Maison& Object
We have been out and about recently – which after years (yes years – how can that be true) of trawling for inspiration online, has been life affirming. Having taken travel for granted for most of our working lives, we’re so happy to be able to immerse ourselves in other cultures and go to events, exhibitions and real life shops.
- USP IN PARIS
Thierry Mugler, Couturissime
Our home and lifestyle team attended Maison & Object (look out for our up and coming report) in Paris and also managed to see the Thierry Mugler, Couturissime exhibition at The Musée des Arts Décoratifs. From ready-to-wear and haute couture, to stage costumes, photographs, films and unpublished archives dating from 1973 to 2014, the exhibition offers a fascinating insight into the designers world and his multiple collaborations in entertainment, music and cinema. Definitely one to see if you are in Paris, the exhibition ends on the 24th of April, so you’ll have to be quick.
We also saw some of the the Yves Saint Laurent exhibitions that are showing at six Paris institutions. On until May 15 2022, at the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Pompidou Centre, Museum of Modern Art, Picasso Museum and Yves Saint Laurent Museum each has have a different focus and theme. The Louvre highlights YSL’s love of gold, while the Pompidou focuses on his modernity. The Picasso Museum looks at Picasso’s influence, while the Musée d’Orsay examines writer Marcel Proust. The Museum of Modern Art focuses on YSL’s use of colour, and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum goes all-out with its vast collection, drawing on Saint Laurent’s personal archives.
Merci
No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to wonderful lifestyle store Merci, and as usual it didn’t disappoint. The eclectic combination of globally sourced crafts and contemporary design was as inspiring as ever, with the Eastern European ceramics and super bright Isabelle Van Oost lighting going to the top of our wish list.
- GO BIG/GO SMALL IN DUBAI
Dubai Hills
Meanwhile the fashion team were over in Dubai, working with one of our bespoke clients. As well as back to back meetings we managed to visit the recently opened Dubai Hills Mall. Each area of Dubai has its own mall – the equivalent of a local high street in Europe – and this shiny new retail hub has delighted the Dubai Hills locals with a whole host of new shops, cinemas, concert areas, leisure options and even a rollercoaster since it opened its doors!
Comptoir 201
In complete contrast we were delighted to discover Comptoir 201 a life-style store that has been conceived as a home -with a kitchen, lounge, garden and terrace which combines fashion, beauty, homeware and an organic café. A curated, eclectic mix of fashion, interior design and furniture from around the globe, the store is a little sanctuary away from the malls, situated in old Jumeirah, between sea and palm trees.
IWC
We also managed to take a sneak peak behind the scenes of the new store concept for luxury watch maker IWC in Dubai Mall. Incorporating technology, contemporary design and industrial materials, the store includes interactive tech enhanced areas, a luxury VIP lounge and open shelving systems that allow consumers to touch the watches – something that wasn’t previously possible. The brand has also taken its first step into web3, opening an immersive metaverse environment for a tokenized community. Collaborating with renowned architect Hani Rashid and leading web3 solutions platform Arianee to create the IWC Diamond Hand Club. As members, token owners can unlock unique and exclusive experiences as they venture back and forth between the virtual and physical worlds.
- CLOSE TO HOME
A New Tribe
We increasingly find that lifestyle stores excite us more than fashion retail and the quest for the perfect rug, vase, coloured bed linen, etc etc seems endless. One of our favourite London interiors and home accessories shops is right by our studio on Hackney Road. A new Tribe specialises in Moroccan rugs and globally sourced decorative objects for the home. Their new Spring edit is comprised of pieces that have been carefully selected to “help inspire your very own Art Life”. The collection includes a beautiful range of ceramics, abstract rugs and decorative pieces, displaying unique qualities that have been imprinted by each designer maker.
