FASHION Magazine

When it comes to accessories, Isabelle Fish, owner of Rue Pigalle (ruepigalle.ca), swims against the current. Her charming Yorkville boutique is stocked with avant-garde international labels, many of which are exclusive to her store, including Noritamy (jewellery), Martine Boissy (scarves) and Lena Erziak (bags). Here, this lawyer–turned–fashion entrepreneur talks bright colour, the art of buying, and bold evening bags.

When did your love of accessories begin?
“I grew up in a family that revered craftsmen and craftsmanship, so I knew I wanted to be in the business of beautiful objets. My mother was extremely elegant and taught me about managing a small wardrobe of simple garments, and giving it flair with beautifully crafted accessories.”

What is the significance behind your boutique’s name?
“Rue Pigalle used to be the main street in Paris’s red-light district. I liked the contrast between the elegance of the collections I carry and the naughtiness [of this] forbidden place.”

One last dispatch from Paris just arrived at our desk: a rundown of makeup used at the 2011 le Bal des Débutantes at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris. M.A.C Cosmetics was the exclusive makeup partner for the ball, and responsible for making the 23 debutantes look flawless. The main inspiration (seen here) shows a deep smoky eye, lots of lashes, and a youthful glow across the cheek—after all, most of the debs are still only 16!