A (Vegan) Shoe In

Paris is known for many things--fashion, art, and food, for starters--but La Ville Lumiere is still establishing itself as a globally recognized vegan destination. That's changing every day, though, as new vegan restaurants open their doors (both My Kitch'n 2 and Brasserie Lola opened their doors this fall), and other business with ethical underpinnings enter the scene. Vegissime is one of those on the vegan vanguard, bringing cruelty-free footwear to the French capital. Yay!

The online store was launched two years ago by Sophie Ledain, who hails from Orleans but who now calls Paris home. After encouragement from friends and clients to open a brick-and-mortar store, she began a search for the perfect spot, and finally found it on a quiet street in the picturesque Latin Quarter, surrounded by university campuses and student cafes.

Vegissime owner Sophie Ledain is on hand every day to answer all of your vegan shoes-and-accessories questions--in English, French, and Italian!

Sophie is extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and took time to answer all of my nosy questions about the brands she carries, what it's like to be a vegan business owner, and how she came to open her own boutique. She shared the good news that she will probably be carrying Good Guys shoes shortly, and I put in a request to carry Roni Kantor, a brand I discovered on a trip to Tel Aviv last year and fell in love with. I also told her about my friend Leila--a talented shoe designer behind the Krze Studio brand--who lives in italy and works with local craftspeople to make exceptional leather-free shoes. Clearly, my own vision for Vegissime is less "boutique" and more "shoe emporium." I hope I didn't overwhelm her with my enthusiasm!

Men will also find stylish kicks at Vegissime.

The window display at Vegissime gives passersby a taste of what's inside.

If you're in the market for a new pair of boots, some hip sneakers, or a sparkly pair of flats for traipsing the cobbled streets in comfort and style, Vegissime is a must-visit. They're open Tuesday through Saturday, and are just a stone's throw from Vegan Folie's, where a celebratory slice of cheesecake can be had after you finish shopping.

Vegissime
20 rue Laplace
5e
Metro: Maubert-Mutualite

I tried this boyish shoes on but couldn't escape the call of the petit talon! 

Buried Treasure

Yesterday we pedaled over to the Marche d'Aligre, my favorite outdoor market over in our old Faidherbe-Chaligny neighborhood. The objective was fruit, veggies, and tofu from the Chinese market that's tucked into a small shopping area behind the produce stands. The place was mobbed with people, as is normal on weekends, but we still managed to squeeze through the entire length of the market, getting run over by poussettes a couple of times, picking up our litchees, lemons, and six-for-a-euro pamplemousse.

A block away, on Boulevard Diderot, a neighborhood vide grenier was in full swing. "Vide" means "empty" and "grenier" is "attic," so what you find at these festive events is a hodgepodge of junk mixed with some serious treasures. I almost bought a super cute little orange Peugeot bicycle--it was too good to pass up at 25 euro--until we noticed it was a single speed. No! Who wants to huff-and-puff up the hills of Montmartre when you don't have to?

Jeff found a video game for a euro and bought it when I wasn't looking; I was too busy ogling an orangey-red "sculpture" in the shape of an exaggerated female torso. I hemmed and hawed--what the hell would I do with it once I got it home?--but the guy was willing to strike a bargain so I got it for 10 euro and 50 centimes in change.

While I dug through a pile of old garden gnomes, Jeff spotted a funny little outfit that looked like it was made for a monkey. It was actually deadstock doggy duds with its pricetag--in long-gone francs--still attached. For a euro, we couldn't pass it up, though later, Fanny clearly wished we had. At home, she looked noticeably reluctant--and a tad uncomfortable--when she saw that it was meant for her.

"Oh, c'mon. Look how warm and cozy you're going to be when it's snowing out there! It's going to be great! Ooh, you'll be so snuggly. You're going to love it!"

Once we got it on her and rolled up the cuffs a few times--this contraption was made for a dog with skyscraper legs--there was no amount of cajoling to convince her this wasn't actually punishment in the form of a straightjacket for naughty dogs, a league in which she does not belong (for the most part).

I think she looks pretty cute, but this is probably the first and last time she'll be seen in this outfit. Anyone want or need a onesie for their small-size, long-limbed pooch? Holler!