Black and White in Paris

Have you see all the media attention about Raf Simon's 2014-2015 autumn-winter collection for Dior Haute Couture this week? Even Anna Wintour looked enraptured as she sat in the front row of the orchid-lined show. 

The astonishingly elegant show was held in the gardens of the Musée Rodin in Paris, a fitting venue for Dior's sculptural forms. (For gorgeous images, go to Dior's website and online magazine.)

Valentino's fall 2014-2015 couture show was also a collection to remember. In fact, many of the pieces were more beautiful than Dior's

Chanel also went with the trend.

So, in the spirit of all this black and white sophistication, here are a few images of black-and-white Paris for the weekend. Most were taken on the recent business trip and one or two favourites are from past archives.

The bridge of locked love.

St Regis on the Île Saint-Louis – a glamorous new cafe that's fast edging out its famous neighbours in the popularity stakes.

Vintage photography at the sublime Images & Portraits in the Marais.

Le Labo's wonderful parfumerie.

As a New York company, it certainly looks very Parisian.

Beautiful old stairs in a covered arcade.

The YSL studio.

Ornate ironwork: you never tire of seeing this in Paris.

Astier de Villatte: one of the loveliest shops in Paris.

Hotel Paradis, a cute cheapie within walking distance of the Gare du Nord.

A Left Bank florist in bloom.

The Dries van Noten exhibition.

Classic Paris.