Jil Sander Re-Opens The Flagship in Paris

Peter Dunham, an ELLE DECOR A-List interior designer renowned for his 'Englishman-meets-L.A. style,' is expanding his presence with a new 3,500-square-foot showroom in New York City. The showroom, located at the New York Design Center's 200 Lexington Avenue, is set to open on August 19. Dunham, who has been operating from Los Angeles since 2003, expressed his long-held desire to establish a New York presence, stating, 'For me, it’s always New York...and honestly, I wish I’d done it sooner.' The new space will showcase a diverse range of products from both Dunham’s Hollywood at Home and Peter Dunham Textiles brands. Visitors to the showroom will experience an environment designed to emulate Dunham's distinct interior projects, characterized by opulence, playfulness, vintage influences, and a strong affinity for bold colors and patterns. The showroom aims to offer a tangible experience, allowing clients to 'touch and feel and try and test the quality and comfort' of his offerings, emphasizing the designer's belief in the importance of physical interaction with products despite the shift in retail landscapes. The showroom's layout is meticulously curated to reflect Dunham's design philosophy, presenting a comprehensive display of his work. A central feature will be an array of his signature prints and woven fabrics, including the widely recognized 'Fig Leaf' print, which adorns the walls. This is complemented by outdoor furniture selections, such as a textured beige Hollywood at Home Rush Club armchair, upholstered in Nawab fabric. The space also includes a dark green cabinet filled with indoor-outdoor poufs, a varied collection of patterned cushions, and a wall dedicated to fabric swatches, inviting tactile exploration. His latest 'Shani' textile launch, drawing inspiration from Indian block prints, will also be featured. Beyond textiles and seating, the showroom will display lamps, a four-poster bed draped in a 100 percent alpaca bedcover crafted by Peruvian handweavers, and cowhide chairs. Notable pieces include the 'Carmania' woven fabric, previously used in Dunham’s Paris apartment. The showroom is designed to be a condensed yet comprehensive representation of Dunham’s extensive career and dedication to fabric artistry. Dunham describes the showroom as a layered environment, mirroring his approach to designing a room—a fusion of art, accessories, vintage items, his original designs, and collaborations with artisans. For those unable to visit in person, the article provides a glimpse into some of the featured items, offering a preview of the diverse collection available at the new New York location. #PeterDunham #NYCShowroom #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Textiles #HollywoodAtHome #NewYorkDesignCenter #DesignTrends #FabricDesign

Acne Studios marked its tenth anniversary of showing in Paris with an S/S 2023 collection that explored the archetypes of a 'twisted wedding party.' The event, held at Paris’ Palais de Tokyo, featured an all-pink set design, a color deeply embedded in the brand's identity, often referred to as ‘Acne Studios pink.’ Creative director Jonny Johansson initiated this choice, noting that the color was once unpopular, but the brand embraced and integrated it into its DNA, aiming to redefine its context. The inspiration for the 'wedding party' theme stemmed from Johansson's reflection on the brand's decade in Paris, an occasion he felt warranted a significant celebration. He viewed a wedding as the most iconic and universally understood celebratory event, providing a rich source of aesthetic choices. The S/S 2023 collection was designed to incorporate elements reminiscent of nuptials, from the tablecloths and chandeliers to bridal accessories like shoes and bows, infusing them with a kitschy yet sweet sensibility. Johansson also reflected on his own wedding nearly two decades prior, humorously noting his regret over wearing a traditional black suit, which likely influenced the collection’s unconventional approach to wedding attire. A key highlight of the set design was the collaboration with London-based nail artist Sylvie Macmillan, who created large-scale, shell-encrusted candelabras. Macmillan’s artistic background, known for surreal and embellished manicures, transitioned into these sculptural pieces. Her previous work included a charity project where she crafted smaller, shell-covered candelabras from sourced materials. The Acne Studios commission allowed her to expand on these designs, working with larger structures and diverse shell species. Macmillan’s intent was to make the shells appear as if they naturally grew from or clung to the candelabras, drawing inspiration from barnacles and limpets on rocks and shipwrecks, thus offering a non-formulaic approach to shell embellishment. The artistic ensemble for the event also included the 'avant-harp' collective Leya & Eartheater, who served as the wedding band, further contributing to the 'twisted' theme. This choice reinforced the brand’s commitment to an unconventional and avant-garde interpretation of traditional elements. Johansson acknowledges the ongoing pressure of showing in Paris, even after ten years, emphasizing that weddings, while cute and kitschy, also carry a sense of seriousness and vulnerability, a duality reflected in the collection. The article highlights Acne Studios' distinctive approach to fashion, blending kitsch with high design and creating immersive experiences for its shows. The brand's use of pink, initially a controversial choice, has become a signature element. The collaboration with Macmillan underscores the brand's interest in interdisciplinary artistry, bringing an unexpected element to the fashion presentation. The S/S 2023 show served as both a retrospective of Acne Studios' journey in Paris and a forward-looking statement on its aesthetic philosophy. #AcneStudios #ParisFashionWeek #SS2023Collection #FashionDesign #JonnyJohansson #SylvieMacmillan #FashionArtCollaboration #SetDesign #PinkAesthetic

This article discusses a recent art installation at the Dior Homme store in Paris, created by young Italian artist Andrea Mastrovito. The installation, inaugurated last Thursday, features a multitude of black decoupage butterfly replicas. These replicas are intricately arranged to serpentine across the ceiling and walls of the store's white interior, evoking a visual parallel to birds in flight, albeit with a less menacing and more aesthetic appeal. The project was specifically commissioned by Kris Van Assche, the artistic director for Dior Homme. His inspiration for this particular installation stemmed from his Fall/Winter '08 collection, which prominently featured butterfly motifs. This collection integrated butterflies into various clothing items, ranging from blazers and t-shirts to uniquely designed butterfly-shaped bow ties, showcasing a whimsical and distinctive aesthetic. The installation consists of nine thousand individual black decoupage replicas, meticulously placed throughout the boutique. The visual effect created by these numerous replicas is one of dynamic movement and artistic grace, transforming the space into an immersive experience for visitors. The choice of black for the butterflies against the white backdrop of the store enhances their visual impact, making them stand out as a striking design element. Mastrovito's work is intended to be a temporary exhibition, enhancing the store's ambiance for a limited period. The installation is scheduled to remain on display for one month, after which it will be dismantled. This temporary nature adds to its exclusivity and artistic appeal, encouraging visitors to experience it within its specific timeframe. The Dior Homme store, where this installation is housed, is located at 25 rue Royale, Paris 8ème. This address is a notable location in Paris, contributing to the prestige and visibility of the art project. The collaboration between a contemporary artist like Andrea Mastrovito and a high-fashion brand such as Dior Homme highlights a growing trend of integrating art into retail spaces, creating unique brand experiences that go beyond mere product display. Such initiatives serve to blend fashion, art, and design, offering a multifaceted engagement for the audience. The installation not only serves as an artistic statement but also as a homage to Kris Van Assche's past work and his enduring influence on Dior Homme's aesthetic. By reinterpreting a key motif from a previous collection, the project bridges different periods of the brand's creative history, providing a sense of continuity and evolution. The detailed craftsmanship involved in creating and installing nine thousand decoupage pieces underscores the dedication to artistic quality and the immersive experience sought by both the artist and the brand. This event contributes to the cultural landscape of Paris, positioning Dior Homme not just as a fashion retailer but also as a patron of contemporary art. #DiorHomme #AndreaMastrovito #ArtInstallation #ParisFashion #FashionAndArt #RetailDesign #KrisVanAssche #DecoupageArt

Calico Wallpaper, a Brooklyn-based company specializing in bespoke wallcoverings, is expanding its reach into the European market this month with debuts at Maison&Objet; in Paris and the London Design Festival. Founders Nick and Rachel Cope identified a growing international interest in their products, prompting this strategic expansion, particularly focusing on France and the U.K. due to their strong wallcovering traditions. Nick Cope specifically noted London's significant demand for wallcoverings as a key factor in their decision to enhance their presence there. During the London Design Festival, commencing September 14, Calico Wallpaper will unveil its new Prism collection at SCP, a prominent furniture manufacturer and retailer. The Prism collection draws inspiration from the subtle, rainbow-colored reflections produced when light passes through crystals. Rachel Cope developed this concept by experimenting with various prismatic forms and photographing the resulting light effects, which then served as the foundation for the wallcovering patterns. Her aim was to capture the dynamic and ethereal quality of moving prisms on walls, an idea she had contemplated for years after being captivated by the visual effects of crystal refractions. Concurrently, at Maison&Objet;, running until September 10, Calico Wallpaper is presenting a distinct collection called Singing Sand. This collection is featured within a mirage-like installation at Triode, titled "Visions / Perceptions," which explores the interplay between material reality and optical illusions. The installation will remain on view until October 5 and was a collaborative effort with John Hogan and New York-based Ladies & Gentleman Studio. It incorporates a conceptual kinetic sculpture, glassworks by Hogan, and actual sand to create an environment that reflects the essence of the Singing Sand wallcovering. The Singing Sand collection, handcrafted by Rachel Cope, is designed to evoke the fluid granularity of desert dunes. It mimics the constant movement of a desert landscape, illustrating how grains of sand shift and slide with the wind to form meditative patterns. Rachel Cope expressed her fascination with the digital effects of a mirage and her desire to translate that phenomenon into a wallcovering, specifically aiming to capture the movement and rhythm of actual sand dunes. Calico Wallpaper is recognized for its unique approach of blending artisanal techniques with advanced digital technologies. The company previously received a 2019 NYCxDESIGN Award for its Relic Collection, which features layers of translucent paper, and has also collaborated with artist Faye Toogood on a collection for Salone del Mobile. #CalicoWallpaper #EuropeanDebut #MaisonEtObjet #LondonDesignFestival #PrismCollection #SingingSand #Wallcoverings #InteriorDesign #BespokeDesign