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Interview With Maison Christofle’s New CEO Nathalie Remy

Culture
Life

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June 25, 2018

The Maison Christofle, a French silver specialist, announced the appointment of luxury expert Nathalie Remy as CEO. With more than 20 years of experience in the luxury sector, Nathalie Remy brings to the table a wealth of knowledge in management for several fashion and beauty houses. Nathalie Remy’s preceding stint at McKinsey & Co. allowed her to develop a unique strategic and multicultural vision of the luxury industry. In an interview with LUXUO, Nathalie Remy shares her excitement for the luxury Maison and the impact of e-commerce on the retail front.

Interview With Maison Christofle’s New CEO Nathalie Remy

You have spent several years at McKinsey at a top position, guiding CEOs and companies in their decision process and strategy. How does it feel to be now at the helm of a luxury Maison like Christofle?

It feels good! I’m extremely honoured and excited to work for such an amazing brand, rich of 188 years of history, with a unique heritage and incredible know-how, and work with passionate people to build its future. I also enjoy very much the diversity of my new job. I’m only working for one brand which is very different from what I used to do as a McKinsey partner, but Christofle encompasses diversity in all areas: it’s a truly international company with distribution in close to 70 countries; we have the most diverse distribution model I’ve ever seen including our own boutiques and concessions, franchisees, multi-brand retailers, e-commerce and also pure B2B sales; and we are fully integrated from design, creation, manufacturing, supply chain, sales and after sales. In addition, we are at a turning point for the brand and the company, and I’m fully energized by the challenge. After more than 20 years advising CEOs I particularly appreciate the opportunity to directly influence my company’s performance and to see the impact of my decisions every day while also taking a longer-term perspective to build a bright future together with my teams.

Was Christofle a brand part of your childhood? Or you got to discover the brand later?

I was born in Brussels and grew up without Christofle. I got to discover the brand once arrived in Paris, actually when I got married in 2000… Christofle was the main brand on my wedding registry, embodying French luxury and art of living.

Christofle has a factory in Normandy, France. How important this French savoir-faire? Have you had time to go through the archives and past designs of Christofle?

Christofle has indeed its own Manufacture in Yainville, and I believe it is one of our key assets. Our know-how is truly distinctive, and we have several “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” working in our Haute Orfèvrerie atelier. I had the chance to spend a full day visiting our archives with our Patrimony director, and it was a truly extraordinary experience. We have 11 000 pieces and more than 10 000 drawings and 22 000 pictures that represent the depth and breadth of Christofle history. We have re-issued iconic pieces like the Teapot Aero created in 1957 by Gio Ponti and we also take inspiration from these archives to design modern products like our Club centrepiece limited series.

You are considered as a prominent specialist of retail. What experience do you wish customers to have when entering a Christofle boutique?

I would love to offer every customer entering our store a delightful and surprising experience. Christofle brand is embodying the Art of Sharing, and we want to share unique moments with our customers and contribute to building wonderful memories for the long term. We are going to invest more in beautiful window displays which is our first contact with our clients and also we will enhance our product universes inside the boutique. Communicating on our services like the personalization one is also important for our customer experience: engraving, bespoke lacquer colour and special orders. We organize special events with our “French art de Vivre Ambassadors” who unveil to our customers “the art of sharing” by Christofle.

Can e-commerce and digital innovations replace physical boutiques ?

I don’t believe that physical stores could disappear. In a world where more and more things are dematerialized with the rise of digital I think people are actually looking for “real” relationships, and our sales associates are there for that. Now the role of boutiques will most likely evolve, and the store of the future will be a combination of a showroom to see and touch the products, a theatre to showcase our brand universe, a gathering place where you can share great moments with friends…and of course where you can get extraordinary advice and still buy products.

Christofle has had successful cooperation with high-profile artists such as Ora Ito, Richard Hutten. Will you continue in such direction?

Yes, it’s part of our DNA to collaborate with artists and designers but we also have an internal design studio which is the main source of new creation. We will develop from this year new type of collaboration: very exclusive limited series with fashion designers or creative personalities to attract new consumers and create the buzz around the brand.

Who would be today your favourite contemporary art artist?

Personally, I don’ have only one favourite artist but I appreciate several like JR, Sterling Ruby, Anish Kapoor and Takashi Murakami

Lately, Christofle has been associated to the respected Yacht Style Awards. What inspires you this association of Christofle to the yachting world?

We have equipped very famous and luxurious ocean liners since the 19^th century. The Normandy was the most famous of them, with 40 000 Christofle pieces just for the first class dining room.

Today, yachting is a growing part of the luxury “Art de Vivre” sector and therefore at the core of what we do. Yacht builders and interior designers who decorate these yachts are important prescriptors of our brand and it’s therefore important for us to be associated with this type of event.

Christofle is about lifestyle experience, travels, gatherings with family and friends. Do you have a special place you like to escape to and meet friends, family ?

I have a house on the French Riviera where I receive friends and family during the summer. I love the sea, the light of the south of France and I enjoy a lot to organize lunches and dinners to share great moments in front of the sea.

Is there a person, an artist, a scientist who has had a major influence on your choices and the way you apprehend the world ?

My parents were the most influent persons in my life so far… They gave me their core values: people care, optimism, hard work and resilience.

Christofle MOOD NOMAD Collection

Jaquet Droz Presents Parrot Repeater Pocket Watch with Automata

Watches

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June 25, 2018

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To celebrate its 280th anniversary, Swiss watchmaker Jaquet Droz combined all of its artisanal and mechanical prowess to introduce the Parrot Repeater Pocket Watch – a one-of-a-kind masterpiece accented with five animations on the dial and the entire spectrum of Jaquet Droz craftsmanship, three years in the making.

Jaquet Droz Presents Parrot Repeater Pocket Watch with Automata: A Million Dollar Marvel

More objet d’art than a watch, the Parrot Repeater is 56mm of 18k red gold boasting an exquisite decorative technique and adorned with 10 carats of gemstones including yellow diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires in three colours. The hinged lid on the front of the case features a skeletal outline of vines and hibiscus which opens to reveal an animated naturalist scene in which Jaquet Droz’s beloved motif of birds takes centre stage – All of which engraved and painted by hand, set upon 18k gold, with a mother of pearl sub-dial for the time.

The macaws and chicks on the dial bob and spread their wings to the rhythm of the chimes when activated while the egg hatches

The case back of the pocket watch depicts a majestic macaw portrait meticulously engraved and finished in an enamel of various techniques, including miniature painting, grand feu and paillonne. Opening the back reveals the hand-wound cal. RMA88 that is fitted with cathedral gongs, twice the length of ordinary gongs for extra resonance. Both cases can be opened individually by a dual case-spring mechanism inside the pendant, making this unique pocket watch a double-sided mechanic marvel. Priced at a hefty SG$1.67 million, the dual cover feature offers watch lovers the perks of having 2 choices to flaunt on separate occasions.

Jaquet Droz Parrot Repeater Pocket Watch Price and Spec

Movement: Self-winding cal. RMA88 with 48 hours power reserve
Case: 56mm 18k Rose gold with 10 carats of precious stones
Price: SG$1.67 million

Rolls-Royce Lends Fleet of Phantoms and Ghosts to The Serpentine Galleries

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June 25, 2018

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Rolls-Royce Lends Fleet of Phantoms and Ghosts to The Serpentine Galleries

In light of a creative partnership with one of London’s most exciting art venues, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars lent the Serpentine Galleries a fleet of Phantoms and Ghosts to transport patrons at the Serpentine Summer Party. The annual soirée is a fundraising effort to keep the gallery’s art exhibitions free to the public, in line with the Serpentine’s primary objective to “reach and educate new audiences” through accessible art.

Adwoa Aboah and British Vogue Editor Edward Enninful

Hosted by Chanel, the exclusive event saw some of the biggest names Alexa Chung, Rita Ora, and British Vogue editor Edward Enninful amongst lush greenery in the Kensington Gardens.

The House of Rolls-Royce Is Committed To The Growth Of Contemporary Art

Rolls-Royce commissions and champions both established and emerging artists through the Rolls-Royce Art Program, which seeks to bring new works and perspective to the art world. To honour the spirit of creative excellence, the program also supports art institutions such as the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai, Foundation Beyeler in Switzerland, and National YoungArts Foundation in Miami. Among its prominent calendar of events is Art Talks, a series of exploratory dialogues that facilitates conversations between leading members of the international art community, which guested artists including Karl Lagerfeld, Yang Fudong, and Princess Alia Al-Senussi.

Ian Cheng, Installation view, Serpentine Gallery, London © 2018 Hugo Glendinning

The marque previously collaborated with the Serpentine Galleries in 2015, co-commissioning a digital artwork by American artist Ian Cheng. Cheng returned to the Serpentine this Spring to deliver his first solo show in the UK.

“The Serpentine is thrilled to have the support of Rolls-Royce, helping us to inspire the widest audiences by championing the possibilities of art and architecture.” – Yana Peel, Chief Executive of the Serpentine Galleries.

The temporary Serpentine Pavilion is a courtyard of light, water and geometry

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Hans Ulrich Obrist and Yana Peel, the Serpentine attracts a stream of visitors that rarely visits traditional art galleries. Peel helped transform the gallery’s Pavillion project with a daring and radical approach to art, commissioning temporary installations by a range of world architects each summer at the space. This year, young Mexican architect Frida Escobedo created a sophisticated art space that questioned concepts of time, space, identity, and multiple geographies at the annual Serpentine Pavillion.

Rolls-Royce’s provision of its signature motorcars at the summer party marks the onset of an exciting collaboration, which will officially begin next year.

Kim Jones Dug Deep Into Dior Archive for His Debut Collection

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June 24, 2018

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Kim Jones Dug Deep Into Dior Archive for His Debut Collection

Paris menswear welcomes many firsts this season, with Virgil Abloh’s debut at Louis Vuitton earlier this week and now, Dior Men (no longer Dior Homme, which signifies a literal transition into a new era): Kim Jones’ first menswear line as artistic director for the French fashion house.

Set at the Garde Républicaine in Paris, guests including A-list designers Karl Lagerfeld, Virgil Abloh, Victoria Beckham, Kenzo Takada and Chitose Abe were greeted by a giant floral centerpiece covered in over 70,000 black, white and pink blooms, commissioned to created by KAWS. As Jones considered KAWS the industry’s most important creative figures, he joined hands with KAWS designer to create a 10m avatar of Mr Dior holding his dog Bobby, setting a respectful tone for his first collection.

“Everyone loves his work, they understand it, it’s easy, it’s great. So I commissioned him to do the bee and also the set for the show.” Said Kim Jones, pre-show.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkXw1bQDyrq/?utm_source=ig_embed

Kim Jones Debut Collection is a tribute to Mr Dior’s codes

At a time when leading luxury brands are steering towards the streetwear consumer base, Kim Jones is moving in the opposite direction. For his Spring/ Summer 2019 debut for Dior, Jones dug into the the brand heritage for inspiration. While he has only been at helm for 3 months, following his departure from Louis Vuitton in January, Jones expressed that the elements he had narrowed down to for this first collection are interpretations of Mr Dior’s codes.

The signature Dior elements rang true to aficionados of the fashion house. Toile du jouy patterns from the wallpaper in the first Dior boutique were used on jacquards and leathers; the famous cut used by Dior himself inspired the tailoring and the name of the new jacket, the Tailleur Oblique; and pink and grey hues that are synonymous with the brand, were seen throughout the show.

But Jones did a lot more than honour a legacy. He inserted himself into the house history with such confidence, as seen from the stripes print that was contributed to the collection and shorts juxtaposing against tailored tops, giving the collection an airy sporty flair, a visual contrast to the exquisite Dior tailoring techniques. In more ways than one, this collection portrayed a quintessential mix of Jones’s own past and Dior’s future.

Inside An $11 million Waterfront Home in Malibu

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June 24, 2018

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Inside An $11 million Waterfront Home in Malibu

This piece of gorgeous waterfront real estate belongs to Stargate actress Jolene Blalock and her husband, Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino. Originally listed on sale for $11.9 million dollars, the multi-millionaire couple managed to score the waterfront home in Malibu for just $11 million. Impressively, the luxurious waterfront home was listed for $7.7 million a mere three years ago, reflecting a 30% growth in value in a short time – few asset classes can achieve this (cryptocurrencies probably).

What to Expect from a piece of $11 million Luxury Waterfront Real Estate

Aesthetic, the waterfront home in Malibu features interiors which can be described as modern chic. An open floor plan makes extensive use of the wall-to-wall floor to ceiling windows overlooking the expansive watery vista before you notice the beamed ceilings. The living room itself opens via sliding glass doors into one of two outdoor patios. Meanwhile, a wooden deck, accessed from the home’s rear lounge on a lower level, leads to the sandy beach below.

The 3,305 sq ft slice of Malibu heaven is emblematic of the best waterfront real estate in California, a master suite with walk-in closet and two other bedrooms each have access to a connected balcony offering much needed seaside relaxation. Additionally, across a small wooden walkway lays a detached guesthouse, for privacy, complete with its own landscaped courtyard for joint entertainment and then retreat into your own rest areas.

In the dining space, slate counters anchor the kitchen with centre island with a look of trendy modernity. The waterfront home in Malibu also features its own gym.

Malibu real estate trends indicate a massive surve of $553,000 (35%) in median home sales over the past year. The average price per square foot for this same period rose to $1,129, up from $1,089. Some Malibu luxury property prices can go up to $60 million, though the average property price is around $7 million; more obviously for prime waterfront real estate like this Malibu home for actress Jolene Blalock and her CEO husband, Michael Rapino.

Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring 2019: Virgil Abloh’s Debut Collection

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June 24, 2018

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Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring 2019: Virgil Abloh’s Debut Collection

Not too long ago, Virgil Abloh’s name catapulted to global consciousness as rapper Kanye West’s creative director. Then, he founded his personal fashion label, Off-White rooted in streetwear, which immediately attracted a cult following of civilians and celebrities alike. While it seemed that Abloh’s business success has reached its peak, the creative designer was appointed creative director of Louis Vuitton menswear, announced earlier this year. His steady and rapid ascent to center stage was consummated on 21st June by his debut collection for the French fashion house.

Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2019: Virgil Abloh’s Debut Collection

In deference to brand heritage and out of respect to previous collections, it’s often natural for newly appointed creative directors to ease into their first collection – make an impact but not so hard that it tries unduly to impress; but not Virgil Abloh. The newest Louis Vuitton menswear lead designer is not shy about the streetwear muse that put him on the map and instead, was likely to address critics and cynics head-on with his blend of inspired looks – the very reason for which he was appointed. Surely enough, when the curtains came down on his highly-anticipated debut at Palais Royal in Paris, revealed a radical shift in the long-time beloved menswear arm of the biggest luxury fashion brand in the world.

For starters, Abloh brought the theme of diversity to the show, quite literally. From the choices of models to the runway and collection, the show was orchestrated to match the theme of the rainbow. People of colour predominantly filled the runway and the front row seats – including Abloh’s mentor Kanye West. Completing the retinue of observers and fashionistas, the latest creative director of Vuitton menswear invited local art students to join the crowd spanning across his gradient runway.

“Laying a foundation, that’s what this season’s about,” Abloh expressed in a statement to Vogue. “I want to speak to the generation presiding. But I also want a young generation to come in and know, hey, there’s someone here who’s listening, and speaking back to them.”

The collection itself, was predictable (Off-White influence was undeniable) as it is beautiful. Asymmetrical, boxy cuts and baggy trousers was featured in the collection. Classic Louis Vuitton bags were also given transparency or holographic treatment for an added surprise.

Virgil Abloh’s ability to bring his streetwear-infused approach to a major French fashion house built upon history and tradition, have divided the industry into two camps: Those who are loyal to Kim Jones – and those who crave a clear distinction between luxury and streetwear. And others who celebrate the bridge between both styles and aesthetics – usually millennials.

For a long time, streetwear and luxury labels spoke in different design languages. Today, the fashion industry is going through a generational shift. Millennial and Generation Z vote with their wallets and the rise of hautebeast – a portmanteau of hypebeast and haute couture, is undeniable. Virgil Abloh is very much capable of capturing the eyes, hearts and minds of this new generation with flair.

Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring 2019: Relevance Trumps Originality?

Say what you like about Abloh’s arguable “lack of originality” but Abloh’s various design references from various inspirations is very much the thesis of streetwear history, there is no doubt that he has since developed a unique signature of his own. Abloh possesses an innate ability to take various sources and through an act of creative alchemy, achieve his own formula of street-authentic desire – the very qualities needed for a successful creative director of a luxury fashion house, especially one with hautebeast aspirations.

Louis Vuitton has long catered to the streetwear market with its collaboration with Kanye West in 2009, but given Gucci’s amazing growth in the area, Louis Vuitton is doing what Louis Vuitton does best, keeping ahead of trends even if the hautebeast culture is potentially a trend. Even pre-Abloh, Louis Vuitton collaboration with streetwear juggernaut Supreme certainly cements the idea that the French maison is not content with resting on laurels.

What’s the verdict of Virgil Abloh’s most important collection thus far? Did his first luxury menswear collection meet the hype? Yes. Did it transcend in terms of expectations, raise any new benchmarks, or trigger a different thought process about the menswear market? Likely not. While Louis Vuitton’s first menswear collection head by Abloh might not be a revolutionary shift in the modern history of the maison, it does however, speak of a new direction for the luxury malletier.