Fashion

Paris Lockdown 2.0—One Expat on the Early Days of the Reconfinement

The new Paris lockdown is different than the first: Schools are open, as are repair shops, opticians, smartphone stores, and certain medical specialists….

Some of the city’s greatest contributors to culture lived through wars and uprisings. It’s still too early to know whether confinement will catalyze substantive creativity. What is Paris, after all, sans movable feast? Top restaurants are surviving on takeout orders, flaneurs are restricted to a one-kilometer stroll, and being out at midnight could result in a hefty fine. With rare exceptions Americans aren’t allowed into Paris. At least temporarily, the frustrating, flattening, and frivolous clichés of Emily in Paris exist only onscreen.

Image may contain Human Person Pedestrian Path Walkway Market Clothing Apparel Footwear Shoe and Sidewalk — A scene from the outdoor markets. Photo: Amy Verner

Image may contain Human Person Home Decor Flooring Door Floor Clothing and Apparel — Mar’co’s Marc Giami ran Colette’s water bar. Photo: Amy Verner

Along the quai facing the Musée d’Orsay, I can see into the galleries easier than I can when walking past the Louvre. Just three weeks ago, I was in one of them with Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag discussing their installation of The New Alphabet. Now, I felt the exact sensation of museum-going described by Adam Gopnik in a New Yorker piece about the Louvre. “The work is there, actually there as a physical fact, which you could touch, if you were allowed to,” he wrote. Put another way, confinement not only means being inside as much as possible, but also being perpetually outside of the places we enter to satisfy our souls and sybaritic whims: the museums, the bookstores, the restaurants, the boutiques, the apartments where mythic dinner party memories are made.

Perhaps that’s why having the parks open—at least for now—makes an enormous difference, assuming people have one within the permitted distance (which, sadly, is not always the case). Walking through the Tuileries, I can smell the decomposing leaves and the cut grass—which feels exceedingly reassuring given that my friends who have endured the virus all lost their sense of taste and smell with or without more serious symptoms. One of the guardians tells me that the garden thrived during the first confinement without all of us there to disturb it (they believe the absence of runners pounding the ground allowed the tree roots to relax).

Image may contain Water and Fountain — In the lockdown 2.0, parks and gardens like the Tuileries remain open. Photo: Amy Verner
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Image may contain Monument Art Sculpture Human Person and Statue — Another view of the Tuileries. Photo: Amy Verner

As I write this, the Santé Publique (the French health authority) has posted the latest numbers, which are grim from all directions: upwards of 52,500 new cases and 418 deaths within the past 24 hours and a positivity rate of 20.6% (meaning, in the most reductive terms, one in every five people getting tested has the virus). Ask anyone here and most will say they knew a reconfinement was coming, which might be why people maxed out the moments of relative freedom. Authorities here are often reminding us that we have a certain responsibility to protect our fellow citizens. Their health—this is obvious—but also their livelihood. Île-de-France (which includes Paris and the surrounding departments) recorded 750,000 people applying for unemployment in September—a number exceeding any statistics on file. Since the murder of teacher Samuel Paty last month, there are now 7,000 military personnel deployed throughout the country (usually, there are around 3,000) to protect schools and places of worship. There is, quite simply, no precedent for a situation that feels so simultaneously devastating yet, in certain instances, unimaginably serene.

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Fashion

Cardi B’s $60K Birkin Bag Gets The ‘Mommy Treatment’ As Daughter Unleashes Her Creativity

In a moment of relatable frustration, Cardi B took to Instagram to share a funny yet surprising story about her expensive $60,000 Birkin bag, one of her favorite items from her luxury collection. Known for her bold personality and honest social media posts, Cardi revealed that one of her daughters had turned the fancy purse into a makeshift canvas, drawing a heart on it without permission. “Look what my daughter did to my purse,” Cardi said dramatically in her Instagram Story, showing off the iconic bag to her followers. “I literally spent $60,000 on this purse,” she exclaimed, still amazed by the unexpected ‘artwork’ from her little girl.

Although she was frustrated, the mom of three tried to take it all in stride, at least for the moment. Cardi values her hard-earned luxury items, especially her growing collection of high end bags. However, as any parent knows, kids have a skill for creating chaos even in the most cherished parts of life. For Cardi, that chaos includes her high-priced accessories. The post quickly gained attention online, with fans sympathizing with Cardi’s situation. Many found humor in the irony of the event, while others offered support, pointing out that such moments are just part of the unpredictable journey of parenthood. Cardi has previously emphasized that family is her top priority, even if it means dealing with some messiness.

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But Cardi’s frustration didn’t stop there. She later took to Twitter to respond to comments made by Kanye West regarding her staying power in the spotlight. While she didn’t mention him directly, her tweet, “7 years 1 album… STILL being a topic and STILL being asked about my music!!!” sent a clear message. She confidently asserted her spot in the entertainment world, clarifying that her fans, known as “The Brim,” are not going anywhere. In the end, whether it’s a damaged Birkin bag or dealing with critics, Cardi B repeatedly shows that she remains unfazed by the ups and downs of fame, always staying true to herself and her family.

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Fashion

Kai Cenat Powers Up The BAPE By KidSuper Collection, Bringing Bold Streetwear Vision to Life

The collaboration between BAPE by KidSuper and Kai Cenat has officially launched, and it’s making waves in the streetwear world. Released on April 12, the BAPE by KidSuper collection represents a blend of BAPE’s iconic style from Japan with the vibrant, energetic vibe of KidSuper, which has its roots in Brooklyn. This partnership is particularly significant for KidSuper’s founder, Colm Dillane, who started his journey selling handmade t-shirts outside BAPE stores. Now, he’s a key creative partner with the legendary brand. What sets this collection apart is its deep connection to culture.

Social media star Kai Cenat plays a major role in promoting the collection, bringing a youthful energy that perfectly matches the spirit of the collaboration. The release captures a mix of past influences and modern style, appealing directly to today’s trend-conscious audience. The first look at the collection was revealed during Paris Fashion Week at KidSuper’s Fall/Winter 2025 show, titled “From a Place I Have Never Been.” This wasn’t just a typical fashion show; it was an immersive experience featuring oversized clothing, bright colors, and a comic-inspired theme celebrating youth, memories, and imagination. These ideas are reflected in every piece of the collection, from graphic t-shirts to special sneakers, jackets, and clogs, making each item feel like a unique piece of art.

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The design and packaging of the collection are also very creative, enhancing the overall experience. The packaging, inspired by comic books, ensures that this collection is a celebration of a special moment in streetwear history. Raystar, who also participated in the show, infused his own creative energy into the project, adding another level of excitement to this already iconic partnership. In a time when collaborations are common, the BAPE by KidSuper collection stands out by tapping into the core of street culture and creativity. It’s a collection that many collectors and trendsetters are going to want to have.

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