The U.S. presidential inauguration and the onslaught of horrors that have followed have eclipsed nearly every other news story. That’s understandable, it impacts the world order. But we will all need to balance our exposure if we’re going to rally and organize for the next four years. With that in mind, here are a handful of distractions plus some quick links at the end, some of which may be helpful for you to read/watch in these turbulent times.
“THERE IS NO CULTURE LEFT IN FASHION”
So says Didier Ludot, the vintage couture seller who ran a boutique beneath the arcades of the Palais Royal for 50 years, on one of his reasons for closing up shop.
“There used to be an exchange of ideas with people who loved couture. They would come into the store and maybe not buy anything, but we always talked, which I loved.”
Now, young people would come in and say, “Do you have Balenciaga?” and I’d say, “Yes, I have Cristóbal Balenciaga.” And they’d say, “No, the sweatshirt by Demna that reads ‘Balenciaga’ in big letters across the front.”
There’s a lot more to it, which Ludot shares in this conversation with
in the NYT. He also told WWD that he “can no longer relate to the fashion scene” to which I say, same sir, same. (Did I ever?)THE OLYMPIC MEDALS ARE TARNISHING 😬
Not a good look, LVMH.
“Gold, silver and bronze — the very best athletes would take them back home as mementos of their feats at the Paris Games.
Now those medals are falling apart — and LVMH has fallen silent.
In just over 100 days since the Olympics closed, more than 100 athletes have asked for their crumbling medals to be replaced.
Medals have had to be replaced in other Olympics — notably in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. But in no previous Olympics has a company stamped its brand credentials so prominently.”
(New York Times)
THE LOUVRE NEEDS A MAJOR GLOW-UP
What’s the impact of being the most visited museum in the world? Overcrowding, to be sure, but also structural damage. That’s what the director of the Musée du Louvre, Laurence des Cars, warned in a leaked memo to the French Cultural Minister Rachida Dati last week. Millions of euros are needed to repair the kind of danger the institution is in, says des Cars. In reality, it will require closer to a billion euros. The memo was published in Le Parisien, prompting a red alert meeting with President Macron who, this week, announced plans for the museum’s future— a multi-year restoration project and a new room for the Mona Lisa. (RFI)
In the meantime, there’s something new to see at the Louvre—the first fashion-focused exhibition in the museum’s history. Louvre Couture will run through July 21st (and will be the topic of a forthcoming podcast conversation, stay tuned!).
THE NBA (AND WEMBY MANIA) COMES TO PARIS
I’m not saying I’m suddenly an NBA mega fan but my interest is definitely piqued. Every year since 2020, the Accor Arena in Paris has hosted an NBA regular-season game. But the Paris Games 2025 last week aimed bigger—the Pacers vs the Spurs, two games, all part of broadening the NBA’s reach globally. It makes sense to devote more game time on French soil for a few reasons. France is the third most represented country in the NBA with 14 players and it’s the leading market for merch.
“Wembanyama has increased the Spurs’ popularity in France dramatically, and his jersey is the second-best selling N.B.A. uniform in Europe behind James. He is the league’s third-most viewed player on social media globally, trailing only James and Curry.” (New York Times)
I was over the moon to be invited to the first of two games last week, especially given that France’s star and 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama would be on the court. I don’t spend enough time in the U.S. to imagine seeing him play stateside so this was the next best thing. The sold-out stadium on the first night (15,935 fans) went nuts when he was called to the court and I feel lucky to have seen all 7-feet-4ish-inches of the phenom in action (this is a good highlight reel from the games).
ON FINE DINING IN PARIS
I’m in the process of recording interviews for new episodes of The New Paris Podcast, which will begin its NINTH season. Holy hell. In the meantime, I’m bringing back some of the most popular episodes of the last few years (determined by number of listens!) beginning with this conversation with Comice co-owner and sommelière Etheliya Hananova. She talks about the journey from Montreal to Paris, the type of dining environment she and her husband Noam, Comice's chef, set out to create, and what it means to be working in wine in Paris on her terms.
OTHER READS + TWO THINGS TO WATCH
Europeans don’t have to be the “losers” Trump thinks they are (My friend Rym Momtaz for The Carnegie Endowment)
Paris-based TV station provides a lifeline for women in Afghanistan (The Guardian)
The idea of birthright citizenship (
of The Ink)21 Things to do in Paris with Kids (
of )The latest questionnaire in my Leaving America series!
🎥 How will we get through fascism/destabilization/chaos? A few ideas from one of my dearest friends (and a New Parisienne) Rahaf Harfoush on her Instagram. While you’re over there, peruse her recent videos, many of which are going viral for a good reason.
🎥 My friend Sarah Donnelly’s comedy special has just dropped on YouTube! If you haven’t seen her perform in Paris, now’s your chance to see it (for free!).
If you think a friend would enjoy The New Paris Dispatch, gift subscriptions are available here | Order copies of my books The New Paris and The New Parisienne ! | Pick up a copy of my dining & coffee guide!
Hi Lindsey. The link to Rym’s excellent essay is a misdirect — it takes readers to the NYT piece on Notre Dame’s new liturgical garb.
I think this is the link you intended:
https://carnegieendowment.org/europe/strategic-europe/2025/01/europeans-dont-have-to-be-the-losers-trump-thinks-they-are?lang=en&utm_source=carnegieemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=autoemail&mkt_tok=ODEzLVhZVS00MjIAAAGYTAQyinG-gQCuf_0M91OODuwCaX3kYQNV0Hiz4VVEyehUZDKp_SdrKbzlerqmzeIaxwiDUOsiPz2NXdTq5UmxFyVCvduyfFwr64Bk5i5ztA
Re: couture fashion. It’s the same thing in wine. 🍷 he put it beautifully.