In Paris, store windows are already dazzling us with heaps of holiday exquisiteness. With an eye out for hot gifts, here’s where to start your search in the city this season.

Last year, we focused our shopping at L’Eclaireur, and…well, this season we couldn’t resist another spin. Their Paul Harnden Shoemakers’ washed wools and linen jackets are guaranteed to become a guy’s trusty blazer. Make it your gift for a man of a certain age with style to spare. Pair it with Taliero Sati cashmere and linen scarves found just across the hall of the Rue Malheur store. Undercover was without question the most sought after clothing line this year, so show your fashion-forward sense (and enhance your lady’s) with a gift of a padded blazer with aimless voodoo stitching. Eau de Iunx now sells at L’Eclaireur, but you may want to take a trip to their Rue de l’Universite store to discover a new concept in unisex fragrances. Their line of 69 scents are sold in huge bottles and described as fluid, subtle, elastic, hypnotic, and are supposed to transmit light in the universe.

At the recently opened Rose Morant boutique on Rue de Crussol, look for a tight group of gray-toned lacquered bracelets (some with chic silver accents), and a selection of slip-on sandals that are just the gift for a holiday resort, but they’ll still be great come summer. Prices are reasonable and the taste is super chic in that French-meets-East way.

We’ve kept your prurient minds on the French Rugby calendar over the last couple years, and we’re thrilled to announce the release of the 2005 version, shot by Carter Smith. What to say? The French rugby team naked, again. It’s hot. Get it! With Nike all over the December issue of French Vogue (with Kate Moss wearing the label on the cover) and the brand buzzing everywhere, the Marc Newson designed Zvezdochka is the hot-to-have gift of the season.

One of the only places to score a coveted Dries Van Noten retrospective book is at Onward Kashiyama. While in the neighborhood, Bureau Politique, Randam Tehouic’s new St Germain de Pres store is hard to find but make the trip there and put one of Resistance’s Palestinian jackets in a box for your man. The print of that “Arafat scarf” was enlarged and rendered in tasty color combos like pink and white, red and black, and lime and cream, for military jackets that would suit any urban hipster.

Two-and-a-half years on a waiting list for a Hermès Birkin that costs over four grand? More doable at 250 euros is the teeny-weeny Hermès clutch in the form of a cute little leather holder for a slimline dominos set. Remove the dotted tiles and you have a bag large enough to hold a tube of lipstick.

And who doesn’t have a dog these days? Get your friend’s canine companion a collar and braided leather leash from Tom Ford’s last collection for Yves Saint Laurent. Because, in the immortal words of Absolutely Fabulous’ Bubble, “a dog isn’t just for life, it’s for Christmas.”


-Jason Campbell and Karl Treacy

Photos: French rugby team calendar
Iunx de Parfum
Resistance Palestinian Jacket

Nike Zvezdochka