“At the risk of sounding trite: ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover!’”

This small softcover book by Christine Anna Bierhals takes on the world of fashion and the fashionable folks in a most novel and informative manner. Obviously by the title, you already have a glimpse in to what the book is about, but Ms. Bierhals does away with all convention and gives all of us a lovely present all wrapped up between the covers.

At the risk of sounding trite: “Don’t judge a book by its cover!”

The way in which the designers are grouped is a bit misguided; but the order or chapter division in which they are presented serves little importance when you measure it against the content. The book is set up to serve as an introduction to many designers, old and new, and their preferences when it comes to shopping, dining, or leisure activities.

Each designer gets a small bio and explanation of their area of expertise and then each is questioned about one of their favorite pastimes. Each designer and “pastime” has either a web address or street address in Paris to delight the curious and information hungry among us. These pastimes might include retail shops, restaurants, bars, or even some sights of Paris that may not rank as high on the must-see list as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre.

Subjects include designers such as Damir Doma, Rick Owens, Alexia Mabille, Juun J, Maxime Simoens, Harry Halm, as well as brands/shops, hot spots such as Aperlai, Franck et Fils, Jerome Dreyfuss and Astier de Villatte, L’Eclaireur, Le Pompom, and Hotel du Nord. Few of these names will sound familiar but rest assured these and so many more are so worth your attention.

Hands down, City Fashion Paris enlightens and informs, satisfying the fashion novice as well as the most knowledgeable of the fashion set; it might also surprise the world weary traveler who may not have discovered these designers or the “destinations.”