Could you please give us a little background about you? What inspired you to open up your business in Paris? How did you do it? What are some advantages and what are some disadvantages of running your own label?
We are both American! Sara D. is from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and studied French at the University of Oregon. Sarah N. is from Tucson, Arizona, and studied Global Affairs at Arizona State University. We met in Paris three years ago when we were both nannies. Living here, we were so inspired by French fashion. While we were on vacation in Italy, we started entertaining the idea of making shoes, which turned into having our own boutique with other brands…when we couldn’t decide exactly what brands we would want, we decided to make our own! The plans got more and more real, and eventually we decided to take the steps to make The Classics a reality. And here we are today!
Since neither of us studied fashion, we have had a lot to learn. We didn’t quite know what we were in for starting a company and dealing with French administration. However, both of us love the challenges, so it’s not really a disadvantage! Sometimes the language barrier can be tough, too, but we learn every day
When did you know you wanted to come to Paris? Did you fall into this step naturally or was it a goal you set out to achieve?
We both initially arrived in Paris by our own strokes of fate. We were both brought here by our exes, and once we were here, we wanted to stay. Living in Paris has come naturally, and it really has become our new home. We are so inspired by Parisian culture and style. Since Parisian style is one of the inspirations of The Classics, we were very motivated to live in Paris!
How did you handle the logistical transition from being au pairs to business owners? Was it a different challenge than you thought it would be?
The whole process definitely had challenges we didn’t expect. It was very complicated to secure visas to work on The Classics in Paris, especially since neither of us had ever owned a business before. We had both been through the visa process a few times before, but nothing this complicated!
Can you tell us a little about your creative process? How do you go about developing an idea and turning it into a project? Do you have any exciting plans in the works? What’s next for you?
We use photos, drawings, descriptions…anything we can to translate the idea into reality! We then choose materials, colors, and finishes. We work directly with our manufacturer in Paris to make the patterns and adapt them to bigger quantities. He also advises us on finishes and technical aspects.
We have a few exciting plans in the works, actually. The Classics is designing a protective sleeping bag to distribute to people living on the streets of Paris. It’s important to us to give back to our new community! Find more information here: https://www.gofundme.com/theclassicsblanketproject.
We are also planning our first runway show, which will take place at the end of the next Paris Fashion Week!
What is your favorite part about living here?/ What has been the most challenging aspect of living in Paris? What do you know now that you wish you had known at the beginning?
Our favorite part about living here is people watching. We love being au terrace with a glass of wine, just watching the people go by and wondering their stories. It’s our favorite way to find creative inspiration.
The most challenging aspect of living in Paris is that there are no TARGET stores!
One thing we both wished we knew at the beginning would be more about navigating French administration. It can sometimes be a long and complicated process.
Where’s your favorite place in Paris and why? (A specific location or street etc is fine)
Our favorite place is our office and showroom. We love hosting and having people over, and we have a beautiful office space with a courtyard. It’s a great place to enjoy an apéro. It’s near the busy streets of République, but once you pass the second set of doors, you enter our cozy universe.
The Classics : https://www.theclassicsparis.com/
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