Elite Traveler November-December 2015

elite traveler NOV/DEC 2015 ISSUE 6 137

PEOPLE TOWATCH THE FASHION DESIGNER

If you thought haute couture began and ended with Chanel, Dior and Elie Saab, think again. Bouchra Jarrar , who worked at Balenciaga with Nicolas Ghesquière for 10 years, and then led Lacroix’s couture studio before setting up her own brand in 2010, is breathing minimal modernity into red-carpet style. Her show in Paris this July saw her stepping away from the beautifully crafted daywear that has been her client-pleasing mainstay, and moving into more glamorous territory – albeit with restrained, precise designs. We’re not talking straitlaced, though: Jarrar understands the vital trickle-up role of streetwear, and more than winked at the sportswear trend this time last year. Already recognized as a great Frenchwoman (she was awarded Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012), she is on every canny stylist’s wish list. One thing, though, this “modern Vionnet”, as the fashion historian Olivier Saillard has dubbed her, doesn’t send dresses to celebrities, respectfully preferring they pay for them. bouchrajarrar.com

SCENE AND BE SEEN What to do in your precious leisure time

ART Designed by Frank Gehry, the Fondation Louis Vuitton soars above the treeline in the previously sacrosanct Bois de Boulogne, and encloses 126,000 sq ft of art space. The “third hang” took place in June, and features artists for whom music is integral to their work, such as Marina Abramović, Douglas Gordon, John Cage and Rineke Dijkstra. 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, 16e fondationlouisvuitton.fr CLUB Le Baron nightclub, known for its discreet atmosphere and A-list gang (Sofia Coppola, Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson, Lou Doillon), used to be a posh brothel, and has stuck to the red velvet and mirrors theme. Very chic, very international and very hard to get in without a word in the right ear. 6 Avenue Marceau, 8e clublebaron.com JETSET There’s finally somewhere cool to grab a glass of champagne and half a lobster when you’re flying in and out of Charles de Gaulle airport, courtesy of Grand Véfour chef Guy Martin. The interior Galerie design of I Love Paris – all turquoise and green velvet, leather and brass – is by India Mahdavi and only accessible to those traveling to Asia or the US. aeroportsdeparis.fr

From left to right: A view of the Fondation Louis Vuitton; the interior of I Love Paris; Le Baron nightclub