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11
coco-noir.chanel.com
Through black… light revealed
dp_coco_noir_420x270_lecercle_gb.indd 1-2 13/07/12 13:05
coco-noir.chanel.com
Through black… light revealed
dp_coco_noir_420x270_lecercle_gb.indd 1-2 13/07/12 13:05
Collection Couture Automne- Hiver 2012-2013
www.georgeschakra.com
Edition (Le Cercle 42x27cm)2.indd 2-3 9/20/12 10:48 AM
Collection Couture Automne- Hiver 2012-2013
www.georgeschakra.com
Edition (Le Cercle 42x27cm)2.indd 2-3 9/20/12 10:48 AM
monster chair by moooi
Photography concept by erwin olaf & marcel Wanders.
publisher:City News Privilege
on behalf of Le Cercle Hitti
editor in chief :
Anastasia Nysten
managing editor:
Helen Assaf
graphic design:
Genia Kodash
printer:
RAIDY | www.raidy.com
contributors:
Alia Fawaz
Dan Bratman
Fernande Van Tets
India Stoughton
Louis Parks
Miriam Dunn
Owen Adams
Thomas Kinealy
advertising:
t: +961 3 852 899
The sun is seT Ting on another summer season, casting a warm, hazy glow over life. as it’s still the perfect climate to relish life outdoors before autumn’s breezes take hold, in this issue you can find stylish alfresco designs to enhance the ambiance.this issue we’re also heading for the coast and dipping our toes in the sea with a selection of architecture inspired by their waterside locations. taking things indoors, but still making a splash, we bring you the story behind one of Zaha hadid’s latest masterpieces, the London aquatics center, conceived for the London olympics 2012.crossing the channel to the French capital, Le cercle checks out the fresh slice of French style being served up at the Paris mandarin oriental with the help of Ligne roset. the prestigious French brand has also been working its magic on one of the 20th century’s greatest French designers, Pierre Paulin, reviving three of his designs for a new audience.and if all of that has left you with an appetite for more, there’s still plenty to sate you with not one but two unique dining experiences conjured up by Dutch design wizard moooi between our pages. bon aPPétit!
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monster chair by moooi
Photography concept by erwin olaf & marcel Wanders.
PARK VIEW BUILDING, BOULEVARD DU PARC - BEIRUT T. +961 1 99 21 16 CHARLES MALEK AVE., ELLIPSE CENTER - ASHRAFIEH, LEBANON T. +961 1 20 00 01
WWW.WSAL A MOON.COM
wss_earrings_21x27_wss_earrings_21x27 8/22/11 3:02 AM Page 1
moods
the autumnwishlisT
sosiemartino D’esPosito
cloth stand with structure in brilliant-
chromed steel and swiveling miror
Ligne roset
loTustabLeWaresiW matZen
Porcelain plate
Ligne roset
ePlAFtous Les trois
Fruit bowl in laser-cut sheet steel finished
in gloss white lacquer or fruit bowl in
gloss nickeled laser-cut sheet steel.
Ligne roset
goes window shopping for
some of this season’s must-have purchases.
mATChcuPsclear glass, 6 tumblers
in 3 different shapes
Ligne roset
PlATinumbaobabcandle colleciton
baobab
CuTcuPsPhiLiPPe Daney
clear glass
available in 3 different sizes
Ligne roset
moods
emPerortabLelAmPneri & hu
bamboo rattan cage, aluminum frame and
glass diffuser.
Ø35, h.60 cm
moooi
deAringoron giLaD
Powder coated steel, black or white
Ø min. 80/max. 240 x 50 cm
moooi
BirdsLamPWhite ceramic birds and buri lamp shade.
Leather handle.
base in white lacquered metal
h. 75cm / h. 170cm
roche bobois
olivenuméro 111
shade in epoxy lacquered steel
W.40 x D. 24 x h.43 cm
Ligne roset
BigbenmarceL WanDers
Fibreglass with powder coated
aluminum hands
Ø180cm
moooi
Peyenuméro 111
shade in composite material: fiberglass
and injected polyester resin
W. 80 x D. 95 x h. 188 cm
Ligne roset
The Dear Ingo is now officially part of the
permanent collection of the art institute of Chicago
sTumPLoWTABlePierre charPin
grey-veined white carrara marble, hewn
from one piece
W. 30cm x D. 36cm x h. 45cm
Ligne roset
moods
orAÏtoora Ïto
roche bobois
sAgAbuFFetchristoPhe DeLcourt
4 doors, interior in tulip wood, exterior in
lacquer finish.
W.210 x D.55 x h.77 cm
roche bobois
ToBi-ishidiningtabLeeDWarD barber & Jay osgerby
structural polyurethane foam and wooden
top treated with cement grout
Ø162, h.72.5 cm
b&b itaLia
merALoWTABleantonio citterio
top in white statuario marble with
tapered edge. circular metal structure
with different finishes
available in 4 different sizes and heights
b&b itaLia
miriAPodebookcaseDuxilon, curved structure with alternating
thickness. matte lacquer finish
W. 26.6cm x D. 39cm x h. 165cm
roche bobois
moods
BAskeTTonePierre charPin
black-stained ash
Ø50, h.54 cm
Ligne roset
viCTorLuigi gorgoni
Pmma veneer on particle boards. interior
in taupe with with glass shelves
W.54 x D.51 x h.181 cm
roche bobois
Bow enD TABlePiks Design
solid wood legs in oak tint/acacia oil.
aluminum lacquered resin top
W.60 x D.40 x h.60 cm
roche bobois
AlTdeuTsChe CABineTstuDio Job
solid pine and pine veneer. hand painted
W.135 x D.50 x h.190 cm
moooi
CirCus FreD rieFFeL
glass cocktail table
Ø110, h.31 cm
roche bobois
ConTAinerneWAnTiques tabLe
marceL WanDers
Pe
Ø56, h.71 cm
moooi
swingresTDanieL PouZet
Ø195 cm
DeDon
moods
serPenTine inDoor/ouTdoor armchair
eLéonore naLet
Polyester/epoxy lacquered metal
structure, 100% acrylic fabric (tempête)
W. 78 x D. 58 x h. 74 cm
Ligne roset
dAlAstePhen burks
Powder coated frame of
extruded aluminum mesh. Fiber.
Ø88 cm
DeDon
seAXchairJean-marie massauD
W.54 x D.53 x h.86 cm
DeDon
grillAge Francois aZembourg
Wire mesh
W. 155 x D. 70 x h. 72 cm
Ligne roset
FedroLorenZa boZZoLLi
colors scheme inspired by Latin
american tropical birds
DeDon
*available January 2013 *available January 2013
*available January 2013
moods
hyBridenoé DuchauFour-LaWrance
medium settee
W.180 x D.98 x h.63/87 cm
Ligne roset
Pli maurice marty
Frame in 10mm altuglas
W. 40 x D. 49 x h. 90cm
roche bobois
FolkbenJamin grainDorge
black ash
W. 42 x D. 54.3 x h. 83cm
Ligne roset
TuFTy-tooPatricia urquioLa
available in various dimensions
b&b itaLia
lovePaPiLLio naoto FukasaWa
W. 145.5 x D. 93 x h. 102 3cm
b&b itaLia
ChrisTerAmarceLLo ZiLiani
100% aluminum chair
W. 44 x D. 53 x h. 60 cm
roche bobois
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The ebb and flow of waTer proved To be
The perfecT inspiraTion for
pioneering archiTecT Zaha hadid’s laTesT
high-profile projecT
W o r d s : M i r i a M D u n n
P h o t o s : H u f t o n + C r o w
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Innovative, influential and a true
trailblazer, the award-winning
architect Zaha Hadid has long
championed the concept of
creating buildings as landscapes,
shaping structures and spaces within
them to give the impression that they
flow like a river.
The ebb and flow of water
certainly served as ideal inspiration for the
london aquatics center, which features
her trademark multiple perspective points
and use of fragmented geometry.
when british olympic hopeful
Tom daley made the first dive into the
center’s pool to mark its completion, many
agreed with the international olympic
committee chairman jacques rogge’s
description of the project as
“a masterpiece”.
The center, which serves as
the hub of london’s olympic park
welcoming many of the world’s greatest
swimmers and divers for london 2012,
reinforced hadid’s reputation as a pioneer
in her field around the world. conjuring up
the fluid geometries of water in motion,
hadid also achieved her other goal of
creating spaces and a surrounding
environment which reflected the riverside
landscapes of the park. carrying the aquatic
theme through to conclusion, the
undulating roof, which encloses the three
pools of the center with a unifying gesture
of fluidity, sweeps up from the ground in
the shape of a wave.
a Tower ThaT reflecTs many journeys
W o r d s : t H o M a s K i n e a l y
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This summer’s London 2012
Olympic Games saw the
birth of Britain’s largest
sculptural work. it is, of
course, the 115 meter high
arcelormittal orbit tower. The sculpture and
observation tower was designed by indian-
born british sculptor anish Kapoor and sri
lankan-british architect cecil balmond. The
tower has been praised for its bold and
unique design that challenges the viewer’s
perception of stability, structure and
engineering. The sculpture is intended to
be a permanent lasting legacy of the
olympic games but Kapoor insists that the
artwork will take on its own significance
and meaning long after the competition
has finished.
Turner prize-winning sculptor
Kapoor has stated that the design of the
structure was inspired by the Tower of
babel, an imaginative concept of
construction that challenges our pre-
conceptions of what is possible in
engineering without compromising the
artistic vision. it was also important for the
creators that the sculpture was interactive,
allowing people to become part of the
work as they look down upon the olympic
arena.
The name, according to
Kapoor, was inspired by the idea of
escalation, of moving upwards and by the
continuous journey that the athletes
undertake in their striving for sporting
immortality. it is this idea of ‘the journey’
that perhaps Kapoor is referring to when he
talks of the sculpture taking on its own
meaning after the games have finished, for
while it represents the athletes journey for
the remainder of the competition, perhaps
it will encompass the journey that everyday
people go through throughout their lives.
The Orbit opened on 28 July, with tickets
available to those who already hold
Olympic tickets. After the games it will be
open to the general public.
For information visit
www.arcelormittalorbit.com
reflectionsOn THe SeA
le cercle heads for The coasT in
a looK aT archiTecTure inspired by iTs
waTerside locaTion
W o r d s : o w e n a D a M s
lon
G s
tu
Dio
, Jo
e B
att’
s a
rm, f
og
o is
lan
d, n
ew
fou
nd
lan
d, C
anad
a; P
ub
licat
ion
Dra
win
g
THe CHALLenGe FOr Any rIGHT-THInkInG
architect is how to make a statement without intruding
on the natural environment. The architect describes the
prefabricated studios as “strangely familiar”. The long
studio, one of six artists’ studios dotted around the tiny
north atlantic fogo island, due south of greenland in
canada’s newfoundland, plus a 29-room boutique
fogo inn, has a distinctly two-dimensional flat-pack
appearance. The linear structure on stilts was designed
by Todd saunders from norway. based on local
fishermen’s houses, the structures were designed with
a brief to carry the “soul” of the island, and the interior
was also angled so nothing detracts from the
surrounding rough beauty. organised to form three
sections, the open entrance represents springtime,
while the central wing is exposed to the elements for
‘plein air’ summers. The end and main body is fully
enclosed for winter protection and solitude. large
windows and skylights abound, allowing the resident
artist an intimate connection with the landscape.
edwArd HOPPer CAuSed quITe A STIr wITH HIS
1951 surrealist painting rooms by The sea – a rendering
of his studio made to look as if it was out at sea.
architect couple michiyo and yasutaka yoshimura have
achieved the same effect, this time in concrete reality.
Their ‘nowhere but sajima’ holiday home – yours for a
week for several thousand dollars – their third
‘nowhere but…’ rental holiday project, is just an hour
from Tokyo. The triangular block of tubular structures,
an enthralling geometric interplay of circles, squares
and equilateral triangles, is accessed from a busy city
road, but once inside, it’s solely about the pacific
ocean. The living spaces jut out over the sea wall,
creating an astonishing primal and elemental floating or
suspension effect. nearby nowhere but hayama,
constrastingly, is a restructured and renovated
traditional 1930s- built japanese two-storey wooden
house, 30 seconds from issiki beach and next to the
imperial family’s holiday home. new twisting
woodblock stairs and four modern units were created
sympathetically within the building, when it needed
seismic upgrades.
AT FIrST GLAnCe IT LOOkS LIke A BOAT, jAmmed
into a sandstone rock looking out to the Tasman sea.
The bronte cutting was carved from the headland for a
tramline more than a century ago, and architect chris
elliot found an ingenious way of fitting a designer
home in the available cleft – working in harmony with
the anomalous space, rather than trying to transcend it.
designed for a family of four, everyday living takes
place on a predominantly glass-walled platform
overlooking the sea. a cocoon-like rectangular box
bedroom is mounted above the main space with
curved “light scoops” for selective sky lighting, and
above all this there is a belvedere or lookout in the
form of a martello tower, with a sundeck complete with
fireplace from which to contemplate the ocean and
stars at night. There’s also a grotto basement, with
water seeping into a shallow reflecting pool with bridge
and an outdoor bath. no air conditioning is required, as
sea breezes, thermal mass and double layered curtains
control the temperature naturally.
© riCHarD GloVer
VIewed FrOm A SHIP rATHer THAn BeInG CASTLe-
like in its imposing lofty location, this gleaming,
minimalist breathtaking cuboid shyly peep outs from a
remote cliff 159 metres up from the shimmering
mediterranean, somewhere in mallorca or ibiza. The
location is a mystery, as is the 2002 building’s
acronymic name – fittingly kept secret, as belgian firm
atelier d’architecture bruno erpicum & partners
compares the aibs house to a rippled natural land
staircase you might find at the dead end of a path or
road, at one with its surrounds, beyond civilisation. all
living areas within the 400sq metres floorspace are
enclosed by one colossal window frame looking out
from the island. To the side, down a crevice, is an
utterly private infinity pool. “under blue skies the
building appears calm and serene whilst in stormy
weather it has a striking and tormented air about it,”
says bruno erpicum.
l’art de vivreby roche bobois
See www.roche-bobois.com for collections, news and catalogues
Tangram modular curved sofa, design Gabriele Assmann and Alfred Kleene.Marmo round cocktail tables, design Daniel Rode.
European Manufacture
Phot
o: M
iche
l Gib
ert.
BEIRUT DOWNTOWN 33 rue Weygand Tel: +961 1 986 888/[email protected]
l’art de vivreby roche bobois
See www.roche-bobois.com for collections, news and catalogues
Tangram modular curved sofa, design Gabriele Assmann and Alfred Kleene.Marmo round cocktail tables, design Daniel Rode.
European Manufacture
Phot
o: M
iche
l Gib
ert.
BEIRUT DOWNTOWN 33 rue Weygand Tel: +961 1 986 888/[email protected]
a triplex treasure
A spectacular triplex in
Ashrafieh is the scene of
Dori Hitti’s latest project.
Owned by a prominent
property developer, and
designed to appeal to two generations at
once, the breathtaking details and
unbelievable views of Beirut make this
one of the city’s most distinctive
residences.
Comprising the final three
floors of its building, the apartment is a
self-contained haven amidst the bustle of
Beirut, with the penthouse offering
glorious vistas of the city skyline. “the
residence is luxurious and contemporary,
W o r d s : l O u i s p a r k s
P h o t o s : M a n s O u r D i B
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but with a classic ambiance that fits the
mood of the owner,” says Hitti. alongside
Hitti’s signature minimalism and clean lines
there’s room for sculptures, classical
fountains, original stonework and columns.
Built for a family, the triplex
caters for both the parents and their
children; the first floor comprises the main
living area, and embraces classical touches,
while the terrace area and the penthouse
floor have a more youthful feel with a
striking monumental staircase linking the
two. “the only link between the two floors
were the building stairs, so we had to do all
this ourselves, getting the dimensions right
was very challenging,” says Hitti. the
penthouse itself is a self-contained
apartment and forms what Hitti describes
as a “villa in the skyline of Beirut,” a unique
concept in the city.
“We shape our artistic visions
of interior to achieve practical results,
which covers not only style, but aspects of
interior architecture, safety, beauty, comfort
and satisfaction for our clients,” says Hitti,
and nowhere is this clearer than in the
incorporation of original stonework in the
walls of the apartment. Making use of the
original stones allowed Hitti to complement
the more classical elements of the triplex
with truly authentic architectural detailing,
blending past and present.
it’s hard to pick a standout feature, but
pride of place must go to the outside pool,
blending as it does with the interior of the
apartment, “the residence enjoys the
integration of the outdoor pool inside the
apartment, creating an adventurous
location with stunning views of the water.
You’re really spoiled for choice here, the
room and pool are just so adaptable,” says
Hitti. With such a blend of style and
attention to detail, the pool and decking
forms one of the most distinctive, desirable
lounge areas in Beirut and the atmosphere
has to be enjoyed to be believed.
cabinet power
W o r d s : O W e n a D a M s
Many of the earliest
televisions and
gramophones came in
solid wood cabinets, as
integrated units
including the speaker. later, stereo
separates and speaker systems turned living
rooms into a spaghetti junction of wires,
power leads and electronic boxes. But now,
fine cabinet-making and the latest all-in-one
technology has been fused to create the
Geneva sound system Model xxl.
exquisitely made in switzerland
– the home of the cuckoo-clock and hub of
time-telling technology – the sleek white (red,
or black) piano-lacquered wood credenza is a
super-modern expression of the all-in-one
cabinet systems of the early 20th-century.
each american walnut veneer cabinet is
hand-made at every stage, laboriously buffed
and polished, with up to eight layers of piano
lacquer applied. Geneva’s sound systems are
being hailed as the steinways of the ipod
generation.
the timeless craftsmanship on
the outside belies the techno-core of the
interior, a hidden nerve center. it houses
seven individually powered surround-sound
speakers, including a mighty subwoofer, and
five different acoustic chambers, handled by
seven 589-Watt digital amplifiers. Geneva’s
own patented embracingsound speaker
system distributes sound throughout the
room from a single compact space.
However much you move around, Geneva’s
technology ensures the distance to the right
and left speaker remains the same.
the half-meter high xxl is
designed to support up to a 65-inch
flatscreen tV – which can be wall-
mounted or rest on top of the unit. inside
the enigmatic unit is also an FM and
digital radio, a slot-loading CD player,
and an ipod/iphone universal dock that
also streams video to the tV, with apple
airplay. there’s plenty of space inside
the 168cm-wide, 56cm-deep cabinet
to store DVD players, Blu-ray, game
consoles and other devices. the
“media center” has adjustable
shelves.
Designed to fit in the
home as well as a lamp, Geneva
sound system’s Model xxl is
sustainable, stylish,
sophisticated and simple,
all in one.
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The last thing you need first
thing in the morning is
fumbling with buttons while
you’re still half in
dreamland. What if you press
the ‘alarm off’ button on your mobile
phone or clock-radio instead of ‘snooze’?
stress central! so punkt has designed its aC
01 to be an alarm clock, pure and simple,
that won’t let you down.
the design (in white, red or
black) looks fabulous, but it’s the ultimate in
functionality and the simplicity is just
breathtaking. the swiss manufacturer, with
British art director Jasper Morrison on
board, made its debut last year with the Dp
01 cordless phone at the Maison et Objet
expo in paris. the aC 01 continues punkt’s
back-to-basics ethos of “one device, one
function”.
“punkt sets out to make life
simpler, going back to the origins of
consumer electronics,” says the company’s
mission statement. “We believe in one
device, one function.”
punkt is also bucking
throwaway culture with products built to
last. the aC 01’s dial is protected by thick
scratch-proof glass, and a solid aluminium
body, plus as it only performs simple
functions - long-lasting batteries.
Designer Jasper Morrison
placed the clock face in a round hole,
angled with an l-shaped aluminium stand
or holder. a rocker-switch on the outside of
the clock face turns the alarm or off, and a
small window below the 12 shows its
status.
snoozing has never been
simpler – you can give yourself another five
minutes’ shuteye by just pressing the back
of the clock. a gentle squeeze lights up the
clock face, but the luminescent arms and
dial glow in the dark without the light.
With such a pure and iconic
aesthetic, punkt’s aC 01 should become a
permanent fixture rather than a fad gadget.
“What do people want?
products built to do a job, and do that job
well,” punkt insists. Waking up on the right
side of bed thanks to a handsome – and
reliable - alarm clock is a good start.
W o r d s : O W e n a D a M s
a wake-up call for design
A Pierre Paulin
revIvAlW o r d s : O w e n A d A m s
IF DeSIgner PIerre PAulIn MADe
modernism both functional and sublime as
solid objects, composer pierre Boulez was
also applying mathematics and engineering
in music. Boulez’s Dérive 2 turns notions
about modernist music being awkward and
jarring on its head. Featuring 11 instruments,
it is defiantly atonal but also supremely
pleasing on the ear, a polyphonic tapestry
with harp at the forefront, beguiling at every
turn, and layered in stages between 1988
and 2006.
shortly after its prototype Dérive
1 was produced, in 1985 Claude pompidou,
the widow of former French president
Georges, privately commissioned paulin to
produce a rocking armchair to give as a 60th
birthday-gift to her friend Boulez. presumably
the ergonomically-considered rocking motion
helped articulate his rebellion against one-off
definitive compositions in favour of
“periodicity” – which he described as “a
permanent discovering rather like the state of
permanent revolution”.
paulin only made two
prototypes of the rocking chairs but the
concept was far too valuable to be forgotten:
his original designs were kept by his widow
Maia. now, in 2012, ligne roset has used
them and put the armchair into production for
the first time, naming it Dérive 2 in homage to
pierre Boulez. the smooth shape of its tilting
structure evokes a harp or tuning fork, and the
fluid lines can make the chair appear as if it’s in
perpetual motion. Made from multi-ply, held
together by beech struts, with MDF and steel
used in the seat and back, black rubber gliders,
and filled with foam and polyester quilting, this
must be the ultimate expression of enduring
modernity.
PIerre PAulIn’S wOrk SPAnneD 50
years, his philosophy of “design with intent”
intertwined with egalitarianism – itself a
central tenet of the French republic.
paulin’s visionary communal seating pods,
his ‘tongue’ sofa which could be extended
interminably for large groups – his
graphically pure, harmonious-form
creations invite themselves to be enjoyed
by everyone, not only bespoke patrons and
collectors.
paulin transformed public
spaces, such as railway stations in paris,
with his inclusive social furnishing, and
when asked by president Georges
pompidou to give the elysée palace a
modern revamp in 1970, he created an
uncluttered living space, mixing comfort
with functionality, such as through a
compact set of tangerine-like seating
segments that could be readily re-arranged.
in contrast to some of the op-
art and aluminum wall the pompidous
commissioned from other 20th-century
luminaries, paulin’s set is gentle on the eye,
low-impact and just generally easy-going
and almost universally irresistible.
and the flexible furniture forms
work as well in apartments with space at a
premium. last year, ligne roset introduced
the elysée modular shelving system and
multi-layered pedestal tables. now the
manufacturer has followed paulin’s original
designs and reproduced the elysée sofa,
armchair and ottoman collection for all
domiciles. While utterly faithful to paulin’s
archived plans, the manufacturers have
used multi-density foams and techniques
that are at the very cutting edge for 2012,
bringing paulin’s vision ever forward.
PIerre PAulIn PASSeD AwAy THree
years ago after decades of transforming
homes and public spaces with his playful,
witty and warm modernist masterpieces,
but his designs live on and retain an alluring
contemporary edge. paulin’s designs are
infused with joy and playfulness, and
harmoniously in tune with the natural
environment, made from plastic, steel or
traditional materials.
not only did paulin
incorporate organic forms such as the
mushroom and tulip into revolutionary
furniture, breathing new life into living
rooms, but he peeled back the layers of
history and created modern icons from its
roots.
new from ligne roset,
custodians of paulin’s legacy, is a hand-
tufted wool rug, sculpted with tufts of
various heights, with the tribal motif based
on sketches produced by paulin.
paulin, who was born in paris
and later lived in the mountainous
Cévennes region of southern France,
travelled north-west to the tiny island of
Gavrinis, just off the coast of Brittany, and
turned 6,000-year old stone markings on a
tomb into pop-art iconography.
shown in the catalogue in red
and white, there is actually a choice of 48
colors for the background and motif – 24
‘natural’ hues, and 24 ‘flashy’ ones, catering
for different tastes – modern-megalithic,
you might call it.
A Pierre Paulin
revIvAl
A fresh slice of french style W o r d s : A l i A f A w A z
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conceived the four indoor spaces and
garden as a totality. On one side of the
garden is the haute cuisine restaurant, sur
Mesure, accompanied by Bar 8. On the
other side you find the all-day Café Camelia
and the Cake shop.
every space allows for a
unique experience: the gastronomic
restaurant is an elegant white space which
looks like a cozy cocoon. the walls and
ceiling are draped in white fabric with light
that comes from the center completing the
sophisticated atmosphere from the
restaurant. For Camélia the designs are on
a lighter scale, with walls sculpted to the
shape of white camellia flower petals. the
chairs also have a soft organic feel, all done
in white and wood. lightness being the
dominant theme, the whole space is a
continuation of the indoor landscape
garden.
the crowning glory is,
above: royal Mandarin
suite terrace
opposite: sur Mesure par
thierry marxIn the majestic city of Paris and
just a stone’s throw away from
the louvre and all the highly
coveted designer shops, the
stunning Mandarin Oriental Hotel
proudly sits on the uber stylish rue
Saint-Honore in a striking deco-inspired
building.
For this latest edition of the
internationally successful hotel group (it
opened its doors in June 2011), it was
essential to source the finest talent for
designing the dining outlets. after fierce
competition renowned French architect
and designer patrick Jouin and his team
finally won this enviable opportunity.
Jouin had at this point already established a
name for his restaurant designs working for
famed chef alain Ducasse.
Hailed for his ability to
combine functionality of objects and
design of space, Jouin and his team
however, Bar 8 which exudes
parisian luxury and
sophistication. the centerpiece
is a dramatic marble bar,
quarried in spain and sculpted
in italy. the wood walls are
inlaid with lalique crystals like
delicate raindrops reprising the
natural elements – a main
feature of the hotel’s design.
the tables spill out onto the
terrace - perfect for summer
evening cocktails. Jouin also
filled the room with his elegant
and comfortable lou armchairs,
manufactured by master
furniture and interior makers
ligne roset.
asked about the
design process Jouin explains:
“We wanted to create
something very parisian, very
refined and at the same time
intimate and unexpected. a
radical experience and that
brings an emotion of beauty, a
parisian emotion.”
01_____premier suite
terrace living room
02_____paris Couture suite
living room
03_____Camelia
04_____paris royale
Mandarin living room
05_____premier suite
terrace Bedroom
01
02
05
04
03
W o r d s : O W e n a D a M s
P h o t o s : J O Y V O n t i e D e M a n n
COnnOisseurs Of itAliAn Cuisine CAn enjOy nOt Only A sensuAl, but A CelestiAl experienCe in the heArt Of tOrOntO, tO ACCOmpAny CAlAmAri fritti with AgrO dOlCe.
Aria ristorante is a fitting
name for such an airy space.
it has a dramatic 35-foot
ceiling that recalls a grand
opera house. While, aside
from a luminous wine wall, the general
décor is in muted beiges and greys, toronto
designer urszula tokarska’s creative
explosion takes place overhead.
seemingly orbiting a web of
sculptural linear forms, a galaxy of raimond
spheres gives the impression from a
distance that fireworks are bursting over the
tables, while if you’re sat under the
ingenious geodesic-dome-style leD
chandeliers, the lights are soft, more like a
starry, starry night than a meteor shower.
tokarska, of the Canadian city
firm stephen r pile architects, called on the
visionary Dutch design upstart Moooi for
this spectacular - and ecologically-sound,
low-wattage - solution, known as
suspension lighting.
raimond puts, aged in his 70s,
lives on a house-boat in amsterdam, close
to Moooi’s headquarters in the Dutch
capital’s creative hub, Westerhuis in
Jordaan. For 30 years he’s tinkered with
machines and fixed them for a living,
inventing new ones in his spare time,
making good use of salvaged components,
in a distinct echo of Moooi’s magpie love of
‘upcycling’ (recycling, but with a far superior
end product).
raimond’s wholly self-taught
skills led to years of painstaking experiments
with leD lights, circuitry and creating a
perfect grid of stainless-steel triangles in the
form of a geodesic double-spherical dome.
leD bulbs are placed on the
nodes, the ‘spring’ steel cord and two
terminals act as conductors and – as a final
touch – each bulb is treated with special
lenses to ensure an even spread of warm
white light in all directions, so they don’t
cause a distraction for the people sat
underneath.
unveiled in 2006 to universal
acclaim, the raimond, made by puts in
association with Ox-iD, is perhaps Moooi’s
biggest icon-making achievement, a
fantastic yet utilitarian synching of science,
mathematics and art. Combining beauty
with functionality, the raimond – available
in several sizes (from 43cm to 199cm
diameter, containing between 92 and 252
leD lights apiece), as seen in tokarska’s
inventive aria arrangement, and now also
available in lamp and 20W pendant form,
and in an elliptical form, the raimond Zafu
– is a stunning example of how to get
maximum effect using minimum means.
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W o r d s : O W e n a D a M s
P h o t o s : n i C O l e M a r n a t i
MOOOi is a DutCH WOrD FOr BeautY, WitH an extra O aDDeD FOr BranD uniqueness. sinCe its FOunDatiOn Just 12 Years aGO, DesiGner MarCel WanDers’s pOWerHOuse Has CreateD a BuZZinG neW artistiC HuB at WesterHuis in aMsterDaM, anD prOJeCteD it OntO tHe WOrlD staGe.
Collaborating designers and
staff don’t come into work
at Moooi if they’re having
a down day - wanders
believes that a piece of
furniture or décor must be created with
positive energy, as well as a sense of fun.
add social compassion balanced by a
celebration of individuality, and empathy
with the planet to the equation, and Moooi
has achieved an organic synthesis of artful
beauty, functionalism and ‘econo’
utilitarianism. in artistic terms, this is where
classical extravagance meets modernist
minimalism.
in the past few years, Moooi
have masterminded the interiors of
restaurants in new York, Milan and london,
but the company returned to its roots in the
city of Breda to furnish an assemblage
selected by suzy Vissers for the a la carte
Michelin-starred restaurant Wolfslaar, the
former coach house on a 300-year-old
country estate.
the raimond lights, like
suspended constellations, are
complemented with richard Hutten’s
Dandelion lighting - inspired by ‘dandelion
snow’ when a breeze hits the flower’s fuzzy
seeds. the lamp self-generates energy to
simulate an explosion in motion, blowing
away tension.
studio Job’s paper table
lamps, mounted on a wooden base, with
cardboard frame, are manufactured in the
same way as modern-day furniture, but as
an ode to classical style and to the origami
joy of paper.
the egg Vase was one of
Marcel Wanders’s earlier designs, from
1997, when he first made his name with the
knotted Chair – and is typical of his
inventive and playful use of everyday
objects, like Dada turned on its head to
form a functioning actuality. the form of
the white porcelain trio was created,
Wanders says, by stuffing hard-boiled eggs
into latex.
Wanders’ Container table, the
80x80 model, also combines synthetic
media with universal natural form. an Hpl
panel, a fusion of resin and wood fibres,
with oak veneer, rests on a mushroom-like
single central leg.
the Monster chairs might be
fierce-looking fixtures in any room, but
once you get to know them, they’re lovely
and friendly. Wanders created the “soft,
puffy and stylish chair” to symbolise life’s
eternal battles against opposing forces.
“scary? not at all!” he says. “You forget all
about the monster once you sit down and
enjoy the chair’s comfort and softness.”
in playful contrast, the atelier
Van lieshout (aVl) barstool celebrates the
ergonomic genius of the shaker furniture of
old, traditional craftsmanship in solid oak,
brought sharply up to date with lacquer.
the Moooi experience at
Wolfslaar is complete with the Delft Blue 6
range of vases – designed by Wanders,
produced and decorated at royal Delft, in a
reinterpretation of the ceramics produced
by the prized Dutch company since 1653.
the partnership between historic and
contemporary is yet another string to
Moooi’s classical-modernist bow, and
segues neatly into Wolfslaar’s concept of
modern dining in an ancient setting.
St. PetersburgaristOCratiC GlaMOur anD leGaCY Meets italian MODern DesiGn
W o r d s : a l i a F a W a Z
ever since it opened its very
first location in new york
back in 1998, the upscale
hotel lifestyle brand w has
become recognized for
cleverly fusing cutting-edge design with
local influences. the W Hotel in the
former russian capital st. petersburg is no
exception to this signature maverick design
approach.
W st. petersburg, which
opened its doors in april 2011, marks the
hotel group’s first foray in russia. it is
strategically located in the center of the
historical “Venice of the north” next to st.
isaac’s Cathedral, near the lavish Winter
palace with its famed Hermitage Museum.
it is also a short stroll from the spectacular
neva river.
at the helm of the 137-room
hotel’s interior design was the Milan-based
antonio Citterio & patricia Viel partners
team. award-winning architect and
designer Citterio, who also designs Maxalto
for B&B italia, brought an unmistakable
italian touch giving the hotel a modern
personality whilst embracing the historic
grandeur of the city.
Citterio felt there was no
better inspiration for the hotel than what
was all around it. taking this approach as
the driving force, he and his design team
used the architectural ancestry of the city
and rich colors of the famous Faberge egg
to decorate the interiors.
the result is a tantalizing array
of jewel tones: rich reds, luxurious golds
and opulent greens fill the open space
through plush and contemporary
upholstered chairs, low, tall, semi-enclosed
sofas and chaise longues, which are
scattered with velvet and satin cushions,
and sit among shining side tables of
stainless steel.
above the grand furniture are
over-sized, jeweled pendant lights in shades
of copper. Other lighting includes partly
concealed strip lighting and floor lamps in
beige and brown.
Focus is drawn to a seemingly
floating sculpture created by italian artist
Jacopo Foggini and made using melted
acrylic. next to it is a modern fireplace with
surrounding shelves covered with stylish
trinkets, bold vases and imagination-fueling
books.
Guest rooms are more
understated in their color palette than the
public areas, with beige and soft gold being
used, but jewel tones are nevertheless
utilized, with magenta upholstered chaise
longues and cushions as standout features.
B&B italia’s innovative
furnishing and fixtures are generously used
and are cleverly combined to bring to life
Citterio’s sumptuous interiors. as a result
the designers have truly offered the W
Hotel st. petersburg a fresh contemporary
look while paying true homage to the
graceful details of the city’s historic
elegance that deserves to shine…
AN NAHAR BLDG, +961 1 971 444/555 ZOUK HIGHWAY, +961 9 217 744/55 RING HIGHWAY, +961 1 971 573 555
AN NAHAR BLDG, +961 1 971 444/555 ZOUK HIGHWAY, +961 9 217 744/55 RING HIGHWAY, +961 1 971 573 555
AN NAHAR BLDG, +961 1 971 444/555 ZOUK HIGHWAY, +961 9 217 744/55 RING HIGHWAY, +961 1 971 573 555
AN NAHAR BLDG, +961 1 971 444/555 ZOUK HIGHWAY, +961 9 217 744/55 RING HIGHWAY, +961 1 971 573 555
Con
cept
and
Sty
ling
Col
lage
Stu
dio.
Pho
to F
abriz
io B
erga
mo.
LE CERCLE BEIRUT - AN NAHAR BLDG DOWNTOWN
MARTYR SQUARE T.+961 1 971444 555
ZOUK HIGHWAY T. +961 9 217744/55
MAXALTO IS A B&B ITALIA BRAND. COLLECTION COORDINATED BY ANTONIO CITTERIO. [email protected] WWW.MAXALTO.IT
Life in the open air doesn’t get more styLish than with furnishings and
accessories by some of the design worLd’s
greatest brands.
Let’s take it outside
Con
cept
and
Sty
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Col
lage
Stu
dio.
Pho
to F
abriz
io B
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mo.
LE CERCLE BEIRUT - AN NAHAR BLDG DOWNTOWN
MARTYR SQUARE T.+961 1 971444 555
ZOUK HIGHWAY T. +961 9 217744/55
MAXALTO IS A B&B ITALIA BRAND. COLLECTION COORDINATED BY ANTONIO CITTERIO. [email protected] WWW.MAXALTO.IT
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1 city camp, anette hinterwirth 2 summerLand, richard frinier 3 seaX, Jean-marie massaud 4 seaX, Jean-marie massaud 5 city camp, anette hinterwirth6 city camp, anette hinterwirth 7 summerLand, richard frinier 8 seaX, Jean-marie massaud
1 2 3
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6 7 8
1 city camp, anette hinterwirth 2 seaX, Jean-marie massaud 3 seaX, Jean-marie massaud 4 seaX, Jean-marie massaud 5 city camp, anette hinterwirth6 city camp, anette hinterwirth 7 summerLand, richard frinier 8 seaX, Jean-marie massaud
1 2 3
54
6 7 8
1 fifty, dogg & arnved design 2 serpentine, eléonore nalet 3 serpentine, eléonore nalet
4 resiLLe, philippe nigro 5 resiLLe, philippe nigro 6 griLLage, françois azembourg 7 griLLage, françois
azembourg 8 fifty, dogg & arnved design
1 2
3 4
6 7 8
5
1 canasta circuLar sofa, patricia urquiola 2 canasta armchair, patricia urquiola 3 crinoLine
chair, patricia urquiola 4 charLes outdoor, antonio citterio 5 crinoLine chair, patricia urquiola 6 springtime sofas, Jean-marie massaud 7 traveL, patricia urquiola 8 husk outdoor chair, patricia urquiola
1 2 3
4 5
6 7 8
memory preserved
CorrespondenCes by Catherine DaviDW o r d s : F e r n a n D e v a n t e t s
Curator Catherine David has
created a remarkable
exposition for the Beirut
Art Fair. For the first time
ever, the letters exchanged
between two great Arab intellectuals in
exile, the saudi writer Abdel rahman Munif
and the syrian painter Marwan, are shown
in Correspondences.
The two men met in the fifties
but would not start their friendship, in real
life and on paper, until the 90s. This exhibit
shows the fruit of that exchange which
ended with Munif’s death in 2004. Munif,
author of ‘city of salt’, a scathing five
volume critique of the saudi elite and how
the discovery of oil transformed the Gulf,
was living in exile in damascus at the time,
having been stripped of his saudi
citizenship. Marwan had become an
acclaimed painter in Germany, where he
fled to in 1957.
A deep friendship emerged,
and Munif would write the only monograph
on Marwan in existence today. In return,
Marwan painted the covers for Munif’s
books and many of Marwan’s letters are
richly illustrated with ideas for these, as well
as other illustrations. In addition, drawings
and water colours are exhibited along with
the letters. “Many are a first idea or a study
for a cover project,” says david.
The energetic curator has
known Marwan for many years and was
eager to showcase his work. The
correspondence with another great Arab
intellectual was especially relevant. “It is
possible to discern, between the lines, a
commentary on the current situation. In
different ways they are both kind of
exemplary of the situation of many Arab
intellectuals in 20th century exile.
For david, beirut was the
perfect place to show the exhibit: ”It makes
sense here; it is really important to bring
back a certain number of ideas, content
and intellectual issues, to the place they
were developed.”
david has worked with
regional artists for a long time, and her
interest pre-empted the current bonanza
for art from the region. “I would like to think
I am a little responsible for that,” she laughs.
she was attracted to modern art from the
region due to the lack of knowledge and
information about a “more open modern
moment”.
she has an avid interest in how
modern art is developing in the region, and
notes that independent of public spaces,
“there are very few museums” with art
mostly accumulated in private collections.
There is also a deficit in terms of
production of critical and historical
discourse, she says. “At the end of the day
there is a gap in transmission; one
generation is not aware of what the
generation before did. It is getting better,
but 10 years ago young artists were not
aware of who their predecessors were.”
she is keen to promote the
preservation of the archives of visionaries
who have only recently passed away; Munif
is but one example. As in the Arab world
many experts on culture are not academics,
and thus don’t produce any documentation
to leave behind, she is concerned about
how much work is lost when such a person
passes away. “I think it is important to have
a massive strategy to produce
documentation to keep the memory,” she
says.
Her next project reflects that
interest; it will focus on Aref el rayyes, the
eclectic Lebanese artist who passed away a
few years ago. “His daughter Alaa is very
keen,” says david. “We are thinking about
how to proceed.”
Catherine david
opposite: The letters
written by Marwan
are richly illustrated
For dAvId, beIruT WAs THe perFeCT pLACe To sHoW THe exHIbIT: ”IT MAkes sense Here; IT Is reALLy IMporTAnT To brInG bACk A CerTAIn nuMber oF IdeAs, ConTenT And InTeLLeCTuAL Issues, To THe pLACe THey Were deveLoped.”
playful art in motion
IT’s noT oFTen you see ArT THAT AppeArs To
be In poIsed In MoTIon WHILsT FuLL oF HuMour
And enCHAnTMenT. onCe you seT eyes on A
pIeCe by FrenCH ArTIsT bernArd sAInT MAxenT IT
Is HArd noT To sMILe In An endeArInG sorT oF WAy
THAT brInGs ouT your Inner CHILd.
playful art in motion
playful art in motion
Doodling since he was a
young boy, the entirely
self taught Saint Maxent
confesses that he did not
feel he was good enough
to draw, thus shifted his attention to
creating objects. He began to carve
wood, making sculptures of different
animals and even women. After years of
experimenting and producing, he decided
to merge the sculptures onto canvas with
his own light-hearted take on life. He also
followed his own ideas of new materials
and how to integrate them.
Most of his work revolves
around the pranks of a gangly character
that is like his alter ego. you often see this
character (or several) painting, climbing up
stairs, sitting on a ball, hanging from the
ceiling etc. “It is actually inspired by me,”
he says with a grin. Charming and boyish
looking himself, saint Maxent also takes
inspiration from the burlesque scenes of
buster keaton and Charlie Chaplin.
“My two boys aged five and
seven also give me ideas,” he says. The
pieces with the brightly coloured round
balls was a concept that came after
watching his little ones play with soap
bubbles in the garden. This series has also
become his best seller to date.
saint Maxent also likes to use
other themes such as giant puzzle pieces,
romantic hearts, big letters, and rich
blotches of spilt paint which are fun and
universal. Wherever you place his creations
they seem to instantly light up the walls and
space providing a breathtaking energy.
each of his canvases are
different and a “one off” because there is no
cast for making his figurines. They are
created with a metallic structure around
which he models with resin and then
applies a varnish. After a day he applies two
playful art in motionW o r d s : A L I A F A W A z
coats of bronze paint and after another day
he finishes with a patina that looks like
bronze. They need to be lightweight so
that they can be sustained onto the canvas.
The individual sculptures on
the other hand are made of real bronze.
These are made from a bronze cast
producing eight pieces but once they are
treated with varnish and painted several
times they all end up different by the artist
- which means no two sculptures are ever
the same.
six years ago saint Maxent left
his birthplace of paris to settle his family in
an idyllic small town in the south west of
France called viellenave de navarrenx. An
hour from biarritz it has a mere population
of 177. Totally tranquil, secluded and
immersed in nature, it allows the artist to
focus on his meticulous work from his
atelier converted from a barn.
His buoyant concepts always
starts in his little notebook in which he
seems to be “furiously scribbling” ideas all
the time as his wife confesses. He then
resorts to his studio with constant “blasting
jazz and rock ‘n roll music”. The work
process is long-winded and slow with
multiple layers of varnish, retouching, drying
and waiting around. “This is why I usually
work on about a dozen pieces at a time,” he
explains.
His impressive body of work
has already been exhibited in paris, brussels,
London and most recently for the first time
in the Middle east at Les plumes Gallery in
beirut where he attended his solo
exhibition. A rising star, saint Maxent’s
playful and ingenious poetic installations
will surely capture our hearts for a long time
to come.
Les Plumes Gallery | +961 1 33 35 37
-
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W o r d s : I n d I A s T o u G H T o n
THouGH undenIAbLy
beAuTIFuL, MosT WILd AnIMALs Are ALso dAnGerous
-- deFInITeLy noT CreATures WHICH beLonG In your HoMe. As THe FAMous IrAqI poeT AL-
MuTAnAbbI onCe WroTe: “IF you see THe LIon’s TeeTH do noT
THInk THAT THe LIon Is sMILInG AT
you.”
Lovers of jungle creatures who
wish they could get closer to
these glorious but elusive
beasts will go wild for “Aki
Jungle” a collection of
painted and sculptural creatures from
Swedish artist Aki Zum. Her inventive
animals’ colorful faces are perpetually
friendly and endearing, in spite of their
pointed teeth. “They are friendly creatures
-- at times confused, but friendly,” the artist
explains. “often they are misunderstood
because of their sharp teeth and aggressive
expression. but if you look closely you can
see that they are not threatening at all.”
A refreshing exception to al-
Mutanabbi’s rule, zum’s creatures blend
feline eyes with strangely human noses and
sharp teeth bared in a snarl or a purr. some
are painted in cheerful contrasting shades,
reminiscent of tribal art, while other
creatures are three dimensional -- papier
maché masks or wall sculptures with thick
black outlines around their riotous colors. “I
have always been interested in mythological
creatures and stories,” reveals zum. “And of
course the art from ancient civilizations and
above: Aki Checkmate
opposite: Mucho michis
traditional folklore.” These influences are
evident in her vibrant animals which seem to
have sprung into being from a fairy tale.
The artwork reflects the artist
herself in many ways, revealing her
fascination with the wild energy of the
jungle. “The feeling of it is jungle-esque,” she
explains. “Just because it is so intuitive it
doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s primitive.
The jungle is so wild [it] reminds me of my
own creative process - pure and from my
gut.”
Many of zum’s fantastic critters
contain feline elements -- together they look
like a strange breed of big cat that perhaps
lurks somewhere deep in the jungles of
south America, waiting to be discovered. “I
love cats and get annoyed with them at the
same time because they always get what
they want,” says zum. “everything is on their
terms and they have the craziest attitudes. I
like them because they seem cool with
everything and they are super independent.
They want everything the way they want it...
I think it’s fascinating.”
above: Akizume du Mali
left: Aki Mugshot
Design: Norbert Beck
If you listen to your senses,
you’ll experienceall that’s beautiful and exhilarating
in this world.Rolf Benz MIO, where i feel good.
Wo
rd
s:
Da
n B
ra
tm
an
Blooms once again
Background image© Sophie Carre
Background image© sophie carre
Design, at its best, springs
forth from impressions of
nature. The structures in
which we live, the machines
we invent, in their ultimate
manifestation are shadows and composites
of what nature has already made.
Skyscrapers mimic the towering redwood,
homes are elaborate limestone caves, and
our clothes mimic the elegance and
efficiency of skin, feather and fur.
Sometimes, elements of
nature are combined that are truly unique.
The result of this exceptional brand of
thinking is sometimes considered genius,
sometimes heresy, sometimes beautiful.
Perhaps with elements of all three, Raf
Simons’ debut show for Dior showed his
reverence for nature and disregard for
convention. Five rooms in a Parisian
mansion were transformed into a dream of
flowers. Every wall was turned into a
vertical garden by over one million flowers.
Blue delphiniums, white orchids, pink
peonies, and colored roses built a dream
world of sight and smell as the set for Mr.
Simmons’ important first show as creative
director for the esteemed house of Dior.
With the runway lined with stars, the walls
covered in flowers, and the air full of
anticipation, the stage was set. As glib
and coltish models came through the
curtain, a new style for a new house of
fashion blossomed.
Raf Simons, once
considered an unlikely candidate for
the gig of Dior’s creative head, struck
out immediately with groundbreaking
originality. By combining an elegant
ballgown design as a top with
modern cigarette pants, Raf cuts a
new shape for a modern woman.
With the stems pruned and the top
blossoming fully, Simmons’ new
design is for mobility, not merely
a wallflower but a woman on
the move. Without any sacrifice
to the beauty of the blossom,
the design is elegant but
simple, free and feminine,
and like the flowers that
surround it.
raf simons
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CElEBRATES AnETERnAl ClASSiC
W o r d s : o w e n a D a m s
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The award for fashion event of
2012 is likely to go to Karl
Lagerfeld and Chanel, or
more precisely to The
Little Black Jacket.
the biggest stars turned out in
their hundreds for a summer party in new
york to toast a global photographic
exhibition and the launch of a book paying
tribute to this timeless icon – dreamt up by
coco chanel in 1954, and revisited by
lagerfeld and carine roitfeld.
lagerfeld credits mademoiselle
chanel with the little black jacket’s universal
appeal – a successor to chanel’s little Black
Dress. coco’s original design was based on
a male hotel concierge’s tyrolean jacket
worn in austria.
“the chanel jacket is a men’s
jacket that has become a recognized piece
of women’s clothing,” says lagerfeld. “it has
crossed that line and come to symbolize a
timelessly fashionable form of nonchalant
feminine elegance. it belongs to every era. it
really is the piece that goes with everything,
suits everyone and is appropriate any time.
it’s quite the miracle!”
For the book and exhibition,
sofia coppola, kirsten Dunst, yi zhou,
Vanessa Paradis and edgar ramirez were
just a few of a galaxy of a-list fashionistas
shot by lagerfeld at chanel’s rue de lille
Paris headquarters wearing the jacket, now
revisited as a unisex garment.
ramirez enthused: “shooting
with karl is a unique experience. you can
breathe creativity and history in every
corner of his studio in Paris, it’s a sort of
kaleidoscope, and it’s fascinating. that day i
realized that the chanel little black jacket
has transcended fashion. it has become a
universal icon of indisputable historical
value. it was very special to be part of this
celebration.”
although the book pays homage to the
classic chanel lBJ, lagerfeld and roitfeld
have updated the proportions of the jacket.
the book also shows the limitless ways in
which the jacket can be worn and
reinterpreted. “we cut up the chanel jacket,
we did it all,” says roitfeld. “we made it
short-sleeved, sleeveless, turned it inside
out. it can work as sportswear when paired
with jeans, or go with an evening gown, or
be worn by a male ballet dancer. this jacket
suits everyone. it’s an incredible item of
clothing.”
the book, exhibition and an
online video (at http://thelittleblackjacket.
chanel.com/) goes behind the scenes,
revealing the very human expertise that
goes into each stage of hand-crafting the
most desirable of clothes. Behind it all, as
lagerfeld and roitfeld recognize, is the very
“spirit of coco”.
DAPhnE gRoEnEvElD