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subscribe to style file blog via RSSBlasblog: Pierre Hardy, Cubed
March 6, 2010 4:55 pm
To the naked eye, it would seem like a strange place to have a shoe store: a seemingly residential neighborhood with what looks like government building on a square. But as Giovanna Battaglia explained to me at Pierre Hardy’s shop on the Place de la Palais Bourbon, looks can be deceiving. On the opposite side of the square is Condé Nast’s French headquarters (”and believe me, shoes are an important thing in there,” Battaglia explained), just up the road was “the best flower shop in all of Paris,” and just a few doors, a cafe called Le Bourbon, one of the city’s premiere lunch spots. I’ll never doubt Pierre again.
The reason for this particular gathering was Hardy’s collection of Cube Perspective canvas bags and shoes, which were on view throughout the store. Citing old palazzos in Venice and more modern examples in contemporary art, Hardy said that cubic motifs have been a common design element for centuries. “A designer, by nature, likes geometric shapes and sculptures,” Hardy explained, which in turn explained the unique shape of his retail space: an L-shaped store in the corner of the square. I had to know-what was the significance of the letter L? “I never thought about it, but sure. It’s an L! For love. The love of shoes!” Attendees like L’Wren Scott (pictured with Hardy) and Anna Dello Russo likely would’ve agreed.
tags: Anna dello Russo, Giovanna Battaglia, L'Wren Scott, Pierre Hardy
