I discovered Fredrik Färg in the Parisian boutique of Comme des Garcons on Saint-Honore, where his amazing furniture/installations are located. In these leather “things” that for me seem to resemble animals, shoes and bags are presented in the CdG Tokyo and Paris. The technique of making Succession is very slow, but at the same time traditional- the leather is shaped thanks to strings, that make it squeezed and more smooth in texture. After some long time, the strings are taken off, and so called “basins” are formed, making this eccentric stool/chair/sofa even more quirky and… comfortable.
Design
DSMNY
“I love the volition that Comme des Garçons has, with no limits attached and I think that is what the industry needs: The idea that as much as the clothing is important, all other emotion’s effects in shopping and clothing are important”. When the first Dover Street Market department store was opened in London, everything that was amazing, was there. Rei Kawabuko, the designer of Comme des Garcons and visionaire of DSM just opened the new space in New York. The old building on Lexington Avenue is dramatically changed by imagination of Rei- every pop-up space has it’s own designer, with it’s very own feeling… The Thom Browne place looks like a stationary staffroom from an office. Prada looks like taken from fairy tale story. Fresh designers like Simone Rocha and Jacquemus have their mini boutiques, build the way the designers wanted. Rei Kawabuko gives opportunities for young designers, by creating the culture of Dover Street Market.
Colette Art-Drive
At level 5 of the Herzog & de Meuron’s parking building, for only one week you’ll find 24-7, a selection of products from artists as diverse as a beach towel or a mug, a signed and numbered print, a pair of sunglasses, a Rolex watch or a puzzle. Zaha Hadid, Daniel Arsham, Jose Parla, Toilet Paper, Kitsuné, Luis Morais, and Thom Browne are among the artists and brands that participate to the project. Many exclusive products will be available: a set of Chrome Hearts Ketchup & Mustard Lids , a colette blue Andy Warhol wallpaper, a Julia Chiang pin’s, a box of Ladurée macaroons by Will Cotton! And that’s all happening at Art Basel Miami… Colette now does an artistic version of McDonalds!
Berlin: Acne Studios
Acne is a Swedish label known for great denim, jackets and shoes that are always kept in a sporty but chic way. The Munzstrasse boutique of Acne Studios is a tiny space that has an amazing installation on the celling ( I think it’s a light bulb spider!) and a lightly constructed, pastel pink table on which the clothes are kept. My favourite piece was the AW13 shirt with this artsy print on… The Berliner style is just up here!
New Alaia Store Opening
The long-waited store of Alaia have just opened close to the Avenue Montaigne in Paris. And this is a great occasion because within the day of the opening, Mr. Azzedine Alaia had his amazing exhibition too presented in the Palais Galliera on the same day. The master of perfect dresses that show the sexiest parts of women body, has a really winning year… Now wonder why- he is a real fashion icon, and it’s not a surprise that the designer who has a privilege to show his new collections whenever he wants, is having a second store in Paris opened. The first was his house/studio were you could meet him and see him work ( I was once lucky to have a chance of saying bonjour Mr. Alaia!) on Rue Moussy, and now it’s just next to all these big houses, few meters from Av. Montaigne. And the new boutique is amazing- the design, the colours, the CLOTHES… Simply, I want to Paris!
Design & Culture by Ed 