Can I tell you about...Salon Baba.
While I was in Paris last March, my friend Victor Magsaysay wanted to take me to one of his favorite secret places in Paris, called Salon Baba. The salon is situated in the 8th Arrondisement, a hop and a skip away from Fabourg Saint Honore', past the American Embassy. It's tucked away into this unassuming street(rue Jean Mermoz) and the lighting inside is moody to say the least.
From the outside you can't quite figure out what kind of business is done here except for a few clues from his eclectic window display.
Peeking in, you can see books lined up the walls, men's shoes line the upper shelves, some bric-a-brac, a big desk with a computer, some guys having coffee and voila, having their shoes shined! Officially, he runs a shoe shine parlor and his specialty is cirage-glaçage(high gloss shoe shine), but he's much more than that. He's more like an MC, a host if you will of a very exclusive social club where only the chicest men and sometimes women are allowed entry.
Victor has known Baba for 6 years since he moved to Paris. He was introduced to Baba by a friend eager to share his secret with Victor and now he was sharing his secret avec moi.It seemed very clique'y in there, like an old fashion gentleman's club. The boys were dapper, witty and handsome. A girl dropped in dressed in a bright acid yellow coat, skinny jeans and a helmet(she's rides a motorbike) just to say salut, have coffee and join the debate.
Politics was the topic of the moment but quickly transitioned to sex. Quelle surprise! Politics and sex go hand in hand these days. The debate got a little heated but all in good fun. It was all very amusing to watch and listen. It's so much more interesting when you can barely understand what's really going on, isn't it?!
Apparently, royalty, celebrities, company big wigs and super models drop by on a regular basis just to hang out or possibly get their shoes shined. Even the late runway Diva and YSL favorite Katoucha was a regular. "He's tougher than any New York club doorman I know. Nobody just enters that little room if he doesn't like you", Victor proclaimed.
Here are a few "facts" known about Baba:
1.He is from tribal royalty in Senegal.
2.His father was a diplomat and was once ambassador to France.
3.His mother was a famous black beauty and a star of several French movies in the late 60's. Her name escapes me.
4. Exactly when he moved to Paris remains a mystery, much like his age.
5. He is one of Paris' best kept secrets...until now.
I walked out of there all giddy and bouncy. That Baba serves a mean espresso. I didn't even get my shoes shined, but that wasn't the point to begin with. I'm definitely coming back to visit on my next trip and maybe this time, I'll get my shoes shined.p.s. Baba Cool is the French way of saying Hippie Chic.
