Denise Francelle

An accessory shop made in heaven, opened in 1938 at 23 Rue Jean – Jacques Rousseau, Paris, France. After decades of being a prime location for French fashions, Denise Francelle closed in 2011, although a relocated and renamed shop (M 26 Vendome) opened on the Place de Vendome the following year.

The original store was known for being tiny with distinctive blue doors. Gloves, handbags and scarves were sold, including house made or by designers such as Roger Fare. The gloves, both long and short versions, were often made of leather, featuring beading and delicate embroidery such as this pair sold in our shop recently.

The handbags made in satin and silk were generally designed for evening wear, either a clutch or a simple metal chain handle. These too were often embroidered with flowers or with beading and usually featured a clasp closing with a tiny slip pocket in the lining to hold a mirror or lipstick.

The scarves in silk often had geometric patterns in bright colours. A series of scarves depicting persian cats were very popular and are now keenly sort after but hard to find.

Halcyon Days Vintage collection