Paris, Lingerie, Boudoir + A Lesson in French Confidence 🇫🇷✨

I just got back from the most incredible trip to Paris, and I have to share some moments with you—especially if you’ve ever dreamed of shooting in the City of Light. 🌆📸

I have had the honor of collaborating with ​Sugar Cookies Lingerie​ for over 4 years now, and this was our third trip to the City of Light together. It had always been my dream to capture stunning boudoir imagery in some of the most breathtaking Parisian locations—think golden balconies, moody hotel rooms, and yes… the Eiffel Tower in the background. And I am thrilled to have made that dream happen once again this year. ♥️

But these epic boudoir photoshoots were just the beginning…

Here are some other highlights from our unforgettable trip:

✨ Cocktail party & fashion presentation with Maison Close – Their wonderful team even created a signature cocktail in Maison Close Purple in honor of our event! I always thought Maison Close was too sexy for a woman "my age" but I was proven wrong - their new ready-to-wear collection is everything, and you’ll soon find it at Sugar Cookies! I purchased the black tuxedo pants with lace - something I had been thinking about ever since I saw them in person at the August trade show!

✨ A history & atelier visit with couture corset makers Cadolle – This was our attendee's favorite event last year so we went back to the beautiful jewel box of a shop and learned about the importance of a properly fitting bra and the differences between French and American Styles when it comes to the feminine ideal. Seeing their craftsmanship up close was a masterclass in lingerie artistry.

✨ A showroom tour + sneak peek of Aubade’s Fall/Winter collection – We even got to visit the team of seamstresses working on prototypes. Aubade is a staple of everyday luxury, and their new designs are going to be stunning.

✨ A tour of the Dior Museum – These highly coveted tickets are tough to come by but we had to visit for the fashion, as well as the Peter Lindbergh exhibit (my favorite photographer!) So many instagramable moments here!

✨ A personal chat with designer Paloma Casile – This was a new brand discovery for me. Paloma's passion for lingerie as both fashion and empowerment was beyond inspiring, as was her tenacity as a young, female business owner. I even made a bold purchase for myself (see above)!

✨ An epic evening of burlesque & champagne at Crazy Horse Cabaret – Because no trip to Paris is complete without a little Parisian glamour and tease. 😉

And then there was this moment…

During a breathtaking hotel balcony shoot, my client and I had a surprise encounter with two chic Parisian women who spotted us from their apartment across the way. At first, I thought they were upset by our shoot—only to later find out they lovedwhat we were doing! They even offered us their own apartment for a new angle (which resulted in one of my favorite behind the scenes shots of all time). 😍

A Lesson in French Confidence 🇫🇷

In the U.S., boudoir is often seen as something just for a partner—but in France, it’s truly an art form, a celebration of self. A moment to honor your own beauty, at any age, just because you deserve to. And that’s something I want all of us to embrace. ❤️

I can’t wait to share more from this trip—including behind-the-scenes, my top Paris hotel picks for boudoir shoots, and of course, how you can create this magic in your own work. Stay tuned!

À bientôt, Stephanie

P.S. If you want a sneak peek of the images, keep an eye on my ​Instagram​—I’ll be sharing soon! 😉 #ParisBoudoir #SugarCookiesLingerie #ConfidenceAtEveryAge

72 Hours in Paris Recap | Boudoir Photoshoots + Parisian Lingerie!

In March 2024, Brooklyn Boudoir, along with Sugar Cookies Lingerie, took 6 lucky women to Paris, and the trip was unforgettable …

For our first ever boudoir retreat overseas, we not only wanted to celebrate ourselves through boudoir and lingerie, we wanted to do it with the Paris je ne sais quoi. Each experience in our journey held true to the theme of female empowerment through fashion, photography and freedom of expression. As one Parisian woman said to me, “Your manifesto and love of women shows up in your work,” and this is one of the highest complements she could have given to me.

This trip has been a dream of mine for years, and if felt so good to use both my photography skills and my event producing skills from my previous career to make it happen. Read on for a full recap!

Imagine… You arrive in a picturesque European city and are welcomed to a Pinterest level apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower. The room is filled with pieces from Atelier Amour ready for you to admire and shop. Atelier Amour is female owned and operated, and one of my favorite brands to photograph (you will definitely recognize them from my instagram feed). Champagne is flowing and Parisian snacks are plentiful as you meet and mingle with fellow lingerie and boudoir lovers. The next morning you get glamorous for your first shoot through the beautiful city. This is how Brooklyn Boudoir and Sugar Cookies welcome you to Paris!

Day 1

For our US clients, photos at the Eiffel Tower were a must. From Rue de l'Université (a popular photo destination for travel influencers) to the Trocadero itself, we snapped iconic images in front of the Iron Lady.

Next up was a trip to the beautiful Musee Yves Saint Laurent. On display was a collection of pieces from one of YSL’s beloved artistic expressions, sheer fabrics. It was completely on-brand for our lingerie + boudoir themes! YSL loved the idea of the juxtaposition between clothing which is meant to cover or conceal you and using transparent fabric to instead create intrigue and most of all, freedom. He believed in the liberation of women and sought to empower them through his silhouettes and fabrications. We saw sheer tops paired with trousers, bras worn as tops under blazers and lace cut outs galore. For lingerie lovers this was the perfect way to get inspired and in the spirit for boudoir photoshoots!

That evening our crew made their way to the Aubade showroom in the fabulous Les Halles neighborhood. When we stepped off the elevator we entered a lingerie fan’s dreamworld, a beautiful showroom surrounded by a balcony overlooking the city. We sipped champagne and snacked on decadent treats while we got to view their new collection in a mini fashion show. There was a phonebook encouraging us all to “Live Your Desire” and there were gift bags of course. It was truly the VIP treatment!

Day 2

The next morning we were in for a special treat. An intimate chat with iconic French brand, Cadolle. Patricia, whose family founded the brand and still operates it today, took us through their incredible history sharing intimate knowledge and stories. After our time in their private atelier we took a stroll to their boutique where we had the pleasure of shopping their luxurious corsets. I, of course, needed to buy one. Paired with a blazer I felt like Madonna circa Express Yourself and I was loving it.

Everyone got some free time in the afternoon, then we met up again at the Lise Charmel storefront with the 6th arr, for another unique lingerie- related experience. We shopped their latest collection, enjoyed a champagne tasting and some sweet Parisian treats. We also got to see their atelier, where the designers work along side seamstresses to construct the classy and feminine work they are known for. Then, a surprise awaited us as French artist Caroline Montigneaux drew each of our attendees in her signature style. There were even more gift bags, and it was a truly unforgettable night!

And we weren’t done yet! No trip to Paris is complete without a dinner cruise on the Seine. There is no better way to see the city than a dreamy trip down the river watching the lights twinkle and streets come alive. En route to the riverboat, we snapped some more photos at the famous Bir Hakim Bridge, another lesser know spot for travel bloggers and featured in the movie Inception.

Day 3

On our last day, it was the culmination of all the experiences we shared, and my big day as our ladies were treated to their very own Brooklyn Boudoir photoshoot, in Paris! The lingerie we saw and tried on, the inspiration we received and the influence of Paris itself prepared everyone for their private boudoir shoot. With a perfect Parisian apartment as the backdrop and a balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower, all you need is hair, makeup and fabulous lingerie to pose in! Luckily we had all that and more covered.

Before we bid our farewell to France we had to attend the most epic cabaret in the world, Crazy Horse. Women’s power, liberation and beauty followed us everywhere we went in Paris and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with the fabulous performers of Crazy Horse. Just being in the red velvet venue felt iconic as we sipped our last glass of champagne and cheered on the dancers. What a way to end our 72 Hours!

But words and photos are not enough to describe 72 Hours in Paris … you just had to be there. ;)

Since I’ve gotten home the #1 question I’ve gotten is, “Will you be doing it again?” and after the success of this trip, the answer is a resounding YES!

Follow along and stay tuned for our next announcement you won’t want to miss.

Until then, au revoir. 

xoxo, Stephanie