A mind-blowing journey through Europe promised beauty and serenity at every step. It began with joyful days in the City of Light, Paris, a place that makes anyone fall in love with art and design. Every time you visit, the city offers something new.
The exhausting, long flight and its after-effects quickly faded as the excitement of being in the capital of fashion set in. A guided city tour with the enthusiastic Ms. Catharine, followed by a cruise with Bateaux Mouches along the Seine River, was the perfect way to begin our encounter with this beautiful creation of mankind.
The chilling cold could not diminish our eagerness to experience the glory of the city that breathes love and romance. The glittering Eiffel Tower defines serenity in its own way while remaining alive with enthusiastic tourists. Any art and design lover connects with its beauty on a deeply personal level.
The majestic Arc de Triomphe stands in honor of the sacrifices made for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. It remains one of the monumental treasures for art lovers. Then there is Champs‑Élysées, the city’s most famous avenue, home to the presidential residence, Élysée Palace. We also visited Galeries Lafayette, an upmarket French department store bringing together renowned international designer brands under one roof, as well as the Guimet Museum and the Musée d’Orsay.
The mind-blowing range of exhibits and breathtaking displays of designer brands left us speechless as we explored the city. Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Kenzo, Prada and many others showcased impressive visual displays for Valentine’s Day. The clicking of cameras became the only acknowledgement of our silent admiration for this stunning city.
I gave my heart to this city on my very first visit. At night, Paris looks even more beautiful as it embraces the darkness and creates a mysterious aura around itself. The ripples of the Seine add character to the glittering tower nearby. The chill in the wind could not stop our urge to absorb the magnificence surrounding us. That night, we drifted into sleep, savoring the excitement of this delightful rendezvous.
The second day began with excitement as we prepared to attend one of the most prestigious events in the capital of fashion: Première Vision (Spring–Summer 2013–14). This fashion forecasting trade fair predicts upcoming seasonal trends. It is a place where future styles are imagined, developed, and presented to the global market for research, buying, and selling.
The event brought together manufacturers, buyers, and sellers from around the world under one roof. It showcased everything from fiber innovations (Expofil) to yarns and fabrics, prints (Indigo – The New Technology Area), accessories, leather goods (Le Cuir à Paris), embellishments, fastenings (Mode Amont), and garments (Zoom). Hours of walking, studying fabrics, analyzing prints, and absorbing the vibrant energy made us forget hunger and fatigue. The desire to gather knowledge from every possible source was fully satisfied.
Our next destinations were the legendary Louvre Museum and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. At the Louvre we explored countless masterpieces including Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova. These masterpieces protect centuries of artistic brilliance and offer visitors the chance to understand art and design more deeply.
We also visited the magnificent Sacré‑Cœur Basilica in Montmartre, which was breathtaking both inside and out, especially under a gentle drizzle of rain.
Next door to the Louvre was a paradise for fashion enthusiasts: the Musée des Arts Décoratifs – Mode et Textile. This lesser-known gem displays costumes from the history of fashion along with accessories, jewelry, furniture, and décor from across the world. Studying the evolution of fashion through these exhibits felt like traveling through time. Hours passed analyzing garments and intricate details, yet it felt like the blink of an eye.
Our journey then took us to Amsterdam, the capital of Netherlands, named after the dam on the Amstel River. The country’s picturesque landscapes, windmills, and countryside charm were captivating.
On the way we stopped at Madurodam, an interactive miniature park that allowed visitors to explore scaled-down Dutch landmarks and engaging activities.
Amsterdam itself appeared as a perfectly planned city with canals, cycling tracks, tram routes, and pedestrian walkways. Cruising through its canals on a sunny day felt refreshing after the freezing cold of Paris. We visited a cheese and wooden shoe factory where the owners greeted us warmly with “Namaste,” instantly making us feel at home.
One of the highlights was the Tassenmuseum Hendrikje, which showcases over 500 years of history of Western women’s handbags. It was like a feast for the eyes, a collection we would admire for the rest of our lives. The day ended with dancing the night away at Club Escape.
The final stop of our journey was Brussels, the bilingual capital of Belgium and the political heart of the European Union. The city is known for its majestic architecture and iconic landmarks such as Manneken Pis, Atomium, the Cinquantenaire Arch, and the magnificent Grand Place.
Walking through the charming alleys of Brussels while savoring Häagen‑Dazs ice cream and Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream and chocolate was a delightful experience.
The journey concluded with a special exhibition dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent, one of the pioneers of modern fashion. This exhibition was the perfect ending to our expedition. Sketches, design sheets, jewelry, accessories, and actual garments revealed the extraordinary creative brilliance of the designer. Discovering these treasures felt like uncovering the magical cave of Ali Baba.
This mind-boggling journey ended on a perfect note — truly the cherry on the cake.
