Surprise’s spring 2026 collection is a festival of color and comfort. The Paris-based clothing brand known for its cozy cardigans and soft sweaters shows some versatility this season with flowy dresses and high-waisted jeans that will undoubtedly turn heads all summer.
Maybe you’ve heard of Surprise. Maybe you haven’t. One thing we know is that if you were a client of Jérémy Gangi’s, you would have already gotten images of the label’s darling skirt with ruffles in your inbox weeks ago.
Gangi is a personal shopper at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, a Parisian department store that’s as renowned for its selection of top-shelf clothing designers as it is for the breathtaking Art Nouveau-style, stained-glass dome at its center. It’s Gangi’s job to know about rising brands like Surprise and Haikure while also keeping up with Chanel and Louis Vuitton’s latest pieces. His clients sometimes know what they want; on other occasions, he nudges them in the direction of an inspired ensemble.
“I love this work because it allows me to be creative,” says Gangi, who’s pursuing a singing career when he isn’t perusing the fashion aisles. “Above all, I help people feel good about themselves. I always try not to disguise clients, but rather to help them gain confidence through their style.”
Confidence is something the average shopper might need for a Galeries Lafayette visit. The imposing store, which opened in 1912, spans 10 floors and more than 750,000 square feet of high-end exuberance. In addition to Saint Laurent, Burberry and 3,500 other brands, the building also houses restaurants, bespoke skincare centers and a popular eighth-floor terrace that affords Instagram-worthy views of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.
There’s a discreet VIP lounge area, too, where Gangi and his colleagues quietly meet with a select group of shoppers for more intimate services. The space where they gather is bright and meticulously kept, just as you might expect. But nothing about it is ostentatious. Private changing rooms have a few chairs, a table, full mirrors and some decorative items on shelves. The customer is clearly meant to be the focus here.
While locals make up some of this exclusive shopping clientele, another segment is out-of-town guests needing the perfect dinner outfit or a head-turning ensemble for a special event. For example, in February, we were among an exclusive group to receive a private shopping experience with a perfume workshop from Chanel Beauty and a guided heritage tour of the landmark Paris department store before continuing to Monaco for Forbes Travel Guide’s Summit (Galeries Lafayette aestheticians also performed complimentary Dior makeup makeovers for attendees there).
To attain your desired look, Gangi and his team need to know beforehand the kind of service you seek — do you want someone to walk the showroom floor with you, pointing out the Dior blouse or floral print Sandro dress that works best for you, or would you rather tell them your tastes over a detailed phone consultation and have them put together a “mini store” of looks for you to inspect in your own private room? Either way, a fully personalized, tailored experience awaits once you’re onsite.
“On the day of the appointment,” Gangi says, “you are welcomed in our VIP area, and I accompany you to a private lounge reserved for the occasion. For about two hours, we try on different looks together, and I give you advice and styling tips while you enjoy a small refreshment. At the end of the appointment, we select the pieces according to your budget and proceed to checkout.” And since time is often a consideration, “I personally handle the tax refund process right after the payment, which saves you from having to wait in line.”
When FTG visited the lounge, Moët flowed in Baccarat glasses, Ladurée sandwiches were stacked on a coffee table and tailored Zimmermann trousers hung from racks. With its own terrace looking toward Moulin Rouge and Montmartre Hill, the space was a Zen-like escape from the retail frenzy just an elevator ride away. It’s no wonder clients want to repeat the experience. “If you visit Paris regularly, a relationship of trust can develop,” Gangi adds. “I can also recommend or reserve certain pieces for you remotely.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re a high-profile French executive or an everyday visitor short on time, that level of individualized service makes sense for anyone in the market for a timeless look.
“Parisian style is never about trends,” Gangi says. “It’s about attitude and confidence. Luxury today is not only about brands; it’s about the experience and the attention you receive.”
