Design Paris
20 - 29 May 2012
About the Tour
This inaugural design tour, led by architecture and design writer Stephen Crafti and art historian Kenneth W. Park, 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. In contrast to Le Corbusier's restrained designs is fashion designer Christian Lacroix's sumptuous hotel interior at l'Hôtel du Petit Moulin, in what was once the city's oldest bakery. 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.
Design Paris is also about fashion. We have the rare privilege to meet designer Maurizio Galante, one of the world's leading couturiers, and enter his world at his private studio. Trained as an architect, Galante is revered for his highly elaborate 'architectural creations for the body'. Fashion designer Martin Grant, originally from Melbourne, will also open his studio to us on this tour. And no tour to Paris would be complete without visiting some of the city's most enviable boutiques, from L'Eclaireur in the Marais to Didier Ludot's iconic shop 'Little Black Dress' in Palais Royal. 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, an afternoon tea at Hotel Le Meurice's Dali Restaurant and lunch at the Cristal Room Baccarat, both designed by Philippe Starck, as well as visits to the Galerie-Musée Baccarat and the Musée Nissim de Camondo, one of Paris' most sumptuous private homes from the early 20th century.
Visits include Montmartre • Pompidou Centre – Musée d'Art Moderne • Beaubourg District • Private studio of Maurizio Galante • Marais district and design boutiques (L'Eclaireur, A-POC Issey Miyake) • Merci homewares • Dinner at the Kong Bar designed by Philippe Starck • Australian Embassy by Harry Seidler • Quai Branly 'Living Wall' by Patrick Blanc • Les Ombres Restaurant by Jean Nouvel • Musée d'Orsay • Fondation Le Corbusier: Villa La Roche and Immeuble Molitor • Architecture tour of La Défense • Azzedine Alaïa flagship store and circular shoe shop designed by Marc Newson • Private studio of designer Martin Grant • Galerie BSL • 'Les Enfants Rouges' covered market • Hôtel du Petit Moulin, interior by Christian Lacroix • Private studio of designer Arik Levy • Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain • Palais Royal • Galerie Vivienne • Les Arts Décoratifs and Mode & Textile Museum • Colette – concept store • A Contemporary Afternoon Tea - Dali Restaurant at Hôtel Le Meurice • Musée Nissim de Camondo • Palais de Tokyo and 'Tokyo Eat' restaurant • Flea Market of St-Ouen • Musée Pierre Cardin • Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier • Galerie-Musée Baccarat • Farewell lunch at 'Cristal Room Baccarat' designed by Philippe Starck.
