Design Paris
22 - 31 May 2013
About the Tour
Led by architecture and design writer Stephen Crafti and art historian Kenneth W. Park, this design tour is a must for those wanting to explore the finest in design that Paris has to offer. From the best of 20th century architecture, to fashion and the decorative arts, this tour offers an opportunity to meet with some leading designers and accesses some of the most coveted buildings, galleries and studios, nestled in and around the heart of Paris. It features visits to the recently re-opened Fondation Le Corbusier and to his Villa Savoye, an iconic villa designed in 1928 that influenced the direction of both domestic and commercial architecture around the world. Other architectural highlights include a tour of the ultra-modern business precinct, La Défense, with special access to interiors of some buildings, the Fondation Cartier by architect Jean Nouvel, the 'living wall', a vertical garden designed by Patrick Blanc at the Musée du Quai Branly, and the Australian Embassy to France, designed in the early 1970s by Australian architect, the late Harry Seidler. Jakob + Macfarlane's 'Docks en Seine', a sinuous design that has become a Mecca for architectural buffs, is also featured on this tour.
Design Paris is also about fashion. We have the rare privilege to meet Damir Doma, the doyen of edgy fashion, and designer Martin Grant, originally from Melbourne, will open his studio to us on this tour. We also visit the luxurious salons of the Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent and have a privileged look into the world of one of the greatest fashion designers of the 20th Century. And no tour to Paris would be complete without visiting some of the city's most enviable boutiques, from L'Eclaireur to the very fashionable Colette concept store. As well as discovering Paris's finest architecture and fashion, the tour also includes a visit to the studio of leading furniture and lighting designer Arik Levy, and to the unique gallery of Béatrice Saint-Laurent, who will introduce us to the latest in lighting and object designs.
And for a gastronomic experience only the French can provide, we enjoy special lunches at the Cristal Room Baccarat and the Kong Restaurant, as well as afternoon teas at Hotel Le Meurice's Dali Restaurant and at the new Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris, all designed by Philippe Starck, one of France's most famous and prolific designers. As well, we visit the Galerie-Musée Baccarat and the Musée Nissim de Camondo, one of Paris' most sumptuous private homes from the early 20th century.
We strongly recommend that, after reading this itinerary, you explore the many websites it cites. These will provide you with a powerful overview of the incredibly rich visual experience our Paris Design tour itinerary promises.
* Please note: the designers included in this itinerary (Damir Doma, Martin Grant, Arik Levy) have busy practices and many commitments and their participation in our 2013 program will be confirmed closer to the date.
