Venezuelan Maria Luisa Poumaillou was one of Paris' first stockists of Galliano, McQueen and the Belgians, and has an eye for rising stars. Her new space regroups all women's wear and accessories - previously scattered over 3 spaces on the rue Cambon and rue du Mont-Thabor. The new modern space is clean in mostly white and gray, save for splashes of red, blue and yellow towards the rear of the store. Staple labels from Azzedine Alaïa to Balenciaga create a unique mix alongside young designers including Rick Owens and Christopher Kane. Manolo Blahnik is just one of the exclusives found in store. If you can't pony up for these designer threads, there's plenty to gawk at from the six impressive windows currently showing Autumn's penchant for LBDs. And keep in mind that menswear is just across the road too (38 de la rue du Mont Thabor). MM

From Lanvin's collaboration with Acne to H&M's tribute to Marimekko, the reverence for Scandanavian design is thriving. When you step into stores like Norden, a new shop in the Marais that boasts ‘selected Scandanavian designs' - chosen exclusively from salons around Denmark and Sweden - you'll understand the hype. The concept of ‘selected' is no exaggeration - each piece indeed feels carefully chosen. Collectively, the garments are characterised by flattering cuts and winsome details. Be it a wide royal-purple coat by Wood Wood for the ladies or a doodled Rickard Lindqvist tee for the gents, these are the kind of impeccably sleek yet pared-down pieces so often spotlighted in trendy street fashion photography taken in, say, Stockholm. SM

Sure France has its share of amazing cosmetic lines. But a brand that combines natural product AND homeopathic remedies, that's new. Cue Korres, a Greek company with roots in the first Homeopathic Pharmacy of Athens. Product offerings range from skin and hair care to make-up, sun care and herbal preparations. If the science behind Korres doesn't impress you, try the Body Butter and you'll be hooked. Still skeptical? Check out the shop where Korres friendly staff and cool packaging will guide you through the goodness. MM

Add Robert Normand to the hot list of designers entering the retail scene at the Palais Royale. It's the first freestanding shop from the designer with collaborations with Pucci and Lanvin under his belt, and known for his graphic work with pattern. The small boutique space boasts two levels with curving black-and-white striped walls and mirrors that hint at op art, while allowing the floral dresses from the current collection to steal the show. MM

Another addition to NoMa (Northern Marais), this dense new multibrand store proposes a cutting-edge selection of labels including Citizens of Humanity, By Malene Birger, Sass & Bide, jewellery by Louise Gos and shoes from Les Tropéziennes or Miami designers Alejandra Ingelmo. The store has an ecological bent, too: the fit-out was designed using only ecological materials, and the store encourages its clients to participate in a reforestation project by donating 50c to Planète Urgence. More proof of their generosity, one of the 5 store windows is dedicated to local creative projects - painting, video, writing - under the banner ‘Windows of Life'. We like it.

Diptyque has just opened its second Parisian address in le Marais, a stone's throw from L'Occitane and Kiehl's. The quaint new boutique reflects the brand's clean minimalist packaging with a stark white interior. Though not as spacious as the St-Germain HQ, there's the complete range of the cult Parisian brand: stimulating scents in the form of candles and room sprays and, bien sûr, eaux de toilette. MM

The store rocks as much as the skinny jeans. Designed by Steven Thomas (legendary designer of 1970’s London Big BIBA concept store), April 77s first ever flagship is designed with art deco in mind and is entirely custom-made. The almost maze-like space makes you feel like you’re in a time warp, with old-school record players and original rocker magazines displayed alongside studded faux leather (the maison is vegetarian) jackets, acid wash jeans, a great selection of shirts and perfect cashmere. MM

At last, the hyperactive London/ Paris style collective Kitsuné opens a store in Paris. With whitewash walls and lots of light coming in from the front and side windows, the cute space stocks their entire menswear and womenswear collections. What’s more, they’ve got an exclusive collection just for the boutique plus all the collaboration collections with the likes of Pierre Hardy, Evening dress Commun, Underwear Schiesser. And, of course, there’s their entire musical catalogue… MM

Yukiko is the name of a Marais shop, its friendly owner, and her luxury house brand. The store has been in the same Marais location for seven years, and from her storefront Yukiko has watched the neighborhood morph from an obscure destination for gallery-goers to a fashion hot-spot. Yukiko specialises in haute costume jewellery. It’s, in a word, gilded: chunky and thin necklaces abound, thick cuffs sit alongside dainty brooches. The store also boasts Yukiko’s own silky floaty pieces, plus a small selection of furs, Chanel handbags, and vintage Hermès blouses. It’s the perfect place for the girl who always loved borrowing from mum’s jewellery box (and possibly still does). SM

To fête their 40 year birthday, and just in time for their gorgeous spring collection to hit stores, Sonia Rykiel reopens its Saint-Germain flagship after a massive refurbishment. Needless to say it’s worth the wait. The bi-level shop is full of glossy black and silver décor, reflected beautifully in dozens of mirrors and counterpointed by minimalist wooden display tables. The re-vamp couldn’t have come at a better time, since Rykiel’s spring collection is the ultimate reflection of the Paris fashion moment with a hybrid 70s glamour and flapper theme. And in typical Rykiel style, you’ll also find boldly coloured stand-out items like trompe l’oeil jumpsuits and pretty chiffon dresses. MM