Azzedine Alaïa
I recently came across a feature into the interior style of Tunisian fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa, who converted a 300 square metre loft in a traditional 17th century building into three separate apartments. Located in Rue de Moussy, Marais, one of Paris' most exclusive districts, Azzedine wanted to create a boutique hotel feel giving guests to his home a taste of his style and appreciation for art and design, as well as a feel for Parisian life from his point of view. The apartments are also located close to Azzedine's private home, atelier, showroom, boutique and warehouse.

From articles and interviews I have read about the designer, Azzedine Alaïa is known to be a shy and quite private person, and when I first saw the images it struck me that the interior seemed devoid of any personal touches and interestingly enough no artwork on walls bar functional pieces like a mounted bookcase/cabinet and sculptural side lights, this however seems intentional as closer examination reveals that the true beauty lies the attention to detail; finely crafted furniture chosen for its exceptional design aesthetics, the textures of table tops, work surfaces and upholstery, and the organic and sculptural shapes of the seating.

Wanting to achieve the feel of a luxury hotel whilst retaining a sense of a home away from home feeling for his guests, Azzedine personally designed the interiors which are decorated with carefully selected furniture and lighting from his favourite designers who include; Jean Prouve, Charlotte Perriand, Marc Newson, Andre Sornay, Pierre Paulin and Arne Jacobson. The spaces are kept minimal in style, designed to focus attention on the furniture and objects which are given ample space around them like works in a gallery, and in contrast to the stark white walls the colours of the furniture are warm, creating the effect of calm open spaces designed for relaxation and thinking. The apartments have a sense of nostalgia about them which emanates from the modern classics style of the furniture and the occasional bright blocks of colour as seen in the kitchen and on the dining room table chairs lends a sixties vibe. Each apartment has its own entrance and doorway and is equipped for the comforts of every day living with its own fitted kitchen.

...the overall result are simple, light, open spaces where the furniture is the star and is treated as such

Information sourced from:
www.yatzer.com

Additional details:
For the full feature visit: www.yatzer.com   

Azzedine Alaïa
A mild autumn has kept the need for piling on the layers at bay, and after several weeks of toying with us the cold gray weather has finally decided to descend. Sunday brought with it a definite chill in the air coupled with grey overcast skies that couldn't help but signal the arrival of the autumn I have become accustomed to; a development noticed by everyone I spoke to! For those, who like me, have been resisting for as long as we possibly could, alas it's time to pull out the chunky scarves, gloves, and winter coats. Although I hate the chill, Autumn is a spectacularly beautiful season of change and whilst out and about I couldn't help admiring the drifts of red, rust and golden leaves piling up along the sidewalks, yet to be cleared and I must confess I do like the comforting feeling of snuggling up in cosy layers; and speaking of cosy layers wouldn't mind walking around all wrapped up in a gorgeously luxurious Azzedine Alaïa coat.

After an eight year absence, velvet gowns and Mongolian lamb coats in a beautifully rich winter colour palette were received to a 10 minute standing ovation, marking Azzedine Alaïa's return to the runway earlier this year for the Autumn/Winter 2011 couture collections. Born in Tunisia, Azzedine is the designer responsible for introducing the world to the body consciousness (body-con) dress in the '80s, earning him the title of the 'King of Cling'. Azzedine opened his first atelier in Paris in the 1970s and later following his acute understanding of the female form produced the body skimming dresses that helped define the style of the '80s era, and had 'the Supermodels' of the day clamouring for his designs.

Azzedine Alaïa's A/W '11 collection paid homage to his signature 'body con' style and saw coat dresses with bell-shaped skirts enhancing the curves of the female form without being skin tight. Elegant evening gowns in plush decadent velvet saw intricate laser cutting forming lattice designs and others displayed cascading tiers of ruffles. Colours included a fresh leaf green that complemented the felted wool on the coats, deep aubergine and stone on luscious layers of feathered trimmings, black that added drama to the evening gowns, along with shades of blush pinks and stone.

...keeping the winter chill at bay the stylish way with a touch of luxurious decadence

Additional Information sourced from:
www.style.com
www.interviewmagazine.com   

Dido Designs
Flick a switch and watch as light spills through countless tiny holes, each painstakingly punched by hand using a hammer and a punch. This is a method of traditional punctured metal work that has been used in North Africa for thousands of years, and one that makes up the beautiful lighting products from Dido Designs.

Working from a 300 year-old factory in Tunisia, designer Caroline Mansouri creates a stunning range of contemporary handcrafted lighting, handcrafted by artisans highly skilled in the intricate metal work method. The lighting is crafted in aged brass or nickel and is available in pendant, standard or table lamp format.

Handcrafting adds to the uniqueness of each product, as no two will strictly be the same. The simple silhouettes come in the following forms: drum, lotus, stellar, sphere and fence; with some of the designs being based on traditional Tunisian light designs.

I personally like the way the holes create a soft pattern on the wall, bringing an intimate touch to the living space.

Tunisian Ceramics
Having tried my hand at pottery many years ago as part of my fine arts module and being absolutely rubbish at it - they always exploded in the kiln!!! – I have a deep admiration for artisans who can produce the most exquisite and beautifully decorated pieces. Not too long ago I came across these really pretty Tunisian coffee cups on the Greater Good Network, and loved the intricate patterns and vibrant colours. However, if visiting Tunisia yourself you will find similar ceramics in abundance in the markets allowing you to mix and match to your hearts content, but do take the time to seek out the highly-skilled small-scale producers for a more authentic, traditional product. I think they brighten up any interior and; for decorative use you could melt wax into them and make your own candles in a teacup for yourself or as gifts.

Ceramic arts in Tunisia and much of the Mediterranean region stem from centuries old tradition and can be seen in products like plates, water jugs and ceramic tiles. The ceramics industry in Tunisia is noted as the largest employment sector often catering to the tourists who visit the country. The ceramics are hand decorated with more women being employed to do this in what was once a traditionally male sector. Unfortunately the handcrafted nature of industry is under increasing threat from mass-production to meet commercial demand and therefore compromising creativity, individuality and high-quality standards. This is a fascinating art and if you do want to find out more read the following article.  

[Additional information sourced from www.saudiaramcoworld.com]