01 January 08

City Focus

CITY FOCUS

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Citylives

The city is full of romance, says stylish Tara, who moved here from the UK to be with her love!

“ALTHOUGH I was born and brought up in what you might call some of the more ‘colourful’ parts of Edinburgh, I have always had an eye for fashion and a hankering for romance, so I guess it’s no surprise that I ended up living in Paris and marrying a suave Frenchman.

“I have always loved fashion, since when I was a child and my mum, who was a nurse, used to bring home lovely things that patients had given to her. My aunt also moved to Milan after falling for an Italian, and used to spirit back all sorts of weird and wonderful creations.

“In 2001, I met Laurent and in 2004, eight months pregnant with my son Calum, I moved out to live with him in Paris. I do still miss the UK, but for me Paris really is the most romantic city in the world and not just because Laurent is my soul mate.

“When I moved here I believed the clichés about Parisians being rude, but I don’t think that is true now. You do have to make an effort with them — they are not into false friendliness and pointless pleasantries, but when you are in you are in. Sometimes you just have to be a little humble and make the first move.

“The jobs I have now are perfect for me and work so well in this city. Ooh La La! Vintage specialises not only in gorgeous vintage clothing and all sorts of accessories, but also in setting up grand occasions for visitors to Paris. I can set up a Citroen 2CV tour of the city and then come to your hotel with a range of lovely vintage dresses before we set off to one of the grand cabarets. Madame Tra La La is a ‘virtual seamstress’ — you tell her what you want and she conjures up creations that have all the glamour of vintage clothes, but are tailored to your tastes.

“In these times when nothing seems certain anymore I think a touch of class and the comfort of the old world appeals to people, and I guess that is also largely the attraction of the city I live and breathe in today.”