Iconic Christian Dior Boutique 30 Montaigne-Reopend

Christian Dior Boutique 30 Montaigne, Paris © Adrien Dirand 

Emerging from the shadow of a two-and-a-half year renovation, the iconic 30 Montaigne boutique reopened this past Sunday to reveal a ravishing new identity. It not only unites the multitude of collections together in a vastly enlarged and art-filled boutique that also contains a restaurant, café and three gardens, but also represents a revitalized expression of the Maison’s heritage and savoir-faire.

This latter is highlighted by the return of the haute couture ateliers along with the new arrival of the haute joaillerie ateliers. Totaling 2000m2, La Galerie Dior is an unparalleled addition, a permanent exhibition space filled with thousands of pieces, including some 166 couture creations in 13 thematic spaces, and a recreation of Monsieur Dior’s office.

Boutique

On the ground floor, women’s creations designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri – including ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, bags and small leather goods – are displayed alongside men’s pieces designed by Kim Jones.

On the 1st floor, exceptional pieces in exotic leathers and evening wear designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri can be found nearby the Fine Jewelry collections, Dior Maison and men’s Demi Mesure.

La Gallerie Dior

Featuring a unique scenographic narrative, La Galerie Dior is a testament to the visionary audacity of Christian Dior and his six successors: Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri.

Restaurant & La Pâtisserie Dior

As an ultimate treat, La Pâtisserie Dior – overlooking the sumptuous rose garden – provides any visit to 30 Montaigne with a requisite interlude over a sweet creation. Subtly reinterpreted by Jean Imbert, the most emblematic French cakes frequent original creations that reinvent Dior symbols in edible form.

A barista – selecting rare coffees for you – will be present to prolong these delicious moments, from the beauty of the gesture to the art of savoring. From breakfast to teatime, surrender to delicious pleasure and culinary excellence in an unparalleled setting.

The Restaurant, affectionately named Monsieur Dior, embodies the French art of living, driven by Jean Imbert’s creativity, both refined and generous, combining simplicity with elegance. The French chef, accompanied by his faithful collaborator Antony Clémot, drew from the heritage and history of the Maison to develop each menu. The cuisine is enhanced by exclusive Dior Maison collections dedicated to the arts of the table, enhancing classic dishes from the founding couturier’s favorite recipes.

An impressive Claudia Wieser mirror composed of geometric panels dialogues with Guy Limone’s pictorial work – especially created for 30 Montaigne – the result of a colossal research project: an original installation made from thousands of images – in a palette of red, black and white hues – drawn from Dior’s archives and the artist’s personal visual treasure trove. As a delicate hommage, an oil on canvas entitled Christian Dior à Table, by René Bouché is also featured in Le Restaurant.

Haute Couture Salons

The haute couture salons, precious testimonies of Dior’s history, have seen the collections of Christian Dior and premiered, right up to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior fall-winter 2019-2020 haute couture line. Confidential, located near the ateliers and visible from the boutique through a large bay window, they are now regaining their former prestige, guarding the secrets of haute couture.

Haute couture represents a treasure trove of conscientious craftsmanship, a triumph of the sleight of hand, culminating in a kind of masterpiece.

Enhanced by wooden moldings and a parquet floor featuring a compass rose (a Dior classic) designed by architect Peter Marino, this timeless, refined setting hosts a selection of furniture and works of art, such as an abstract floral sculpture commissioned especially from Johan Creten or tables designed by Ado Chale or Claude Lalanne.

The Garden

“Thankfully, there are flowers”, said Monsieur Dior, who was – as well as a gallerist, an architecture aficionado, and grand couturier – an avid gardener. It was in Granville, in the rose garden of his family’s home overlooking the sea, that young Christian planted the seeds of his fascination with this most artful intersection of nature and culture. Growing into a fashion designer, Monsieur Dior found a bounty of inspiration in the gardens, allowing the dazzling silhouette of a femme-fleur to blossom from the very first collection, leaving her bewitching sillage in her wake.

On the ground floor, majestic tropical trees reach up to the windows of Le Restaurant Monsieur Dior, while perennial flowers bloom in abundance. One floor above, beneath a glass roof, there is a winter garden, where exotic plants seem to transcend borders. As for the terrace, it is adorned with a striking steel sculpture by John Chamberlain. On the third level, a veritable garden in the heart of the capital boasts apple trees and roses, Christian Dior’s favorite flowers, adding irresistible touches of elation.

The different spaces of 30 Montaigne:
– Monsieur Dior restaurant at 30 Avenue Montaigne
– La Galerie at 11 Rue Francois 1er
– Children’s fashion at 26 Avenue Montaigne

The boutique offers valet parking service. Come into the beautiful world of Christian Dior.

Louis Vuitton Reveals New Ginza Namiki Tokyo Flagship Store

French Maison Louis Vuitton announces the reopening of a newly designed store spanning seven floors in Tokyo’s Ginza district. Clients can shop the full men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and leather collections, jewelry, watches, Objets Nomades and City Guides as well as enjoy the new Le Café V by celebrated chef Yosuke Suga.

Louis Vuitton’s first in-house chocolates will also be making their debut at the store at the end of April

Since 1981, Louis Vuitton has occupied the same corner in Ginza. Aoki and Marina have transformed the location into a highly modern appearance that interprets the reflections of water as a material phenomenon. Those passing by are reminded of the smooth, undulating surface of water through the shimmering angles of the glass building.

• 

• 

Presenting an ambitious transformation of an existing location, the new store is reimagined as an aesthetic dialogue between virtuoso architects, Jun Aoki and Peter Marino, inspiring wonder both outside and within. Jun Aoki’s highly modern exterior interprets the reflections of water as a material phenomenon.

• 

• 

The façade’s outer panes curve and ripple, creating a three-dimensional effect that is enhanced by a dichroic film that produces endless color variations. Inside, Peter Marino’s design emphasizes the building’s organic aesthetic with a central staircase of sculptured oak bordered by glass. Shifting through different expressive tonalities, color acts an uplifting and inspiring theme that takes many forms.

• 

• 

From the acidic hues of Pierre Paulin and Stefan Leo furniture to a four-story feature wall showcasing a reinterpretation of Kimiko Fujimura’s painting, Wave Blue Line, color infuses the store with vibrancy. The store will present the full women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and leather collections, accessories, jewelry, watches, fragrances, iconic travel sets, Objets Nomades and Louis Vuitton City Guides.

• 

• 

In addition, the store will showcase exclusive pieces, including the Men’s LV Ollie sneaker embellished with pearls and the Boîte Pharmacie Monogram trunk designed in collaboration with kabuki actor, Ebizo. The store experience culminates on the top level in Le Café V, where celebrated chef Yosuke Suga collaborates for the second time with the Maison. Additionally, Louis Vuitton’s first in-house chocolates will also be making their debut at the store at the end of April.

Louis Vuitton Ginza Namikidori Store
7-6-1 Ginza, Chou-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Opening Hours
Monday-Sunday 11 am – 8 pm

Come into the beautiful world of Louis Vuitton.

French Maison Chanel Purchases Bond Street Store for £310 Million

The same week that Chanel unveiled its new Spring/Summer 2021 collection at the Grand Palais in Paris, the French Maison has announced that it purchased its Bond Street store for £310 million, in a show of confidence to retail in London.

Chanel’s little black dresses, softly tailored tweed jackets and two-tone shoes have been a fixture at 159 Bond Street since 2013. In a boom for British retail, the Parisian fashion house has agreed to pay £310 million to buy the boutique outright, which is £70 million more than the original £240 million asking price. 

Chanel reportedly fought off competition for the prime location from the Abu Dhabi royal family, as well as private investors in Hong Kong, Europe and America. Spanning 12,600 sq ft, the flagship boutique is one of the largest Chanel shops in the world and houses the French Maison’s complete offering of ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, fine jewellery and beauty, with sumptuous VIP changing rooms and an art-filled lounge.

The Chanel Boutique at Bond Street is one of Chanel’s largest spaces worldwide, the store covers three floors and sells fashion, beauty and accessories. 

Designed by Peter Marino, the boutique’s showpiece is a supersized, sculptural string of pearls that hangs down the middle of the stairwell, made from hand-blown Murano glass by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel.

The French Maison has further outposts on Sloane Street in Knightsbridge and Walton Street in Brompton Cross, as well as a jewellery boutique on New Bond Street. 

The acquisition highlights Chanel’s commitment to British retail despite the high street reporting a fall in sales and shoppers following lockdown measures. While the premium brand accessed the Bank of England’s emergency coronavirus lending scheme at the start of the pandemic, borrowing some £600 million, the company has said this has since been paid back in full. 

While it is an undeniably difficult time for British retail, the luxury sector has continued to perform well: there have been consistent queues outside Bond Street’s most popular boutiques since they reopened in July, as well as steady footfall in Knightsbridge and Chelsea. During September, The Deck opened as the first all-female tailor on Savile Row, and Thom Sweeney unveiled a multistorey townhouse on Old Burlington Street. Off-White also recently debuted its first standalone London store on Sloane Street.

Chanel is currently controlled by Alain Wertheimer, 72, and his brother Gérard Wertheimer, 69. In 2018, the French fashion house elected London as the base for its global headquarters, transferring staff from New York and its native Paris. In 2019, Chanel increased profits by 16.6 per cent, totalling $3.5 billion, and announced in June that it still expects to turn a profit in 2020. 

Chanel devotees can rest assured that the Parisian mega-brand isn’t budging from Bond Street. Come into the beautiful world of Chanel.

Discover the New Dior Fine Jewellery and Timepieces Boutique

After starting its journey at 30 Avenue Montaigne nearly 70 years ago, Dior’s spirit is spreading around the world. And just across the street, a new Dior world came alive; it’s one where jewelry and timepieces come together in great harmony. 

Opening of the new Dior Fine Jewellery and Timepieces Boutique situated opposite the House’s emblematic address in Paris.

The modern and elegant décor of the new Dior Fine Jewelry and Timepieces boutique was conceived by the famed and talented architect Peter Marino. Embracing Victoire de Castellane’s jewelry designs and the house’s timepieces in all their sophistication, this boutique has all it takes to dive into the world of luxury, including a special VIP salon. Contemporary furniture designed by artists such as Vincenzo de Cotiis joins artworks by the likes of Dana Buckley and Damian Hirst and reflects the natural light, while an intimate atmosphere takes over the place through a mix of grey and pink tones.

The best part? Special editions of jewelry pieces and watches were created to mark the boutique’s opening. Along with the Dior VIII Grand Bal Coquette and La D de Dior timepieces, the house has revisited some jewelry pieces from the Archi Dior collection in the spirit of Avenue Montaigne.

Dior VIII Grand Bal Coquette Montaigne Special Edition CD153B72A001

VIII, for 8th October 1946, the date of the creation of the Christian Dior couture house; like the name of his first collection, baptised “En Huit”; like the 8th arrondissement in Paris, cradle of the House on the avenue Montaigne; VIII like Dior VIII, the latest Dior Horlogerie collection, with this Dior VIII Grand Bal Coquette Montaigne Special Edition.

Case:  Material: Rose gold, diameter: 36 mm, back: Sapphire, water resistance: 50 m, Bezel set with 0.96 carat diamond.

Movement: Type: Self-winding mechanical with power reserve: 38 hours, Dior Inversé 8 1/4 calibre. Dial is made of Malachite.

 

La D de Dior Montaigne Special Edition CD047150A011

Case: Material: Yellow 18k gold, diameter 25 mm, back made of 18k solid gold, its water resistance to 30 m.

Movement: Quartz. The dial is made of Chrysoprase,set with 4 diamonds hour markers.

Not only beautiful timepieces, but also the world famous precious Jewels….

Archi Dior collection, Bar en Corolle ring

Archi Dior collection, Milieu du Siècle ring

Archi Dior collection, Milieu du Siècle earrings

 

 

DIOR ON NEW BOND STREET

The new Christian Dior Boutique has opened on New Bond Street, wich for the first time houses all of the brand’s offerings under one roof. Menswear, childrenswear and ready-to-wear, as wel as watches, accessories and cosmetics, are availble in the one top-stop Dior shop over four floors.

Internationally renowned, from his New York-based architectural practice Peter Marino has redefined modern luxury with his work all over the world. The recipient of a multitude of awards and distinctions, he was also honored as a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture.

The store opened last week in a Dior London takeover, which saw the brand hold their cruise show in Blenheim Palace, just outside London. Dior has again partnered with luxury interior architect Peter Marino who has designed most of the stores on Bondstreet, from Chanel to Louis Vuitton. The store features a soft pallet of grey tones, highlighted by shades of pink from the Baby Dior bee wallpaper.

On the lower level, a Dior Homme space will provide a demi-mesure service for the first time in the country. The House of Dior will also offer three private salons for VIP clients, as well as a perfume area in which exclusive creations and the Collection Privée Christian Dior will be presented. The new House of Dior boutique in London will also unveil an exclusive Dior HOME collection.

Specially commissioned artwork is featured in the store, including sculptures by Tony Cragg and Rado Kirov and a collaboration with artist Mark Quinn, wich combines his work with the Dior bag.

The four floors, which include Dior Homme in the basement, the shoo gallery and three VIP rooms, are brought together by a statement staircase wich is given further prominence by turquoise light installations. Plush sofas are also in abundance, inviting the custumer to stay and relax in this Mayfair townhouse.

London

160 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1S, UK

Dior Boutique

 

 

The new home collection by Dior

 

After working for fashion designer Robert Piguet and couturier Lucien Lelong, respectively, Dior founded his own fashion house in Paris in 1947. His first boutique, which was located at 30 Avenue Montaigne, had a section dedicated to the home. In honor of this genre, The House of Dior is the only store to carry the swank Dior Maison collection and its limited-edition wares.

The the luxurious atmosphere of haute couture, hidden inside the Dior boutique in London is the perfect scene for exclusive Dior Home collection. The Dior boutique on New Bond Street is the dream of any fashion-forward shopaholic; here specially commissioned art, including sculptures by Tony Cragg and Rado Kirov create the lavish ambiance together with a collection of handbags featuring works of artist Mark Quinn while three private VIP shopping areas, a demi-measure floor for Dior Homme, a dedicated shoe gallery offer the very best collections for an elegant, modern and urban look. On top of that all, there is  a space devoted to the Dior Home collection, a highly personal and direct way of sharing Christian Dior’s taste in art de vivre.

The Dior Home collection demonstrates the same level of refinement with which Christian Dior decorated his residences in Paris, Milly-la-Forêt, and La Colle Noire in Provence. The exclusive collection features a selection of teas inspired by the House’s iconic fragrances, a collection of crystal glassware embellished with a gold couture stitch, and hand-embroidered home linens.

Artists and designers will regularly create limited-edition pieces. Specifically for the first Dior Home collection, the French fashion house has collaborated with the architect Peter Marino, who designed the Home space in the new Dior boutique to resemble a conservatory, with greenery along the white trellis and a diamond-shaped skylight that runs the entire length of the entrance, scenographer and designer Hubert Le Gall, the glass master Jeremy Maxwell, and home linens specialist Véronique Taittinger.

Currently on sale at the label’s London House of Dior Boutique, the latest Dior Home collection will fit right in at any fashionista’s stylish home. See for yourself…

Christian Dior, Gilberto Arrivabene paperweight

 

Christian Dior, India Mahdavi plates

 

Christian Dior, Peter Marino Bronze boxes

 

Christian Dior, Hubert Le Gall porcelaine set

Photo: Courtesy of Christian Dior

 

Come into the beautiful world of Christian Dior.

 

 

 

 

Hublot New York’s Fifth Avenue

Luxury watch brand Hublot has opened a new store on New York’s Fifth Avenue. The 1,500 sq ft boutique is the second standalone for the brand in the city; it already has a smaller shop on Madison Avenue. The new branch was designed by the ubiquitous luxury architect Peter Marino and is aimed at the New York tourist market with brand education very much featuring as part of the brief.

The narrow store front is cast in black powder-coated aluminium panels inset with LED lights, and is said to be inspired by one of the brand’s watch bands. The dark palette continues into the store where lava stone walls are set against wood floors and leather furniture with glass display cases around the perimeter and in the mid-shop.

The new look store is a more premium concept for the business and is likely to be rolled out to its other new outlets and refurbishments. The recent ‘hard’ opening of the store was attended by sporting legends athlete Usain Bolt and Brazilian footballer Pele.

Hublot

743 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA

More info at: Hublot