Paris correspondents, Marc Beaugé and Gino Delmas, check out the official opening of Cite de la Mode, Capsule Paris’ new home
Since its official opening in 2009, la Cité de la Mode et du Design, that big green structure located on the left bank of the Seine, was waiting to truly come to life. It finally has. The space, which will serve as Capsule Paris’ new home, was imagined by Parisian architects Jakob + MacFarlane. It opened to the public on Friday, April 13 with an array of exhibitions, shops, cafes and nightclubs that will definitely put the venue front and center on Paris’ fashion map.
From now through October, the Fashion museum of Paris Galliera in Cité de la Mode is presenting two must-see exhibitions. The first one focuses on the designer Cristobal Balenciaga’s personal clothing collections, showing the connections between historic pieces from 18th and 19th centuries and some of his most famous creations. The next room spotlights the S/S 12 Comme des Garçons show pieces. It’s a rare privilege to take the time to study such an outstanding collection, which you usually see for no more than 30 seconds on your computer screen.
S/S ’12 Comme des Garcons show pieces at the Fashion Museum of Paris Galliera
For those who love to shop, three very different types of Parisian boutiques are opening in the space. The Parisian lads from “Bleu de Paname” open their first store in their home city. In addition to their Made-in-France canvas and denim pieces, they propose a sharp and affordable selection of refreshed vintage workwear. The young, high-end ready-to-wear brand Yiqing Yin is moving in as well, with a design studio and a showroom. The Pigalle crew launches a second shop, named PGL, with a new iteration of their high-end street fashion (Nike, Rick Owens, M. Arora) in a so-called “concept-store-museum.”
New spots are dedicated to design, too. One of the main French design distributers, Silvera, opens his 9th shop—devoted to outdoor universe and driven by Timur Yoro. Paul Silvera (director of Silvera) and Laurent Denize D’Estrées (CEO of LHLC Presse) developed a special project based on two spaces, M1 and M3. Between the gallery and the shop, they imagined spaces enabling to French and international design avant-garde to have a true visibility and sales opportunities.
Chef Angèle Ferreux and Charaf serve delicious confections at Café Praliné in la Cité de la Mode
If you want spend the afternoon or the night on the green balcony, it will soon be possible with the coming launch of Le Baron nightclub and the Moon Roof bistro-restaurant on the roof of the building. And if you need a tea-time break or a snack, you can go to the Café Praliné, run by our friend Charaf from the trendy club le Pompon and the young chef Angèle Ferreux.
Last but not least, the Cite de la Mode will finally host the next Parisian edition of Capsule from June 29 -July 1. We’re sure to be in good company with those neighbors paving the way.
