Designing Custom Pants in Paris

Just like most other women, I have to say that shopping is undoubtedly my favorite thing to do in Paris. But, like many others, I am frustratingly picky, especially when it comes to pants. It seems that for every 50 pairs I try on, maybe one or two look decent. And I think we can all agree that when you decide to go shopping for trousers, you will find a blouse, a dress, a pair of shoes, a fabulous hat and a new sweater—but no pants. So when I heard about a woman making custom pants in Paris, it seemed too good to be true. Philippine Janssens exclusively designs bespoke trousers in a vast assortment of styles, cuts and fabrics. They are made to fit you and your body flawlessly, and to last a lifetime.
Recently I had the pleasure of experiencing Philippine at work. Walking into the store, located on the rue d’Anjou, in the 8th Arrondissement, you enter through her mother’s shop, Janssens and Janssens, which sells haute couture fabrics. You then mosey to the back of the store, through a gauntlet of spectacular and colorful fabrics, into Philippine’s artfully designed studio. She greeted us warmly, offered us a beverage and began explaining the process.

First, you must decide what type of cut you like best. There are popular options on display as well as numerous other styles that Ms. Janssens can pull for you. If you are unsure of which cut might look best, just ask for a bit of guidance. I promise that in a few short moments, she will help you find a fabulous style that will flatter your body type. After finding the best cut, and trying on the right size to ensure that you are content with your choice, the fabric selection begins. You flip through booklets, which give you a sample of the thousands of fabrics and colors available. From wool to cotton, silk, linen, microfiber, lace, cashmere, guipure and anything in between, there is definitely a perfect material for you.
With so many colors and options available, the process might seem overwhelming. Luckily, Philippine has a spectacular ability to help you discover exactly what you want before you have even figured it out. I chose to design shorts (another option), and after I used just a few words to describe the type of fabric I was looking for, she whipped out the exact style I had envisioned in my head. 

Once you’ve figured out the basics of your new pants, all that is left is the fine details. Of course you are able to tailor the pants so that they are the right length, width and so on. But here your imagination can run wild, as you can choose from a vast selection of intricate details and additions. You can choose exactly how to style the pockets, belt and belt loops, and hemline, and you can edit the finishing so that it is exactly what you pictured. If that isn’t enough, you can also add beautiful embroidery of any style wherever you’d like. If you still don’t feel satisfied, just tell Philippine what you are looking to add, and there is a 99 percent chance she can get it done. By the time the session is over, you will surely have a pair of trousers that is one of a kind, and meant only for you. 

All around, visiting Philippine Janssens is an absolute pleasure. While prices are a little high, ranging anywhere from 200 to 500 euros, depending on the fabric and a service charge for the handiwork, your creation will be an item you actually want to wear and that fits your body better than anything you could buy in a store. Open up your imagination and tune into your creativity to design an unforgettable work of art. 

INFO
Philippine Janssens
3–5, rue d’Anjou, in the 8th Arrondissement.
01 42 65 43 90.
Editor’s note: Philippine is one of our partners, so she’ll give you a great deal if you’re a GG2P Travel Club member.