A day in Paris with Laura Vidrequin, tracing the places she returns to, the rituals that shape her days and the things she carries along the way. With the Sway at her side, Laura shares a personal portrait of Paris through her own lens.
What small ritual helps set the tone for your day?
I wish I had something super organised and set in stone, like a belief or a sun salutation, but none of this. I think just being in bed for three minutes after waking up before standing up is already a great start. The rest comes as it goes.
How does your routine change when you are travelling?
I don't have much of a routine, to be honest. My days are always different, and I think, for me, having a routine would set me up for failure because I would not be able to carry through with it. I guess I live by the rhythm of work, or the city I'm in. So, in New York, I'll have a black coffee from a hot dog cart, but in Milan I'll go to Sant Ambroeus for a coffee at the bar.
Do you plan your days carefully, or leave room for them to unfold?
My days are pretty regimented. I know every hour, but there is always something new that will be thrown into the mix, so being able to have flexibility woven into your strict diary is what keeps me sane.
What does Paris give you that nowhere else does?
A sense of being home. I think, although home to me is more about people, there are some places and feelings you can't get away from in your personal library.
Which part of the city feels most instinctively like your Paris?
The centre of Paris. It's where I always feel most at home and where the city's rhythm feels most authentic. I love that everything is within walking distance - the cafés, galleries, gardens and independent boutiques. There's a real sense of spontaneity; you can set out with no real plan and always discover something inspiring along the way.
What is something about Paris that visitors often overlook, but you always notice?
I walk a lot, always. And something I love about Paris is taking the bridges and watching people loving being there.
When you have a completely free hour in the city, where do you go and what do you do?
If I have a completely free hour in Paris, you'll almost always find me in a museum. The Musée Rodin, the Musée Picasso and the Musée d'Orsay are probably my favourites. They're places I return to again and again because they always leave me feeling inspired, no matter how many times I visit.
Looking at art reminds me to pay attention to colour, texture, composition and craftsmanship - all things that naturally influence the way I think about fashion, interiors and creativity. It's a chance to step away from the pace of the city and reset.
If I'm not wandering through a museum, I'll usually spend that hour with my sister and nephew. Paris is where some of my favourite people are, so having the opportunity to simply be together is just as inspiring as any exhibition.
Bar de la Croix Rouge
2 Pl. Michel Debre, 75006, Paris
PLAQ Chocolat
4 Rue du MN, 75006, Paris
Musée National Picasso
5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris
From everyday essentials to the objects she never leaves behind, Laura shares what she carries with her.
What never leaves your bag?
My keys are probably the one thing that never leaves my bag - they're the one item I always double-check before I leave the house. Beyond that, I like to keep things quite minimal: a notebook for ideas that come to me throughout the day, a good lip balm, and a pair of sunglasses. I don't like carrying more than I need; I much prefer a bag that's practical, organised and ready for wherever the day takes me.
What do the objects inside your bag reveal about how you live?
Maybe that I like to feel prepared, but not overprepared. I always have hand sanitiser and mints with me - I love that feeling of having clean hands and fresh breath wherever I am. I'm also slightly old-fashioned when it comes to listening to music or audio books. I somehow never seem organised enough to keep track of my AirPods, so I usually have two sets of wired earphones in my bag instead.
You'll almost always find a small stone or little object I've picked up along the way, too. I like carrying something tactile that reminds me to slow down and stay present. It's a small ritual, but one that helps me feel grounded, especially when I'm travelling or moving between meetings.
What changes inside your bag from morning to evening?
Not much, actually. I carry the same essentials from morning through to evening because I like knowing I have everything I need without constantly repacking my bag. I've never been someone who changes bags depending on the occasion - I prefer one that's versatile enough to take me through the entire day.
I think that says quite a lot about my approach to style in general. I value pieces that are timeless, functional and beautifully made - things that adapt to different moments rather than needing to be switched out. There's something reassuring about that consistency.
What makes a bag earn a place in your everyday wardrobe?
A bag must be practical, emotional, and multi-faceted. It’s a lot to ask of a product, but I think a bag can totally be it. You want to make sure it can live with you, and not the other way around.
Do you choose the bag first and build the look around it, or does the outfit come first?
Outfit comes first; a bag can just hold the power to make it better.
What allows one bag to work naturally across morning, meetings and evening?
I love a bag that feels elegant enough for dinner but practical enough for a full day of moving around the city. If a bag can take me from a morning coffee to meetings, a museum, and then straight to dinner without ever feeling out of place, that's when I know it's a great design.
I don't like having to think too much about changing accessories throughout the day. The best bags become part of your everyday uniform.
