6 More Brands I Fell in Love With When I Moved to Paris

Under-the-radar Parisian gems.

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People-watching in Paris is my favorite sport. Because women here shop less, they repeat more, giving their pieces new life through styling that is often beautifully askew. Here, the individuality is the currency, not the label.

Achieving that label of accidental elegance may feel intimidating. My best advice for how to look like you live a rich interior life is to actually live one. Ugly sob over a book, spend hours at an art exhibition until the artist’s turmoil becomes your own, find utter joy in perfecting a spicy bouillabaisse. Nourish your sybatric self.

Noora Raj Brown in a selfie taken at the bottom of a staircase

(Image credit: Noora Raj Brown)

But in case you need some inspiration, six beautiful French brands to help you on your way.

Lemaire

In truth, I’ve always loved Lemaire, the slightly androgynous, aloof Parisian staple. Small enough to be uncommon, yet known enough that if you do spot a girl at Dreamin’ Man with a croissant bag, you can assume you’re kindred spirits.

Destree

Often informed by a dialogue with contemporary art, Destree is for the modern sophisticate: subtle, intellectual, and distinctly European. This cropped jacket, with its exaggerated shoulders and fabric-covered buttons, may seem directional, but that’s its magic. Paired with jeans and flats, it’s just what you need for a weekend dinner with friends. For a cocktail party, the silhouette is utterly chic with wide-leg or cigarette pants.

Nour Hammour

In recent years, Nour Hammour’s stunning leather outerwear has become a fashion girl staple for good reason. Dramatic floor-length coats, oversized bomber jackets, and shearling coats that work as well over jeans as with black tie.

Le Monde Beryl

Le Monde Beryl has a shoe for every whimsy and need I have: a practical flat boot, a low heel, a satin ballet flat. And, by some genius, they’re comfortable. I’ve walked hours on Paris’s cobblestoned streets in these.

Déhanche

A cult-favorite accessories brand from one of the Nour Hammour cofounders, Dehanche has quickly become one of my favorite belt brands. Recently, they launched jewelry too, in the same family as their signature interlocking and multi-metal styles.

Another Tomorrow

Few brands have reached the type of integrity in sustainable design that Another Tomorrow has achieved, due to the unwavering standards of its founder, Vanessa Barboni Hallik. But, in this case, doing good also gets to mean looking good. Their tailoring is impeccable, and their fabrics are gorgeous. In my cart? This silk organza top in royal blue and this cropped satin bomber jacket.

Noora Raj Brown
Noora Raj Brown
Writer & Founder, NRB Creative

Noora Raj Brown is a luxury brand consultant, writer, and cofounder of La Chute, a cabinet of vintage furniture curiosities. She was formerly the EVP of Brand at goop and a magazine writer. She is the author of the popular Substack Objects of Desire.