There is so much to discover in Paris that a lifetime isn't enough. And what to do, when we are far away and planning (or dreaming about) a trip? What to see, do, eat, buy? We need help (and inspiration).

Enter the most BEAUTIFUL and inspiring new book: Paris Shopfronts, illustrated by Joel Holland, words by Vivian Song, foreword by Sarah Andelman. 

Paris Shopfronts is the ultimate cultural informant and best friend in Paris you didn't know you needed. With extraordinary illustrations and enticing stories, Holland and Song take us into worlds we may not have known existed (barring a few of the famous shops we all are familiar with, like the ever-favorite Shakespeare and Company). 

This Parisian journey is so joyful. We see gorgeous, accurate shopfronts (and imagine ourselves going in), and then read all about them. The book has such varied shops to share. From bakeries to a cabaret, stationery to shawarma, bookshops to geek fandom, marionettes to art supplies, and ramen to wine, the list is seemingly endless and you will definitely need to replenish your post-its supply for marking your favorites.

I've never seen a more impressive book that both taught me about the culture of place (and the many varied cultures in Paris are definitely explored here!) and inspired me to visit. 

Get this book for dreaming, planning, your art fix, and for learning more about the essence of place for one of our very favorite cities.

Highly, highly recommended!

Joel Holland is an illustrator who has lived in New York City for over twenty years. His work has graced the New York Times, the New Yorker, Apple store windows across the world, and numerous book covers. He is the author of NYC Storefronts, London Shopfronts, and Brooklyn Storefronts (all published by Prestel).

We were lucky enough to catch up with Joel and ask him about the book, his creative process, and more. Here's what he had to say...

Please tell us about your new book, Paris Shopfronts…
PARIS SHOPFRONTS is my fourth book and first with writer Vivian Song. I feel like with each book we make we learn and improve therefore the books get better and better. The breadth of shops included is so broad and interesting. And to keep it fun for me I always add a new tool or trick to make the drawings a little more exciting. I think Paris is a dreamy, aspirational place and we’ve tried our best to capture that. Not just the beret and baguette stereotype but also all the things that come with a city that people immigrate to and bring their own culture to. It’s a fantastic mix of all these things. The old, the new, the typical, the unexpected, but all incredibly PARIS.

The shops you share with us are incredible. How did you narrow it down?
We start with a big list gathered in this case mostly by Vivian. But with the understanding that we want to include famous and not famous places. Brand new and very old. Weird as well, that always woks. Very delicious too! But always with a good interesting story. What I love most when the book comes out is getting a chance to read the write ups and learning new things, even about places I was already familiar with. 

Your illustrations absolutely bring these Paris shopfronts to life. What is your creative process?
Thank you! That’s the goal! I work almost exclusively from photographs. Even at home in Manhattan, most of the shops I draw are from photos. I use pencil and pen and some markers and some of my kids’ art supplies and get to work. I like to frame out the shape so I get the proportions correct. Then I’m drawn to the lettering, the signage, the typography. That helps me anchor everything else. Then I go for the details. I think the details are what gives the drawings their life and makes them compelling and ask to be looked at and enjoyed. 

The shopfront illustrations so beautifully capture the essence of a business. How do you handle weather, traffic, and passersby?
I think I just go with what I know. I’m trying to represent each business properly and with the energy that I pick up on. It just so happens that it’s exclusively the building, or the front. It keeps the focus where I want it to be. I started drawing store fronts in earnest during the lockdown period of covid so there weren’t that many folks walking by anyway. Another thing I’ve thought about is that even there are no actual humans in the drawings, what you see is the result of human touch, what the owners have chosen to present. 

What's up next for you?
I just finished up the drawings for our next book, NYC STREET VENDORS! This one was a lot of fun, a lot of crowd sourcing for places off the grid as well as the spots everyone expects, with details and a few different styles of places included. It’s going to be a good one! But I also keep busy drawing from my travels and from my city, Manhattan. There are so many exciting and beautiful shops yet to render.

How can people find your work? 
You can find me on instagram at @JoelHolland_studio or my site which is www.jmhillustration.com