'Tis the last Christmas of the century, a very special holiday season
that forces us to take a nostalgic look at gifts with a 20th century ring to them, while making the transition
into a new millennium of high-tech wonders...
Stocking-fillers
Low-tech — L’Etoile d’Or
The art nouveau wood-paneling of L’Etoile d’Or serves as a grandiose
backdrop for glass bonbon canisters, golden chocolate boxes, ornate
tins of sweets, old-fashioned cocoa posters and recent publications
focusing on “sweet tooth” topics. Denise Acabo’s establishment
possesses the exclusive Paris rights to some of France’s best
candy including Le Roux’s award-winning salted butter caramels
and Negrus’ heavenly, almond -filled nougat. Mon-Sat, 10:30am
to 10pm, 30, rue Fontaine, 9e, tel: 01.48.74.59.55.
High-tech — Why?
Would have passed right by... if not for the booming techno music.
Herds of teenagers crowd into this sterile-looking, white-walled
locale featuring all kinds of funky stuff sure to light up Generation
Y’s eyes: lava lamps (249 F), lighters in the shape of sewing
machines, clear plastic pillows filled with fluorescent feathers
and wallets with liquid trapped inside layers of transparent plastic,
along with “Boy Strip Tease Mugs,” all at 39F. Mon-Sat, 10am to
7pm, 22, rue du Pont-Neuf, 1er, tel: 01.42.33.40.33.
At home
Low-tech — A Deux Pas D’Ici
What I like most about this store is that it looks like one of
the shops you’d find in New York’s Greenwich Village. Right there,
on the premises... designer /shop owner Dominique Sollier creates
adorably fanciful drapery rods and doorknobs, as well as vegetable
and rock-shaped drawer pulls (60-80 F). And an intriguing array
of intricate objects by other artisans adds charm to the premises:
XVth century-inspired hand-blown glass goblets (250 F), chandeliers,
candlestick holders and square candles (starting at 8 F). Mon,
Tue, Thu, Fri, 11am to 7pm, 23, rue Violet, 15e, tel: 01.45.77.81.56.
High-tech — Bang & Olufsen
The sleek lines of their matte, black lacquer television consoles
(with 55-70cm screens) immediately catch the eye, despite the
hefty 8,900-36,000F — and beyond — price tags. Definitely targetting
the high-tech home of the future, the Danish firm also produces
vertical CD players made of wood and polished chrome, state-of-the-art
telephones and a line of watches designed by Jacob Jenson and
his son (from 750F). 44, bd Henri IV, 4e, tel: 01.42.77.97.77.
Clothes
Low-tech — Irlande House of Cashmere
Step into the warm interior of this pleasant pullover boutique
and discover a world computers will never replace. Sammy, the
shop’s charming owner, makes regular trips to Ireland, bringing
back an irresistible selection of handsome, handmade woollens
for men, women and children (from about 1,250F). Specialized in
reasonably-priced quality cashmere, he also carries John Scott
sweaters and affordable lambswool (starting at 295F). Mon-Sat,
11am to 7:30pm, Sun, 3-7pm, 24, rue Roi de Sicile, 4e, tel: 01.42.78.94.78.
High-tech — Colette
One of the few stores whose look and concept matches what I imagine
will be a major retailing trend, at the onset of the next century.
More than a mere fashion boutique, Colette also showcases high-tech
objects, bound to appeal to trendspotters attracted to cutting-edge
designer labels like Jil Sander, Comme Des Garçons, Calvin Klein,
Gucci or Prada. Among the carefully selected turn of the millennium
toys on display chez Colette: a Sony digital camcorder, a Canon
APS mini-camera and stainless steel desk accessories. Mon-Sat,
10am to 7pm, 213, rue St-Honoré, 1er, tel: 01.55.35.33.90.
Toys
Low-tech — Torture Electrique
Serious collectors of children’s toys will thoroughly enjoy themselves
in this shop, the best place to acquire antique playthings with
a French or English pedigree. The establishment boasts an impressive
collection of games dating back to the 17th century, including
miniature chess sets and period checkerboards. Tue-Sat, 2-7 pm,
7, rue Frederic Sauton, 5e, tel: 01.43.29.37.08.
High-tech — FNAC
What better way to ring in the New Year than with a Philips 107cm
flat panel TV that you can hang on your wall like a painting.
for a mere 56,000F. Top of Santa’s millennium list is Apple’s
iMac laptop for 12,990F. It’s not the smallest, lightest or fastest,
but with it’s translucent blueberry or apricot case and built-in
handle, it’s the prettiest portable you can buy. There are lots
of matching accessories in the same colorful design: an Iomega
zip drive (999 F), the Agfa SnapScan (790 F) and the Kodak DC
240 digital camera (4,490 F).
Also “big” this year: the latest generation of digital cameras
to produce pictures nearly indistinguishable from the traditional
type include the 2.3 megapixel Fuji MX 2900 (6,900 F) and the
2.5 megapixel Olympus camedia C2500L, complete with with reflex
lens and lots of extras (11,990 Fr). And, for those who want e-mail
— without the computer — there’s Alcatel’s Web Touch One, a telephone
with a LCD screen that connects to the Net, for approximately
3,000F.
Consult 3615 FNAC or www.fnac.fr for the store closest to you
and its opening hours.
