Camille Vergnes
HURS CURATOR
CAMILLE VERGNES
The interior designer shares her favorite brands, products and places
French interior designer Camille Vergnes creates spaces you want to live your life in. Splitting her time between Paris and Biarritz, Vergnes helps clients worldwide build interiors that are timeless and sophisticated, mixing materials and furniture from her favorite periods in design and art history. She carefully combines Art Deco, Modernism, Viennese Secession and English Arts and Crafts pieces mixed in with Oriental and Asian influences and antiques, Folk Art or pieces from the 70s. Her unique approach to interior design has made her a sought-after collaborator. Vergnes has recently worked with jewelry brand Sophie Buhai, By Malene Birger and Flore Flore.
AN ANCIENT GREEK RESIDENCE IN THE COTE D’AZUR
Designed and built between 1902 and 1908, Villa Kérylos is a love letter to ancient Greece. The house was built by French archaeologist Theodore Reinach, who admired the architecture, interiors and art of the ancient world. In collaboration with architect Emmanuel Pontremoli, Reinach recreated the atmosphere of noble houses built on the island of Delos in the 2nd century B.C., within the comfort of a modern building. Located in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a seaside town on the French Riviera, the residence turned museum has been listed as a monument since 1966 and is open to the public.
“The most INSPIRING thing to do in my job is to explore house museums. I often chose my next travel destination based on one I wanted to visit for a long time. Villa Kérylos is one of the dreamiest.”
“My grandmother sparked my PASSION for food from a young age. This restaurant is the perfect mix of what makes me happy. Owned by young, independent and passionate people. The dishes are made with local, in-season ingredients and the menu changes daily. You can book a table or walk in for the bar. You could go have dinner with your parents or younger friends and everybody will love it. My equivalent in Paris would be La Vierge and Cafe Des Deux Gares.”
CELEBRATING NATURAL WINES AND LOCAL INGREDIENTS IN BIARRITZ
When there’s little to find about a recommended restaurant, you know it’s a real gem. Located in the surfing town of Biarritz, Cheri Bibi serves simple dishes with local, in-season ingredients with a focus on natural wines. Chef Adrien Witte and his partner Augustine took over the restaurant in November 2021. Witte was born and raised in Brittany and had a stint in finance before following his passion into food. The restaurant is nestled in a former 1950 fish shop and brings food and wine together in the literal sense. While dining, you can choose your own bottle from the wine shop.
A 19TH CENTURY VILLA TURNED HOTEL IN TANGIER
Villa Joséphine is a well-preserved piece of history. Built in the early 1920s by English journalist Walter Harris (who is said to be the inspiration behind Indiana Jones), the villa has also been inhabited by Spanish nobleman the Duke of Tovar and was later used as a summer residence by the Pasha of Marrakech. The Belle Époque-style country house has 11 rooms and suites, tropical gardens, a swimming pool and views over the Straits of Gibraltar. The villa’s restaurant serves French cuisine, while the library and bar take you back to a bygone era.
“It’s a MAGNIFICENT hotel in a late 19th century villa, in the hills of Tanger, overlooking the ocean. Not owned by a big group, the charm and authenticity is alive in every little detail there. Nothing fancy, everything charming. The bar area transports you straight to a movie decor or a gentleman’s club in the 20s.”
“85% of my wardrobe is vintage but when I need some beautiful, WELL-CRAFTED basics they have to be from FLORE FLORE. This female-led business was created just a year ago. Their organic, quality cotton must-haves are produced in Portugal. I wear them in summer and winter. Best cut and color range, sexy and comfy. I love supporting small scale businesses in general.”
OUR FAVORITE BRAND FOR COTTON CLASSICS
Amsterdam-based FLORE FLORE has been recommended to and by us more than once. Launched in the summer of 2021 by Flòrian van Zuilen, FLORE FLORE creates cotton classics for the modern woman. Designed to be worn everyday, the clean and simple designs are cut to enhance the female form. It’s a brand that’s all about quality and comfort without compromising style. The brand started out with tops, t-shirts and bodysuits and recently added dresses to its range. All pieces are made from organic cotton in a family-owned factory run by a mother-daughter duo in Portugal.
A BOOK BY THE WOMAN WHO CHANGED DANCE
Isadora Duncan was an American dancer and choreographer. Her unique approach to dance, made her a pioneer of modern contemporary dance. Duncan performed throughout Europe and the US, and was celebrated for taking rigidity out of dance. In her autobiography, Duncan explores her life as a dancer and as a woman. We get to know her through important life events and issues of the time. From her passion for classical music and poetry to her studying classical Greek art in Athens through her performances and collaboration with international artists. Overall, the book gives us a unique look into the life of a changemaker.