The univers "Les Merveilles de Babellou"
Isabelle Klein and Les Merveilles de Babellou
From a very young age, Isabelle Klein has been fascinated by traces of the past, objects steeped in history, and above all, by fashion, this art that transcends eras. Born in the south of France, she grew up in an environment where creativity and elegance were values passed down by her mother, a fashion enthusiast, and her aunt, a talented seamstress. These two figures instilled in her a love of beautiful materials, fine fabrics, and artisanal craftsmanship. From a very early age, she spent hours exploring wardrobes filled with lace, ribbons, and precious fabrics, giving free rein to her imagination and her taste for beauty.
Her childhood was punctuated by discoveries in Burgundy, where her grandparents' attic overflowed with forgotten treasures: antique hats, period dresses, lace petticoats… These moments, despite her fear of spiders, became formative memories. With her mother, she frequented flea markets, accumulating unique pieces that would enrich her wardrobe and fuel her passion for the eccentric and the timeless.
At 17, after graduating from high school with a focus on literature, Isabelle went to study art history in Montpellier before training in makeup artistry in Paris. But it was in 1991, after the birth of her daughter Aliénor and a pivotal encounter with an antique dealer in the 13th arrondissement, that she embarked on the profession that would become her calling. With a small stall at the Vanves Flea Market, she began buying and reselling antiques, guided by her instinct and her love of beautiful things.
Her talent for presentation and her attention to detail quickly set her apart. She created stalls that resembled theatrical sets, blending greenery, antique woodwork, and carefully arranged objects. In 2007, with her partner François Casal, she took the art of set design even further, recreating entire apartments for Parisian trade shows. These installations, where styles and eras blend harmoniously, appealed to a clientele seeking emotion and poetry.
In 2008, Isabelle opened "Les Merveilles de Babellou," a vintage fashion boutique that embodies her world: a place where each piece tells a story. Inspired by 1950s boutiques, the space is designed like a jewel box, with mirrors, dressing tables, and antique display cases that beautifully showcase the clothing, bags, jewelry, and accessories she offers. Initially, she drew from her own treasures, accumulated since adolescence, before expanding her selection to include the big names in haute couture: Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès, and many others.
Her standards are absolute: each piece is cleaned, restored, and presented with elegance. Clients from all over the world find rare pieces there, often accompanied by certificates of authenticity. The boutique has become a place of pilgrimage for fashion enthusiasts, collectors, and celebrities, such as Amal Clooney, who once told her she had "the most beautiful vintage fashion boutique in the world."
Today, Isabelle continues to hunt for treasures with the same passion, searching for that unique piece, antique jewel, or haute couture dress that will make her clients dream. Her love for Chanel jewelry, the creations of Serge Éric Woloch and Thierry Gripoix, and her respect for artisanal craftsmanship make her a conduit of emotion. For her, each object is a legacy to be passed on, a trace of the imagination and courage of those who created it.
"Les Merveilles de Babellou" is much more than a boutique: it's a tribute to timeless beauty, a journey through the ages, and an invitation to dream.
Constance, Laetitia, Lu, and Nancy are there to guide and advise you in your search, sharing information about the history of fashion, its different periods, techniques, fabrics, and workshops.
A dedicated team awaits you in-store for a unique shopping experience, and we take the utmost care in preparing your online orders before shipping them securely via Colissimo or DHL International.
