On a leafy corner in West Hollywood's arts district, the first American outpost of French brand L'Eclaireur has been fashioned into a fully restored 1960s chic French-style revival mansion with a modern twist. The original fashion boutique was opened by founders Martine & Armand Hadida in 1980 on the lower ground floor of a gallery on the Champs-Elysées. Their claim to fame was introducing the relatively unknown Maison Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Comme des Garçons, and Yohji Yamamoto to the world.
Once again, breaking new ground out west, this residential retail location – run by Meryl Hadida Shabani, daughter of the founders, has drawn up an impressive network of exclusive artists and designers work from around the world, including Ado Chale, Aldo Londi, Aristide Najean, Arne Quinze, Ben Storms, Carol Christian Poell, Hans J Wegner, Lindsey Adelman, Osvaldo Borsani, Philippe Hiquily and Pia Manu. From the moment you walk into the ground floor level entrance a futuristic white chaise lounge by the late-great Zaha Hadid is a stunning and anchoring piece.
From left, chair, by Hans J Wegner Chair; table and mirror, by Pia Manu; and vase, by Hugh Findletar vase
Lurking in the corners are 'Totem' pottery floor lamps by Georges Pelletier and a display of Fornasetti candles which will carry on to the second-floor room filled with more of the black and white signature porcelain plates with the face of 19th century opera singer Lina Cavalieri, and whimsical bric-a-brac housed in a wooden bookshelf.
One wall holds a rare collection of phallic sketches and drawings next to a high gloss dining table intertwined with a snake and leaf motif on the top. Custom metal window frames, room dividers and displays from American designer John-Paul Philippe bring an experiential esthetic to the space.
The stores second floor features a selection of vintage mirrors and a Philippe Hiquily console
The lifestyle-meets-gallery structure continues to a third level with an open floor plan and terrace that will no doubt be the home of many soirees throughout the mild California winter with the No Name Kitchen Manufacture doing the entertaining honours.
An entire room is dedicated to Fornasetti's designs
Left, John-Paul Philippe's artwork takes over the window of Leclaireur next to an Arne Quinze sculpture. Right, a bookshelf laden with Fornasetti objects, Aristide Najean glassware and a Thomas Eyck flower stem vase
The exterior of Leclaireur, located in West Hollywood
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the L'Eclaireur website
ADDRESS
450 Robertson Blvd
West Hollywood
CA 90048
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