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.
