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L’Objet’s Paris Flagship Arrives in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
On the heels of its foray into home and personal fragrance with its apothecary collection, L’Objet has opened the doors to its Paris flagship designed by founder Elad Yifrach and Anno Mille’s Costantino di Sambuy. The boutique is in the former home of Madeleine Castaing, the late French antiques dealer and interior designer who took inspiration from the works of Marcel Proust and Honoré de Balzac, and counted Jean Cocteau among her clients. In its current iteration as the home of L’Objet, eclectic chrome finishes add an edge to the space otherwise grounded in ecru and wood tones. Apothecary scents and tabletop accents pop against plaster walls and displays, while an alcove clad in burnt-orange velvet and dark-stained walnut creates a dramatic staging ground for the brand’s dinnerware. —Jenna Adrian-Diaz
“Sleeping Figure” by Matt Johnson. Image courtesy of Desert X…
Desert X will return to Coachella Valley with Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas as a co-curator.
Desert X, the Coachella Valley biennial art event, has announced Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas as the co-curator for its 2025 edition. Garcia-Maestas, who will continue her role as curator and director of exhibitions at Socrates Sculpture Park in New York, has previously worked on exhibitions that challenge the frontier mythology of the American West. Her appointment is part of Desert X’s ongoing efforts to include more perspectives, such as acknowledging the land’s Native American history. The event will be spread across various outdoor sites in the Palm Springs area, embracing the challenges and opportunities of an “out-of-control” climate. Meanwhile, Desert X faces ongoing controversy for its Saudi-funded sister program, Desert X AlUla, which has been criticized for partnering with a country known for human rights abuses.
Marc Bohan, who led Christian Dior’s design for nearly three decades, died at 97 in France. He outlasted even the brand’s founder in tenure and was known for his practical yet elegant designs aimed at “real women.” His clientele ranged from Princess Grace of Monaco to Elizabeth Taylor. Bohan introduced fashion staples like the midi skirt and ruffled blouses, and was lauded for his impeccable tailoring. He took over Dior under challenging circumstances, succeeding Yves Saint Laurent, and quickly won over skeptics with his “Slim Look.” Bohan also ventured into children’s fashion and designed iconic wedding dresses, including one for Swedish Queen Silvia. His work has been recognized with multiple awards and continues to influence modern designers.
Cassina’s limited-edition Maralunga 50. Image courtesy of Cassina…
Cassina is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Maralunga armchair and sofa with a special edition called Maralunga 50, available in a one-of-a-kind “Vico Red.” This shade pays homage to Vico Magistretti, the original designer, who was known for his love of red and nonconformist stance in the design world. The Maralunga 50 comes in two- and three-seat versions, framed by special stitching and upholstered in Nubuck leather. Magistretti was posthumously inducted into Cassina’s iMaestri collection earlier this year, joining other design legends like Gio Ponti and Charles and Ray Eames. The iMaestri collection has a storied history, initiated in 1964 when Cassina acquired rights to produce works by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand. The Maralunga line won the Compasso d’Oro industrial design award in 1979, and its latest iteration was showcased during Milan Design Week as part of Cassina’s exhibit “Echoes, 50 Years of iMaestri” curated by Patricia Urquiola and Federica Sala.
Phillips auction house is setting up a new space in Milan, marking its latest strategic move to capture a larger share of the international art market. The Milan outpost will feature both an office and a gallery, where curated exhibitions, previews, and events will be held. Located in the city’s historic center, the facility aims to strengthen Phillips’ presence in Italy and across Europe, offering a range of items including art, design, photographs, and watches from its sales in London, New York, Hong Kong, and Geneva. The expansion comes as Phillips also launches Dropshop, a direct sales initiative partnering with artists for limited-edition online sales, and coincides with an exhibition featuring 20th-century and contemporary art highlights from upcoming auctions.
Charlotte Center City Partners and the McColl Park Committee have teamed up with Hood Design Studio and Bolton & Menk to transform the site of the demolished Thomas Polk Park into a new public space called McColl Park. The new park is named in honor of Hugh McColl, former Bank of America CEO, and aims to meet the community’s needs through a design that reflects the city’s vibrant history. The design firms will work closely with community leaders to finalize the park’s features, starting with a public open house event on September 21. The project is privately funded with an estimated cost of $7 million and construction will begin after the community engagement and design development stages are completed.
Bojagi Lounge by Izaskun Chinchilla Architects. Photography by DongWoong Lee…
