mademoiselle THE FIRST ISSUE - DREAMING OF PARIS
Spencer Malinski cat heri n e bat res heeju ng ki m t alei t ha os ley c arol i ne low e SPR ING 20 16 -FASM215
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Table of Contents
la lettre de l’éditeur..............14 contributeurs..............17 repas avec une vue.............24 vol du phoenix.............27 rêvant de voyage.............30 printemps visages.............42 je suis allé une fois à cannes.............44 à prendre la fuite............40 sacs à main et gâteau.............56 feuilles de palmier apéritif.............66
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la lettre de l’éditeur
Welcome to the new Mademoiselle! Returning to print after a tenyear hiatus, we are excited to share our new vision of tout français, connecting the dots between Paris and the rest of the world. Every month we will feature a new bright, young mademoiselle making her markon the fashion world. In this month’s inaugural issue, we are highlighting a mademoiselle who is an up-and-comer in the fashion industry. Spencer Malinski is a fibers and accessory design graduate with an eye for creating a unique handbags and scarves. We sat down with the young designer to get the exclusive scoop about her recent collection featuring hand-painted faces. There is no doubt that this damme has something special to offer the fashion industry. February’s issue also includes a design buff ’s picks of Paris’s most beautiful restaurants as well as a handy fashionista travel guide to this year’s fashion week schedule. From fashion and cuisine to lifestyle and beauty, our magazine is dedicated to catering to readers dreaming of Paris. We hope you enjoy the new launch of Mademoiselle!
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Catherine Batres
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contributeurs
Editor-in-Chief Catherine Batres Creative Director Heejung Kim Copy Editor Caroline Lowe Contributing Editor Taleitha Osley Photography Heejung Kim
Special thanks to Spencer Malinski & Sloane Mayberr y, our mademoiselles, who made this issue possible.
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W W W. K A R E N WA L K E R . C O M
repas avec une vue
words by c aroline lowe
From tiny hole-in-the-wall cafés to bustling brasseries, la Ville Lumière is a true gourmand’s mecca. Some restaurants, however, have more to offer than just a delicious meal. Feast your eyes on these design gems.
L’Opéra
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135 years after the Paris Opéra Garnier first opened in 1875, Charles Garnier’s dream of an in-house restaurant was achieved with the launch of L’Opéra in 2011. The restaurant sits like a jewel inside the Opéra Garnier building, without touching the historically significant structure. Designed by architect Odile Decq, the two-story dining and lounge space appears to float languidly amid the storied pillars of the original building. Sinuous white curves contrast with the lush red carpet, an allusion, says Decq, to the shape-shifting phantom. On the second level mezzanine, which hovers above the main dining room, patrons sit tantalizingly close to the architecturally stunning 1875 cupola, which adorned the Opéra’s carriage entrance, the space’s original purpose.
Ciel de Paris High above the streets of Paris on the 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse, sits Ciel de Paris, a neutral-hued haven with sweeping views of the city. Designed by Noé Duchafour-Lawrence, the subdued palate of muted grays and browns, accented with shiny brass and copper, reflects the changing light of the Paris skyline. Lushly palpable textures are layered like downy cashmere, giving the space a luxurious warmth. A brass-accented bubble ceiling mimics the views just outside the enormous windows. An elevated bar in sleek yarrow serves Parisian versions of classic cocktails to complement the modern comfort food of Ciel de Paris’s Chef Christophe Marchais.
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rep as ave c une vue
KONG Like a fashionable UFO made of glass and softly pulsating light nestled amidst Paris rooftops, KONG sits atop the main offices of design house Kenzo. Its domed glass ceiling allows for spectacular views of the city, including the LVMH headquarters across the street. Designed by Phillipe Starck, the décor cheekily combines slick Parisian fashion with Japanese manga kitsch. A glowing fluorescent staircase, pebbletextured carpeting, and Starck’s signature Louis Ghost chairs adorned with pastel anime faces all contribute to the “stylish spaceship” vibe. A menu by Fumiko Kono spans Asian and European cuisine, including everything from a sea bass tartar to gyoza and udon. A wellappointed bar and in-house DJs make the latenight weekend scene too good to miss.
La Villa A bubbling atmosphere and neighborhood feel make this eighth arrondissement restaurant a favorite with locals. The restaurant-cum-piano bar serves modern updates on classic Parisian fare and an astounding champagne selection. A heated winter terrace offers views of the nearby Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. Inside, a French take on Old Hollywood glamour in crisp white and pale pink set off by accents of slick black evokes Coco Chanel. Curvaceous leather banquettes invite guests to mingle between tables. Potted palms and bamboo textures add a touch of chinoiserie, making for a glamorous yet comfortable setting.
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vol du phoenix words and inter v ie w by c aroline lowe
“We were pretty bad when we began,” Brancowitz admits. But rather than quit, the quartet set high goals and set out steadily towards them. “We are French. We are romantic by essence,” Mars adds. “So we are not after this rock myth, that it’s about the youth. What we want to achieve is something more complex.” Released from the self-imposed pressure of early success, the band had space for ideas to germinate and to form a worldview that could be translated through their music. “Our scales are always through the prism of European music,” says Brancowitz. “It’s like Debussy reinventing exoticism.” While the band’s approach to music may be French, Phoenix has always faced more towards the American audience than a French one. Like fellow French musicians and old friends Daft Punk, Mars sings Phoenix lyrics exclusively in English. While Phoenix has always been much more open about their Gallic origins than Daft Punk, the English-only policy has lead to some animosity from home audiences, leaving Phoenix to occupy a sort of no-man’s land between French and American culture. “We are outsiders for sure, but now we are bizarre ambassadors for some kind of French experience,” Brancowitz explains. “I think what we are doing is very French,” adds Mars. Very French indeed.
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Paris-based Phoenix is the rock’n’roll equivalent of a pair of designer jeans- their elegantly formalist construction and high quality materials might not be as gritty and tough as Joey Ramone’s torn Levi’s, but it’s hard to deny that the result is stunning. Phoenix’s methodical approach results in a sort of reverseengineered rock’n’roll; their music captures the same energy of your typical angst-driven American or British rock, but gets there politely, and ends up on a higher cultural shelf than that of their contemporaries. The resulting sound- stylish and dreamy, with buoyantly youthful synth-pop melodies- is exactly the type of music sought by a new generation of American rock fans weary of the clichés associated with the genre’s past decades. Thomas Mars, Laurent Brancowitz, Deck D’Arcy, and Christian Mazzalai formed Phoenix in 1999 in Versailles, just outside Paris. And like one of the region’s fine Sancerres, Phoenix keeps getting better with age. The band’s road to success has been a slow, yet steady, upward trajectory. From the band’s 1999 formation just outside of Paris to their US breakout with 2006’s It’s Never Been Like That, to performing with R. Kelly at Coachella in 2013. Now on the South American leg of the world tour behind 2013’s Bankrupt!, vocalist Mars and guitarist Brancowitz reflect on Phoenix’s rise.
rêvant de voyage
words by c aroline lowe
Amid the whirlwind of parties, presentations, and people watching, a fashionable mademoiselle barely has time to catch her breath, let alone peruse a travel guide for the best coffee bar in New York or shopping must-dos in Milan. Ne vous inquiétez pas, mes chéries! Mademoiselle has everything you need to plan your fashion month, from New York to Paris. All you have left to do is plan your outfits!
New York 11-18 février
Where to stay: the Ace Hotel has the best
the Ace Hotel.
lobby bar scene in town. Or try the Standard, which sits atop the High Line and offers sweeping views of the Meatpacking District and the Hudson River, not to mention the hotspot Boom Boom Room on its top floor. With the Diane von Furstenburg flagship next door and Meatpacking trailblazer boutique Jeffrey across the street, you’re in a fashion hotspot. Looking for something
the Standard Hotel.
a little more old-world? Book a suite at the NoMad and enjoy the stunning guests-only Library, a dining and lounge space adorned with a wrought iron staircase and towering
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bookshelves.
the Library at the NoMad Hotel.
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Where to eat: The Smile offers an allday menu of of farm-to-table comfort food in a cozy setting that’s perfect for lunch. For a quick and stylish caffeine boost, try Ralph’s Coffee, a vintagechic cafe on the ground floor of the midtown headquarters of Ralph Lauren
The Smile.
Ralph’’s Coffee.
Aldo Sohm.
Indochine.
NAVY.
Acme.
Apotheke.
Le Bernadin.
(yes, it’s that Ralph.) Grab drinks later on at Aldo Sohm wine bar, which boasts a world-class wine list in a plush, 70’s-chic setting. For dinner, head to glossy Indochine, whose famed banana leaf wallpaper and on-point Asianfusion dishes make it a favorite of the fashion elite. Or try the mussel toast at NAVY, a tiny SoHo gem with a nautical theme and an A.P.C.-clad waitstaff. The foraged-style cuisine at Danish chef Mads Reflund’s Acme is a perennial favorite of the fashion flock. Keep your eyes peeled for Vogue editors while you savor your beet salad and carrot granita. After dinner, head to Prohibition-esque Apotheke for truly exotic cocktails in a vintage pharmacy setting. If you want to pull out all the stops, snag a reservation at thrice Michelin-starred Le Bernadin, and revel in Éric Ripert’s genius with the chef’s tasting menu.
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What to do: Overload on tasty rum concoctions and Cali-kitsch decor last night at The Happiest Hour in Greenwich Village? A facial by Joanna Vargas at Great Jones Spa and an afternoon of leisurely
The Happiest Hour.
Great Jones Spa.
John Derian.
Casa Magazines.
Fivestory.
LJ Cross.
Neue Galerie.
Jinsoon Choi’s Spa and Nail Salon.
shopping in the East Village will pick you right up. Stop by John Derian’s boutique for upscale flea market finds and Derian’s signature glassware. Then check out magazine lover’s mecca, Casa Magazines to find that back issue of Mademoiselle you’ve been stalking. Switch up your downtown routine with a trip to the Upper East Side for shopping at Fivestory, Claire Distenfeld’s miniature jewel of a department store and New York’s answer to Colette. Further up Madison Avenue, you’ll find Lauren Jackson’s sleek, white LJ Cross, a favorite of stylish local Tory Burch. Once you’re finished shopping, stop into Museum Mile’s Neue Galerie, where you can view Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer in a gorgeous gilded age mansion. Wrap up your day with a manicure by nail color phenom Jinsoon Choi, at her flagship spa on 73rd Street. And don’t miss the newly relocated Whitney Museum of American Art, which is showing rarely seen pieces by Edward Hopper from its permanent M A DE MOI SE L L E
collection. Whitney Museum of American Art.
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London
19-23 février Where to stay: The 126-year-old Savoy Hotel is a classic for a reason, having played host
the Savoy Hotel.
to seemingly every one of the city’s most important guests over the years. Absorb this landmark’s storied history via osmosis with a stay in one of the Savoy’s handsome signature suites, and use the sweeping city views to brush up on your geography. If you’re not up for a history lesson, try The EDITION, a row of converted Georgian townhouses in Fitzrovia with a laid-back lobby that feels more
The EDITION Hotel.
like a living room, with natural wood paneling and cozy velvet sofas. A more playful option is St. Martin’s Lane Hotel, artfully appointed by the king of cheeky decor, Phillipe Starck. Classic mid-century furniture, white floors, and Starck’s inventive use of lighting make this hotel feel like a stylish, futuristic hospital.
St. Martin’s Lane Hotel.
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Where to eat: Pause for lunch at London standby the River Café and enjoy modern Italian dishes with a view of the Thames. For dinner, head to swish local favorite Le Caprice, for fragrant dishes like pecan-roasted duck with haricots verts, or to Bistrotheque, for a modern take on
River Cafe.
Le Caprice.
Bistrotheque.
Veeraswamy.
French cuisine in an airy, loft-like setting. For something a little darker, try slightly rebellious Dock Kitchen, which proudly boasts an open kitchen format stocked with unusually goodlooking chefs, and a clubby, motorcycle-tinged atmosphere, courtesy of interior designer Tom Dixon. If you’re in search of true culinary rebellion, book a table at Veeraswamy, London’s oldest Indian restaurant, and home to, arguably, the best Indian cuisine outside the subcontinent. Feast on amritsari lamb chops and chicken biriani in a decadent Maharaja-esque setting while watching the traffic on Regent Street.
Dock Kitchen.
After dinner, head out to prohibition-style Nightjar, where a back alley entrance deposits you in an oldworld laboratory, complete with bubbling glass beakers and racks of steaming test tubes, full of mixologistconcocted elixirs. If chemistry isn’t really your thing, check out hipster enclave The Moral Fox, which serves fried chicken and cocktails in mason jars accompanied by dreamy synth-pop on the first floor of the Globe Nightclub in Notting Hill. Or take in a jazz set Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, a Soho favorite for serious jazz (we
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mean Ella Fitzgerald-serious) in a slinky basement atmosphere.
Nightjar.
The Moral Fox.
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Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
rêvant de voyage
What to do: Kick off your retail therapy tour of London at avant-garde department store Dover Street Market, the brainchild of Rei Kawabuko, then to impeccably decorated Brown’s for a hit of classic Chelsea style. Stop by the gorgeous Bond Street flagship of Royal stationer Smythson, whose creative director is Samantha Cameron, for customized leather
Dover Street Market.
Brown’s.
Smythson of Bond Street.
Hostem.
Floris.
Anderson & Sheppard.
Liberty London.
George Northwood Salon.
Columbia Road Flower Market.
Donlon Books.
Alfie’s Antiques.
Tea at the Wolsley Hotel.
goods trimmed in 24-carat gold. Victoria Beckham is a fan of indie-alternative boutique Hostem, which boasts several grunge chic locations throughout the city. Next, head to ninth generation family-owned perfumer Floris, where you can purchase the scent worn by Ian Fleming’s James Bond for the “007” in your life. And even if you’re not in the market for a bespoke suit, the sumptuous fabrics and expert tailoring on view at Savile Row’s Anderson & Sheppard, birthplace of Edward VIII’s “English drape.” Follow the lead of Liberty superfan Simon Doonan, for whom a visit to London is never complete without a trip to the Liberty flagship store, an impressive 1920’s Tudor revival building housing four floors of the esteemed print house’s wares. Book a visit to Poppy Delevingne’s coiffeur, George Northwood Salon for a perfectly undone look. Need to recharge? Make time to stop and smell the roses with a morning jaunt to the Columbia Road Flower Market for a dose of fresh, flower-scented air, then spend a leisurely afternoon browsing at Karl Lagerfeld favorite Donlon Books or admiring the stylish curiosities lining the walls at Alfie’s Antiques. tea at the swanky Wolsley Hotel, where Kate Moss is a regular.
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Finish up with a stylish take on a classic English
re vant de voyage
Milan
24 fÊvrier- 1 er mars Where to stay: Milan is Giorgio Armani’s town, and the Armani Hotel is a gorgeous
the Armani Hotel.
realization of his sleek Italian minimalism. Or indulge your inner child at the Boscolo Milano on the Corso Matteotti, whose space-age decor makes the Pierre Cardinesque property feel like a very luxurious fun house. For more classical Milanese grandeur, try the Grand Hotel et de Milan, a converted 17th century mansion that marries beautiful Boscolo Milano
period decor with modern amenities. For a brush with history, book the Verdi Suite, the quartet of rooms that hosted the composer while he penned Othello.
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Grand Hotel et de Milan.
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Where to eat: Milan institution Il Salumaio de Montenapoleone, a restaurant and salumeria tucked away in an ivy-lined courtyard of the
Il Salumaio de Montenapoleone
Carlo e Camilla in Segheria.
Ristorante da Giacomo.
Un Posto a Milano.
Ceresio 7’s patio.
Terrazza Martini Milano.
Punks Wear Prada
Plastic.
Bagatti Valsecchi, is a favorite of glamorous locals like Domenico and Stefano, and always a prime locale for a lazy afternoon of people watching over thick slices of fresh buffalo mozzarella. For dinner, feast on an endless variety of handcrafted pastas at ultra-rustic Carlo e Camilla in Segheria, where guests sit family-style at a single long table in a spruced-up sawmill. Head to Ristorante da Giacomo for classic trattoria dishes served in an early 20th century palazzo or bucolic hipster hideaway Un Posto a Milano for deliciously simple farm-to-table fare. Or try hotspot Ceresio 7, a restaurant-cum-lounge pool atop DSquared2’s headquarters, where the fashion crowd flocks for modern Italian fare and sweeping views of the city.
Even if you’re feeling ready to turn in after a late dinner, this is Milan, so the night is still considered young! Get your second wind with a signature martini at the chic Terrazza Martini Milano, another rooftop venue that once hosted the world premiere of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita. Then head to fashion world favorite Punks Wear Prada, or classic discotheque Plastic, which has played host to every celebrity visitor to Milan, from Grace Jones to Bruce Springsteen.
Fonderie Milanesi.
Looking for a more low-key notte fuori? Linger over some wine and tiramisu in the flickering candlelight of charming hideaway Fonderie Milanesi, for a
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relaxing take on Milanese nightlife.
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What to do: Milan is a luxury shopper’s paradise, but it can be all too easy to fall into an Italian leather tourist trap. While the Italian brands’ flagships are definitely worth a look, Milan’s excellent crop of distinctive department stores offer a much
Excelsior Milano.
Biffi.
Banner.
Nonostante Marras.
La Vetrina di Beryl.
10 Corso Cormo.
Bahama Mama Nail Bar.
QC Termemilano.
broader array of fashion treasures. Start off at Excelsior Milano, where suede Gucci satchels and Fendi fur creations perch on brass-trimmed glass shelves alongside avant-garde looks from No. 21. Next, head to Biffi, dubbed by Vogue’s Sally Singer as “the Jeffery of Milan,” for unique knitwear from lesser-known Italian labels. Down the street is Banner, which stocks a great selection of smart trousers and jackets from hard-to-find Italian brands in an ultra-chic setting. Further off the beaten path is Nonostante Marras, which offers men’s and women’s clothing in a vintage gypsy style. For shoes, try local favorite La Vetrina di Beryl for quality artisanship and gorgeous design. And of course, no shopping outing in Milan is complete without a trip to 10 Corso Como, a onestop-shop for everything from music and books to art and accessories. Stop at the
In need of a little pampering? Bahama Mama Nail Bar
cafe on the ground floor for a classic No. 1
delivers brightly colored manicures in a kitschy-cool setting
cocktail and take in the scene.
that doubles as a vintage boutique. For a little more, try QC Termemilano, an aquatherapié spa made up of indoor and outdoor pools and saunas set in a 19th century warehouse
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complex just outside downtown Milan. Spend an afternoon lounging in the tranquil water and you will be refreshed and ready for another glamorous day. 38
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PArIS
2-9 mars Where to stay: With its layers of bright red awnings, Parisian jewel La Plaza Athénée is
La Plaza Athénée.
instantly recognized as a symbol of artfully appointed luxury. Don’t skip the organic curves of the newly refurbished in-house restaurant from Alain Ducasse, where the food is as beautifully crafted as the decór. For a more casual, but no less chic lodging option, try intimate boutique Hôtel Thomieux, whose cheery decór is a bright, modern take on art deco. Or, embrace your
Hôtel Thomieux.
inner Performance-era Anita Pallenberg with a stay at Hôtel Costes, where an air of exclusivity and the ambience of dim lighting and plush velvet upholstery in shades of magenta and burgundy will make you feel like you just returned from a bender in Morocco with your boyfriend’s rock band.
Hôtel Costes.
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Where to eat: For a quick bite, stop into Frenchie to Go on Rue du Nil for Gregory Marchand’s chic take on fast food. If you have a bit more time, take a moment to enjoy Phillipe Starck’s cheeky interpretation of cafeteria-style dining at
Frenchie to Go.
Ma Cocotte.
Le Perchoir.
Clover.
Garance.
Restaurant David Toutain.
Ma Cocotte, tucked inside the Paris Flea Market. Starck’s hodgepodge of design styles and sweet hidden messages mirror the market itself. For dinner, the fashion crowd is sure to gather at Le Perchoir, whose open rooms and huge rooftop deck leave plenty of space for mingling and taking in the panoramic city views. Or, try two-star chef Jean-François Piège’s artistic experiment, Clover, where patrons gather around on long banquette table to enjoy healthy, delicious food in an intimate setting. If you want a tad more personal space while dining, the airy twostory townhouse occupied by Garance, a minimalist, modern bistro with a standout wine list, will be a welcome change of scenery. For an especially avant-garde dinner experience, try Restaurant David Toutain, which serves Toutain’s specialities of scientifically-prepared vegetables in sleekly presented dishes. After your meal, head to club du jour Silencio, where models,
Silencio.
celebrities, musicians, and street-style stars can be found posing against the hotspot’s textured gold walls. Kanye West often makes an appearance as a guest DJ. Or, if you’re looking for a slightly less mainstream scene, check out the “secret” club underneath daytime restaurant and bar La Fidélité, which serves
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craft cocktails amid dreamy synth-pop sounds.
La Fidélité.
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What to do: Start your day with a trip to Paris icon Le Bon Marché, the world’s first modern department store, whose decór boasts intricate ironwork designed by Gustav Eiffel (yes, we mean that Eiffel.) Next, head to cult concept
Le Bon Marché.
Colette.
Water Bar in Colette.
L’Eclaireur on Rue de Sevigne
Maison Kitsuné.
Aurelie Bidermann boutique.
Lydia Courteille boutique.
Buly 1803.
boutique Colette, which carries the most chic of every category, from clothing to home accessories. Don’t miss the inhouse restaurant Water Bar, which, in addition to a perfect light lunch, also carries over 100 different brands of bottled water. Nearby, Arne Quinze’s L’Eclaireur on Rue de Sevigne offers an immersive cutting-edge experience in both wares and design. Then check out Paris-Tokyo hybrid Maison Kitsuné’s newly opened flagship for prep-chic polos and shift girly shift dresses. For accessories, try jewelry designer Aurelie Bidermann’s new Paris boutique, a delightful physical realization of her cheerful aesthetic, or the dark, romantic jewel box of designer Lydia Courteille for Schiaparelli-esque surrealist baubles. Complete your French girl look at Buly 1803, a 200-year-old apothecary where the stylish Caroline de Maigret shops for perfume. Top it all off (or should we say bottom?) with a visit to the adorable Minuit Moins 7, the official cordonnier Minuit Moins 7.
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to Christian Louboutin.
W W W. M A N S U R G AV R I E L . C O M
hyunji shin
lululeika liep
odette pavlova
veronika vilim
peyton knight
jamilla hoogenboom imaan hammam
romy schonberger
lineisy montero
printemps visages
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From Korea’s Next Top Model winner Hyunji Shin to up-andcoming superstar Lineisy Montero, Mademoiselle has our eyes on these nine girls as the new, fresh faces of fashion for 2016.
je suis allĂŠ une fois Ă cannes words and inter view by catherine batres
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photo courtesy of savannah college of art and design
“I once went to Cannes,” - our journey starts with Sloane Mayberry, a Fashion Marketing and Management student from the Savannah College of Art and Design, who found herself with an incredible opportunity to visit the Cannes Film Festival last year. Sloane received massive attention after being asked to assist in the curation of an exhibit at the SCAD Museum of Art for the designer, Oscar de la Renta, who tragically passed away in October 2014. The journey Sloane shared with the fashion icon Andre Leon Talley was documented and presented at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. We sat down with Sloane to learn more about her experience working with some of the top names in fashion and attending one of the year’s biggest film events.
What drew you to want to work for Oscar de la Renta? I have always admired Oscar de la Renta’s work, especially his gowns. He was always true
How did you decide what to wear? I only had about 3 weeks to get everything together before leaving for France. I immediately went online and shopped the sales. I looked for
to himself and his aesthetic, which I know can be very hard to do in the industry.
classic dresses and outfits that would work in just about any situation because I had no idea what events I would be going to.
How did you find out about the opportunity to work on the Oscar exhibit? After my Senior year of high school I offered to help one of my mother’s friends create an archive for Oscar de la Renta. We became great friends and kept in touch. She mentioned to my mom that Andre Leon Talley was curating an Oscar de la Renta exhibition at SCAD and I told her that I would love to help in any way possible. The next day I received an email from Andre!
What was your favorite part about this whole opportunity from working on the Oscar exhibit to being part of the Cannes Film Festival? I would have to say my favorite part was working with Andre Leon Talley. He is such a genius and it’s just so special to see him in his element working. We became very good friends and he has taught me more than I ever thought was possible. What were some of your favorite things to do while in Cannes? Honestly any time that I had to explore was my favorite. It is such an amazing little city with an immense amount of history that I really didn’t know much about. There wasn’t much time to relax though because we had so much to do in such a short period of time!
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How did you find out that you were invited to the 2015 Cannes Film Festival? I was actually in class and received a text from Danny Filson, the Director of External Relations at SCAD, asking me to call him immediately. I thought I had done something wrong! I slipped out of class and quickly called him and he asked me if I was interested in going to Cannes for the film festival.
W W W. M A N S U R G AV R I E L . C O M
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à prendre la fuite A new year brings a new adventure for accessory designer Spencer Malinski. With school behind her and quite a bit of freelance design experience already under her belt, Malinski is ready to take the next big step in her career- relocating to New York City. While the tale of the “big city move” is one already a tad bit clichéd in American culture, Malinski’s approach sets her apart. Dwelling just below a thin surface of understandable apprehension is a perceptible openness- a capability not only to embrace the positives and negatives of new surroundings, but to utilize them to build her artistic persona. Dubbed the “next Anya Hindmarch” by industry insider Patti Capalli Taylor, it is clear that Malinksi and her quirky, sleek designs are indeed on their way up. words and inter v ie w by c aroline lowe
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à predre la fuite
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“I was always creative and always design driven,” Malinski says of her childhood in the small, coastal community of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. “My mother is an interior decorator, so as a kid I always tagged along with her while she worked. So I guess I got the “eye” from her, but I expressed it more through fashion.” While originally drawn to the luxuriously tactile qualities of accessory materials like leather and suede, she soon came to appreciate the unique relationships accessories build with their wearer. Solid in form but mutable in function, to Malinski, accessories, and the choices a wearer makes in selecting them, offer a glimpse of the wearer’s personality. “I love the fact that handbags and footwear are essentially wearable sculptures,” she says. “For inspiration, I look to sculptural shapes and current events to see what is fueling upcoming movements, as well as different textile treatments and constructions.” Malinski emphasizes the importance of physical experimentation to her design process. “I usually begin with time in the studio,” she explains. “Whether it be with pencil, paper-folding, material experimentation, painting, etc.,” Malinski elaborates. “Then I figure out the logistics and proportions. The materials are usually decided during the sketching and experimenting phase. And lastly of course, the actual patterning and construction of the bag.” She emphasizes that her design process is an organic one, born from an inherent creativity. “I don’t really have a separation between work and down-time. Ideas are constantly circulating, and while I definitely take time to relax and regroup...any free time that presents itself is usually filled with some type of design exploration,” Malinski explains. While she enjoys some stages of the creative process more than others, design as a whole is certainly not a chore. “I don’t really see it as work,” adds Malinski, “More a means of expression.” M A DE MOI SE L L E
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An expressive style is perhaps what makes her designs so popular. While she primarily utilizes clean lines, Malinski’s work displays none of the coldness so often seen in minimalist work, rather, her designs seem warm and friendly. “My aesthetic is clean and minimal, but with an element of surprise,” she says. “I love classic silhouettes that are jazzed up!” “The fulfillment of seeing something through start to finish and being able to share it with other people,” says Malinski, is what she enjoys most about being a designer. And what are her plans for the more distant future? “In five years, I would hope to be living somewhere warmer than New York,” she laughs.
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Weather is one thing, but design, to Malinski, is another. “It’s one thing I never get tired of... There will always be inspiration and ideas and things to learn. It’s a constant means to process the things around me.”
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sacs à main et gâteau
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faces come alive when one mentions cake as an option for dessert. linger over spencer malinski’s pastel delights- they will leave you wanting more.
desig ner : sp encer ma linsk i st y le d by : c aroline lowe & he ejung k im photog raphy : he ejung k im
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sp encer ma linsk i’s ‘a litt le bit count r y’ blue p astel b ag . w w w.spencer-malinski.com
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sp encer ma linsk i - ad am int rator col l ab orat ion blue p astel b ag . w w w.spencer-malinski.com
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sp encer ma linsk i’s shou lder b ag in le at her w it h f ur t r im. w w w.spencer-malinski.com
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sp encer ma linsk i - ad am int rator col l ab orat ion ‘ j o e y’ face p ouch . w w w.spencer-malinski.com
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sp encer ma linsk i - ad am int rator col l ab orat ion ‘g ina’ mini p ouch . w w w.spencer-malinski.com
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feuilles de palmier apĂŠr itif since the days of jackie o, a tropical scar f has been a foolproof accessor y for a war m after noon.
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desig ner : sp encer ma linsk i st y le d by : c aroline lowe & he ejung k im photog raphy : he ejung k im
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sp encer ma linsk i’s ‘summer w it h no inter net’ l avender si l k s c ar f . w w w.spencer-malinski.com
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sp encer ma linsk i’s ‘summer w it h no inter net’ bl ack p ol ka dot si l k s c ar f . w w w.spencer-malinski.com
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sp encer ma linsk i’s ‘summer w it h no inter net’ pur ple si l k s c ar f . w w w.spencer-malinski.com
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sp encer ma linsk i’s ‘yard age’ si l k hab ot ai s c ar f . w w w.spencer-malinski.com
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