A video showing off the results of the recent renovations at Guerlain's flagship store at 68 Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris.
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Posted by Robin on 13 Comments
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13 Comments
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I really love most things Guerlain, and of course I’d love to visit the new FS store – but I don’t really like the look and feel of the renovated spaces, especially what seems like a cold white marble corridor/alley (the scent bar).
The feeling I get is quite antiseptic….
The only space that appealed to me was the institut 8at the end of the video)… those danglig orchid plants were particularly appealing!!!!
Anyway, I’d love to pay a visit and be proved wrong!
I’d agree in a way. I do think it’s gorgeous, and love the way they did the video although wish they’d lingered longer…would love to see the collection of vintage bottles. But it does look “cold” — it isn’t a place I’d like to hang out.
When did scented leather gloves become a thing (I see them in the video and I read a comment on the v-day post about L’artisan doing them too)? I like this idea – frivolous and sensual, my favorite attributes of luxury.
“Darling, I want to take the Bently out for a drive. Where did I put my my Nahema scented kidskin gloves?”
The origins of the perfume industry in Grasse was to create fragrances to scent leather gloves, which would otherwise smell too strongly of leather…so they’re something of a tradition even if few brands make them these days.
I didn’t know that – thanks!
oh, I would love to hang out there…I think..maybe the coldness would hit when I actually went in it though. Who knows.
🙂
I visited the old store a few years ago (when I drug my poor friend all over Paris on the “perfume parade”). I remember the gentleman spraying scent on a black feather fan and wafting it towards me. The lovely perfume bar. Being offered macaroons while they wrapped my purchase. I agree that the white hallways looks cold, but the rest looks beautiful. I adore the giant bees floating in the air and yes, the hanging orchids.
The bees are lovely. It’s all lovely, just not what I’d call “inviting”. Meanwhile, wish my local Guerlain counter had those teas!
Oh I agree on not inviting, but those old historic buildings are so damn tricky. Old and classy isn’t really “inviting” either, unless we’re talking a comfy library. You can’t jazz it up too much or the historic people start screaming, a very fine line to walk. I’m not a big fan of white in public spaces so that is off-putting, but the fact that they kept the lighting and the woodwork in most areas says a lot. The white hallway wouldn’t keep me from visiting again when I’m back in Paris 🙂
Oh, agree, no easy thing to find just the right look. And hey, did not mean I would refuse to visit if I was in Paris 😉
It’s beautiful, but I can’t imagine ever feeling dressed up enough to go there!
I have to admit, I don’t know what they were thinking. There are a few bits that are somewhat appealing, one bit, the hanging orchids is quite lovely and the rest just feels over the top and I’m not even convinced it’s in good taste. I feel like they tried a bit too hard with this. I would visit, were I there, but I don’t ‘get’ what they were after.