
Photo: Antonio Barros
London expat Candy Miller, who hails from a family of entrepreneurs, was destined to end up in Paris. While interning in Paris as a student, Candy became fascinated by rue Houdon (Paperdolls’ Montmartre home), for its local boutiques supporting the emerging young designer community. After graduation, Candy continued to keep an eye on fashion and the hidden gems the streets of Paris offered until her desire to start her own business propelled her to open her own boutique in 2011, fusing her passion for France and fashion. "Having found a space on that same street is like a return to my Parisian origins!"

Photo: Antonio Barros
"My wish was to make people want to stay and to make a big impression on them so they remember the shop," says Candy, who designed her boutique to reflect the different rooms of a house, from the dining room to the dressing room—even the bathroom. And it worked: The boutique’s unique concept is immediately apparent upon entry and the charming décor, which favors an extremely nostalgic sensibility, entices customers to explore the space room by room. "I'm very nostalgic in my choice of décor and I wanted a boutique in line with that. I met with different architects until I found one who instantly understood my style and what I was looking for."

Photo: Antonio Barros
"The décor is very feminine. In the “dressing room," which is actually used as a dressing room by our customers, you can find secret romantic notes on the wall.”

Photo: Antonio Barros
“The name Paperdolls and the concept of labeling each room came from the idea that it's fun to be able to change outfits very easily, like a paper doll. The boutique is all about making new discoveries and having fun experimenting with your own style to make it truly unique!”

Photo: Antonio Barros
This old-fashioned stove from the 1950s serves as a countertop for the store’s cash register.

Photo: Antonio Barros
"My latest acquisition is this trunk that I covered with flower fabric from Marché Saint-Pierre in Montmartre. I keep it open and it reminds me that this is what people actually used to use for traveling."

Photo: Antonio Barros
Candy helped designed many of the most original furniture pieces in the boutique, like this bathtub seat, which “every single visitor loves,” she says.

Photo: Antonio Barros
The office is decorated with a curiosity cabinet that mixes industrial design with antique pieces like the Singer sewing machine.

The dining room is Alice in Wonderland-inspired. A “mad tea party” is clearly taking place, complete with a mysterious phantom guest on the ceiling and a table dressed with typically English china and cutlery entirely from flea markets.

Photo: Antonio Barros
"It's very important to me that the style of the boutique and the designers reflect one another. Sometimes people say the style is girlie, but I think it's feminine clothing in a feminine environment. All the designers match the atmosphere of the boutique one way or another, for instance Virginie Mahé designs beautiful Art Déco-inspired jewelry while Lisa Pearl is very retro in her clothing designs with dress silhouettes from the 1930s and 1960s-inspired coats.”

Photo: Antonio Barros
“Tammy and Benjamin's multiple-clasp bag reflects the retro mood of the boutique but also a bit of its madness. Details like the small inner mirror to check your lipstick are definitely very feminine, as is the bag's ability to transform into a clutch—feminine and magical at the same time. The shoes by Ellips are made along the same lines with a retro style, feminine shapes and details like gold heels and a very comfortable design so you can wear them all day."

Photo: Antonio Barros
“Emmanuelle Biennassis designs jewelry featuring clouds, birds and butterflies, which match the enchanted atmosphere of the boutique.”

Photo: Antonio Barros
"I believe personal style is about always searching for different things and looking unique. That's why I like strong details like this large decorated pin and these studded shoes I bought in Denmark. And of course I love retro things—I recently bought a unique piece featuring vintage lace from one of our designers.”
Click here to shop the boutique!
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