So, as Sammi and I were watching some travel shows on Paris the other night, it finally comes out that she wants to go to Paris because it's "where all the fashion is." So more than shopping, any recommendations on fashion-centric activities in the city? Museums? Tours? Any ideas?

We've done the shopping discussion but maybe I can work something educational into the mix too.

As always, thanks for the help.

Fashion is not brought up enough on slowtrav. Your daughter has the right idea. Even if one does not care about fashion, it is fun to be exposed to this one area that is so well expressed in Paris…

Besides the two museums:
- Musée de la Mode et du Textile: 107, Rue de Rivoli (part of the Louvre building)
- musée Galliera 10, avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie – M° Iéna ou Alma Marceau
you may find the following fashionista neighborhoods a fun stroll:
- Canal St Martin and nearby rue Beaurepaire
- Then cross the (unhip pocket of) place République: the small area south of Répubique and north of the Marais proper, around rue Dupetit Thouars
- and of course the Abbesses area, especially the smaller streets around rue des Abbesses: Burq, Durantin, Tholozé, d'Orsel, Véron, Houdon… In fact my advice for "doing" that neighborhood (Butte Montmartre): get lost (I don't mean it rudely, ) but don't go near Sacré Coeur or place du Tertre.

Lastly, not that St Germain is out, but it is considered très establishment now. But the impossible-to-find rue du Pré au Clercs is always fun. Another "establishment chic" area is place des Victoires.
O re that much touted shopping street: Parisian women never go to avenue Montaigne unless they work there. And if they must go to Champs Elysées (such as when yours truly goes to see her derm there), they wear a mask for fear of running into people who know them. Quelle honte.

the Musée Galliera is dedicated to costume and fashion.

http://en.parisinfo.com/museum...de-la-ville-de-paris

http://www.museums-of-paris.com/musee_en.php?code=422

Check this site as well, and maybe get invited to a show.
http://www.modeaparis.com/index.html

And this one might have some fashion tours...
http://www.lamode-leclub.com/animation.htm

Maybe you already know about the free fashion show at Galeries-Lafayette on Fridays? There's a great thread on that. My 16 yr. old daughter and I went last Friday, and she loved it. You have to reserve online in advance.

for shopping, try and bring her to Colette. They have a gallery, clothing and cafe. It's a cool spot.

Also, I don't really know how you do it, but I have heard that you can tour the Louis Vuitton Atelier in the Paris suburbs. I have read a few times on the web and in magazines that you can ask to do it. I would think you could call the LV offices in NYC and ask the pr department, but I'm not sure. It looks pretty interesting. (See here)

I'm interested here. Guess whose granddaughter wants to go to Paris on our next vacation together?

(First of all, I'm happy, no THRILLED that she wants to travel with me again. Second of all, I am a little bit scared to think about taking a 12 year old to a fashion center, should it work out that we can go next spring. So I will follow this thread with trepidation.)

The LV atelier is open - reluctantly - to some inhouse training purposes and, once in a blue moon, to the press.
However, next to the atelier the LV museum - which is fabulously done and is a dream experience - can sometimes accepts private visits, usually from good customers or journalists or VIPs. Never hurt to try asking a salesperson or manager in any LV store…

You all are great! But you have no idea how much this is giving me angst - fashion is so not my thing. Luckily, one of the tours Sophie pointed out, they do hotel pick up and drop off, so I may send Mom with Sammi while Jake and I find something more "manly" to do.

One museum that may be of interest to you all is the museum about counterfeit "Musée de la Contrefaçon" in Paris 16th, 16 rue de la Faisanderie (metro Porte Dauphine) - really interesting with sample of trade products and their counterfeited version, including perfumes and clothes for instance, but also software, CD/DVDs, toys, tools, white goods, car parts etc.

There are two fashion-related day-trip destinations I'm considering. One is the newly inaugurated lace and fashion museum in Calais (1:30 hrs from Paris by train), and the other is the Centre National du Costume de Scene in Moulins sur Allier (2:12 hrs by train).

http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/...ir_1207882_3246.html

http://www.cncs.fr/

Also, Petit Palais will have a big YSL retrospective with over 250 garments next spring and summer -- March 11 through Aug 29 2010.
http://www.paris.fr/portail/Cu...307&portlet_id=14577