Hi all. Sorry to comment so late but after hanging the "now I am really broke" sign on my handbag, I actually walked to the Number 82 bus and took the relaxing (not undergroound/metro) way back to my flat. Actually collapsed in exhaustion on my terrace sun lounger with a tall cranberry and vodka before even unpacking my haul!
Sounds as if everyone had successful if a bit traumatic shopping experiences. A three hour line up (wait) on the first day and a feeling of running with the bulls may not be everyone on this list's idea of fun or shopping---after the third painful shove, I actually left because I am still recovering from a broken leg and did not want to chance another accident.
I went on day #2 with my VIP invitation and did not have to wait at all! It was still very crowded and during the day (I was there from about 10 AM until after 3 PM, making good use of the water cooler--which did have COLD water this year and proteing bars) there were several long lines awaiting entry in addition to incredibly long lines for slg and the squares. This allowed me to watch some revolting crowd behavior and also make some new friends!!!
Most importantly it enabled me to see and pounce on a wonderful re-stock aka additional stock added at about 2:30 PM! Moreover, there were some absolutely gorgeous one of a kind (piece unique) scarves normally made only for display or sale at the Faubourg St Honore store and/or for special charity events. I tried on the one from the Inidan year of design and almost bought it-----sterling silver bordered silk with dangling fringes and all-------but actually had a slight panic attack because of the price!
The big advantage was not to be caught in the first day crush and pummeled! As for the new and unannouncef prior to pushing your way up to the counter scarf in envelope to cashier procedure--it was annoying and definitely confusing but I would rather they do that than lose more merchandise to theft and stop the sales altogether! However, many people, including self, did manage to carry some of the "think about it" items around for several hours which then resulted in an additional selection of colors and scarves and other items after about 2 hours---al of life is timing I guess! Also, if you asked nicely at the line up to pay, the sales associates did allow you to get out of line and try on scarves again in front of the large mirror by the registers and before the detaxe. I actually elimanted two scarves doing this including one which I had even duplicated!
So I bought one of the Cassandre's which I had been coveting in a cw I did not even know existed! Two of Dimitri's designs plus a wonderful mouselline shadow color on color purple scarf also never seen before. Funny thing is that I gave up on replacing the old missing grey scarf and will just wait until January or buy at store when more of Fall 2011 arrives.
My haul was total of 10 scarves and twillys. I do have some photos, including the unique pieces but have no idea of how to attach to this email, so maybe when my friend comes over tomorrow. And a photo of a King Solomon, split the child in two scene and a shoving match.
I did make a suggestion to the new charming operations manager for next sale---why not make us check our handbags as we enter and only take our wallets or credit cards with us? This would cut down on some of the horrors of entry pushing and shoving and also on being smacked by large totes and handbags during our incursions into secondary lines? Did anyone else but me wind up going home with bruises from this?
Sorry to have missed the tea but glad that you all were successful and happy with your purchases. Maybe next year for those of you who did not make it this time.
Sorry also that many of you did not take the opportunity to visit any of the Hermes boutiques in Paris for the Metiers of design demonstrations----watching the handrolling of scarves, the handscreening of each color, the stitching of leather goods was absolutely wonderful---for those of you without French language skills---watching was about all you coulde do. They also had the new Hermes Maison line on display---yummie! Re-editions of some of the 1920s Hermes and Franck or Hermes and Adnet designs plus new ones.
I also did serious damage at Chanel on Rue Cambon but that is for another thread!
Enjoy your hauls!
- is the Peuple de Vent in 02 (?) violet/rouge
Thanks for letting me share 
