GIVENCHY @ No. 28

     New Givenchy boutique opens at 28 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. Store reflects the modern vision of Givenchy, designed by architect Jamie Fobert in collaboration with Riccardo Tisci, head designer of Givenchy collections. Fobert says, "Riccardo and I share a passion for contemporary art. From the beginning, our dialogue centered on an art-based approach to design".[1] 

The shop floor is divided into five pods, illustrating the Givenchy story and creating personal shopping spaces in which to display the clothing. The room sized boxes differ in design, featuring signature elements of Givenchy's history. One interior is decorated with the same white plaster moulding as is found in the couture salon on the Avenue George V, another in contrast, sculpted in grey plaster capturing the urban, functional tone of recent collections. 

"Together we experimented with materials, looking for surfaces and textures to alter perceptions and trigger memories that would be contemporary but emerge with a subtle romanticism" [2] Fobert is familiar to induvidual shopping environments, designing one of the six salons of Selfridges shoe room. Tisci admits, " I wanted the design to look as much as possible like an art gallery"[3] The, sometimes minimal space provides the perfect showcase to experience and appreciate Tisci's darkly romantic designs. But for the time being, a gallery is all this boutique can be to me, unfortunately. 

[1], [2], [3], Quotes from Givenchy New Boutique Press Release.

All photograps http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f81/shop-design-displays-5425-40.htm

BALENCIAGA.NICOLAS GHESQUIERE

     1997, Twenty-six year old Frenchman, Nicolas Ghesquiere appointed creative director, to inject new life into the once notable couture house of Balenciaga. Since, he has transformed the ghost of glamour into an ultimatly desirable brand. Each season the Balenciaga image evolves by virtue of Ghesquiere's fashion forward designs. True to the works of the late Christobal Balenciaga, renowned for his radical creations, Ghesquiere focuses on silhouette, fabrics, detail and finishes, often reinventing classic Balenciaga shapes such as the 'cocoon', 'balloon' and 'sack dress'. He designs for the present and the future, for what Balenciaga means today. As a "child of the eighties", his designs could be described as his fantasies of future fashion, often an eclectic mix of science, technology, history and romance. In the fourteen years under his direction, he has resurrected the house of Balenciaga, creating two womenswear and menswear collection each season, and picking up awards along the way; In 2000, the Vogue/VH1 Avant Garde Designer of the Year Award, followed by The Womenswear Designer of the Year title in 2001. Ghesquiere has gained an array of celebrity clients of the likes of Kate Moss, Nicole Kidman, Chloe Sevigny, Charlotte Gainsborough and editor in chief of American Vogue, Anna Wintour. When asked, who he has in mind when he designs, he answered, "Any girl who puts on Balenciaga is a muse. I don't like to think of one particular when I'm designing".[1] What's interesting about Nicolas is that despite his success he shies away from the limelight, as did his predecessor Christobal, keeping the mysteries locked behind the noble maison doors. For the present Ghesquiere plans on developing the house further, with no news of his own label, to the disappointment of his loyal followers.

[1] Fashion Now 2, Taschen. All images, Google. Video, Youtube.