Just after posting my last blog, I received a truly inspiring email from a good friend – a globetrotter currently based in Hong Kong. I’ve always found it fascinating and inspirational to look at different cultures – take a look at my friend’s selected images from the first weeks in Hong Kong…
Hope you get as inspired as me – enjoy!
The real China
Flowers
The Bird Park
Magazine stand
Food jars
Although only spending two days in Paris, I quickly came to the conclusion that Paris is THE city for successful, inspiring and innovating ‘concept’ stores.
Grand old concept store Colette (celebrating its 10th anniversary this year) never fails to be one of the frontrunners with their Corner and Gallery concepts. They have yet again captured the zeitgeist with their present Swarovski exhibition and Maison Martin Margiela pop up ‘store’.
Maison Martin Margiela @ Colette
However, Colette is no longer alone on the fashion forward scene with the opening of Merci (early March 2009) and L’eclaireur (directional Paris retailer has recently opened a spectacular new store in the Marais area).
You might not call L’eclaireur an actual concept store, but it’s a mix of art, fashion and architectural pleasure. Designed by Belgian artist/designer Arne Quinze, the store interior is an adventurous and eclectic installation that fuses artistic DIY with hi-tech elements. Two tons of planks and 147 animated video screens have been incorporated in the store’s organic-style interior. Construction took almost a year: recycled elements, wooden planks, printer plates, painted paperboards glowing like coach work and varnished with polyurethane give the materials an irregular effect. Definitely worth a visit!
Oh, and at my afternoon tea break at the Hotel Plaza Athénée I sat opposite legendary fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier. I didn’t dare asking for permission to take the photo but I did it nicely and discrete. However, I’m sorry Monsieur Demarchelier – if you ever read this, I’m a great admirer of your work and I hope it was ok to take your photograph.
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