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Travel Journal, September 2025 - Kashmir of Nepal
- Félicie
- 24 hours ago
- 4 min read
A heartfelt journal 💌
Hello dear fellow travelers,
Yes, we are all travelers! Who said you had to go to the other side of the world to escape? Traveling is first and foremost a state of mind.
This month marks a turning point. Since the creation of Chinoises in Shanghai in 2018, its development there, my return to Paris in 2021, my readjustment to Parisian life, and that of Chinoises becoming Voyageuses, my personal developments have naturally influenced my professional life and therefore the brand as well.
An intimate travel journal
I want this newsletter, in addition to informing you about the new products in the collection, to become an open notebook, a somewhat intimate travel journal, where I will share my moods, my favorites and the news of Voyageuses, highlighting travelers I have met here and there.
Indeed, beyond this newsletter, the biggest change lies in the direction that Voyageuses is taking: offering a traveler's wardrobe of timeless pieces, accompanied by favorite finds picked up during my travels or my encounters with "traveling designer" inspired by other cultures and other crafts for their collections.
Portrait of a Traveler: Muriel and Nepalese Cashmere
This month, I'm delighted to introduce you to Muriel, founder of Naram . She creates timeless cashmere pieces from Nepal, worthy of the finest fashion houses, crafted by artisans in Nepal whom she has come to know by visiting at least twice a year for the past twenty years. Muriel has forged strong bonds with these artisans, immersing herself in their culture, their expertise, and their ways of working! Her passion, her creative approach inspired by her encounters, and her commitment to ethical production make her a true traveler.
Last March, I had the chance to join Muriel on her journey to Kathmandu for almost two weeks. I loved accompanying her to workshops located in the city and in the countryside, meeting the artisans and their families, sharing meals together, and discovering the art of cashmere weaving for which Nepal is renowned. All this in the heart of the chaos of the Nepalese capital, where massive traffic jams and other unforeseen events redefine our relationship with time!
And then, moments of pure grace: our encounter with Matthieu Ricard at the Shechen Monastery during Tsechu Cham, a Buddhist dance festival, a sacred ritual of meditation and purification. Not forgetting the awakening of the city of Bhaktapur, vibrating to the rhythm of the daily offerings of the Nepalese, before the arrival of the tourists. An unforgettable trip!
The Naram by Voyageuses collaboration: The Paisley scarf
The Paisley scarf is a story of family and shared inspirations. A print that transcends eras, from the hippie seventies to the refined suits of dandies… Two very different styles that come together around this pretty leaf, which has also become a symbol of cool and chic thanks to Yves Saint Laurent and Loulou de la Falaise, as well as the Etro brand.
In my memories, the paisley print has always been there: as a silk scarf in my mother's or grandmother's drawers, as a refined clutch in the pocket of my uncle, a loyal Charvet customer. Never out of style, always inspiring. Together with Muriel, we imagined a contemporary version, in two-tone cashmere, that revisits this heritage without betraying it.
My latest favorite places
In Kathmandu:
The Inn Patan , a charming little hotel located in the Patan district, features Nepalese crafts revisited as we like them and a delicious breakfast, which is very important to me!
The terrace of Pahan Chhen is perfect for enjoying a drink with a magnificent view of the Himalayas if the sky is clear.
The Yala Garden Café is perfect for lunch or dinner in a lovely garden, a haven of peace isolated from the surrounding hustle and bustle.
But also my favorite things from this summer, in no particular order, but more accessible than those in Kathmandu 😉:
The Belus Horia gallery of Carole Dugelay in Biarritz for its unique selection of vintage objects for the home.
Shell sculptures by Bastien Brunel in Saint-Martin en Ré.
Tasca Zebras restaurant in Lisbon for its traditional yet slightly trendy feel.
The Moustique shop in Arles for its tableware and linens.
Bistrot Tocqueville offers a gentle return to Parisian reality thanks to the warm welcome of its lovely owners and their inviting cuisine.
The English group Kerala Dust that I listen to on repeat for their eclectic style, a little rock, a little psychedelic, a little electronic (especially the tracks Maria, Nevada, Phoebe, Fine Della Scena…).
My current thought: Long live travel memories!
Just like my Planet Hollywood T-shirt from Newport Beach when I was fifteen or my collection of plexiglass snow globes, I love these things that carry within them the memory of a place visited, of a moment lived… Today, when so many brands (from fast fashion to luxury) offer the same products all over the world, I savor all the more the collections exclusive to a city, a country, and even better, these objects that can only be found in the place from which they originate.
Like that famous foie gras from some village in the Pyrenees that we reverently bring back to Paris, or my daughter who lugged a giant box of Crumbl cookies in her carry-on from New York for her dearest friends… Yes, I love the Baulois cheese in La Baule, or the one I bought there and carefully packed in my suitcase, and much less the one I bought at La Grande Épicerie in Paris; it's as if it doesn't taste the same. As if the emotion of the moment makes the treasure all the more precious.
See you soon !
Felicia
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