Textile Treasures in Le Sentier

We begin with a full day devoted to the extraordinary textile treasures of Paris where Rebecca will introduce you to a fascinating concentration of specialist suppliers that few visitors ever discover. We will step inside the legendary Ultramod, Paris's oldest haberdashery, where drawers and boxes conceal vintage ribbons, silk flowers, buttons, passementerie and millinery treasures. The journey continues to Annie Bouquet to meet mother-daughter artists who continue the tradition of creating beautiful hand-painted designs for needlepoint. At Acaba, we discover the elegance of traditional French glove-making in a world filled with colour and texture.

From the verdant gardens of Palais Royal to the celebrated corridors of Galerie Vivienne, the intriguing story of how the French invented luxury shopping through elegant architecture is revealed. At Mokuba, sumptuous silk, velvet, brocade and lace ribbons provide inspiration at every turn. Our textile adventures continue to Lil Weasel in the romantic Passage du Grand Cerf. Across three welcoming boutiques this is a destination for gorgeous knitting and crochet yarns, inspirational patterns for beginners and aficionados alike, Liberty fabrics and irresistible notions.

Extraordinary Exhibitions

Today we step inside the beautiful world of Parisian museums, archives and exhibitions! We begin at the spectacular Galerie Dior where the story of one of the most influential couturiers of the 20th century unfolds through exquisite garments, sketches and archival material. Rebecca will set the scene with stories of Christian Dior's legacy and her own experience working as a haute couture embroiderer in Paris, offering an insider's perspective on the extraordinary embellishments adorning each gown.

We continue to the splendour of Palais Galliera, the City of Paris’ fashion museum, which houses around 200,000 items. Rebecca will guide you through the exhibitions of French fashions from the 18th century to the present, illustrating the artisanal savoir-faire and haute couture expertise that have made Paris the Capital of Fashion for centuries.

The afternoon is free to explore the city at your leisure.

Artisanal Crafts: Weaving, Embroidery, & Couture

Our exploration of Parisian craft continues beyond the grand maisons to the independent ateliers where extraordinary textile traditions are still alive today.

We begin with the inspiring story of Malhia Kent, a self-taught weaver who became renowned as the Poetess of Weaving! We venture behind the scenes at Atelier Lebuisson, an independent haute couture embroidery atelier whose clients have included some of the world's most celebrated fashion houses. The charming Atelier Brunette is a true labour of love and has become a destination for sewists in search of beautiful fabrics and patterns to create a wardrobe of that inimitably chic French style.

In the afternoon, we will visit Le Marais, as Rebecca invites you to join her at one of her favourite places in Paris, the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa. This hidden gem is housed in the buildings where Alaïa lived and worked and presents fascinating exhibitions of his legendary designs and remarkable collections of art, fashion and design.

The Secrets of Paris Revealed

Today we uncover some of the city's best-kept textile secrets and meet the passionate experts who continue traditions that have been passed down through generations.

In the historic fabric district of Le Sentier, we visit one of the last remaining cloth merchants of its kind in Paris. A treasure trove of haute couture fabrics awaits! We continue with an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the Au Ver à Soie showroom. This family run business has manufactured the finest silk threads for over 200 years. The hidden jewel of Paris, Fried Frères has added sparkling details to extravagant couture gowns since the 19 century. We’ll an enjoy a private tour through their dizzying selection of beads, sequins and rhinestones followed by a moment of true treasure hunting.

In the afternoon, Rebecca invites you to join an exclusive tour of the legendary Atelier Caraco, renowned for their couture, they create extravagant garments for haute couture fashion and costumes for theatre, opera, cinema, television and cabaret. The tour of Atelier Caraco is a truly magical glimpse behind-the-seams of Parisian couture!

The Legendary Paris Brocante

Our final day takes us to the legendary flea market of Saint-Ouen, the largest in Europe! Thanks to many years of experience, Rebecca will guide you through a labyrinth of French antiques. Here we meet friendly experts who are passionate about vintage textiles, haute couture fashions, and sewing notions. A treasure trove of embroidered linens and printed cottons, hand-painted fans and elegant hats, mother-of pearl buttons and delicate silk scarves. Each item reveals a captivating story as we discover the rich traditions, crafts and savoir-faire of textiles in France.

All good things must come to an end and we will say our fond farewells this evening during an elegant River Seine Cruise. After an enchanting week of creativity, connection and inspiration we will share treasured memories and a rich understanding of the textile traditions woven into the fabric of Paris.