Field Notes from Paris – Summer edition
A retail report of what I saw in Paris during fashion week
General thoughts on Paris
I’ll admit—working in clothing can feel a little strange when so much in the world feels uncertain, chaotic, or on fire. It’s easy to wonder if any of this really matters.
But this trip reminded me of something simple and true: it’s the people that make it meaningful. The relationships. The conversations. The shared energy. Without that, the clothes don’t carry much weight.
So here are a few notes from Paris.
A look at what inspired me, who I spent time with, and what stood out along the way.
Something I wore
The homies at Grailed dressed me for some stuff during the week, and I got to scoop this distressed Kapital overshirt with these phenomenal vintage Polo Ralph Lauren jeans as a result.
A brand I loved: Observe Gallery
One brand that really stood out to me this season was Observe Gallery, an independent label out of Melbourne.
I had the chance to meet Massimo and Alessia, the brother-sister duo behind the brand, and they’re the real deal—thoughtful, grounded, and quietly ambitious in the best way.
What they’re building feels fresh. Their pieces strike that rare balance between form and function—utilitarian, but refined. Everything has a sense of purpose without trying too hard. The kind of clothing that makes you feel sharper just by putting it on.
What’s interesting is how their design language feels right at home in cities like London or New York—there’s a clarity to the silhouettes, a sharpness to the tailoring—but it’s filtered through their own distinctly Australian lens.
You pick up on it in the materials, the restraint, the attitude. It’s not derivative, it’s its own thing.
Someone I loved spending time with
One of the people I was most excited to spend time with this trip was Davide Baroncini, founder of GHIAIA Cashmere. We finally got to sit down at his showroom and talk—really talk—for a solid 45 minutes.
What started as a quick hello turned into a conversation about life, consumption, the tension between work and family, what it means to stay present, and how we measure success beyond the metrics. It wasn’t about fashion—it was about pace, intention, values.
Davide is one of those rare people who brings real presence to a room. Sharp, kind, no ego. Just a deep love for what he does and the life he’s building around it. I walked away from that chat feeling grounded and grateful.
Excited to share a longer editorial with him soon. It’s a good one.
Standout products
It was a pleasant surprise to catch the homies from Brigade last week. And when I visited the studio I finally got to see their legendary ashtray. Giving me vintage Hermès vibes.
But the MAN/WOMAN show had their arsenal banger pieces. Here are a few I loved from different brands.
MAN/WOMAN show
One of the main reasons I visited Paris this season was for MAN/WOMAN, and working with their team was an absolute pleasure.
I first worked with them in January on some content, and we ran it back again this time.
Antoine Floch, who started the tradeshow, is incredibly kind and generous, and I appreciate how much he loves connecting with people and curating the right experiences for others.
He’s a true Parisian local with a vast bank of goodwill and a network of deep relationships.
This show featured over 90 brands, offering an incredible mix of European, Japanese/Korean, and American brands.
They had an impressive spread, from Saturday Project and Gitman Vintage to Mii and Rocky Mountain Featherbed. Bringing together that many high-caliber brands and designers in one space is challenging.
A huge thank you to Antoine and his team for allowing me to capture content at their show. See you in New York for the American version (July 22nd-24th).
What the homies wore
I got to spend some time with friends during the week and managed to snap a few photos of personal style (all iPhone shots), so here are a few bits from the week.
A fun activation: Karhu takes over a Parisian flower shop
Karhu—the OG Finnish footwear brand—took over this old flower shop in the 11th arrondissement. It was a refreshing deviation from the standard way brands showcase their products in mostly sterile showrooms. It was vibrant and colorful inside, and I also got to preview an upcoming footwear collaboration they have with Engineered Garments.
Common threads: NN.07 brought out the red
I spent a morning with my guy Gustav from NN.07 at their showroom, and it was a treat to see what they’ve been working on. Their latest seasonal collection continues to strike that balance they do so well—grounded essentials with just enough seasonal edge to keep things interesting.
This time around, there was a strong use of red woven throughout the collection, but in a really thoughtful way—showing up in unexpected fabrics and tones rather than feeling loud or forced. A few pieces really stood out, and I’ll share those below.
Oh—and I got a peek at their next Fracap collaboration (the second one to date), dropping next spring. They’ve done it in this wild goblin green suede that looks even better in person. Serious standout.
That Kapital overshirt is sick
I gotta ask… what are those grey sneakers that you’re wearing?