UPDATE:  We’re happy to report that the mystery is solved! One of our employees, Jasmina, found the store, called Giok, while vacationing in Paris. She bought the hat and put it in the mail, and we’re awaiting its arrival. Soon the newlyweds will again posess the hat that was such an integral part of their honeymoon memories.

I received this letter recently from a distraught newlywed. Although I too have visited the City of Light, I’m afraid I can’t shed any light on his predicament. But I’m hoping that you, dear reader, can succeed where I have failed. Read on, and then, if you have any information that can help locate this mysterious Paris hat shop, let me know and I will pass the info along!

Edie -

My quest began with our wedding on November 5th. It was one of those “Picture Perfect” weddings, warm, romantic, one of those sacred events that people remember fondly for years to come. Now I know everyone says that about their own wedding, but it was true! Amy and I were married on a Friday night. The weather was beautiful all day. The reception was a success; while everyone was dancing and enjoying our chocolate fountain we slipped out discreetly. We drove down to the Opus Hotel and opened a great bottle of Amarone in our suite. I reached for my camera and realized that the batteries were dead. I mention this because it is where our adventure begins…

I told Amy that I would walk down a few blocks to a corner store to get some batteries. She said, “I’m coming with you!” So we walked through Yaletown, I in my tux, and Amy in her gown. Forever we will remember our stroll in the rain that night. See, memories are the thing. We are both tireless romantics. The next morning we had breakfast in bed and went shopping all day. I asked Amy what she wanted from Paris. She said a purse, some unique jewelry, some clothes, and a hat! The next day we flew to Paris.

Doing my research on the Internet, I had opted to stay in Voltaire’s old apartment in the Latin Quarter instead of a hotel. We both wanted to experience our honeymoon as Parisians. Like most rooms in Paris, the apartment was not exactly as we pictured, but it was located in the shadow of Notre Dame and only a few blocks from St. Germaine. Determined to get every ounce out of Paris that we could, we literally spent 18-hour days soaking up the culture. We took long, romantic strolls along the Seine, kissed on pont de neuf, ate like crazy and drank the new crop of Beaujolais all by ourselves. It was amazing!

Our strategy was simple, learn the city globally, then take it all in – one arrondissement at a time. The first day, we bought one of those double-decker bus passes, the kind that fat American tourists take, and we rode around with a “birds eye” view. The next day we went to the Picasso museum and shopped in all of the boutiques of the Marais district. The next day we decided to learn the train system. By the fourth or fifth day we pretty much blended in with regular Parisians. In fact, we had several tourists ask us for directions!

It was the day we decided to go see the sites of Monmartre where my troubles started. We, like most tourists, could not resist the temptation to visit Sacre Coeur. It was a truly breathtaking view. It was also really cold! Amy was beginning to shiver, so we went to a great little place for a crepe and some warm cider called Refuge des Fondues. Down the Rue and around the corner was a great little boutique that specialized in handmade wool sweaters, jewelry and a bunch of hand-carved Tibetan type things. It was there where she spotted the “toque of all toques”. She tried it on and instantly smiled with a confidence that I have rarely seen since. She looked cute as a button! Of course I bought it for her. Who knew that such happiness could be bought for just 13 euros? I have always been a man who enjoys seeing women in hats, but I had never experienced one that so perfectly typifies my lady’s personality.

As a producer I tend to gravitate to most things visual. I took 2 cameras and shot 250+ photos of Amy, Amy and I, Paris, people, statues, markets, food, etc. We spent another week in Paris and loved every minute of it!

We flew home with a long layover in Dallas, Texas. When we got home to Vancouver we immediately went to bed. The next day we unpacked. To our surprise, even our most delicate purchases, including a china plate and a porcelain pitcher, were unscathed, but the toque was gone!

Amy teared up with a look on her face that just tore my heart out. We both know we packed it. Who would take such a great hat? The only thing we can think of is that some Transport Security officer in Dallas decided to pilfer it! Besides professional athletes, who wears toques in Texas?

A few weeks later we developed our pictures, and her tears returned. Almost every picture of her has that great toque in it. We had such an amazing trip packed full of memories that began our new life together. It has been a few months, and yes, the loss of the toque still comes up in conversation. I have tried everything: the yellow pages, the owner of the apartment that we rented, even Visa. I cannot find the store nor the toque anywhere! Edie, you are known for your hats, and you are known for a French-styled hat shop. Can you help a young, new husband in need? The Spring is fast approaching….I think my chances of locating this toque are diminishing more every day.

I have set forth a challenge for myself (and now you); Amy’s birthday is April 10th. I am gonna buy her this toque if it is the last thing I do!

If you can help me, please contact me soon.

(As I mentioned my Visa statement said the company name was Giok in the 18th district just below Sacre Coeur somewhere around Rue des Abbesses.)