the Louvre

The Louvre being the largest art museum in the world also makes it the most intimidating. With so much history packed under one roof, over 38,000 works of art to be exact, where to begin? Even getting in can be an experience in anxiety. Thankfully, starting March 30th you can skip the line and visit this majestic museum with a personal guide. The Paris Guy will lead you and a small group through the many galleries. Prepare for a fun, intimate and insightful experience, along with a few secrets revealed… After all, Paris is one of the culture capitals of the world! And The Paris Guy, with their expert guides, is well aware of this.

Did you know the Louvre used to be a fortress? In the medieval age, the Louvre was a military base before it became a royal residence. Given its regal history, the French Crown Jewels are elegantly on display in the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon.  It was tradition to have a crown customized for each new Coronation in France, rather extravagant, don’t you think? With sparkles in your eyes, learn all about the history of the royal family.

Find out why Leonardo da Vinci’s famous portrait of Lisa Gherardini, titled Mona Lisa, is one of the most recognized works of art in existence. She’s thought to be a self-portrait, given the resemblace to da Vinci. Does anyone really know whether she’s happy or sad, or why she was painted in the first place? Maybe the guide does… Mona Lisa aside, discover other greats by Renaissance artist Botticelli, master of the 16th Century Venetian school Titian, artist Veronese, and works by the playboy Raphael.

The Louvre Museum officially opened its doors to the public in 1793. Not having been in years, I’m looking forward to taking an animated tour with The Paris Guy, and discovering many of the Louvre’s secrets. And when in Rome… there’s The Roman Guy.

Hotel Grands Boulevards

I’m always on the lookout for new boutique hotels, particularly when we travel, but even in Paris. Especially if the hotel is designed by Dorothée Meilichzon. Just one month ago l’Hôtel des Grands Boulevards opened it’s doors in the heart of the city, in a space that once housed a cinema before becoming a bourgeois residence. Nestled between the historic Bourse and trendy Sentier neighborhoods, with the energy of Strasbourg Saint-Denis just steps away, this masterpiece by the Experimental Group merits dinner, drinks and an overnight.

Taking the elevator up to the fourth floor, we settled into one of the fifty rooms, a spacious design haven reminiscent of a chic Parisian apartment. The art deco bed exhibited a regal canopy amid natural elements, including exposed wood beams. The plush feather bed was fit for a queen, Marie Antoinette to be exact. She would have approved of the bathroom too.

Throughout the hotel, Dorothée Meilichzon kept the building’s history intact, including select elements from Louis XVI’s era. What a clever use of vegetation, trellises, gates and a fountain to evoke a rustic atmosphere reminiscent of the 18th century balanced with the splendor of the “Grand Siècle”.

We eagerly dined at the Grand Restaurant, a collaboration with celebrated chef Giovanni Passerini, set within a covered courtyard. Scoring seats at the bar, we feasted on a menu of French-Italian country classics including steak tartar with hazelnuts and smoked ricotta, and homemade gnocchi with lamb stew.  Délicieuse! (The following morning’s gourmet breakfast of homemade granola and seasonal jams was also remarkable.)


The restaurant’s bathroom revealed an inviting mélange of tiles and wallpaper, creating a world of its own.

I had my eye on the dimly lit cocktail bar, featuring creative libations based on their strength, with or without spirits. Having opened Experimental Cocktail Club in 2007, they are known for their cocktails, after all.

I’m already looking forward to returning to Hotel Grands Boulevards, a calm design haven in the heart of Paris.

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