Quoi de neuf - French shopping in October 2019
New products, designs and ideas from around France. This month: wellies, show your bottle, shower time and ‘naturalist’ clothes for kids
Giving it some welly this winter
Now that summer has passed and the days of paddling or crabbing à la plage are but fond memories, you might think that popular brand of plastic sandal maker Méduse goes quiet until next year.
However, the firm loves the rain and snow too – as exemplified by its stylish yet affordable new range of ankle- and knee-length boots for women.
The Flambor range (main photo above) comes in 10 colours with prices from €39, while riding boots styles (pictured left) start at €56.
www.meduse.co/en
Time to show your bottle
As a starting point for his new “Collection N°Vin” wine bottle presentation stands, designer Philippe Cantrel had two ideas in mind.
The first was to simply showcase a wine’s individuality. “No two bottles are alike.
Each of them concentrates all the know-how of a winegrower and the signature of a domaine and its terroir,” he said. “From the smallest productions to the largest bottles, design and packaging are the focus of attention to ensure that the wine is worthy of the promise of the container.”
The second was to “redefine the boundary between tradition and modernity”, which means interchangeable colour options.
Price €79, available at Cité du Vin in Bordeaux and from the Philibar website.
www.philibar.com
Dreamy douche
Shower time just got a little more refreshing thanks to the new 96% natural, sulphate-free range of gelées de douche from Salon de Provence firm Le Petit Olivier (the small olive tree).
The company, which was formed in 1996, spent a year doing research and development to get the product right (the other 4% of ingredients are preservatives).
The gels, enriched with aloe vera or almond flower for scent and hydration, are additions to a shower range that already includes shower creams and ‘shower butters’, plus a range of body and face creams.
Shower gels priced €3.79 for 500ml.
www.lepetitolivier.fr
Cuteness for kids
A former graphic designer in a communications agency, Marjorie Renard swapped computer software for good old pen and ink after she became a Mum – and set up her own children’s clothing, tableware and accessories firm, called Mr Naturaliste.
The small yet eclectic range features bibs, pyjamas, sweatshirts, leggings, enamel mugs and much more, with hand-drawn depictions of nature, such as rabbits and still life fruits.
A second range of babywear, called Petit Naturaliste, is 100% made in France with organic cotton and also features prints of animals and foliage.
We especially like the nightlight with a cheeky squirrel (€20) and the pale pink sweatshirt for toddlers (€45).
Perfect for the little ones in your life!
www.mrnaturaliste.com
