Friday, April 16, 2010

Ralph Lauren opening


This morning, on my way to work, I noticed an unusual crowd at the bottom of a magnificent building. I stopped, asked the people around and learned that it was the grand opening of the 3rd Ralph Lauren store in Paris... They were even expecting Ralph any minute! I had no time to wait for his sportswear highness, but I took a photo of this former 17th century hotel particulier that it took 3 years to renovate. The inside looks stunning and there is even a restaurant (Ralph's) located in the former stables. I know that if you come to Paris, it's not exactly to go to a Ralph Lauren store, but I think this one is worth it. Go to 173 Boulevard Saint Germain to make sure...

27 comments:

  1. That is pretty amusing. And if you check Google Map, the Ralph Lauren store is under construction and shrouded with a blue tarp. Hey, Ralph, why wasn't your construction sheathed with a beautiful tarp with the building facade printed on it? Ain't you got no class?

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  2. His sportswear highness would have arrived sooner had he known you were there with your camera. He wishes his mug were featured on PDP! And I wish I lived in this building. It is a beaut.

    Jeff: Congrats on GF. I am surprised not to see Alexa here first. ;-)

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  3. From Cali is SO right—Ralphie Reuben Lifshitz should only be so lucky! Actually, I think Ralph is very, very talented—and also a really hot 70-year-old!
    Good for you for stopping, Eric—thanks!

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  4. Good pic Eric, got a certain nice morning light. Love the building! A beauty.

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  5. Ahh, I didn't know about this elegant building - again you give me something to look out for on my perambulations around the capital..
    Sab

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  6. just read that R. Lauren is shipping Angus beef from his ranch in Colorado to his restaurant....to serve up that $32 hamburger in Paris.....ah, what a "name" will allow you to sell........

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  7. Well, a lot of people go to Paris to shop, so it wouldn't be far-fetched to think of this as a tourist stop. I'd fancy a trip with a fat wallet myself! But it would have to be a trip with unlimited time, because I'd hate to waste it shopping when I could be exploring.

    Oh what am I saying? I could shop. I could definitely shop.

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  8. I can only imagine what it must have been like living in that beautiful building in it's heyday!! It is the perfect setting for a wonderful novel..a period piece of course!! Ralph Lauren?? Now, who would that be?? ;-)

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  9. I would understand the fuss if it was the first RL shop in Paris. But the third?! You've seen one you've seen them all!

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  10. Ella, you're definitely right !! ... apart for the building itself and its architecture, which is worth a visit ;-)

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  11. That's the Paris I know and love! Always something new going on, even if it's just store opening!

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  12. I knew exactly where that facade was located. I used to walk by the blue wrapped building weekly. I don't shop at Lauren but it would be worth a look-see someday. Just like the Sonja R store!

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  13. Eric, I must print this photo for my mama. She adores RL so much, she named her American Eskimo dog Ralph Lauren! giggles. Somehow, the name fits the fur ball perfectly! Thanks for the great photo!

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  14. Oh my God what a fantastic building!!!
    This is so Paris, so bl. Saint Germain!!! So chic!

    I think we can only find buildings this beautiful, this charming in Paris.

    That´s why it´s such a pleasure to wander the streets of Paris, it´s a delight for the eyes!

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  15. So true, Monica--a delight for the eyes at every turn.

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  16. It is sad that all those great buildings that once were housing bookstores or other intellectually related stores (that made the left bank famous) are now housing high end shops that you can find all over the planet !

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  17. And now those tourist shoppers are stuck with no flights leaving through the volcano ash. How bizarre.

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  18. I like a lot your post Eric and I also agree with you Anonymous. But I'm not worried. Books lovers will last for ever even if their free spaces are becoming smaller. Books and the French way of life have survived to other serious attacks :)
    I can't believe you found it by mere chance unless you are really connected with special exclusive waves. Ralph Lauren himself inaugurated it yesterday, according to a paper that I read after your post. These super chic buildings are very run after and I'm sure that the Abercrombie and Fitch next opening in Paris will be set in
    a similar gorgeous building...

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  19. Well well, well, stick with me if you want the inside gossip. On Tuesday, I worked the Premium cabin on our way to Paris. As soon as these two unassuming girls walked on the plane, I recognized one and figured out who the other was by association. The first was Lauren Bush, George Bush's neice. I figured the other was Dylan Lauren, because Lauren Bush is dating Ralph Lauren's son, and Dylan started to look familiar.(She owns Dylan's Candy shop in NYC) Being the gossip monger that I amm, I ran and told the cockpit and everyone else who would listen what was going on. The paperwork proved me right.

    I pretended I didn't know who they were, so I didn't ask or know why they were going to Paris, but thanks to PDP....I DO NOW! I bet they will be stuck there too, as I was the last flight to leave yesterday!!!!!! Don't know if I will be working back to CDG on Monday......End of story.

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  20. Trust PHX-CDG to give us the best insider dirt! Thanks, Lynn—I worry about when you (or anyone) will be flying back into CDG on a regular basis.

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  21. Hmm. Time is passing. I hope Eric’s late posting doesn’t mean northern Europe has gone the way of Pompeii. But, then again, is this really the ET webcam?

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  22. I am VERY glad to know PHX is safe and made it back this side of the pond.

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  23. This is Ella :

    If Lauren Bush marries Ralph's son ... she'll be Lauren Lauren ? :)

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  24. Eric, where are you?

    Maybe he put the wrong publishing time on his post. I'll have to look in again when I wake up to see if he surfaces.

    I hope nothing is amiss.

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  25. Ooh, I'd want to see this, not necessarily for the store {ok, if I must} but certainly for the building.

    Phx, good to hear you made it out safely! And belated GF congrats to Jeff!!

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  26. Ralph Baby is 70? Whooo hoooo, he's a fine 70 at that. Nope , i won't shop here while in Paris but I'd like to have a peek inside.
    V

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  27. I bet it's not cheaper than the U.S. Outlet Malls! After traveling around the world, it's hard to see the difference between the poor people who make the clothes and the mark-up in the stores. By the way, Ralph Lauren is on every front page here in Paris at the moment. A good Press guy/girl I presume!

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