Paris

Black Models at Musée D’Orsay

| Design & Culture by Ed

Taking a multi-disciplinary approach that combines the history of art and the history of ideas, “Black models: from Géricault to Matisse” exhibition at Musée d’Orsay explores aesthetic, political, social and racial issues as well as the imagery unveiled by the representation of black figures in visual arts, from the abolition of slavery in France (1794) to the modern day. Designed to provide a long-term perspective, the exhibition looks more particularly at three key periods: the era of abolition (1794-1848), the new painting era up to the Matisse’s discovery of the Harlem Renaissance and the early 20th century avant-garde movement and the successive generations of post-war and contemporary artists. The exhibition primarily focuses on the question of models, and therefore the dialogue between the artist who paints, sculpts, engraves or photographs and the model who poses. It explores the way in which the representation of black subjects in major works by Géricault, Manet, Rosseau, Cézanne and Matisse and many others evolved. Here are some of the wonders from this very moving exhibition (open until 21st July 2019)…

Photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Vivant

| Design & Culture by Ed

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Arnaud Lacombe and Pierre Touitou’s Vivant reopened towards the end of 2018, and the place went full throttle. With some incredible organic wines, impressive white marble bar table and the view on the chefs working in front of you, this place is the hottest address in Paris right now. Raw cuttlefish rolled like a cigar and marinated in aged soy sauce and shiso leaves; braised chuck steak topped with the mysterious “Mloukhya” sauce; the signature glazed tuna which sparks entire conversations. Book in advance.

43 Rue des Petites Écuries

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Photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées

| Design & Culture by Ed

The very new Galeries Lafayette is the only reason you should walk down the Champs-Élysées in Paris. While I hate the idea of department stores, especially with all the independent boutiques that shape the Parisian fashion scene, opening one feels like a pointless idea. But the new project from Lafayette is quite intriguing. As their site reads, the place is “shaking up the conventional notions of a concept store, on the scale of a department store”. Here, you will discover the latest fashion, lifestyle, and beauty collections from emerging and luxury labels, dreamed up by the surprisingly uncorporate team. There’s the rare niche (think Batsheva, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Magda Butrym, Molly Goddard, Rosie Assoulin, Paco Rabanne, Simone Rocha, Medea) as well as all the Guccis and Balenciagas. The perfume section is rich in niche brands like Ormaie Paris and Régime Des Fleurs. And also, this place is a Jacquemus paradise. Jacquemus & Caviar Kaspia teamed up to imagine an exceptional space in store – Cafe Citron. Conceived under the artistic direction of Simon Porte Jacquemus, the café offers a menu based on fresh seasonal products all year round, prepared on-site and served with the grounded simplicity of the French provençal style. Of course, there’s also the ‘Lemon’ dessert, which keeps on storming Instagram since the store’s opening. It’s really, really good.

60 Av. des Champs-Élysées / Paris

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Musée Yves Saint Laurent

| Design & Culture by Ed

At Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Paris, my heart beat faster. Like, a hundred times faster. The museum is located in the legendary hôtel particulier at 5 avenue Marceau where Yves Saint Laurent spent nearly thirty years designing his collections from 1974 to 2002. The same building serves as the headquarters of the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent. Across 450 m2, an ever-changing rotation of retrospective displays and temporary thematic exhibitions present the Fondation’s rich and unique collection. The museum  focuses on both the couturier’s creative genius and the process of designing a haute couture collection. Beyond its monographic ambitions, the museum seeks to address the history of the twentieth century and the haute couture traditions that accompanied a way of life that no longer exists. From Yves’ studio, which seems to be completely untouched, to the space dedicated to the designer’s collaboration with Claude Lalanne (forever love), this place is a visual and historic treat.

5 avenue Marceau / Paris

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Virginie Viard. Chanel Resort 2020

| Design & Culture by Ed

While the MET Gala stole the spotlight from the last few days, it would be great pity to forget about Chanel‘s resort 2020 collection, the first solely designed under Virginie Viard‘s direction. As Karl Lagerfeld would say, the beat goes on, and the brand is moving on after the death of its visionary designer. But I think it’s in good hands – Viard was the closest person to Karl, and understands the brand like no one else. Changes from the Lagerfeld repertoire were subtle, but meaningful. First, the venue. Travel was very much on Virginie’s mind, so Grand Palais was temporarily changed into an elegant train station, with a Belle Epoque café, potted palms and so on. Still, the setting wasn’t as show-stopping as the ones Karl did – which suggests that Viard wants to bring the focus on the clothes. Second, the clothes. They felt… real. A trench coat. Easy-in-approach cardigans with Chanel chains and voluminous pants Coco Chanel would love to wear herself. Jackie-Kennedy-inspired vacation looks. Even the eveningwear seemed to be more approachable. This was a 24/7 wardrobe fit not for a risk-taker, but a self-aware woman with big money in her wallet. Well, that’s Chanel. And Viard delivered this. Let’s see what she bring to the table in in near future.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.