What's in this mystery box? Something very special from Paris!

What’s in this mystery box? Something very special from Paris!

There is nothing quite like the experience of shopping Paris and New York.  I ought to know, because I’m an expert at both.  This experience is designed to help you make great wardrobe selections that help you to more deeply discover your personal brand and style with me.  This is the moment.

First, here are the quick details.

Paris, March 20-22:  Shop and dine for three days, literally, in the City of Lights!  See the best shopping areas and shops to fulfill your dreams and to find incredible fashions.  Eat delicious French food, morning, noon, and night in noteworthy cafes, and in celebrated restaurants.  And, a portion of one day will be dedicated to seeing the new fashion exhibit opening at Les Arts Decoratifs in the Louvre showcasing the talented work of noteworthy fashion designer Dries Van Noten.

New York, March 24-26:  Hit the pavement running through SoHo, Chelsea, and the Meatpacking District.  Yes, there is a whole other world to Manhattan with an urban vibe that is worth snubbing your nose at legendary Fifth and Madison Avenues.  On Tuesday evening, March 25th, join renowned textile designer – and my friend – Mary Jaeger and I in conversation talking about reclaimed textiles and sustainability.  I can promise that you will leave New York feeling like you’ve had a fresh and exciting experience!

I promise you an unforgettable and fun-filled experience.

Here’s a little insight as to what inspired this special opportunity.

I have had a not-so-secret crush on Dior Homme, a luxury French brand with a strict point-of-view and an aesthetic approach that is evolving my personal style.  Dior Homme has a tony jewel box of a boutique along San Francisco’s Union Square, and I will, from time to time and for various clients, pull very carefully chosen items.  Having a great relationship with the brand, the store personnel, I promised them a visit to what I have referred to as “The Mothership,” or the flagship store on avenue Montaigne in Paris.

Super loyal, I promised only to eyeball the assortment and make any purchases back in San Francisco.  That was until… I laid my eyes upon these!

Look what came in the box!

Look what came in the box!

It was an instant “have to have it” moment.

First, I inquired whether my size was available.  A couple of minutes later, after checking the stock, and the company inventory, it was determined that the only pair available was at the Dior Homme shop-in-shop at Harrod’s in London.  It didn’t seem that the shoes could be sent to Paris before my departure.

Oh, l’amour, l’amour… Those shoes just had to be mine.

Take a look at this shoe! Dior Homme refashioned a classic wing tip shoe into something completely new. Laceless. Slip on. Athletic. Unique. Hand stitched.

Take a look at this shoe! Dior Homme refashioned a classic wing tip shoe into something completely new. Laceless. Slip on. Athletic. Unique. Hand stitched.

The next thing I did was to text message the general manager of the Dior Homme boutique in San Francisco with a quick pic of the shoes that I took right then and there.  The message I wrote read, “Get me these!”

Soon, he replied back to me with an unreal explanation.  “These were not bought for the U.S. market.”  By this time, I had left the boutique and was headed back to the hotel.

The next morning, after dreaming “solefully” about my must-have post-modern wingtips, I was in touch with the boutique by phone.  I wanted those shoes!  This set a whole lot of orchestrating into place.  The boutique agreed to secure the last pair of these coveted chaussures for me.  From Harrod’s in London, they would travel back across the English Channel and into the waiting hands of the Dior personnel in Paris.

Once back in California, I heard from the Dior store personnel that they had received the shoes from London.  Some paperwork was then completed, indicating my agreement to purchase these shoes and to have them sent from Paris.

Then I had to patiently wait… But the waiting was short lived.  The shoes were packaged and sent on a Friday.  And, to my amazement, on Monday they arrived at my door!

The detail of these shoes are exquisite. Once I laid my eyes on them, that was it. I had to have them. I do not understand why these shoes were not made to be available in the United States. But, c'est la vie... It is true that when you get to shop in Europe, you will find things that you cannot find at home. Despite fashion being global, some things about fashion are still local.

The detail of these shoes are exquisite. Once I laid my eyes on them, that was it. I had to have them. I do not understand why these shoes were not made to be available in the United States. But, c’est la vie… It is true that when you get to shop in Europe, you will find things that you cannot find at home. Despite fashion being global, some things about fashion are still local.

Now, that I proudly have my shoes, I have proof that not everything you could ever want is available in the United States.  Sometimes, it’s better to travel for the sheer pleasure of discovering something that will give you pleasure, enjoyment, and that will move your taste forward.

This story about new shoes inspired this opportunity to discover Paris and New York with me in March?  Want to come along?  Email or call me for more complete details, and let’s take Paris and New York by storm!

Joseph Rosenfeld helps successful Silicon Valley entrepreneurs transform their self-confidence by improving their personal style.  Get Joseph’s free report that helps you know “7 Ways to Transform Your Personal Style”.