Charlotte Chesnais
HURS CURATOR
CHARLOTTE CHESNAIS
The designer shares her favorite brands, products and places
Charlotte Chesnais bridges the gap between jewelry and sculpture, defying both time and trends with her unique universal design language. Through minimalist lines that twist into artistic silhouettes, her designs create a dialogue with the body of its wearer. Chesnais’ work isn’t limited to a singular material, crafting pieces from brass and vermeil to 18kt gold and diamonds, all handmade in France. Before launching her jewelry line in 2015, she spent 10 years working as a designer at Balenciaga alongside Nicolas Ghesquière. Since then, Chesnais has applied her distinctive design philosophy across jewelry and homeware objects. Over the years she’s built a cult following of women who share her modern attitude towards it all.
A NOVEL WORTH READING
Into the Forest by American novelist Jean Hegland follows the relationship between two isolated teenaged sisters – Nell and Eva – as they struggle to survive society’s collapse. Set in the northern Californian forest in the near-future, the sisters are forced to reassess their place in the world as well as their relationship to each other. Hegland paints a picture of a chilling yet plausible near-future America, which might remind some of Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. First published in 1996, Into the Forest has since become a renowned classic, listed on numerous reading programs, translated into over a dozen languages and adapted into a motion picture featuring Elliot Page and Evan Rachel Wood.
“I LOVE this book ‘Into the Forest’ by Jean Hegland, a dystopian novel set in California, which was written 20 years ago and, unfortunately, remains quite relevant today. You can find it at Librairie Delamain, a bookstore located right across from our offices.”
“Kyoto – it's the place where you encounter an exceptionally traditional SPIRIT, seemingly untouched by the passage of time. The Golden Palace can be likened to the Eiffel Tower, evoking a sense of profound poetry.”
A CELEBRATION OF JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE
In northern Kyoto you’ll find Kinkakuji (金閣寺), a Zen temple also known as the Golden Pavilion, owing its name to the gold leaf covered top floors. Originally built as a temple to house the sacred relics of Buddha, Kinkakuji’s design echoes the Kitayama culture popular amongst the aristocratic circles of Kyoto during the Yoshimitsu times. Every floor of the temple celebrates a different style of architecture, creating an archive showcasing the innovations in architecture at that time. The temple was initially the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshmitsu whose grandson built the Silver Pavilion on the other side of the city decades later. In 1994 the temple was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
THE HOME OF MODERN 20TH CENTURY ART
For those with a fascination for modern art and sculpture, Fondation Maeght is the holy grail. Located on a hill overlooking the village of Saint-Paul de Vence in the southeast of France, the museum houses one of the most important collections of works from renowned 20th century and contemporary artists in Europe. The foundation was founded by Aimé and Marguerite Maeght in 1964, a visionary couple who were publishers and art dealers. The duo represented – and were friends with – some of the most important artists of the era, including Alexander Calder, Miró and Giacometti. The Maeght’s were the first to bring the model of the private art institution to France, inspired by their American counterparts such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. Painters and sculptors worked with architect Josep Lluís Sert to create a place where nature, art and architecture are celebrated and seamlessly connected.
“The Fondation Maeght is one of my favorite places in the world. It's renowned for its perfect combination of a MAGNIFICENT garden, architectural splendor and captivating artworks. Most notably Pol Bury's Fountain and Joan Miró's Bird.”
“Cadaqués is a hidden Mediterranean gem. The ALLURE of Dali and his house. Steeped in history, this enchanting place captivates visitors. Not to be missed is Pepa Cadaqués, a legendary fashion store.
A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE, DALI CALLED HOME
Set on the rocky coast of the Cap de Creus peninsula, Cadaqués is one of most symbolic places on the Spanish Costa Brava. With only one road to access the town, Cadaqués has been able to hold onto its local charm while embracing the tourism business. Salvador Dalí, who called Cadaqués home, attracted numerous artists and celebrities over the years, including David Hockney, Henri Matisse and Marcel Duchamp. With its many galleries and museums in the town’s historic quarter as well as Dalí’s home – which has been converted into a museum – Cadaqués continues to celebrate its artistic roots with the Cap de Creus Natural Park as a backdrop.
IN THE PROVENCE, A PIZZERIA YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT ON
There’s little information to be found on Pizza Brun, but to us the sign of a good recommendation is when places remain free from the Instagram tags and hype. Over the years owners Colette and Bruno have accumulated a loyal following, leaving them with an endless list of raving reviews. Their traditional wood-fired pizza’s are made with local ingredients, and enjoyed alongside a glass of local rosé. But we’ll let Charlotte tell you all about it.