I just got home from a matinee showing of Coco Avant Chanel, it opened today in Paris. I settled into my comfy seat in the theatre (not anywhere near) full of people on their own, like me, and took off my heavy knee-high boots, undoing all six of the buckles so I could relax.

I wish I was only referring to having a lie-in or reading a book in the Jardin du Luxembourg in the sunshine, but sadly, I am down to my last week in Paris. When I first came, the trees were bare and there was a bit of a chill in the air, and now the trees are lush and green and it's been so warm and sunny I fear for the dampness and gloom that may be awaiting me in England (they say it's been gorgeous but I haven't seen good weather last for long in all of my 3.5 years there, so I'll believe it when I see it!).

One of the perks of being in Paris is the opportunity to see the collections first-hand and meet fashion's most exciting design talent. Recently I had the good fortune to spend an afternoon in a cafe chatting with Haute Couture and prêt-à-porter designer Xuan-Thu Nguyen (pronounced Swan-Toe nuhWEN) about her work. Thu mixes an Old World approach to detail and workmanship with innovative techniques and the result is clothes and accessories that are both exquisitely crafted and fashion-forward.

Salut! Wrapping up (finally) my fashion week fun is my review of the presentation for OMELA, a new London-based luxury brand with Russian designer Olga Vilshenko at the helm (who I must say is a glamorous and elegant woman in person) and a design team made up of Balmain, Giles and Galliano alumni.

We're buzzing about Guest Bloggette, Denise Grayson's {The Swelle Life} upcoming interview with Parisian haute couture & prêt-à-porter designer - Thu Nguyen! Stay tuned folks!:-)

Luckie.

Bonjour! When I signed off last time I promised details about the Talbot Runhof show and the OMELA presentation during Paris fashion week and I'm only too happy to provide the full run-down. It is truly wonderful to be able to report about great brands that are just starting out or have been around a little while but deserve broader recognition.

Last time I mentioned that I had received invites to some fashion weeks shows, namely Ivana Helsinki (which I unfortunately couldn't attend as it was starting as I was reading the email - note to self: need better phone so I can keep up with these things while out) as well as Etcetura and Dupre Santabarbara.

Paris is fashion 365 days a year, but that special time when the city plays host to next season's glorious offerings is upon us at the moment, and it's got Paris buzzing even more than usual!

On Wednesday I went on a mission to find the ultra-cool fashion, art and gadget destination known as Colette, on rue Saint-Honoré. I missed it last time and there was no way it was getting by me this time around. However, what Google maps indicated as a 32 minute walk from my apartment was more like two hours, but there's no such thing as wasted time walking around Paris.

I'm so excited to be sharing my Paris experience with ASOP readers! As you can imagine, Paris really is an incredible city. Like all great cities of the world, it has a uniqueness that you can feel immediately once you're in the middle of it all. It's difficult to describe, but to me it charms. The history, the architecture, the people, the art, the fashion, the Seine  - even with all of this it doesn't overwhelm, it feels as if it's all there for you, quietly waiting for when you're ready to discover it.