If you haven’t experienced the infectious, positive energy of Mariah Walton Bencik, owner of West London Boutique, you are missing out. But fret not, her second, newly-opened boutique, Le Marais, will afford you double the facetime opportunity. With a focus on Parisian brands, Le Marais aims to conjure the eclectic, cool aesthetic of the arrondissement of the same name. Designed by Grace Kaynor, the chic brick and mortar will offer everything from lingerie to sunglasses with the signature je ne sais quoi of Mariah herself. Let’s find out more:
Have you ever lived in Paris?
I’m there 3 times a year for work, so in my mind, the answer to that is “yes”. I was lucky to stumble into the 4th arrondissement of Paris, a neighborhood called Le Marais, the first time I visited as a buyer. I was immediately smitten. Le Marais is the most fashionable, eccentric, and eclectic part of the City of Lights. I was instantly inspired; but for what, I didn’t know yet.
How do you think Parisian style differs from American style?
Parisian style throws caution to the wind. It’s confident and spicy. There are lingerie boutiques on every corner in Le Marais which prompted me to survey some of my Parisian friends as to why. The response I got was that to the French, what you wear underneath is equally important as to what you wear on top. Undergarments are celebrated and admired as art. These should also be an investment not just an afterthought.
What are your favorite French brands (that you will carry) and why?
We absolutely love Maison Close, Catherine Osti, and Les Filles d’ailleurs to name a few. Two of the three have been with us since West London Boutique began, so we have a strong affinity and relationship with these brands. These are my favorite because they trusted us from the beginning to carry a very small representation. Now that we’ve grown, we’re able to invest more in the capsule and represent more of the designer’s thoughts and work.
How is the West London customer different from the Marais customer?
There’s a difference! West London has always been feminine, romantic and dramatic. Le Marais is artsy, curious and fearless. We’ve only been open 10 days, but I can already see the difference in our client base! And of course, some are both.
1933 Sophie Wright Place
504-430-7920
Instagram: @lemaraisbtq
Meet Penn, Shop Talk Blogger
Penn larocci is a born and raised New Orleanian. After graduating from Tulane University she lived in NYC for nine years working in sales and marketing at an investment bank. When she missed New Orleans more than she could stand, she moved back home, met her husband and started a family. She’s now raising two rambunctious little boys and spending her free time on environmental sustainability projects.
