Last March, during the Prêt-à-Porter shows in Paris, I attended a défilé presented by the recently-revived house of Mugler. Nicola Formichetti, Lady Gaga’s stylist, has taken over as the brand’s creative director, and Lady Gaga herself was part of the show. Her participation made for quite an experience (putting it mildly) and, in a way, overshadowed the clothes. More recently, during a particularly hectic stay in Paris (with very little time to shop), I made a point of visiting Colette with my editorial director, Mark Grischke (a man who loves fashion as much as I do). As we walked upstairs to the boutique’s second floor, I spotted a long, slim, beautifully-cut black dress on one of the mannequins. Just looking at it, I knew it had my name all over it, and I said to Mark, “I have to try this on, whatever it is.” Turns out, it was a Mugler dress–and so new, even salespeople were dying to see it on. I walked out of the dressing room thinking WOW. The dress was amazing, and it fit me like a glove (made of body-hugging polyamide-and-elastane, with an overlay of dévoré voile to create its animal pattern). Deceptively simple, and all about the details of texture, construction and fit. In a word? Perfect!

While I’m not a cyclist myself, I do enjoy the privilege of owning something custom-made (plus, I can’t help but notice the excitement surrounding the annual Tour de France). En Selle Marcel is the first of its kind: a lifestyle shop centered around cycling that includes a private showroom for haute couture bicycles. Riders are invited to design their own bikes, using French, handmade mounts, personalized details and unique accessories–and En Selle Marcel’s founder, Bruno Urvoy, is on hand to provide advice and expertise. The Paris shop, in the Montorgeuil/Étienne quartier, offers “a universe between vintage dawdling, high technology and design object.” En Selle Marcel carries the Italian brand ABICI, known for its quality, retro-inspired bicycles. The boutique also offers off-the-street repairs, and styles itself as a place where riders can find anything from luggage to fashion items, and even books. I’m sure En Selle Marcel will inspire fans and cyclists alike to join in the spirit of this month’s Tour de France!

You hear the name Harry Winston and what do you think of? Diamonds, of course–great big, D-color, flawless diamonds. Or, perhaps, the enormous blue Hope Diamond, which Winston acquired in 1949 and donated to the Smithsonian Institute in 1958. Diamonds, along with rubies, emeralds and other Rare Jewels of the World, made this American jeweler world-famous.

Harry Winston still sells beautiful gemstones, of course, but the company has also expanded its reach, especially in terms of fine watchmaking. At the recent watch fairs in Basel, Switzerland (held this past March), the brand unveiled a remarkable range of mechanical watches. There were a few standouts, including the futuristic-looking, limited-edition Histoire de Tourbillon 2, above, which boasts a bi-axial flying tourbillon without an upper bridge. This means the mechanism’s hummingbird heartbeat appears unconnected to the watch at all. It’s a stunning piece of haute horlogerie.