By Marie

Sometimes it’s a relief to have the work done for you, which is exactly what By Marie is all about. Along with her own label, Marie Gas puts her spot-on fashion sense and insider’s knowledge of French designers to excellent use, judiciously selecting the best of the season’s ready-to-wear collections and making it easy to find just what you’re looking for. Along with more famous names like Thakoon, Isabel Marant and Vanessa Bruno, Gas carries an impressive stable of elite designers that are hard to find in the US, including forte_forte, Roseanna and Heimstone. Friendly saleswomen are happy to guide you through, and if you’re pressed for time, you can make an appointment 48 hours in advance for a private shopping service, until 8:30 in the evening. If it’s a gift you’re looking for, you can do it on your computer screen. The boutique will send photos to help you choose, and mail your gift, beautifully wrapped, anywhere in France or beyond—or dispatch it by messenger in Paris.

44 rue Etienne Marcel, 2nd, 01.42.33.36.04. website

Originally published in the November 2011 issue of France Today