My first option is in this mini-studio owned by Jacqueline, the lady that helped me get my apprenticeship. It's in the Trocadero area, which is right by the Eiffel Tower! I can walk to it in just minutes and am surrounded by cafes! It's located in the attic that was renovated into a mini-studio. It reminded me of the attic room I stayed in when I lived in Italy. Somehow I am always stuck living up there, but I don't mind since it's a roof over my head. :) The cost would be 450 euros and includes water, electricity and internet! Can't beat that! Especially for the location!
Jacqueline is really amazing! She was giving me more suggestions on how to make the most of my summer here and telling me in order to do so, I really need to immerse myself and become Parisian. That I need to explore all these fashion districts to fully understand the style in Paris. I started to write down more of her suggestions to my already growing list! She was saying that Abercrombie and Fitch is becoming huge here and is located at Champs Elysees, which was quite a shock for me!
Then I went to my second apartment option, which is located in Issy, which is a suburb of Paris. I had to ask for directions since I wasn't really sure where the apartment was and this sweet old man helped me find the place as he was munching on his baguette he just bought. I finally met Alexis Peskine, who is also truly amazing too! He showed me the apartment, which was pretty spacious and had some really great views as well. I was happy to see that the bathroom was pretty big too! Even had a bathtub! He even gave me the tour of the neighborhood and showed me where they have really amazing macaroons! The apartment is located right in front of a few parks too. He was telling me that what he loves about France is that every corner and neighborhood has everything you need: a butcher shop, a cheese shop, laundry mat, market, etc. He says that's what he missed when he lived in the States. Also, what he loves is that the fruit here is really fresh and high grade, that you don't need to pay extra for organic stuff because they are just as good. The cost for his place is also really good for the location and for everything I am getting, which is 850 euros a month.
I know with whatever decision I make, I'll be safe, happy, and comfortable knowing that I'd be well taken care of since my landlords are living in the same complex too. I got so much more out of my apartment hunting today than I expected! After Alexis showed me the apartment we started talking about his work as an artist. Apparently, him and his family are extremely talented people. His dad was an architect that actually helped build the complex. He has 3 other brothers that are all pretty successful! Alexis is an artist and photographer, his other brother is a designer, his 2nd to youngest brother Gystere is a musician and his youngest brother is a Visual Artist. I was so amazed with the talent they all had! Gystere just got signed and has been performing and has hopes to become a universal artist. His group is called, McLuvin. Alexis was showing me one of his music videos and next thing ya know Gystere comes out in his underwear haha...Alexis goes, "that's my brother, the star!"
Alexis:
Gystere:
It was kinda funny, during my visit with Alexis it turned into this lesson and interview session with me asking him all sorts of questions and writing everything down on this piece of paper I had with directions to his place. I really admire and love learning from such intelligent, talented, creative people and he was such a wealth of knowledge!
I was asking him where he gets his inspiration from and he says, "Everywhere! From Paris and even from the States." His work is about identity crisis and racism, etc. He says in France, there is a lot of active and positive racism. Positive racism is like saying, "Blacks are only good at playing sports." He was also saying the French still don't consider you French if you are not white, even if you were born here. Minorities here still deal with racism, whether you are black or asian and so forth. It's not like the United States where you are still considered American if you were born there, no matter the color.
As far as Fashion, he doesn't consider Paris original. People here do not take risks and aren't original. Everyone dresses in the same trend. I was surprised at first, but then it makes a lot of sense. Because I remember that trend of where I see all the girls wear rolled up skinny jeans over a blazer. Alexis says Paris fashion is just classic and not risky. He considers NY, London and especially Tokyo to be the real innovators of Fashion, even though Paris is considered fashion capital of the world. How ironic huh?
Alexis was also saying that there is a lot of new talent in Paris, but not a lot of exposure. He works off commission and like any artist some times he'll make lots of sales and other times, the months are kind of slow. But either way, he's been so successful with being featured in magazines and on tv. He showed me some of his art work he had just finished and they were awesome! He works off photographs and then uses nails to make his masterpieces.
He also told me about his other successful designer friends. One of them is Adama Paris.
Alexis is actually going to make a trip to Senegal in July for fashion week there that Adama is organizing. He was telling me I should go too, but I can't since my family is visiting that week plus it's Paris Fashion week too! Adama seeks designers from all over the world to show there. The models are naturally tall, dark, skinny and have this natural swagger walk from the runway. He showed me some videos of the fashion shows and they were so glamourous with runways on top of pools by the hotel. He also showed me some of her designs that he happened to have in his apartment. They were pretty cool and of course African inspired. There was even a bustier made out of metal that was hand crafted to fit like armor.
Elie Kuame is another designer Alexis was telling me about in Paris that is from the Ivory Coast of Africa. His work is pretty amazing too.
Alexis was also telling me more about Africa, in particular Senegal, Dakar, and South Africa. He showed me a picture he took of "The Door of No Return" in Senegal. This was where Africans were taken to be slaves in America and they were never to be returned. He was telling me about the rooms they kept the slaves in that were so tiny even for small children to be in, never mind adults. It was so sad to hear. This isn't the picture he took, but it's a picture of this infamous door.
Then he was telling me about Black Arts World Festival in Senegal, where he exhibited some of his work amongst other well known artists such as Rick Frost, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef, Akon and other Big African artists. He reminded me that Akon and his family is actually from Senegal and he had left when he was about 7 years old.
He also showed me some photos from his friend Kares Le Roy of him traveling the world. You can see his amazing pictures from his site, "Travel by Kares."
Alexis was being so helpful and even pulling out maps and telling me where to travel to in Europe while I'm here. I can't wait to go to all the places we mentioned! And all this talk about Africa, makes me want to go so bad! I've always wanted to go too and I'd be so close going from here, but not enough time to get a visa. :( I got so much out of spending a few hours in his apartment and left so much more knowledgeable in art, fashion, Africa and Paris! He said he's going to keep me posted on his next exhibitions, as well as his brother's performances! I can't wait to check them out! He's even letting me observe him working on his art one of these days! How cool! It's really amazing when people take the time to share knowledge and to just make a human connection with one another no matter the color of your skin or where you're from. There's always some common ground and interest to be shared. It reminds me of a quote from Lauren Hutton, "Sharing knowledge is the most important thing you can do." She is so right!
I'm gonna leave you with one of my favorite quotes I try to live by and it's from John Galliano. "You have to be influenced by everything and be reckless enough to gamble all or nothing to follow your dreams. You have to believe in what you do as much as love it. You only get a short life, so take chances, follow your dreams, and go where the winds of fate blows you. Gypsy of life and blessed with luck - I am always ready for the next chapter. We are constantly moving forward. Time waits for no one, so embrace the future. The next adventure is only just around the corner - who's to say what it is or when it will happen? But whatever it is I can't wait! You have to be ready for anything."
Bonne nuit! Bisous Bisous! oxox
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