Merci Boutique, Paris

When I was recently in Paris for New Year, I visited this boutique called Merci, and ended up wondering how I had never discovered this trendy hang-out and concept store before. Housed in the cool Oberkampf neighbourhood, the store is laid out on three floors in a former sun-lit warehouse loft- very New York. The store has only been open two years and has a philanthropic message behind all the designer gladrags- profits made by the store are donated to organisations fighting child poverty, particularly in Madagascar. It’s more open, cosy and welcoming that the usual designer store- the staff are friendly and the wares are laid out akin to a vintage or second-hand shop. There is also a cafe with a lending library of books and comfy chairs to lounge in with a fresh mint tea and nibbles of lemon and orange cake.