Christie's presents "Un Salon by Alexis Mabille | 24 Oct-19 Nov
Alexis Mabille's portrait, in situ © Paolo Codeluppi
Paris – Christie’s presents Un Salon par Alexis Mabille, an exhibition and private sale in the style of the greatest couturiers to be held in Paris from October 24 to November 19. While New Yorkers could admire the works of Francois-Xavier Lalanne in a scenography by Simon Porte Jacquemus, Christie’s France has entrusted the scenography of this exhibition to another fashion icon, Alexis Mabille. A well-known figure in Haute Couture with a passion for the decorative arts, Alexis Mabille extends his creativity to design. His design studio, BEAU BOW, creates warm, sophisticated environments. Blending colors and styles, Alexis Mabille’s salon will revive and modernize the spirit of Callot Sœurs, whose hôtel particulier on Avenue Matignon, designed by the architect René Sergent, is now the headquarters of Christie’s in Paris.
Un Salon par Alexis Mabille, in situ Christie’s, 9 avenue Matignon © Christie’s images limited, Anna Buklovska
The salons of the most famous fashion house of the Belle Époque and of the Roaring Twenties were already a melting pot of styles, where exotic Coromandel lacquer folding screens rivalled the sophistication of Louis XV furniture in their sophistication. In his approach,Alexis Mabille also values the diversity of tastes and the emotion generated by each object. Yet by combining them with his own creations, he casts a fresh look on design and offers a fresh take on interior decoration. Never free of malice, his unique eye is always synonymous with innovative and unexpected combinations that will surprise collectors and visitors alike.
A GROUP OF 12 MARBLE BUSTS OF ROMAN EMPERORS NAMED THE TWELVE CAESARS 19th CENTURY heads in white marble, the shoulders in different marbles and onyx, each on bases with inscribed names H. 65,5 cm
In Paris, where fashion is more at home than in any other city in the world, those who achieve success have historically occupied a unique place. The couturier of yesteryear and the designer of today are also collectors, patrons of the arts and key figures in the worlds of art and culture. So it comes as no surprise that the history of Christie’s auctions in Paris often revolves around the names of Coco Chanel (1978), Karl Lagerfeld (2000), Jeanne Lanvin (2008), Yves Saint Laurent (2009), Hélène Rochas (2012) and Hubert de Givenchy (2017-2022). It is this singular Parisian spirit that Christie's will be showcasing from 24 October to 19 November in a sales exhibition featuring a collection of classic works recalling the legacy of these famous couturiers.
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU, PATINATED BRONZE, PARCEL- GILT AND EBONISED MAHOGANY GUERIDON BY JACOB-DESMALTER (PARIS, 1803-1812), PARIS, CIRCA 1803-1810 H. 77,5 cm.; D. 102 cm
“I have always been sensitive to the decorative arts in my approach to fashion. Above and beyond clothing, this has constantly led me to reinvent the spaces and places around me. In this approach, past and present influences are inexhaustible sources of inspiration, allowing me to blend periods and styles.” Alexis Mabille
A marble allegory of music by Sarah Bernhardt, who was much more than just a client for Jacques Doucet, illustrates the interchanging nature of the worlds of art and fashion. The quasi-architectural rigor of one of Jacob Desmalter’s pieces evokes the passion for architecture that has inspired many fashion designers over the years. A Coromandel lacquer folding screen inevitably brings to mind\ Gabrielle Chanel, who is said to have owned 32 of them in her apartment on rue Cambon. The refinement of Pierre Roussel’s exotic lacquers reflects the refinement of couturiers’ interiors, masters in the art of blending the most diverse cultures and periods. A table by Diego Giacometti might have appealed to Hubert de Givenchy, as did this set of 18th -century chairs, a category of objects he was particularly fond of, such as this parclose mirror or a series of busts of Roman emperors.
Like many of his illustrious predecessors, Alexis Mabille has a gift for drawing on his surroundings to reinvent everything and create a unique style. Keen to entertain, his decorative style is a reflection of himself. He brings together different periods, mixes styles, uses spaces and plays with materials and colors.
ALEXIS MABILLE BEAU BOW EDITIONS Sofa "Fortune Teller" (5 Cards Red) - Collection Interior Games 2019 Total H 68 x Seat H 40 x L 250 x W 80 cm Upholstered Original Tapestry from the 1970's by Assia Granatouroff, red mohair velvet and brass nails gun metal finishing Unique Piece
What sets BEAU BOW – his interior decoration studio – apart today is the ability to create warm, sophisticated environments that come to life with their hosts. Since 2021, Alexis Mabille has also been producing limited edition furniture collections, designed and made in the purest tradition of French craftsmanship.
DIEGO GIACOMETTI (1902 – 1985) CARCASSE A LA CHAUVE-SOURIS, patinated bronze and glass 46,5 x 128,5 x 84 cm. / 18.31 x 50.60 x 33.08 in.
Christie’s and designers: new collaborations
For the past five years, Christie’s France has been fully committed to contemporary art in all of its forms. Young artists (Audrey Guttman, Raphaël Denis, My-Lan Hoang-Thu, etc.) or established designers (Matthieu Lehanneur, François Azambourg, etc.) are now regularly invited to exhibit in the= salons of the Avenue Matignon or to create the scenography. In 2022, Giambattista Valli designed an original scenography for the first Parisian edition of the Thinking Italian auction while Vincent Darré was artistic director for a Jewels sale.
SARAH BERNHARDT (1844-1923), A MARBLE ALLEGORICAL FIGURE REPRESENTING THE MUSIC, BY CIRCA 1880 H. 57,8 cm
About Christie’s
Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. Renowned and trusted for our expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie’s unparalleled network of specialists offers our clients a full portfolio of global services, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 7 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction, launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art and manages an investment fund to support innovative startups in the art market. Christie’s is also committed to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide. To learn more, browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at christies.com or by downloading Christie’s apps. The auction house can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
