Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
Dedicated to the primitive arts, objects created by Vanessa Mitrani evoke Nigerian rams’ horns, animals’ teeth, religious amulets, ancient Indian masks... These sources of inspiration from ancestral spirits, archeology and distant rituals give rise to highly graphic everyday objects. On sale until August 21st, in the museum’s boutique. Musée du Quai Branly, 37 quai Branly, Paris 7 (01 56 61 70 00).
A home decorator with expertise in natural furs and skins, Norki has just opened its first showroom at the heart of the 2nd arrondissement, in a vast triplex of 180 m2. Visitors discover very original creations such as pouffes in plaited lambskin, carpets, and a line of armchairs and sofas in lamb and sheep skin. Norki, 7 rue d’Uzès, Paris 2 (06 45 33 86 94).
Pierre Hermé Paris has invited itself into Monaco’s trendy new concept store, Komo. Ultra-connected, combining fashion, lifestyle and fooding, Komo unites a selection of luxury labels, a restaurant and a top-notch pastry boutique in a light and airy setting designed for a clientele in search of excellence. Komo, 18 rue de Millo, quartier de La Condamine, Monaco (00 377 97 70 56).
The young furniture editor Maison Dada has been invited to express its Dadaist spirit in the LAB space on the top floor of the RBC showroom. Dreamlike, poetic, audacious and extravagant, the selection is a sight for sore eyes. From June 13th to July 26th. RBC Lab, 40 rue Violet, Paris 15 (01 45 75 10 00)
Harmoniously integrated into the majestic Hôtel de Paris, the new Dior boutique displays all its collections for men and women on three floors. Peter Marino creates an architectural universe adorned with delicate pastel colours and artworks and furnishings by Pierre Paulin. Dior, angle avenues des Beaux-Arts et Princesse Alice, Monaco (www.dior.com).
Renowned for their elegant, timeless design, Monaco-based architects Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet have launched their first line of furniture. Paying homage to the Modernist style and calling on their favourite materials (marble, brass and walnut), this collection with clean, geometric design is exclusively available on the prestigious on-line platform “The Invisible Collection”. www.theinvisiblecollection.com
The “Winston Candy” collection of jewellery signed Harry Winston proposes a voyage through the scintillating world of coloured stones. These cocktail rings propose tangerine garnets, tourmalines, pastel-coloured sapphires, shimmering spinels... Inspired by a series of archive sketches dating back to the 1950’s and 1960’s, the collection will gradually be completed by new offerings. Harry Winston, 29 boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes (04 20 10 07 66).
Taking up its summer quarters, as in every other year, in the private mansion “La Mistralée” in Saint-Tropez, Chanel has opted this season for decoration at the crossroads between classic interior architecture and ultra-contemporary furnishings. The pool-house hosting the “Coco Beach” collection flaunts a powerful blue, illustrating a Mediterranean summer. Jusqu’en octobre. Chanel, 1 avenue du Général Leclerc, Saint-Tropez (04 94 49 07 47).
Jeweller Courbet, recently installed on Place Vendôme, advocates the use of recycled gold and cultured diamonds. According to Courbet, these lab-created stones represent the future of jewellery, as their impact on nature is reduced to a minimum. Devoting a large part of its collections to engagement rings, it is targetting the new generation, well-informed and militant. Courbet, 7 place Vendôme, Paris 1 (01 83 75 74 22).
Each year for the past quarter-century, Lalique has presented its perfume “Lalique de Lalique” in a new flacon in a limited edition of 1,500 pieces, numbered and signed. This year, a place of honour has been awarded to the orchid, in partnership with Lachaume, one of the most elegant florists in Paris. Lalique, 11 rue Royale, Paris 8 (www.lalique.com).
Signed Sifas, the new “Riviera” collection creates an outdoor decor ambiance both comfortable and of pleasing design. Enveloping but observing clean, graphic lines, sofas mix shade sof grey and white. Woven polyester armchairs prove to be extremely cosy. Sifas, 19 chemin de font graissan, Mougins (04 92 18 32 40).
This season, Nina Ricci unveils a collection of timeless romanticism, an invitation to bask in softness and dreams. Designs with poetic names - “Muses”, “Vénus”, “Eoles” - offer a blend of refined fabrics and subtle colours such as the new “Opale” shade for iconic “Point du Jour” bed linen. Luxury in all delicacy. www.ninariccimaison.com
This young Los Angeles firm is presenting its new “Personal/Space” collection of fragrances for the first time in France. Undeniable expertise, audacious olfactory extracts, sculptural bottles..., this niche brand created by two very old friends, Alia Raza and Ezra Woods, proposes bright, addictive potions that are decidedly different !
The Van Cleef & Arpels boutique on Place Vendôme invites you to an exhibition entitled “Le clip, un bijou de style et d’élégance” in its Galerie du Patrimoine. Fifty-four pieces from its heritage collection, accompanied by archives, giving a place of honour to this type of gem, a real piece of jewellery in its own right. Until March 30th. Van Cleef & Arpels, 20 Place Vendôme, Paris 1 (www.vancleefarpels.com).
The famous crystal manufacturer has teamed up with the Luxury Living Group to create a collection of luxury furnishings.This line of furniture highlighting Baccarat’s DNA, symbolic of a luxurious lifestyle for 254 years, has been produced with contributions from some of today’s foremost designers : Jacques Grange, Gilles & Boissier, Arik Levy, Chafik and Alban Le Henry. At Sabrina Monte-Carlo. 39, avenue Princesse Grâce, Monaco. (00377 97 97 57 60)93 99 50 71).
Producing items in bull calf, python and alligator skin, with all due respect for the protection of the species, Aïzea calls on renowned craftsmen in France, Spain and Portugal to create luxurious contemporary leather goods, dedicated to men in search of distinction and exclusiveness. Aïzea, 62, Galerie Vivienne, Paris 2. www.aizea-paris.com
The iconic “Blue Check” model from the Swedish luxury bed manufacturer Hästens is being recreated for a series of bed linen and accessories inspired by the English countryside, signed by Swedish fashion designer Lars Nilsson. Hästens, 44 rue Gioffredo, Nice (04 93 79 87 94)
Experiments and innovation are favourite arenas for Philippe Starck. In a creative exhibit, his “Cassina croque la Pomme” installation pays tribute to the exploration of alternative materials such as Apple Ten Lork, made from... apples.
Giorgio Armani has just inaugurated its third boutique in Paris, on Rue Saint-Honoré. Formerly the Emporio Armani, these premises of 476 m2 on two floors have been entirely redesigned to present premium lines. The boutique also hosts an area dedicated to beauty care presenting make-up and perfumes, including the exclusive "Armani Privé" line. Giorgio Armani, 368 rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 1 (01 42 86 15 30).
Art and sound Bang & Olufsen has just lifted the veil from a limited edition of speakers designed in collaboration with David Lynch. Covered with drawings by the iconic movie-maker, the Beosound Shape and Beoplay A9, P2 and M5 can be used indoors and out. Bang & Olufsen, 60 rue Gioffredo, Nice (04 93 85 46 54).
