Paris continues to captivate me, no matter how many times I visit. I travel to Paris four times a year to attend Paris Fashion Week and find the most exceptional pieces to bring back to Australia for Parlour X. After more than 25 years, the journeys are both a ritual and a rediscovery – a meeting of history and modernity, of my own (and fashion’s) past, present, and future. This season, however, I couldn’t help but feel the city and the scene had both shifted, shaped by a wave of creative director debuts, immersive runway shows, and long-awaited fresh perspectives poised to redefine the industry.

Day 1

I survived the long-haul flight from Sydney with plenty of hydrating tea, a marathon of back-to-back movies, and my never-fail travel trick – syncing my sleep schedule with my destination’s time zone from the moment I step on the plane.

Off the plane I head straight to the Sisley Paris Day Spa in the 8th arrondissement – an arrival ritual I never miss. Their rehydrating facials work instant magic to revive my skin after long hours spent in dry cabin air.

We check into the Hôtel Bachaumont, my hidden gem in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement. Its luxury is impeccable, yet unlike the grander hotels, it has a more intimate ambiance and added modern elegance, for those who appreciate Parisian hospitality but infused with an artistic flair and a fashionable edge.

My first dinner in Paris is always at Loulou, at Les Arts Décoratifs on Rue de Rivoli. The truffle pizza, pistachio pesto linguine, and artichoke salad are culinary perfection, and worth a long-haul flight alone.

Somehow, I managed to stay awake and make it to the opening party for Louvre Couture, the Louvre’s first-ever fashion exhibition (it’s The Met’s Costume Institute taken to the next level). It was one of my most magical Parisian evenings, spent toasting the world’s finest fashion, at the world’s most iconic museum, in the world’s most stylish city.

Day 2

I step into Paris Fashion Week at full speed (and in fabulous Bottega Veneta shoes). Our first full day is a whirlwind of runway shows and showroom appointments in all corners of the city. I needed an outfit that would keep up with the demands of the day while still looking chic, so I styled a Dries Van Noten jacket and tailored jeans over a timeless Céline jumper and my go-to Bottega Veneta bag.

The day begins with the Dries Van Notes AW25 Menswear presentation, the first collection from the brand under Julian Klausner since his appointment to Creative Director. It’s insane, it’s evocative, and it’s surprisingly elegant – I can’t wait to see what he dreams up for womenswear in March.

I make my way to a showroom appointment at Givenchy, where I was amongst the first to preview Sarah Burton’s debut collection for the historic house. Amid the whirlwind of PFW, it was a delicious moment to pause and appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of couture and brilliant design up close.

On our way to Blumarine we found serendipity by discovering one of the most incredible cafés in Paris – MOUSEE in the Marais! It’s a combination coffee shop/hair salon, and my latest under-the-radar find. Beyond its effortlessly cool vibe, it was the only café in Paris I found that had coconut milk on the menu – my healthiest, most delicious go-to “milk”!

At Blumarine, David Koma made his much-anticipated womenswear debut for the label, styled by the legendary Carine Roitfeld. The collection feels like the start of something exciting – it's on the brink of greatness. With time, I believe they’ll refine their vision even further and take it to new heights.

After, we snuck in a stop at India Mahdavi’s boutique on Rue Las Cases. She is the one of the most brilliant modern interiors and furniture designers. Totally unique, stunning, and hard-to-find in Australia – it’s a must shop!

To Tekés for lunch, a gourmand’s dream of plant-based dishes in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement. I am not a vegetarian, but their menu – founded in Middle Eastern and Levantine flavours and crafted with ancestral techniques - is so incredible it will astound and amaze every palate.

I Ubered to the day’s final two buying appointments, starting with Nina Ricci (the epitome of Parisian femininity) before shifting gears to Phoebe Philo (the reigning queen of power femininity).

Parlour X is Phoebe Philo’s exclusive partner in Australia, and the only place in the country where you can shop her collection. True to Phoebe’s nature, the brand operates with an air of elusiveness, so I cannot reveal too much here – you'll have to visit Parlour X in Paddington to see what I brought back!

For dinner, we were joined by the brilliant Israeli artist Rafael Y. Herman, whose conversation was as brilliant as his visual mastery of light and shadow. Later, we attended the book launch of All Gone, the latest collaboration between Michael Dupouy and Hiroshi Fujiwara of Fragment. It was an evening of brilliant conversation and art forms, making me feel like it may be the modern-day version of an 18th-century Parisian salon.

Day 3

The next day’s schedule was a lineup of legendary designers and forward-thinking creations. I put on my favourite embellished version of the Dries Van Noten Porter Pant and a vintage Valentino top, both with refined tailoring and suitable for ever setting.

Who needs coffee when the morning kicks off with electrifying intensity at the Junya Watanabe AW25 Menswear runway show? It was an exhibition in subversion and innovation, another collection from the brand that has already pushed past boundaries, but this season took menswear to the cutting edge.

I attend a buying appointment at the iconic Mugler showroom. The AW25 womenswear collection is structure, sensuality, and high energy, paying homage to Thierry himself with pieces that were both innovative and evocative. Thierry devotees will love it.

Next came the Comme des Garçons Homme Plus AW25 Menswear runway show, where Rei Kawakubo delivers a poignant message with the collection titled "To Hell With War." The designs feature deconstructed military-inspired suits, juxtaposed with tartan, pinstripes, and floral patterns, for the brand's signature avant-garde aesthetic and true to form statement making style.

Our lunch encapsulated the essence of Paris – food, fashion, and history. We visit the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation to explore its latest exhibition on the creative synergy between Alaïa and Japanese designer, Shiro Kuramata. Alaïa, one of my all-time favourites, holds a special place in my heart – Parlour X carries the largest curation of the brand in Australia, and I have cherished memories of visiting Azzedine in his iconic Paris showroom. After we dined at the Foundation’s Café Restaurant, which was created to embody Azzedine’s own renowned hospitality, something I had been fortunate enough to experience firsthand.

The afternoon rolled into The Row's AW25 Women's Pre-Collection showroom, a masterclass in understated luxury and impeccably crafted essentials. The brand isn’t chasing trends or reinventing the wheel - it’s staying true to its signature refinement, delivering the quiet, effortless elegance that keeps us coming back to them as the foundation upon which to build our wardrobes. And. The new IT bag – The Marlo – will be making its way back to Parlour X with me!

Our final fashion event – the Y-3 AW25 Men & Women's runway show – surprised with its fusion of sportswear and avant-garde elements. The collaboration between Yohji Yamamoto and adidas will expand the horizons of athletic-inspired fashion.

After a long day, the real fun was to be had with a night at Crazy Horse, one of Paris’s most legendary cabarets. It’s an experience - a dazzling celebration of sensuality and creativity, delivered with unmistakable Parisian flair.

Day 4

No sleep for the weary – our last full day went into full swing right away. I wore a Comme De Garcon Prince of Wales suit, Alaïa bag, and Maison Margiela (also our first showroom stop of the day!) shoes to look sharp and keep warm in the dreary European winter weather.

There was massive buzz at the Maison Margiela showroom. The AW25 Pre-Collection was John Galliano’s last for the house. It’s a modern historic moment for the brand, and I hope the new influence of Glenn Martens continues Galliano’s revolution.

Next up, the Sacai AW25 Men's & Women's Pre-Collection runway showed breathtaking technical precision and hybrid dressing. Chitose Abe drew “didn’t-see-it-coming" inspiration from the iconic children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, and blended rugged textures with refined tailoring. It was incredibly both avant-garde and everyday wearable. And you can see it in Parlour X soon!

My final showroom appointment at Comme des Garçons for AW25 Menswear assures I leave Paris with an impression. Rei Kawakubo's deconstructive designs uprooted traditional menswear silhouettes, with garments that were thought-provoking and fashion-forward. Definitely the think-piece of men’s fashion this season.

I need to make a quick stop at Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré for my obligatory visit to Rimowa. It’s become a family tradition to pick up a special piece whenever we travel abroad to add to our collection (and our memories), with the hope of many more adventures ahead.

Finally, a last dinner at Baronne with my good friend Kym Ellery, an Australian who left for the City of Lights ten years ago and found remarkable success with her brand. It is always the best to see good friends and gossip a bit about the whirlwind of fashion week.

A few days in Paris can feel like a month but is never quite enough. Each visit is a reminder of why this city remains the foundation of fashion, a place where creativity flourishes and inspiration is infinite. À la saison prochaine, Paris!