Sophie's Choice

PAUL & JOE'S BEAUTY BY DESIGN

Where beauty is concerned, Sophie Albou has designs on the world. The Parisian founder and designer of clothing line Paul & Joe, whose unique fusion of femininity and modernity is a fashionista favorite, most recently launched a line of cosmetics as thoughtfully attired as any model from her runway.

"I collect Parisian antique makeup,

Albou says. "It used to be very special. Now the cosmetics world is very limited; it all looks the same, plastic and very basic. I wanted every piece to be like an objet that you put in your home.''

The result of such relentless attention to prettiness: eye and lip pencils, nail color, and mascara all packaged in icy blue and girlish pink, with cool silverfloral silhouettes; and, most notably, a floraland-bird-print makeup bag that

Can oub*e as a clutch. "It's nice to have something that you use every day that's also an aesthetic object," she says.

Not surprisingly, Albou's worldwide reach will soon extend, via a co-branding deal with Haviland china and a nascent linens line, into stylish pieds-aterre everywhere. With so much ground to cover, Albou has learned to draw inspiration from the world around her. "I always have very big eyes open," she says, "and I check every detail of everything—the Metro, local markets, antique boutiques in Saint-Germain." She'll even stop people on the street if they're wearing something she admires. "Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes people are scared," she laughs. "But I try to be very quiet and nice."

EVE EPSTEIN