Paris Fashion Week Diary: The Glam Life of a Publicist
Patrick Bradbury is the founder and owner of PR firm Bradbury Lewis, which reps fashion faves like Karen Walker, Anndra Neen, NAHM, Warby Parker and more. He's in Paris this week, living it up, and keeping a diary for FashionEtc.
Day One – Feb 29-March 1
It's off to Paris! I have a travel system in place when going to Paris and it’s all about getting to the airport in time to do one last email check over a bit of bubbly. I fly OpenSkies, which is a fashion favorite and I always run into pals en route. Steven Kolb from the CFDA was on the flight as was my travel buddy Rae Ann Herman, who was on her way to cover the accessories collections for Harper’s Bazaar. I arrive at Orly early on the 1st and head to the St. Germain apartment I rented to unpack and get ready for the week. (Check out the gallery to see photos!)
Day Two – March 2
My first appointment in Paris is with London showroom RainBowWave. The wonderful thing about Paris is how small it makes the fashion community feel.
I have a lovely meeting with Yiannis and Maria who own the showroom and volunteer to courier a couple garments for their client Prabal Gurung over to the CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund American’s in Paris exhibit in the Palais Royale. I then spend the afternoon running errands getting ready for a little party I’m hosting later.
I’m celebrating my 40th birthday in Paris—the idea of turning 40 is made a bit more chic by having a little party in the City of Lights. I’m used to having my birthday in Paris by now and I love it. My pals join me to toast the big 4-0. The Paris police, thoughtful as ever, didn’t want us to lose much sleep, so they shut the party down at 1:30AM (after being called three times. Oops).
Day Three – March 3
I wake up early—party or no, one must always keep things rolling during Fashion Week. I have a full afternoon of appointments and also fit in a lunch at George in the Centre Pompidou with my boyfriend Gregory.
I’m in town to meet many of my clients who are showing in Paris. London jewelry designer MAWI, shoe designer Chrissie Morris, clothing designer Tanya Taylor, jewelry designers Anndra Neen, and catch up with fashion players such as the wonderful Jenne Lombardo from Milk MADE. Jenne and I met up for drinks at The Hotel Ritz in the Hemingway Bar, a favorite spot with the best drinks in Paris.
Day Four – March 4
Today is a very busy day. I meet sisters Phoebe and Annette Stephens from Anndra Neen at The Palais Royale to visit our friends at the CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund American’s in Paris.
We visit with Vogue’s Meredith Melling Burke and the charming Billy Reid and Monique Pean who are showing along with other talented designers. After our visit I have a lunch catch-up with designer Pamela Love—short and sweet, as Pam is a very busy young lady.
My next stop is the showroom in Rue St. Honore where Chrissie Morris and Tanya Taylor are presenting their collections. The blogger Tamu McPherson of All The Pretty Birds drops by with stylist and Tommy Ton favorite Elisa Nalin and the ladies from Grazia Italy.
The day ends with dinner at Hotel Du Nord with my favorite Brits, Mawi Keivom and Tim Awan, who create the jewelry collection MAWI, and the lovely Tracey Sedino and Simon Jablon from Linda Farrow Eyewear. This crew never disappoints and the drinks flow late into the evening.
Day 5 – March 5
I have a busy day starting with a trip to the Tuileries to visit Premiere Classe, an accessories show of epic proportions. After that I have an appointment with Rickie De Sole and Elissa Santisi from Vogue US who are dropping by to see the new shoes from Chrissie Morris. The appointments are fast and furious in Paris and it was a busy afternoon. Marina Larroude from Style.com passes by and it’s always lovely to see her and her chic ensembles.
I then head to the Hôtel Plaza Athénée to meet Anndra Neen for a cocktail party celebrating the Dorchester Prize and their new collection. Shala Monroque, one of the judges of the Dorchester Prize stops by to say hello. It is a very swank affair at one of Paris’ premiere destinations.
I end the night at my new favorite bistro, Chez Andre, with designer Jen Kao and her stylist Jodie Barnes from Fantastic Man. I try frog legs for the first (and last) time.
Day 6 – March 6
I have a few appointments left to sort out as well as a bit of shopping. One of my goals was to learn the Paris metro and I must say I’ve done a fairly good job. My handy iPhone app called Paris Metro is genius.
On the list for today is Dries Van Noten’s men’s shop in the St. Germain (bought two suits), French stationer Benetton Graveur and finding a gift for my son Jack. And, I might add, a few photos for my series of me in my blue duffel coat in front of blue doors, an homage to the amazing Yves Klein blue doors of this magical city.
