What does a convent and Deco Off have in common? Well, my friends, they both reside in Paris, which happens to be my favorite city in the world.
Okay, a little back story. When I was in college I spent a summer in Paris. And you guessed it – I lived in a convent with nuns. I studied French at the Sorbonne. I have a minor in French and I can’t speak it worth a darn. What a great investment my parents made in me! Ha!
I often dream of spending a month or two in Paris and I want to attend Deco Off. So what is Deco Off you ask?
Deco Off is one of the world’s largest design events which showcases the newest collections from luxury brands such as Jim Thompson fabrics, Hermes, Pierre Frey and Nobilis, among hundreds of others. Each year the world’s leading designers and artists gather on the left bank to relish in the patterns, color, and over-the-top window displays.
Here are some of the highlights from our friends who attended Deco Off
Beth Dempsey’s Ancien & Moderne pop-up, Rue Guénégaud
Upon entering the showroom, guests were greeted with a 70’s bohemian chic glam. The walls were covered in a lush Fromental wallcovering and every single element in the room seemed to tell a story from the past. Marketing strategist Beth Dempsey, along with luxury blogger Stacey Bewkes of Quintessence, conceptualized the Pop-Up, and made sure to bring the best (international) team under one roof.
Photos courtesy of Stacey Bewkes
Pierre Frey Collection presentation by Patrick Frey, Automobile Club of France
This illustrious presentation was held at the Automobile Club of France – the first car club in the world founded in 1895 to bring together car makers and patrons driven by a sense of adventure and a vision of the future.
Their newest collection Maoming evoked the know-how and talent of Miao women, a Chinese community living in the Guizhou province of China.
Marrying masterful craftsmanship with signature Pierre Frey technique, the collection served as an interpretation of beautiful beading, ikats, batiks, pleated, embroidery with geometric patterns available in a shimmering, bright and colorful range coordinated well with wallpapers and wallcoverings Guizhou.
Dedar Collection with Caterina and Raffaele Fabrizio, 23 Rue Visconti
The Dedar collection explored the relationship between visual expression and textile art. Giving off that soft-hand technique, irregular yarns in bright saturated colors combined with gold and silver inserts, offers the similar juxtaposition between new and old. Everything old is new, and we’re craving the past more than ever; whether it be with details that come across as “unfinished” or “hand-made” it’s a time to thrive in the primitive; a certain reverence to artisanal chic.
Nobilis Presentation, 38 Rue Bonaparte
A moment down the runway. Evoking an understated elegance, Nobilis gives us a collection where fantasy meets fashion. Currently, the runways of fashion week are flooded with over-scaled prints and nods to the animal world – Nobilis’ collection follows closely behind with large flamboyant motifs of birds and nocturnal jungles mingle with contemporary and rhythmic geometries. This year, it’s safe to say that “safe” is out and bold is in. Make a statement.
Champagne Breakfast with The Antiques Diva at Paul Bert Serpette, Booth 81 alley 6, Marche Paul Pert, Paris Flea market St. Ouen
The finale. Toma Clarke Haines, the Antiques Diva, is known for her world renowned antiques sourcing business. Also on her list of accomplishments is one of the most influential brunches of the week! Hosted at the historic Marche Aux Puces, this year, the Diva was joined by Brittany of Luxe & Interiors Magazine, designer Thomas Hamel, and the design director of Beacon Hill, Alexis Audette for insight on the benefits of global inspiration – and what a conversation it was!
Photos courtesy of Jose Manuel Alorda
From a designer’s perspective (both in product and design), to an editor’s eye, and an entrepreneur vision there was a common thread tying it all together: passion for design.
(from left-right) panelists Alexis Audette, Thomas Hamel,Toma Clark Haines, and Brittany Chevalier
Don’t you agree that Paris Deco Off sounds absolutely magical?
I will be an empty nester next year and Paris Deco is high on my list of things to do.
Au revoir, my friends!