72 Hours in Paris with Brooklyn Boudoir + Sugar Cookies Lingerie

In March 2024, along with Sugar Cookies Lingerie, I hosted 72 Hours in Paris - a trip centered around Lingerie + Boudoir Photography. For our first ever boudoir retreat overseas we not only wanted to celebrate ourselves through boudoir and lingerie, we wanted to do it with the Paris je ne sais quoi. Each experience in our journey held true to the theme of female empowerment through fashion, photography and freedom of expression. The trip was truly unforgettable. We had so much fun, we plan to do it again in March 2025!

Read on for an outline of our 2024 trip, and as an example of the kinds of events we have in store. And make sure to check out my Instagram highlights for a more in-depth look at the daily events!

Imagine: you arrive in a picturesque European city and are welcomed to a Pinterest level apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower. The room is filled with pieces from Atelier Amour (a female run company and one of my favorite brands to photograph) ready for you to admire and shop. Champagne is flowing and Parisian snacks are plentiful as you meet and mingle with fellow lingerie and boudoir lovers. This is how Brooklyn Boudoir and Sugar Cookies welcome you to Paris!

Then it was off to bed early as the next day we hit the Trocadero bright an early for private photoshoots at the Eiffel Tower the next day!

Day 1

The next morning, you get glammed up by my Parisian hair and makeup artist (who is fluent in both French and English) for your first shoot through the beautiful city, with the Iron Lady in the background.

Next up was a trip to the beautiful Musee Yves Saint Laurent. On display was a collection of pieces from one of YSL’s beloved artistic expressions, sheer fabrics. He loved the idea of the juxtaposition between clothing which is meant to cover or conceal you and using transparent fabric to instead create intrigue and most of all, freedom. YSL believed in the liberation of women and sought to empower them through his silhouettes and fabrications. We saw sheer tops paired with trousers, bras worn as tops under blazers and lace cut outs galore. For lingerie lovers this was the perfect way to get inspired and in the spirit for boudoir photoshoots!

That evening our crew made their way to the Aubade showroom in the fabulous Les Halles neighborhood. When we stepped off the elevator we entered a lingerie fan’s dreamworld, a beautiful showroom surrounded by a balcony overlooking the city. We sipped champagne and snacked on decadent treats while we got to view their new collection in a mini fashion show. It was truly the VIP treatment!

Day 2

Bright and early the next morning we were in for a unique and special treat: an intimate chat with iconic French brand, Cadolle. Patricia, whose family founded the brand and still operates it today, took us through their incredible history sharing intimate knowledge and stories, from the invention of the bra to the difference between American and French lingerie aesthetics. After our time in their private atelier we took a stroll to their boutique where we had the pleasure of shopping their luxurious corsets. I of course, had to buy one.

After an afternoon free to explore Paris on your own, our evening continued with even more lingerie experiences one could never experience on their own. Lise Charmel graciously welcomed us to their beautiful storefront for an event that was unforgettable. We shopped their latest collection, sipped two different types of champagne and even got to see where the magic of creating their designs happens. A special surprise awaited us as French artist Caroline Montigneaux drew each of our attendees in her signature style. We all received a beautiful gift bag and enjoyed a truly unforgettable night!

And we weren’t done yet! No trip to Paris is complete without a dinner cruise on the Seine. There is no better way to see the city than a dreamy trip down the river watching the lights twinkle and streets come alive.

Day 3

On our last day it was the culmination of all the experiences we shared. The lingerie we saw and tried on, the inspiration we received and the influence of Paris itself prepared us for boudoir shoots. With a perfect Parisian apartment as the backdrop and a balcony overlooking the Tower, all you need is hair, makeup and fabulous lingerie to pose in! Luckily we had all that - and more! - covered. Each of our ladies enjoyed a private boudoir photoshoot with me, just like the ones you might get in New York.

Before we bid our farewell to France we had to attend the most epic cabaret in the world, Crazy Horse. Women’s power, liberation and beauty followed us everywhere we went in Paris and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with the fabulous performers of Crazy Horse. Just being in the red velvet venue felt iconic as we sipped our last glass of champagne and cheered on the dancers. What a way to end the retreat!

And then it was au revoir, or more like "À bientôt" because it was all so amazing we plan to do it again next year!

This trip has been a dream of mine for years and it was amazing to bring it to life along with Sugar Cookies Lingerie. Words and photos are not enough to describe 72 hours in Paris … you just had to be there.