A Quick Haute Couture Chit-Chat with Aussie Model Sensation (and Cobrasnake favorite) Stephanie Carta

Model Stephanie Carta's Parisian picks for the best...

DRESSES: Ksubi Jeans. I would really like to purchase a Rick Owens one though. Judging from the pre-show fittings, the Givenchy Haute Couture is my favorite so far!

FOOD: Robert et Louise in Le Marais (64, Rue Vielle du Temple 3er Paris) first comes to mind for the best wood-fired steak that I still have ever had.

NIGHTLIFE: Le Baron!

COFFEE: Not Starbucks! Any little café on my way does the trick.

COCKTAILS: "Mohito in Love" from Café Charlotte (it's more intended for the summer though).

ART: André's room (graffiti artist/entrepreneur/club owner of Le Baron and Le Paris Paris) in Hotel Amour (boasting customized plastic bears and photographs by Terry Richardson) and I think that the fashion houses – including Balenciaga and Rick Owens – should be regarded as art!

PLACE TO BE INSPIRED: Sacre Coeur perhaps... although most of the city of Paris is quite inspiring both artistically and emotionally.

ARRONDISEMENT/PART OF TOWN: Perhaps the Marais on account of all the buzz, shops and cafés.

And a few general questions...

How do the more extensive Haute Couture fittings vary from their standard Prêt-à-Porter counterparts?
They are significantly more precise. It is truly quality over quantity: more time and care is taken to create usually only one look per presentation.

Do you personally have a specific "couture walk" on the runway? Or do you maintain the same for both ready-to-wear and couture?
I'm not sure; I just walk according to how I feel in the clothing... and from the music and general vibe I perceive. In fact, last night while I was walking during a Givenchy fitting I was asked if it was my first couture season. I told them that I had done a couple of shows last season (my first) and asked them if my walk was acceptable. They replied: "Yes, it's perfect!"

Any amusing couture week stories thus far?
The night before last I sat for about two hours at a casting with some model friends that I did not expect to see, including two other Aussies. When I finally walked into the casting (I had chosen to wear the sheerest dress out of the selections given since I knew nobody else would choose it and I wanted to leave more quickly), I was instantly blamed for all the noise... along with any other Australians that they knew were waiting there!