It was a bit of a challenge meeting up with Margherita Missoni in Paris. The rain, our hectic schedules, that typical French attitude and some basic misunderstandings were almost detrimental to our rendez-vous. But when we finally arrived at Come On Eileen, a vintage store in the heart of the 11th district, all our frustrations dissolved, just by the look of the window alone. We had about 45 minutes left to complete our shopping trip, but luckily both Margherita and I are hard-core, trained vintage sniffers. While I was upstairs, whizzing through all the colorful, cool designer racks, Margherita disappeared to the basement and only moments later emerged loaded with sweaters and knits. “I have to do a lot of research for Missoni,” she explains. “I design all the accessories and beach wear. But I’ve been going to vintage stores and flea markets way before I started working for the company. I’m always on the look-out for good stuff.”

As an ambassador for Missoni, Margherita has to attend functions, do interviews, make appearances and generally represent the brand. She’s pretty much dressed in the latest Missoni collection on a daily basis, mixed with some of her other favorite designers and vintage pieces. But even when she shops, I notice her eye tends to go to color, prints and knits. And in a shop like Come On Eileen, it’s hard not to get carried away.