(ANSAmed) - PARIS, JULY 2 - Maison Schiaparelli lives again,
albeit sans designer, in the form of a new 800 square-metre
showroom and atelier at 21 Place Vendome.
The frontwoman for this new reincarnation of the Schiaparelli
brand, which was bought by Diego della Valle in 2007, is Farida
Khelfa, the Algerian former top model, actress, and muse to the
likes of designers Azzedine Alaia and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Khelfa, who also dons the hats of film director and producer, is
currently working on a film about the late Elsa Schiaparelli,
the legendary Italian designer who founded the firm, and who was
beloved by Parisians and by fashionistas the world over.
The nouvelle house of Schiaparelli is currently seeking a
designer. 'We will announce the name in October, and the first
collection should be ready for the January couture shows',
Khelfa explained. 'Our aim is to rebuild a small, luxury maison,
and to do an haute couture that is connected to art and to
modernity'.
The Schiaparelli launch, sans designer, has been accelerated by the show at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, Della Valle admitted.
The Italian fashion entrepreneur, who also recently bought Roger Vivier, explained that he wanted to own these two houses 'because they are full of esthetic culture. They were founded by true artists who wanted to make the best products in the most sophisticated way. Luxury today is synonymous with the proliferation of stores, but true luxury is meant for reservation', Della Valle said. 'The time will come when luxury will be distinguished from notoriety'.
Among the names being aired is that of John Galliano, but no matter, the house on Place Vendome is decorated and ready to open for business, with Ines de la Fressange among its interior designers. It features Alberto Giacometti columns and ashtrays, Surrealist zoomorphic furniture originally designed by Salvador Dali, a Calder tapestry, and many contemporary art pieces. 'Elsa Schiaparell's huge personality does not frighten me, nor does the strength of an incredible woman who managed to take control of her own life', said Khelfa. 'I too was saved by Paris and poverty, which push you to seek, to look for new solutions, to find an interesting style'.(ANSAMed).
The Schiaparelli launch, sans designer, has been accelerated by the show at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, Della Valle admitted.
The Italian fashion entrepreneur, who also recently bought Roger Vivier, explained that he wanted to own these two houses 'because they are full of esthetic culture. They were founded by true artists who wanted to make the best products in the most sophisticated way. Luxury today is synonymous with the proliferation of stores, but true luxury is meant for reservation', Della Valle said. 'The time will come when luxury will be distinguished from notoriety'.
Among the names being aired is that of John Galliano, but no matter, the house on Place Vendome is decorated and ready to open for business, with Ines de la Fressange among its interior designers. It features Alberto Giacometti columns and ashtrays, Surrealist zoomorphic furniture originally designed by Salvador Dali, a Calder tapestry, and many contemporary art pieces. 'Elsa Schiaparell's huge personality does not frighten me, nor does the strength of an incredible woman who managed to take control of her own life', said Khelfa. 'I too was saved by Paris and poverty, which push you to seek, to look for new solutions, to find an interesting style'.(ANSAMed).
