Is there a better shopping city anywhere than Paris? With chocolatiers, hat boutiques, vintage troves and the best flea markets dotting what seems to be every rue corner, even the bazaars of Istanbul or the edgy stores of Manhattan look a tad stale compared with this. I have to confess: I did my part to help the French economy.

With Philippa pal Holly Bass, I hit the flea market on a snowy Saturday. Though there are several well-known fleas in the City of Light, we went to the grand-pere of them all: the Marché aux Puces de St.-Ouen (aka Clignacourt) where Holly scored 1920s buttons and trims to make into jewelry and I picked up 1930s fashion illustrations to frame for my office. Wandering the stalls — some indoors, some out — was like riding a zip line through the past three hundred years of French style and interior design, with everything from flapper dresses to Art Deco desks for sale.

OpenSkies generously let me stay on for a few extra days of museum-hopping (and winter clothes shopping). I relocated myself to the Left Bank, former haunt of Ernest Hemmingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald and current site of countless snug cafes, cool shops and good restaurants. It plays SoHo or Brooklyn to the Right Bank’s Fifth Avenue, so the shops tend to be more intimate and personal — and un peau more affordable as well.

On the left back, I happened on the tiny, slightly out-of-the-way Rue Quatre Vents (Street of the Four Winds) hunting for a good chocolate eclair at Gerard Mulot, but also came away with a cozy, Anna Karenina-goes-to-Paris hooded jacket from Ekjo, a beribboned rose-colored T-shirt from Belgian boho outlet Mais il est ou le soileil? (don’t ask me to translate that one…) and some whimsical rickrack-print mugs at Sabre. Another favorite stretch: La Rue Cherche Midi, where rocker-chic Heimstone, shoe giant Robert Clegerie and other hip brands make their stylish nests. Did I wish I’d brought about a thousand more euros…oui! -Jennifer Barger

On our third morning at the luxurious Hotel Prince de Galles, where OpenSkies graciously accommodated us for our Parisian holiday, our lively group sipped café au lait and nibbled buttery chocolate-filled croissants to fortify us for the day’s adventures. Poet, artist, dancer, and exceedingly fashionable friend Holly Bass planned to hit the famed Paris flea market in Clignancourt in search of natty finds. Beloved and fabulous photographer Victoria Gaitan donned her sensible platforms (only 5 inches!) for a trek through the massive Louvre museum. The über creative music talent Ryan Holladay, one-half of the duo Bluebrain, and his sidekick Zach Kregger joined the BF and me on the train to Versailles to see the Takashi Murakami exhibit.

Versailles in Snow

Philippa in the Snow

I’d read about the controversy over placing colorful, whimsical contemporary sculptures in the gilded, ornate halls of this magnificent French palace and wondered if it would distract visitors from the beauty and art of Versailles. Much to my delight, the work suited the space very well and we found ourselves taking our time to absorb and really look at everything around us.

Versailles

Takashi Murakami exhibit

I love imagining what court life might have been like: romantic and decadent, ladies bustling about in silky embroidered gowns, dancing and eating delicious French food every night. Instead, we learned that Versailles was crowded and smelly and filled with lots of backstabbing, drama, intrigue, and competition!

Breaking Royal Protocol: Jumping in Versailles

Hanging out at Versailles with four dudes (including Lawrence the photographer) had its fun-filled moments! Including a conversation over lunch that cannot be repeated in polite company.

The Murakami sculptures made us all feel so unabashedly joyful and happy that we jumped everywhere we went!

Versailles

We all agreed that our day at Versailles was one of the most magical and special days we’d ever experienced.- Philippa Hughes;

Photos by Lawrence Luk

There are those women—decked out Pre-Fall prêt-a-porter not yet available in stores—who when asked “France or Italy?” they answer succinctly: “Lagerfeld.”

Then there is that other breed of Francophile that answers the same “would you rather” proposition with “Pain au chocolat, s’il vous plaît.”

Outside the Pompidou Centre

We began our second day in Paris as overindulgent foodies, scrambling to find a hidden outdoor elevator in the Pompidou Centre, the massive architectural complex that houses the public library, the Musée National d’Art Moderne, and the elegant Restaurant Georges.

Posing at the Pompido Centre

The post-mod, warehouse space boasts soaring ceilings, never-ending lists of wine and panoramic views that rival those seen atop the Arc de Triomphe or the dome of Sacré-Coeur.

Restaurant Georges

Escargot

My terrible French (read: nonexistent French) makes it nearly impossible for me to reiterate the delicious combination of foods we tasted. But the fusion style cuisine—the sort of Asian and sort of French fare that included escargot, duck laden with peppercorns and star anise, risotto with prawns — got washed down with a crisp rose, even though our waiter sniffed at us in disapproval.

Duck at Restaurant Georges

Restaurant Georges

Risotto at Restaurant Georges

After lunch we headed over to the Marais for some shopping, in search of one of Philippa’s favorite boutiques in Paris. After a hunt that included questions in broken French like, “Where’s that cute shop near the falafel stands?” we stumbled upon Anne Elisabeth, a boutique loaded with prints and bold hues and tailored-boho flair—a fitting find for Philippa’s rather eclectic taste. - Katherine Boyle; photos by Lawrence Luk

Philippa in Anne Elisabeth

Anne Elisabeth Boutique

Unlike standard trans-Atlantic flights that leave you bowled over and craving five-hour naps and airport espresso, OpenSkies Biz Beds—180-degree reclining beds heaping with plump comforters — helped us hit the avenues of the Right Bank sans jet lag.

Philippa Arrives at Paris Orly

Philippa and friends strolled past whimsical and occasionally outlandish wintery window displays along the Champs-Élysées after checking into the historic Prince de Galles on Avenue George V. It’s no surprise that this luxury hotel (and glitzy address), which debuted in 1928 and welcomed icons such as Winston Churchill and Marlene Dietrich through its revolving doors, was just as inviting to Philippa’s entourage.

Window Shopping in Paris

Philippa’s party then enjoyed a typical (lengthy) Parisian lunch at traditional bistro Chez André before departing for the Eiffel Tower and the Basquiat exhibition at Musée d’Art Moderne.

Foie Gras at Chez Andre

Philippa and Holly pose for photos

Philippa’s art savoir-faire kicked in at the museum, and friends reveled at the large-scale exhibition showcasing the works of the famous graffiti artist.

Basquiat Exhibition

After a full day of sightseeing (and even fuller stomachs), we headed over to the Hotel Costes on the famed fashion stretch of Rue Saint-Honoré. While sampling signature cocktails and French wines, we enjoyed the opulent décor and, dare we say, an eye-catching, humbling crowd of international bon vivants. - Katherine Boyle

Philippa at Hotel Costes

Parisians know that it takes more than a designer handbag or a well-tailored suit to be chic, and so does Philippa Hughes of The Pink Line Project, making her a fitting choice for FW’s 2010 Most Fashionable Washingtonian.

Philippa Hughes, FW's Most Fashionable Washingtonian

Unleashed in the City of Light for four days, Philippa and four friends from DC’s art set feasted on foie gras and escargot from Restaurant Georges atop the Pompidou Centre, jumped upon viewing modern art at the Musée d’Art Moderne and Versailles, and sampled cocktails from see and be seen spots like Le Bar at Hotel Costes. Whether shopping in le Marais or practicing her French at swank late night parties like Le Cirque Bonheur, Philippa proved that her cultural acumen made her a fashionable tourist indeed.

Philippa Hughes and friends jump in the Musée d'Art Moderne, Paris

But before even touching down at Paris Orly, there was a flight to be remembered, sponsored by OpenSkies.

Philippa’ s crew enjoyed modern décor and tasty hors d’oeuvres in the British Airways lounge at Dulles Airport before departing on an OpenSkies direct flight to Paris Orly. (Of course, flying into Orly and avoiding the crowded mazes of CDG was a luxury in itself).

Philippa's Party

OpenSkies, the all-business class luxe-and-lowfare airline, provided us with Biz Beds and an ample amount of champagne as we toasted Philippa, a woman who wears many hats—Washingtonian, art patron, philanthropist, creative contrarian. FW Editor Jennifer Barger then introduced Philippa over the in-flight PA system shortly after takeoff. Captain Paul Cale even posed for photos with us and congratulated Philippa for her work in DC.

FW Editor Jennifer Barger and Philippa Hughes

Toasting Philippa and OpenSkies

OpenSkies Captain Paul Cale

We then enjoyed a three course dinner on board that included smoked salmon and mozzarella, roasted chicken, spinach ravioli with beurre blanc sauce, cheese plates of blue maytag and cheddar and blueberry swirl cheesecake. After these culinary treats, Philippa and friends were rested and ready for their Parisian holiday. -Katherine Boyle

Philippa at 30,000 feet

If you hadn’t noticed, we’ve been super-busy prepping for our upcoming spring issue. Stay tuned for regular updates soon!

{In the meantime, some drool-worthy goodness from the upcoming spring collection of Prabal Gurung…}

We don’t get why anyone would line up at the crack of dawn for a Black Friday sale on new plasma TVs. But for discounted Marc Jacobs? We’re sooo there. Here’s a few of our favorite Black Friday fashion sales around town.

1. Barneys Co-op is slashing prices early — starting this Wednesday, Nov. 25 — so you can sleep off your turkey coma in peace. Expect to get 40 percent off men’s and women’s brands like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Vince, Rag & Bone and A.P.C. at the Georgetown and Chevy Chase outposts and online. (The Jayla pump, above, is currently marked down from $425 to $259. How low can it go?)

2. OK, night owls: Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, Va opens at midnight on Thanksgiving night, so you can fuel up on turkey ‘n mashed potatoes and then hit the sales at haute discount spots like Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nordstrom Rack, the Brooks Brothers Factory Store and more.

3. Over in Leesburg, the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets — home to discount outposts from brands like J. Crew, Barneys New York, Coach, Theory and Williams-Sonoma — is having its own midnight madness at 12am Friday. (Some stores will even open a couple hours earlier at 10pm Thanksgiving night, if you want to scoot over there after the football games and that second serving of pie.)

4. Brides-to-be will want to check out the Nicole Miller “white collection” sale at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria, starting Friday at 10 a.m. The designer’s collection of gorgeous wedding gowns will be discounted up to 70 percent — which means you can justify splurging on those Louboutins to walk the aisle.

5. All this week, vintage haven Remix in Capitol Hill is offering up to 50 percent off select items, like croc clutch purses and fur-trimmed coats. Because after stocking up on everyone else’s gifts, shouldn’t you snag a l’il something for yourself as well? —Betsy Lowther and Alison Peters

Gulper eels, electrons and other strangely beautiful scientific imagery obsesses Chicago designer Abigail Glaum-Lathbury. But that doesn’t mean that her sculptural skirts, cowl-necked dresses and what seem to be Victorian biker jackets belong in a fusty lab. They’re feminine, quirky and just a little bit avant garde, the sort of pieces 
as fit for a night of gallery-hopping as much as a well-dressed day in the office. “I think these things are beautiful,” says Glaum-Lathbury. “Nature’s solutions to things really influence my work.” See her fall collection of shapely skirts and waist-flattering coats, plus a preview of spring, during a trunk show Fri from 2-8 p.m. and Sat. from 12-7 p.m. at Proper Topper’s Dupont Store. Sign me up for one of the drapey-necked jackets, and oh, that terrific dress with the cantilevered, Frank Lloyd Wright-ish pleats down the back. —Jennifer Barger

We’ll be talking fashion — and taking questions about your style dilemmas — tomorrow at noon over here. (You can also head over there now to sign up for a reminder for when we start.)

Holiday partywear! Jewelry trends! What to give your Aunt Edna this year! No question is too insignificant. Plus, there will be beauty swag for a few lucky chatters. We look forward to seeing you then!

{Photo: Richard Avedon}