The store's owner, Sylevette Carroll, describes Silkie as "a place dedicated to femininity. The goal was to have an ambiance like that of a boudoir, where people feel good and take their time; when a woman walks in the door, she feels more feminine."

The tiny, two-year-old store is a creative hub for Carroll's international clientele, who make annual visits to pick up the latest in designer accessory innovations. Central to the appeal of Silkie are the one of a kind silk and organza shawls exclusively available at the boutique.

Handmade by Carroll, each shawl carries a deceptively simple pattern with a hint of Asian inspiration that infuses the shawls with a feeling of refined elegance. "What I love are things that are modern, sophisticated and simple, and the Asians are very good at combining these elements," says Carroll.

Interior display at Silkie

The Silkie clientele consists mainly of people of an artistic persuasion. "They understand the amount of time and work that goes into each unique shawl," says Carroll. The boutique has a selection of items in a range of prices that start from 120 Francs for a necklace to 5000 Francs for one of her unique creations.

"Not everyone has the budget to afford one of my shawls, but that shouldn't mean that they can't have access to designer creations," says Carroll.

"I have a lot of men in love who come to into the shop to by a gift for the woman in their life. I remember one teenager came in and spent 45 minutes picking out a necklace for his girlfriend to celebrate their three-month anniversary. That is what I love most about this shop: that people take the time to pick out something that becomes very personal," says Carroll with a smile.

Silkie
43, rue des Francs-Bourgeois
75004 Paris
Tel: 011 331 40 27 84 49

Silkie Exterior Window

Sylvette Carroll handpainted creation