Magnifissance April 2016

Luxury Refined Through Heritage
April 2016 | First Issue

JANUARY SHOWS SOLD OUT.
SHEN YUN RETURNS IN MARCH!
Experience a Divine Culture
“Five stars, that’s the top!”
— Richard Connema, Broadway critic
“5,000 years of
Chinese music and dance,
in one night!”
— The New York Times
“Beautiful...
a nimble mastery.”
— Chicago Tribune
Ancient China was a land of beauty and
wonder—a world of heroes, legends, and
heavenly wisdom—until its divine culture
was lost.
Now, this lost civilization returns with
Shen Yun. The energy and expressiveness
of classical Chinese dance. Soul-stirring
music that blends East and West. And cutting-edge
animated backdrops that take
you to another world.
“Simply gorgeous stage magic...
A must-see!”
— Broadway World
“It was an extraordinary experience for us and
the children. The level of skill, but also the power of
the archetypes and the narratives were startling.”
— Cate Blanchett, Academy Award–winning actress
“It is just an amazing experience here! The stories
are exciting, the dances are very professional, the
costumes are beautiful and I am really impressed
with the blending and the dovetailing of the technical
graphic on the dance.It’s quit exciting to watch and
very inspirational!”
— Stewart F. Lane, Six-time Tony Award–winning producer
“I’ve been coming to this theater for over 45 years,
and my name is on the theater...I’m very pleased that a
company of this talent performs here and their dance is
exposed to New Yorkers.”
— David H. Koch, Executive Vice President of Koch Industries
Magnifissance 2
DAVID H. KOCH THEATER
LINCOLN CENTER • MARCH 2-13
Reserve The Best Seats Now!
800-818-2393 | ShenYun.com/NY

contents | April 2016
Noble Heart
Of Merit
10
12
14
Sacred Stitch
Origins of France’s most lavish lace can be traced
back to a cloister of women who surrendered all
earthly possessions to pursue a closer walk with
God, through needle and thread.
Forest Side Hotel reborn after 18 months of
renovation, The Culture of Luxury in the Golden
Age at Peabody Essex Museum, TEFAF 2016 in
Maastricht & New York, Tapestries of Louis XIV
at the Getty Center; and more.
World Stage:
It’s Broadband, Baby!
A Broadway power couple takes their love of theater
from behind the curtain and into an all-new
digital legacy.
60
41
48
French Revival
From a story of friendship to a labor of love, French
Heritage Society transforms one nation’s treasure into
multinational legacy.
Fashion
52
60
64
2016 Spring Haute couture
Beauty Awakened
Pioneer Arnaud de Lummen brings
fashion’s elegant past into a bright new future.
A Whiff of French Chic
In the perfume capital of the world,
the intricate art of French fragrance
traces a past of luxury and mystique.
Poetry of Objects
48
16
18
20
22
28
Tea in Springtime
Literary Zen
Nature’s Treasures
New Beginnings
High Jewelry: Fairy Song
In faraway lands of lore and legend, enchanted
maidens rest within bejeweled woods, where
diamond dewdrops glisten on emerald meadows,
and secret gems wink in the color of every flower.
16
Color Epiphany
Magnifissance 4
34
Heavenly Palette
The world-renowned New York-based Shen
Yun Performing Arts has been reviving China’s
5000-year-old traditional culture for the past ten
years. Inspired by their 2016 World Tour image,
we introduce four uplifting color combinations
that inspire creativity and new discoveries.
68
52
28

contents | April 2016
contents | April 2016
Art
68
In Fine Feathers
France’s plumasserie virtuoso
reveals how nature and craft
combine to capture the world’s wonder.
design
72
The Power of Detail and
the Modern Order of Serenity
Top interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield expresses his
vision of beauty
food
people
94
100
the druid of paris
A philosophical savant infuses magic into Paris’ finest
restaurants.
Life in the Saddle
Champion horse jumper Virginie Couperie-Eiffel may
have hung up her boots, but her raison d’etre is forever
fostering the family’s equestrian tradition.
Heartful Spaces
106
The Art of Bespoke
London-based architect and interior designer Luigi
Esposito infuses a posh penthouse with divine
floor-to-ceiling artistry and restores it to its glory days.
76
100
76
82
Culinary Sage
A culinary maestro blends nature and imagination
to reinvent French cuisine and rediscover the deeper
meaning of life.
Nectar of the Gods and Men
Nature’s wondrous gift: honey’s journey from ancient
Greece to Versailles to a modern-day spring table.
travel
86
92
The Romance of Paris
Few cities inspire writing like the French capital, travel
book author Don George takes us through his serendipitous
journey that made him realize the possibility
to combine two of his greatest passions.
Polished perspectives:
a Cosmopolitan’s Crowning Jewel
Four New Yorkers share about their lifelong passion for
French culture.
Magnifissance 6
47
86

Editor’s Page
Luxury Refined Through Heritage
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Wendy Guo
W
Luxury Refined Through Heritage
April 2016 | First Issue
Executive Editor-in-Chief
Peggy Liu
Art Director
Laure Fu
Managing Editor
Echo Li
Senior Fashion Editor Many Ngom
Senior Features Editor J.H.White
Associate Editor Lia Onely, Arial Tian
Travel & Social Editor Chelsea Chen
Food Editor Gaelle Didillion
Art Assistants Ximeng Bao, Camille Diao, Cherry Chen
Copy Editor Alice Lovett
Research Ben Maloney
Art Consultant Claire Shi
Contributing writers
Janine Mackie, Kate Missine, Yi Yang, Don Geroge,
Elena Vosnaki, Milene Fernandez
Contributing Photographer
Gaelle Didillion
Director of Audience Development & Business Development
Olivier Chartrand
Digital Manager
Ben Maloney
elcome to the world of Magnifissance, Luxury Refined Through Heritage.
It’s a journey through time — sacred craftsmanship, cultural icons and art rooted
in wisdom and the spirit of innovation, as alive today as ever.
The chinoiserie illustration “Spring Awakening” decorates our cover — homage
to the beautiful cross-pollination of cultural influences in France’s heritage, the
focus of this maiden issue. While diving into the depths of their inspiration, we
shine light on the artists, artisans and tastemakers today who cherish, polish and
forge French culture, old and new.
Our appreciation starts with the lasting legacy of King Louis XIV. His
commitment to cultivate the arts is simply seen, as France still crafts the world’s
finest cuisine, couture, perfume and lace. Equally pious and devout, the “Sun
King” knew too well that works that depict divinity, in return, inspire it.
That heavenly grace is no more plainly seen than in nature. Knighted
plumasserie virtuoso Nelly Saunier observes little winged angels and gives
new life to their fallen plumes. Horses teach champion show jumper Virginie
Couperie-Eiffel how to wisely walk in life’s flawless cadence. And the wild
delivers delicious ingredients to multi-starred Michelin chef Alain Ducasse and
a rare herb gatherer — nicknamed the Druid of Paris — who both believe in the
transformative powers of Mother Earth.
Flowing in the natural way, divinely-inspired shades from Shen Yun, one of the
grandest cultural phenomenons of our time, are gathered to lighten your home,
wardrobe and mood. Meaning “the beauty of divine
beings dancing,” this unique dance troupe protects
and promotes classical Chinese dance the world over.
It’s time to remember, to be reborn. We hope these
colorful luminaries remind you of what’s important in
life so you can fly high ahead.
ADVERTISING
(646) 577-3532
info@tasteoflifemag.com
Subscriptions
(347) 506-8972
info@tasteoflifemag.com
Peggy Liu, Executive Editor-in-Chief
Cover: Spring Awakening, illustration by Ximeng Bao
Printed in Canada
Magnifissance 8

Of Merit
THE BEST OF LEGACY, DESIGN, AND THINGS REFINED
Opposite: A stunning piece of
Point de France Lace Mother
Colette brought out of the
archive. Left: Argentan lace
with motif of Jeanne d’Arc
Sacred Stitch
Origins of France’s most lavish lace can be traced back to a
cloister of women who surrendered all earthly possessions to pursue
a closer walk with God, through needle and thread.
Interview and photography by Gaelle Didillion
Texty by Janine Mackie
Our quest for France’s finest needle lace atelier
leads us to a group of skilled ladies in a Benedictine
monastery in the village of Argentan,
about 250 kilometers west of Paris.
History books paint a legacy of the monastery’s epic
survival dating back to the sixth century — it was raided by
Vikings, dispersed by the French Revolution and bombed
during the Second World War. After each adversity, the
devout Benedictine sisters would humbly rebuild in the
shadows and continue a contemplative life of prayer. The
prestigious art of Point de France lacemaking saved the
community from expulsion, and the sisters continue to
uphold the sacred stitches in great esteem.
Mother Colette, who entered the monastery 48 years
ago, explains that handmade needle lace is purely a luxury
item and is extremely rare, where each small piece takes
months to complete.
During the time of King Louis XIV, because of the skill
and labor required in making needle lace, only kings and
nobles could afford this precious textile.
It begins with a drawing, then with silent hands, the
sisters patiently work with linen thread “as thin as angels’
hair” to create decorative wonders.
“We are vigilant to live the heritage of our past and
faithfully preserve our tradition,” says Mother Prioress,
one among 32 sisters who live at the monastery. “Through
this process we develop virtues of patience, perseverance,
humility and silence.”
Prayer for the world and the wish to bring people
beauty inspirit the sisters’ work from dawn to dusk, even
as they turn tangled thread into finished art that reflects
the grace of creation.
Today, a range of discerning clientele who appreciate
the true value of French needle lace continue to place
orders with the monastery for designs they can use as
embellishments for wedding veils and baptism bonnets,
and many also collect them as valuable pieces of art. For
more inforamation, visit Abbaye-argentan.fr
Magnifissance 10

Magnifissance | Of Merit
Tarry in a
Fairy Tale
Collector’s
Paradise
Above: All the suites are
freshly redesigned by
James Mackie with a whimsical
feel sure to restore you
back to your nature. Left:
Forest Side Hotel perfectly
balances the stately Victorian
Era with its enchanting
gardens and architecture,
married with lush modern
comforts, such as spa-like
ensuites.
There’s a place nestled away in the rugged rocky Lake
District region of northern UK where you can find your
wardrobe to Narnia.
Rooted in 46 acres of wonder and wilderness, Forest
Side Hotel has just emerged from its cocoon of 18 months
of renovation. Reborn, the exquisite inn revives the architectural
artistry of the Victorian Era with its slate and
stone walls, double-glazed sash windows, and traditional
hearths that make you feel right at home. Enchanting gardens
and modern amenities illuminate the property, plush
vibrant fabrics and furniture delightfully frame each room,
and renowned chef Kevin Tickle sublimates ingredients
forged from the grounds into fine local Cumbrian cuisine.
theforestside.com — Many Ngom
Photography by Jenny Heyworth
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Aronson Antiquairs
Resurrect your stylish sensibilities with TEFAF’s art old and new, such
as with these “Cashmire” palette garden urns by Pieter Adriaensz. Kocx,
circa 1710.
Boasting 275 of the world’s leading galleries, The European
Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) will host old master paintings
and antiques as well as contemporary art, photography
and jewelry. Not only is it a hobbyist’s playhouse, it’s also
a collector’s dream as it has a longstanding reputation for
vetting the authenticity of each piece with 175 international
experts.
TEFAF Maastricht exhibits in the Netherlands from
March 11–20th and later travels for the first time to New
York in October at the Park Avenue Armory. Tefaf.com —
J.H. White
East, West,
Dutch’s Best
Right: The Dutch East
India Company returned
from Asia with
gems that beguiled
Dutch high society
and artists, such as
Paulus Moreelse in his
“Portrait of a Young
Woman,” circa 1620.
The Patron
Saints of
Hermès
Hermès master craftsmen will engage with guests at the exhibition and answer any
questions about their age-old signature methods of artistry.
With his stunning religious paintings, it’s vividly clear that
Dutch maestro Rembrandt drew inspiration from the divine.
In the 17th century, the Dutch East India Company furnished
Dutch homes with lavish luxury goods such as porcelain,
textiles and gems from China — a land and culture
thought to be inspired by the heavens.
These Eastern works of art profoundly
influenced Dutch lifestyle: virtuosos
like Rembrandt painted these pleasures,
fashionistas donned their silky robes, and
socialites sipped their spicy teas. Now you
can revel in the Oriental opulence that
cultivated Dutch culture as we know it.
Asia in Amsterdam: The Culture of Luxury
in the Golden Age runs through June 5th,
2016, at Peabody Essex Museum in Salem,
Massachusetts. pem.org — Lia Onely
Magnifissance 12
Left: The wealthiest Dutch families distinguished themselves
by ordering personalized porcelain. “Porcelain
Sweetmeat” dresses here the coat of arms of governor-general
Johannes Camphuys. Jingdezhen, China,
1671–1690.
Photography by Jacques Breuer
Photo courtesy of Hermès
Founded in 1837 in Paris as an atelier for bridles and
harnesses, it’s no coincidence that Hermès chose the
Hollandsche Manege, home to the oldest riding school
in the Netherlands, as the venue for Festival des Métiers
this April.
Craftsmen will print the famous Hermès silk scarf
and create iconic objects just as if you were stepping
into a workshop in Paris. Patrons will interact with
these skillful patron saints and experience first-hand
their unique savoir-faire, as centuries of trade wisdom
will be shared.
Free and open to the public, Festival des Métiers travels
to the Hollandsche Manege in Amsterdam, April
1st–10th, 2016. hermes.com — Cherry Lee

Magnifissance | Of Merit
Gemstones
for Home
Left: BroadwayHD founders and
award-winning Broadway producers
Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley.
Below: Bonnie Comley, Stewart F. Lane,
David Horn, and Mitch Owgang at
Signature Theater to screen shoot for
BroadwayHD
Photo courtesy of Samuel & Sons
The signature pearls of Audrey Hepburn
and Jackie O, dazzling beads reminiscent
of Fabergé eggs, and hand-sewn French
knotting inspired Lori Weitzner’s
Bejeweled, a new decorative trim collection
for Samuel and Sons. The century-old
weaving techniques from Calcutta, she
said, made the collection “so much more
magnificent than we could have envisioned
ourselves.” samuelandsons.com, — J.H. White
Orion Studded Border in Pewter from the new Bejeweled Collection.
World Stage:
Hanging
To celebrate the “Sun King,” as King Louis XIV was known, 300 years after his death, a handful of his
collection will be available to guests at the Getty, including Charles Le Brun’s Autumn, circa 1669.
It’s Broadband, Baby!
by Threads
A Broadway power couple takes their love of theater from behind
the curtain and into an all-new digital legacy.
It may have been Shakespeare who said “All the world’s a
stage,” but it’s Broadway power couple Stewart F. Lane
and Bonnie Comley who are bringing the metaphor into
reality.
Comley and husband Lane — also known as Mr.
Broadway — are no strangers to the curtain’s call. Having
shined in roles from actors to directors to producers over
several decades, the couple shares between them over
twenty productions and multiple awards, including six
Tony Awards, 2014’s War Horse among them.
Now the couple has taken this beautiful artform on a
daring new adventure, preserving Broadway’s classic appeal
for future generations. Their initiative — BroadwayHD,
an online streaming service similar to Netflix — unlocks
the world-class theater’s magic without the trip, or the
exorbitant ticket price.
It may not quite replace the real deal, but, according
to Comley, the screen does proffer some unique benefits.
“Being able to see the up-close emotion of the actor
is a treat that not many people in the audience get to
experience from their seats.”
BroadwayHD currently has over 120 productions of the
stage’s greatest works in its repertoire. In a digital world
full of ever-changing content, the Broadway theatre
culture is a legacy that, like an antique, is bound to only
grow more precious. “We’re constantly on the lookout
for new opportunities,” Comley says. “Our vision is to
one day stream opening night of every Broadway show!”
broadwayhd.com — Kate Missine
Photography by Eugene Gologursky/WireImage
Photography by Lawrence Perquis
King Louis XIV’s penchant for art was not just
of simple pleasing. His Herculean tapestries, in
particular, symbolized status, power, taste and
wealth — qualities he wanted synonymous with
his legacy.
The tapestries’ beauty was born of unsurpassable
workmanship. First sketches, then a fullscale
oil painting to act as blueprint. Then with a
monk’s devotion, master weavers would entwine
wool, silk, silver and gold. A segment of cloth
the size of a hand took a whole day to weave,
yet the crown’s collection contained more than
2,650 stunning pieces.
However, with the French Revolution, most of
these woven wonders were lost. Of the few dozen
that remain, 15 masterpieces will be on display
in LA on May 1, 2016 at the Getty Center’s new
exhibition, Woven Gold: Tapestries of Louis XIV.
getty.edu — Lia Onely
Magnifissance 14

Poetry of Objects | Home Decor
Tea in Springtime
When fresh blossoms and sunshine beckon, but the breeze still
hasn’t quite lost its brisk edge, bring the garden tea party inside,
with a fragrant cup savored in a pastel-hued sunroom.
Text by Kate Missine
Produced by Laure Fu
Fantasy and technology put on a show of light
in the Lladró Niagara Chandelier: handmade
fairies of porcelain touched with golden luster
dance around in twinkling cascade, suspended
on weightless fiber optic strands. $20,000,
lladro.com, (888) 448-3552
Inspired by the Ginkgo Biloba tree, with leaves
reminiscent of butterfly wings, fantastical
branches weave an intricate fairytale motif to
the base of the Butterfly Ginkgo Coffee Table
by Michael Aram, handcrafted in specially
patinated brass and topped with airy glass.
$6,950, michaelaram.com, (212) 461-6903
Inspired by an 18th century German design,
butterflies handpainted by master artists flutter
on a powder-blue and chalk-yellow porcelain
Butterfly Breakfast Set by Meissen for Asprey.
The adorably rounded shape adds a whimsical
touch. $2,000, asprey.com, (212) 688-1811
Kindel’s artisanal process skillfully blends the
Savoy Dining Chair’s curved cherry-wood
top rail into elegant arching sides. A gracefully
sweeping back conjures spring’s sweetness
with vibrant hand-carved florals, revealing a
sky blue interior. $5,130, kindelfurniture.com,
(616) 243-3676
Magnifissance 16

Poetry of Objects | Home Decor
Literary Zen
A serene East-meets-West retreat is ideal for
sinking into a thoughtful read. Soothing dark
woods, modern forms, and Japanese influences
create a meditative escape from the urban rush.
Text by Kate Missine
Produced by Laure Fu
The polished walnut and ebony Dansu Bar
Cabinet from the Laura Kirar Collection
for Baker shows modern and Japanese
influences made popular during the Roaring
Twenties; accented with a leather top and
bronze engine-turned pulls, a reference to the
era’s jewelry. $16,500, bakerfurniture.com,
(212) 779-8810
Delicate Japanese Magnolia blossoms set a serene
mood, floating on a hand gilt background
across two panels of the Spring Magnolias
paintings from Theodore Alexander, based
on circa 1900 Japanese originals. $1,194,
theodorealexander.com, (336) 885-5005
The harmony of a sphere imparts a calming
mood with an ambient glow. Wax-finished
gilded iron bands wrap a central cylindrical
light in the Circa Lighting Metal Banded
Large Pendant designed by E.F. Chapman.
$1,680, circalighting.com, (877)-762-2323
Contemporary yet classic lines make up the
graceful Christopher Guy Medea banquette,
with upswept form and flared legs. A dark
java finish and white seat contrast as yin and
yang energy. Starting retail price at $4,250,
christopherguy.com, (212) 684-2197
Magnifissance 18

Poetry of Objects | Jewelry
Nature’s
Treasures
With spring’s first breath, the sun’s still-timid
rays bring fresh buds to life, jade leaves wrap
nature’s fruitful gifts, and gentle blossoms
adorn with their fragile forms.
Text by Kate Missine
Produced by Laure Fu
Affinity 20k Earrings with white
onyx and diamonds, from Coomi’s
Affinity Collection, $12,000,
coomi.com, (866) 867-7222
Jade Disk earrings by David
Webb, surrounded by brilliant-cut
diamonds and framed in hammered
18k gold and platinum. $65,000,
davidwebb.com, (212) 421-3030
Roberto Coin Satin Finish Ring
with Fleur de Lis Diamonds in 18k
yellow gold, approx. 0.59ct weight of
diamonds, $4,900, us.robertocoin.com,
(212) 486-4545
Mikimoto’s Classic Golden South
Sea Cultured Pearl Earrings with
0.71ct of diamonds and multi metals,
$27,500, mikimotoamerica.com,
(212) 457-4600
Magnifissance 20

Poetry of Objects | Antiques
New Beginnings
A window into the past unexpectedly welcomes the sweet breeze of nature’s renewal. Amidst a trove of
antique treasures, organic inspirations of flowering branches and scrolling vines, pearl shell and fragile
lotus invoke the primordial essence of land and water. Like changing seasons, yesterday’s artful objects
become today’s precious gifts; lovely spring blossoms pressed and preserved for generations to come.
Text by Kate Missine
Produced by Peggy Liu
An exceedingly rare and complex porcelain painting technique
of incrusté displays an elaborate Chinoiserie motif, legacy of
Viennese painter Johann Gregorius Höroldt, on a sea-green
background in a c. 1735 Meissen Covered Bowl, trimmed with
a gold rim and gilt scrollwork foot. $65,000, michelebeiny.com,
(212) 794-935
The c. 1760 inverted baluster Early American Silver Coffee Pot by Daniel C. Fueter, stylistically close to the
designs of Myer Myers, features a double scroll wood handle, elegant leaf-cap spout, stepped spreading foot,
and domed cover with gadrooned calyx and cast foliate finial. $115,000, shrubsole.com, (212) 753-8920
Magnifissance 22

Poetry of Objects | Antiques
A folding Italian Art Nouveau Screen c. 1902 in the Liberty style, the Italian equivalent of Art
Nouveau by Florentine furniture makers Girard & Cutler. Floral arches are carved in maple, walnut,
mahogany, and satinwood with an inlaid nautical scene and monogram, illustrating the Japanese
influences popular in late 19th century Europe. $120,000, maisongerard.com, (212) 674-7611
Edwardian Agate, Chalcedony,
and Diamond Panel Bracelet from
1915, with diamond floral motifs
adorning the centers. $32,000,
alvr.com, (212) 752-1727
A polished periwinkle shell forms
the base for a French Retro Shell
& Diamond Brooch by Sterle,
c. 1960, set with diamonds and
mounted with 18k gold. $17,500,
shrubsole.com, (212) 753-8920
Silver Flower Vase in the Form of
a Lotus from the late Meiji —
Taisho era, c. 1900–1920. A
scrolling floral design in cloisonné
enamel adorns the foot. $12,500,
kagedo.com, (360) 376-9077
Magnifissance 24

Poetry of Objects | High Jewelry
Fairy Song
In faraway lands of lore and legend, away from mere
mortals’ eyes, enchanted maidens rest upon clouds of
spun gold, fairies spread their sparkling wings, and
nymphs flitter through bejeweled woods, as diamond
dewdrops glisten on emerald meadows, and secret
gems wink in the color of every flower.
Text by Kate Missine
Illustration by Ximeng Bao
Produced by Laure Fu
Magnifissance 26

Poetry of Objects | High Jewelry
Chopard An Alluring Paraiba Set
Limited Edition
At mountains’ feet, water nymphs splash in a hidden lake’s
crystalline depths, guarded by a sacred circle of diamonds.
Oval paraiba tourmaline of 41.5ct and lacework diamond
ribbon on an 18k white gold ring. Earrings en suite.
Ref 829676-1001, (+33) 1 5535-2010, chopard.com
Secrets and Lights – A Mythical Journey by Piaget
Secrets of Venice Cuff Bracelet
In a rustle of sapphire feathers and an eye’s
emerald twinkle, the elusive bird of happiness
appears only to those of pure heart. Emeralds, blue
sapphires, diamonds (approx. 1.08ct), and feathers
on 18k white gold cuff bracelet. Ref G36L9300,
(+33) 1 5818-1415, piaget.com
Magnifissance 28

Poetry of Objects | High Jewelry
Fabergé Secret Garden High Jewellery Collection Necklace
Among the jeweled wildflowers of mythic meadows is where sprites and butterflies come to frolic. Emeralds,
padparadscha sapphires, and raspberry rubies detail a hand-painted enamel egg pendant, surrounded by
pink spinels, mint tourmalines, tanzanites, moonstones and opals. (646) 559-8848, faberge.com
Cartier High Jewelry Caresse d’Orchidées Necklace
As soft as petals’ flutter, demure as maiden’s blush, a blossom
graces spirits with beauty’s gentle touch. Lavender chalcedony
pendant, purple cultured pearls, colored sapphires and diamonds
on a white gold necklace. Ref CRHP701159, (800) 227-8437,
cartier.us
Magnifissance 30

Poetry of Objects | High Jewelry
Van Cleef & Arpels Seven Seas Collection Fee des Mers Clip
A siren’s soulful song beckons from within a seashell’s precious
opalescent heart. White and yellow gold, diamonds, blue and
yellow sapphires, spessartite, grossular garnets, and a cabochon-cut
chalcedony of 23.64ct. (877) 8262-5333, vancleefarpels.com
Soie Dior “Fronce Saphir Rose” Bracelet
A rose-colored dawn wakes buds of diamond petals to deep blushing stamens
twinkling within; a floral fairy’s sparkling surprise. Diamonds, rubies and pink
sapphires on a white gold bracelet. Ref JCAD93028, (800) 929-3467, dior.com
Magnifissance 32

Magnifissance | Inspiration
Ladies of the Tang Palace, Shen Yun 2014. Ladies of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 C.E.) court — dressed in divinely inspired garb—stand poised to greet us with dance.
Their golden skirts and wide, sweeping sleeves move in a chorus of stately color and music, exemplifying the spirit of China’s mightiest dynasty.
Inspiration from
the Divine
www.ShenYun.com
An ancient treasure unfolds before us; our senses awaken.
The music starts and a sublime energy moves us to the
core. The New York based Shen Yun Performing Arts
has performed classical Chinese dance and music in over 100
cities around the world. This spring, they will bring this global
phenomenon back to New York City for its tenth season.
In Chinese, Shen Yun means “the beauty of divine
beings dancing.” Shen Yun Performing Arts has been
reviving China’s 5000-year-old traditional culture for the
past ten years, leaving audiences around the world in awe.
For thousands of years, China was known as the “Celestial
Empire,” with a divinely inspired culture. The ancients believed
immortals from celestial paradises would reincarnate as
humans on earth to impart values such as loyalty, courage,
and compassion to humankind.
Yet, for the past half century, ever since the Chinese
Communist Party took over the country, China’s authentic
ancient heritage has been on the brink of extinction. Seeing
Shen Yun’s performance on stage and experiencing true
traditional Chinese culture is a rare and unique experience.
Text by Milene Fernandez
Magnifissance 34

Magnifissance | Inspiration
Ancient Chinese poets, musicians, dancers, martial
artists, and even great war strategists often looked to
the divine for inspiration and guidance. They would
gather in gardens, by a lake, or deep in the forest
with their peers for philosophical discussions or selfreflection,
sometimes while drinking tea, playing a
board game, or writing poems.
Before picking up their brushes, poets would sit
upright, adjust their breathing, and regulate the
energy in their bodies to reach a state of tranquility
through meditation, seeking to create art from a pure
and humble state of mind.
In line with traditional Chinese culture, Shen Yun
dancers know that the essence of their performance
www.ShenYun.com
not only rests in their technical skill, but in their state
of mind — you can see it in every delicate gesture,
turn, leap, or breathtaking tumbling technique.
Shen Yun will return to Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch
Theater, March 2–13. For more information on the 2016
world tour, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Flower Fairies, Shen Yun 2012. Dressed
in soft pink skirts and gossamer capes,
performers glide across the stage like
petals adrift in the wind.
Magnifissance 36

Magnifissance | Color Epiphany
Heavenly
Palette
Produced and styled by Many Ngom
Text by Kate Missine
The art of Shen Yun is about grace, music, and
movement, coming together in beautiful harmony.
With classical Chinese dance in mind, we drew
inspiration for four color combinations from
both the visually arresting 2016 Shen Yun poster and the
captivating sounds of its melodies.
On the following pages, you’ll discover four uplifting
palettes, ranging from pale to saturated, the hues resembling
notes lined up in a crescendo, from faint to intense, in a
musical staircase.
A bright palette comprises the golden yellow of the poster’s
background, fading to pale grey and white. Warm hues run
from nude and taupe to juicy coral, while a cool palette shows
shades of azure blue. Finally, a contrasting palette sets up a
forte-piano interplay of soft spring pastels and vivid brights.
www.ShenYun.com
Magnifissance 38
Shen Yun 2016 World Tour image

Magnifissance | Color Epiphany
Sunny
Outlook
Flowers in vase: Africa Studio / Shutterstock
6
7
Lemon Zest
13-0756 TPX
2
1. Gucci Lurex Floral Brocade Jacket
2. De Gournay Gunmetal Silk Damask Fabric
3. Hermès Rayure Ombrée Silk Stripe Fabric
4. Moser Hand Cut Vase
5. Dedar Milano Grand Natté Laminato Metallic
Cotton Fabric
6. 222 Fifth Fine China 6-Pc. Adelaide Yellow
Lidded Canister Set
7. Mikimoto Akoya Cultured Pearl Opera
Length Necklace
8. Lladró Magic Forest Long Earrings
9. Anna-Karin Karlsson Lush Lily Cat-Eye
Textured-Acetate Mirrored Sunglasses
1
3
The pattern of carving silverware.: Africa Studio / Shutterstock
The first days of spring bring
promise of warmth and
optimism. The golden sunshine,
the zest of icy lemonade, a
bright bunch of daffodils —
sunny yellow is the color of
summer, of happiness and hope;
the perfect antidote to winter’s
dreary days. Energizing and
stimulating, a yellow palette
makes for a sophisticated feel
that doesn’t overwhelm when
tempered with neutrals like grey,
silver, or pearl white. Adapt this
uplifting combination in a chic
style — try a lemony handbag
paired with grey tweed and
pearls; or at home: toss some
bold yellow cushions on a charcoal
sofa, or set a spring mimosa
bouquet in a silver vase for an
instant pick-me-up.
8
White Alyssum
11-1001 TPX
Magnifissance 40
4 5
9

Magnifissance | Color Epiphany
A Fair
Maiden’s
Blush
As the days grow longer, so do warm
nights spent outdoors: in shared
laughter and sparkling bellinis
under the sunset’s rose-tinted skies,
or in quiet reflection as the sun
disappears into the horizon, the last
of its heated coral glow replaced by
a dreamlike wash of soft sepia, and
the beach’s white sands turn taupe.
Ripe peach, iced rose, and rich
cocoa evoke the pleasures of sugary
confections, an ode to all things
delectable. Enhance the sweetness
without cloying in the fluid fabrics
of a silk coral sundress or toffee
satin sheets; add shine with rose
gold and pink pearls; or swipe on a
peachy-pink lip gloss and blush for
a classic graceful and elegant look.
Rose: julie scholz / Shutterstock; Flamingo feathers: Mary Rice / Shutterstock; Sunset: Vibrant Image Studio / Shutterstock
4
3
2
5
6
Hot Coral
17-1656 TPX
Amber Brown
17-1147 TPX
Peach Parfait
14-1219 TPX
1
1. Tom Dixon Hex Champagne Bucket
2. Christian Louboutin Kristali Pump
3. St. John Collection Shellwalk Coral Pillow
4. Dedar Milano GIOIA Shantung Stripe Silk
5. Dedar Milano Argentina Silk Taffeta
6. Dedar Milano Funky Stripes Fabric
Magnifissance 42

Magnifissance | Color Epiphany
4
5
Azure
Contemplation
7
Beveled Glass
14-5714 TPX
Blue sky: Bulbash / Shutterstock
Clearwater
12-4608 TPX
Cool and serene, the freshness
of azure makes us think of
salt-scented sea air and spring
rain. Traditionally defined
as the color of the sky on a
clear day, azure spans a range
of atmospheric hues: from
green-toned seafoam, to steely
blue-grey, to vivid turquoise
and bold teal. With their
soothing, calming effect, these
aqua-inspired shades lend
themselves for use almost
anywhere a peaceful presence
is desired. Mix with plenty of
white throughout the home,
perfect for a beach cottage;
or accessorize a single room
— the bathroom’s aquatic
element is a natural, but it also
works beautifully in a feminine
bedroom, set off by peach or
rose, a sunroom, or a restful
lounge.
3
2
1
6
9
1. Richard Ginori Porcelain Plate
2. Louis Vuitton Babylone PM Bag
3. Lilly Pulitzer Lee-Jofa Fringe
4. Ann Sacks Blossom Mosaic Glass Tile
5. Phillip Jeffries Sunset Silk Wallpaper
6. Hermès Rayure Ombrée Silk Stripe Fabric
7. Fromental Florent Wallpaper
8. Phillip Jeffries Tease Wallpaper
9. Dedar Milano ATOUT Cotton Satin Fabric
10. Massoud Silver Damask Chair
8
Magnifissance 44
10

Magnifissance | Color Epiphany
Spring
Dew
Lotus flower: Videowokart / Shutterstock
2
Surf the Web
19-3952 TPX
Spring is the perfect time to
welcome a sense of order and
harmony into your world with
seasonal shades inspired by nature.
These organic hues are all about
balance: the hardness of concrete
grey stone and the intensity of
cobalt-blue skies, contrasted against
the earthy softness of mossy green
grass and romantic flightiness of
pastel-pink cherry blossoms, a
symbol of renewal. Capture the
season’s dewy loveliness with a
flowering sakura branch in a soft
gray-and-pink-toned bedroom;
update a patio with grey wood
plank and bright green seating;
or accent a neckline with a silver
lapis lazuli pendant, symbolizing
strength and longevity.
Production Perig / Shutterstock
oriontrail / Shutterstock
3
1. Phillip Jeffries Manila Hemp Wallpaper
2. Shen Yun Peony Silk Scarf
3. DAUM Pate de Verre Birds
4. Scully and Scully 18k White Gold & Kyanite Blossom Earrings
5. Phillip Jeffries Pewter Vinyl Origami
6. Phillip Jeffries Sequoia Wallpaper
7. Lifetile Savana Iris Stoneware Porcelain Tile
6
4
7
Jasmine Green
15-0545 TPX
Sweet Lilac
14-2808 TPX
Mirage Grey
15-4703 TPX
5
Magnifissance 46
1

Magnifissance | Noble Heart
The opulence of the Italian Renaissance comes alive inside New York’s Consulate General of France building. French Heritage Society
made a grant of $100,000 for restoration in 2007. The work includes the Salon Rose ceiling and the Salon Vert windows.
New York philanthropist and chairman of French Heritage Society Elizabeth Stribling.
French
Revival
From a story of friendship to a labor of love,
French Heritage Society chairman, Elizabeth Stribling, transforms
one nation’s treasure into multinational legacy.
Interviewed by Yi Yang
Text by Kate Missine
Produced by Peggy Liu
Photography by Sigrid Estrada
Photo courtesy of Consulat general de France
On her very first visit to France as a wide-eyed
11-year-old girl, Elizabeth Stribling knew she
would someday be back to the country that captured
her heart.
Today, as chairman of French
Heritage Society (FHS), Stribling
is so deeply entrenched
in all things French, one may
be hard-pressed to believe
that the vibrant Atlanta-born
philanthropist, who has taken
cooking lessons from Julia
Child and has been decorated
twice by the French government,
is a bona fide Southern belle.
“I was born in the South, and we put a lot of emphasis
on conversation, entertaining, and good food, flirting… just
like the French.” Immaculately put together and radiating
elegance, Stribling certainly exudes that je ne sais quoi.
Beyond the graceful facade, though, is a woman not afraid
to roll up her sleeves — one whose boundless hard work
and dedication have been the glue cementing the preservation
of this remarkable cultural legacy.
“I was born in the South and
we put a lot of emphasis on
conversation, entertaining,
and good food, flirting...
just like the French.”
“There was no question that I was to become involved in
French heritage,” says Stribling, who first joined FHS in
1987 and became board chairman in 2008. The society’s story
begins in 1982 with “simply a
friendship of a French woman
and her American friends,”
Stribling says, who came
together in a shared passion:
a fascination with French
culture and a deep respect for
its patrimoine, or heritage.
Recognizing the immense
gift that French culture and
history have bestowed upon
the world, FHS formed with a threefold mission: to preserve
and restore sites of cultural significance both in the U.S.
and in France, foster a cross-cultural exchange, and create
international learning opportunities. FHS’ eleven chapters
combine in joint effort to carry on the tradition of rich
craftsmanship, a legacy living on through those who treasure it.
“We don’t just write checks. We demand equal participation,”
says Stribling, adding that money given to the recipient
must be matched in full. “We’re motivators as well as donors.”
Magnifissance 48

Magnifissance | Noble Heart
Left: Cultural gems like the restored 17th century
mural painting of the Château de Fontainebleau
at the Château de Gizeux is at the heart of FHS’s
mission. The organization awarded two grants
totaling over $60,000 for the restoration. Below:
FHS Board members present the FHS plaque at a
Grant Ceremony following the Château de Gizeux
restoration, with owners Mr. & Mme de Laffon.
New York’s Albertine bookshop inside the French Embassy’s Cultural Services department
located at 972 Fifth Avenue. Wonders of history and the universe are pondered under the
hypnotizing night-sky ceiling emblazoned with signs of the zodiac. French Heritage Society’s
New York Chapter made a grant of $20,000 to the project in 2014.
Photography by John Bartelstone
Photography by Karen Archer, courtesy of French Heritage Society
One of the organization’s most prominent restorations
is the 2007 restoration of New York’s French Consulate
building, which Stribling calls “a labor of enormous love and
dedication.”
The early 20th-century-style townhouse restoration
included preserving Italian Renaissance detail, such as the
picturesque painted ceilings in Salon Rose and Salon Vert,
and the French windows gracing the majestic hall. A recent
renovation is the exceptional Albertine bookshop, a book
lover’s haven aptly named after a Proust character. Designed
by the distinguished Jacques Garcia, the two-story space and
reading room are stunning yet warm, in the style of a private
French library. Overhead, a night-sky motif strewn with
astrological signs creates a transcendent, timeless aura.
In France itself, French Heritage Society restored treasures
ranging from recovered 17th century murals at the Château de
Gizeux to a medieval chateau that once belonged to a knight.
Like brick-and-mortar equivalents of classical texts, these
aged residences are relics of ancient wisdom, their faded faces
etched with our collective roots that transverse generations.
The restorations are show-stopping; a visual treat, resplendent
with the art and architecture that Europe is revered for.
But it’s the voices that speak louder: the souls and stories
behind the structures, told in ivy and tarnish.
“The recipients are so grateful, not just for whatever sum we
raised, but for the spirit of the Americans who are interested,” says
Stribling. In a wave of emotion, she recalls working on the
Château de la Roche Courbon, owned by a couple in their
90s. “They were so touched by the generosity and friendship,
tears came down their faces. A year and a half later, the elderly
gentleman passed away. It brought a sense of accomplishment
and joy to our hearts that we had helped them in the last
days of their lives.”
“On ne se souvient pas des jours, on se souvient des instants,” said
poet Cesare Pavese: ‘we do not remember days, we remember
moments.’ For the recipients, such moments stem from an
authentic, human experience: the joy of finding a kindred
spirit and of seeing a cherished heirloom find a place in others’
hearts for years to come. It’s a pride shared by owners and
officials alike. Stribling talks of a recent anniversary luncheon at
the Paris City Hall where the Military Band of Paris played
both the American and French national anthems — the
first time ever other than for a visiting head of state. “It was
extremely touching,” she smiles. “You can’t get more of an
expression of friendship than that.”
Festive events play a vital part in bringing the two cultures
together, and plenty of excitement is on the agenda for
2017: a celebration in Rhode Island, gala dinners, and visits
to Normandy and Paris. But what Stribling looks forward to
most is passing on the legacy, yesterday marching proudly
into tomorrow. In an era of the new and the virtual, it’s a
challenge not to lose sight of a preciously tangible past. Yet
Stribling is optimistic, seeing a young, dynamic community,
more globally engaged than ever before.
“It’s a way for humanity to benefit in a very pressured world.
I don’t think that the past should be written in stone — it
should be a bridge to the future that inspires us in whatever
we’re doing today.”
Magnifissance 50

Fashion | Haute Couture
Ralph & Russo
Amazing
Grace
Produced and styled by Many Ngom
Text by Kate Missine
Haute couture speaks to one’s
heritage and savoir-faire. Each
fashion house holds a world of
distinct outstanding craftsmanship
and tailoring, a sum of signature style. Nimble
hands grace lace, embroidery, pleated fabrics
and feathered flowers filled with artistic
aroma. The Spring/Summer 2016 Haute
couture collections is a hand-picked bouquet
of this season’s crème de la crème, a balance of
the beauty of earth’s nature and man’s heritage.
Magnifissance 52

Fashion | Haute Couture
Ralph & Russo
A delicate femininity
reigned at Ralph & Russo, with
classic nipped-in silhouettes updated
in sculptural volume. Fragile spring
florals waft in periwinkles and lavenders of
meticulously detailed blossoms appliquéd or
hand-painted in a nod to Chinese calligraphy,
also referenced in the ink-blue of linings. The
palest of petal pinks evoke flowering sakura,
while exposed shoulders and streaming
kimono-like fabrics bring to mind the
subtle femme of geisha.
Magnifissance 54

Fashion | Haute Couture
Valentino
Keeping true to their
unmistakably timeless character,
Valentino’s spring runways looked
back to take their cues from free-spirited
history: romantic turn-of-the-century Venetian
opulence, with the classicism of flowing
Grecian forms; the simplicity of column
dresses interspersed with theatrical brocade
robes. The masterful fabric treatment that
the Italian house is known for shined
as always, in knotted velvet nets and
elaborately embroidered silks.
Magnifissance 56

Fashion | Haute Couture
Giambattista Valli
At Giambattista Valli, Paris
in the springtime takes cue from
the city’s romance, its gardens and
legends. Weightless clouds of virginal
white floated down the runway in voluminous
tulles, chiffons, organzas, and even mink,
dusted with a smattering of pixie crystals, or
carrying gathered swirls and applique rosebuds,
while draped empire waist gowns and
bishop sleeves brought back the demureness
of a bygone time.
Magnifissance 58

Fashion | Pioneer
Beauty
Awakened
Pioneer Arnaud de Lummen brings
fashion’s elegant past into a bright
new future.
Text by Kate Missine
luxe Rue Saint-Honoré boutique, which ceased production
in the 1970s. “I absolutely love the trunk which matches the
Jaguar F-type perfectly.” Gracious and impeccably attired,
de Lummen himself could easily have stepped out of
post-Revolution Paris.
In a ruthlessly fickle industry, de Lummen is reversing
couture’s direction: reaching into fashion history’s depths
to breathe new life into long-extinct fashion houses that
for years have languished in slumber. Moynat is one of the
bygone-era brands that drew the Harvard Law graduate and
vintage aficionado to the classic past.
“I believe there is no
luxury without some
part of nostalgia.”
A voyage into luxury’s past: vintage steamer trunks grace the Moynat boutique.
A
few short weeks ago, had I been jetted off
to Paris in search of a new “it” bag, I likely
wouldn’t have ended up here.
Like every other purse fanatic, I’d be browsing
through quilted chain bags and monogrammed
logos as ubiquitous as Parisian baguettes.
Standing amidst the lacquered walls of Moynat, I
realize how much I would have missed.
Framed in their niches are the bags: irresistibly
touchable gems, punched with the signature
metal closures descended from the luggage of
well-heeled 19th century travelers. Known for its
automobile-fitted trunks, Moynat’s heritage may go
back centuries; but, like myself, few would’ve heard of
France’s oldest trunkmaker until the recent present.
“I am very proud of the revival of Moynat and
love both the small leather goods and limited edition
trunks,” says Arnaud de Lummen with a smile. In
2011, he resurrected the 1800s-era atelier, now a
A glimpse of history in an original Moynat print ad.
Photos courtesy of Moynat
Photos courtesy of Moynat
“The heritage and the history of old brands are what makes
them unique,” says de Lummen, whose portfolio of “sleeping
beauties,” as he calls these previously dormant brands, includes
Vionnet and Paul Poiret. “I look for historical significance
and artistic relevance in today’s world. I believe there is no
luxury without some part of nostalgia.”
Born into a family of artistic lineage — an ancestor’s paintings
appeared at the Orsay — and a home that “resembled
an art gallery,” de Lummen’s appreciation for culture doesn’t
Top right: A 1929 advertisement demonstrates
Moynat’s innovative automobile-fitted
trunks. Bottom left: A lacquer-red vintage
vanity case is nostalgic fashion embodied.
Bottom right: The brand wakes to a fresh
start with a playful train-shaped clutch.
Magnifissance 60

Fashion | Pioneer
A 2016 interpretation gives a modern-day update to Vionnet’s classic
feminine forms.
In his sleek retro workspace, Arnaud de Lummen pores over his next sleeping beauty project.
come as a surprise. “Having been raised in Paris, I believe
I intrinsically know what is elegant, what is of good taste.”
In a time of dizzyingly changing trends, he finds beauty
rooted in an age of impeccable workmanship and elegance
that never gets old.
“Vionnet changed
the course of fashion
with her innovative
and sensuous designs,
now venerated as
masterpieces,” he says,
referring to the
French couturier who
closed her doors
in 1939, to become
his first sleeping
beauty half a century
later. Now an act of dramatic, flowing forms headed by
designer Goga Ashkenazi, Vionnet’s renaissance of its
Roaring Twenties glory began as a pro-bono project, when
de Lummen was called upon to secure the trademarks and a
distribution agreement with Barneys New York for the cult
brand’s followers.
“Reviving Vionnet opened a world of possibilities. It
basically established that it was possible to wake up a brand
which had been dormant
for more than 50
“Reviving Vionnet opened a world
of possibilities. It basically established
that it was possible to wake up a
brand which had been dormant for
more than 50 years.”
years,” says de Lummen.
“I was lucky to be
the first to do it and to
be one step ahead to
identify the next ones
to revive.”
The project would
lay the groundwork
for what would become
a series of brand
resurrections, a process as demanding as it is rewarding.
The hardest part, says de Lummen, is finding an investor.
“In a way, I am like a screenwriter and movie director; I
Photos courtesy of Vionnet
may have the property rights and a wonderful script, but
each time I still need to find the producers who believe in
the project and provide the resources to make it real.”
What makes it all worth it? “When a dead brand that
was unknown to many comes back to life and generates a
new following,” he says.
Invigorated with fresh vision, the vintage brands brought
back by de Lummen have gotten snapped up by major
luxury groups: Moynat, for instance, has been sold to the
French Groupe Arnault, while Paul Poiret made it all
the way to South Korea, recently acquired by Shinsegae
International.
The international success of these resurfaced designers
is partly a product of the natural respect and appreciation
we tend to feel for the past. Steeped in history, the designs
captivate with the enchantment of a different time. Luxury
brands, according to de Lummen, are “addicted to their
past” — and aren’t we all?
Those in the know await with bated breath the next
sleeping beauty to awaken under de Lummen’s magic
touch. Gears are spinning for the regal fashions of Rose
Bertin, dressmaker to Queen Marie-Antoinette, and
trunkmaker Au Départ, which “certainly deserves to be
brought back to life,” de Lummen says. It’s not all French
designers either. “I am still trying to revive Herbert Levine,
the most influential American shoe designer ever, who
was copied and revered by Manolo Blahnik and Christian
Louboutin.”
Under Moynat’s curved ceiling, a trio of gorgeous steamer
trunks makes me think of lace gloves and steam-shrouded
platforms. I can see why the historic luggage holds such
a special place for de Lummen, whose own collection of
vintage trunks is rivaled only by the self-proclaimed audiophile’s
limited-edition vinyls. Another love is travel — with
trunks in tow, of course. “I would love to travel around the
world in 80 days, the Phileas Fogg way, bringing along my
old Au Départ trunks.”
For now, “there are still great brands that I feel I have a
mission to bring back,” he says, coming back to reality. “I
probably have ten years of work in front of me!”
Magnifissance 62

Fashion | Royal Scent
A
Whiff
of
French Chic
In the perfume capital of the world, the intricate art of
French fragrance traces a past of luxury and mystique,
from the court of Versailles to couturiers and beyond.
Text by Elena Vosnaki
A fresh spring flower pattern that reminds us of elegant
court dresses from the early post-Louis XIV era.
tang / Shutterstock.com
Maria Stezhko / Shutterstock.com
Stealing my first drops of perfume in my grandfather’s
Mercedes Benz leather back seat feels
like yesterday. Like a lick of scotch or the smear
of red lipstick, it was bittersweet, memorable,
abstract, unmistakably grown up. It was my
Franco-loving mom’s French perfume. Cabochard comes
from the old French “caboche,” meaning “headstrong.” And
the French are fanatical about craftsmanship, aloofness,
and sensuality. Mom’s Cabochard embodied all three in
spades.
The French je ne sais quoi
Elisabeth de Feydeau, French historian and perfume
expert, describes perfume as an echo of the past and
the future: “An echo between the lived and the re-lived,
perfumes awaken memory. In less than one second, their
nuances, their accents, their vibrations lead us, sometimes
in the past, sometimes to the future.”
Perfume’s journey in France began through the fragrant
smoke from the religious pyres of antiquity (from the
Latin “per fumum”). Later during the French Renaissance,
as the aristocracy demanded the smearing of precious floral
essences on their leather gloves to hide the remnants of
tanning, the art of perfume was elevated into a prestigious
craft.
If Catherine de’ Medici, fanatical about gloves to protect
her white hands, hadn’t come to France in 1553 to marry
King Henry II, the perfume industry might have remained
Italian, for all we know. When she left Italy, she brought
with her Renato the Florentine, her trusted perfumer. Her
arrival boosted the local industries of essences in Montpellier
and Grasse in the south of France.
From alchemy into full-blown artistry
The true turning point of elevating perfumery from
alchemy into full-blown artistry came with scent-obsessed
King Louis XIV (1638–1715). The King’s minister of
finance, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, set out to grant privileges
to the guilds of “perfumers and glove-makers” on a basis of
excellence, encouraging the development of this delicate
craft and securing France as the center of the European
perfume industry.
Magnifissance 64
Parfums Grès Cabochard
Illustration from vintage ad of Cachochard

Fashion | Royal Scent
Frederic Malle Une Fleur de Cassie
Les Exclusifs de CHANEL Misia
Hermès Le Jardin de Monsieur Li
Eau de toilette spray
Arty Fragrance by Elisabeth de Feydeau
Le Rêve de la Reine
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Baccarat Rouge 540
Interior of the royal bedroom at Palace of Versailles
Faire la toilette
Moving his court from Paris to Versailles, Louis XIV was
determined to elevate every activity into the pinnacle of
elegance. Inside the palace, “faire la toilette,” or the daily
grooming of oneself, involved applying cosmetics to the
body and face, dusting scented powders on hair wigs, and
sprinkling fragrant waters on fresh linen. This elaborate
ritual is the source of the term “eau de toilette” emblazoned
on our fragrance bottles.
The palace itself was perfumed to the brim, earning
Versailles the name “the Perfumed Court.” In an era without
indoor sanitation, the French royalty found aromatic
solutions to keep a pleasant living environment. They filled
water bowls with blossom petals and scented their furniture,
fabric, and feather fans — even the garden fountains
— to sweeten the air. Louis had his own shirts scented
with Aqua Angeli, made from nutmeg, cloves, benzoin (a
sweet-smelling gum), storax and aloeswood (two exotic
Eastern materials) boiled in rosewater to which orange
flower, jasmine and musk were added.
Even after sanitation became more developed, the royal
French patrons continued their use of perfume. Queen
Marie Antoinette commissioned lavish scents to the
House of Houbigant to reflect her romantic moods. Even
Napoléon Bonaparte, a military man, was mad about them.
He ingested cologne-soaked sugar cubes to rejuvenate!
Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III and luxury fashion
icon, favored Guerlain. The historical perfume house’s citrusy
Eau de Cologne Impériale received the royal warrant in 1853
and is still in continuous production.
From the courts of France to international globetrotters
today, fragrance continues to express femininity in the
most glamorous and elegant way.
“Fragrance defines a woman in the same way as the features
of her face or the shape of her body,” says de Feydeau; “Absolute
femininity is a grace, a special radiance, a power deeply bonded
to the inner life, which escapes the clichés of fashion and olfactory
archetypes.”
Mom and her Cabochard would have felt right at home,
I bet.
warasit phothisuk / Shutterstock.com
Diptyque Eau des Sens
Serge Lutens Bas de Soie
Guerlain Eau de Cologne Impériale
160th Anniversary Edition
Magnifissance 66

Art | Treasured Hands
In Fine
Feathers
France’s plumasserie virtuoso reveals
how nature and craft combine to
capture the world’s wonder.
Text by J.H. White
Produced by Peggy Liu
A
teenager sits perched in the arm of a grand
old oak tree, hanging in the village of
Sucy-en-Brie, a quaint Paris suburb. A bright
yellow Serin lands further down on the thick
branch, just out of reach, catching the girl’s
eye and wonder. Drawn to the young girl’s gaze, the bird
begins to hop toward her. Delighted, she reaches out to her
France’s Minister of Culture and Communication honored Nelly
Saunier as a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2008.
feathered friend, who thinks twice and flies off. But only
after leaving a gift… a feather of a hundred shades of gold,
with textures as rich as the rising sun. She picks it up, light
shimmering on it like a key, an invitation to explore an
imaginative new world.
“From a very young age, I have been passionate about nature
and fascinated by birds,” says the now grown plumasserie
In a partnership with
Piaget, Saunier creates
a piece adorned with
peacock and Lady
Amherst pheasant
feathers that transports
you back to the Golden
Age of plumasserie
between the late 19th
and early 20th centuries.
Photography by Sébastien Coindre © Piaget Photography by François Marquet
Top left: photography by Johann Sauty © Van Cleef & Arpels. Top Center: photography by Johann Sauty © Van Cleef & Arpels.
Top Right: Photography by Chez Voltaire / Aurore Colibert © Van Cleef & Arpels.
Saunier’s whimsical, delicate design of tiny plumage for the Lady Arpels
Collection breathes life into her feathered friends.
virtuoso Nelly Saunier. “Feathers move, beguile, and inspire
me. I am sensitive to the purity and simplicity of nature:
birds are born with their own elegance; there is no
deception in their appearance.”
While a bird
sings its simple life,
Saunier has crafted a
lifetime of work from its
plumes that is anything
but basic.
Her feathered fashions
have strutted down runways
in collaboration
with Jean Paul Gaultier,
nested on necks and
wrists with Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry
and have even peacocked their way through Hollywood
fairytales like Pan.
“The art of featherwork, for me, has no limits in
its ability to express emotions in all artistic worlds,
cultures and mediums around us. It transcends these
worlds.”
Symbiosis
Saunier never nests on her laurels. Seeking new ways to
reinvent decades of wisdom and craft feeds her now as much
as ever. “Feathers are an
extraordinary material
“The art of featherwork, for me,
has no limits in its ability to express
emotions in all artistic worlds,
cultures and mediums around us. It
transcends these worlds.”
— it is a world within a
world.” With each new
design, Saunier spawns
a new life, now part of a
greater whole.
“Each partnership
agrees with the principles
and code of ethics I
adhere to in my personal
life. It is necessary to
renew one’s approach and oneself each time, to reinvent,
whilst offering a completely new aesthetic proposal, one
that is unprecedented.”
When working with Harry Winston, she conjured intricate
pendants, brooches and watches that painstakingly
married feather, metal and stone in ways the world of fine
jewelry could never have anticipated.
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Art | Treasured Hands
Saunier harmonizes exquisite jewelry and
feather design with peacock feathers to
create the Ultimate Adornment Timepiece
for Harry Winston.
“Harry Winston is, for me, the beginning of a story
in the extraordinarily delicate world of the infinitely
small,” she explains. “It was necessary to adapt the usual
uses of feathers, so as to keep its natural beauty while
turning the creation into a wonderful illusion.”
A collaboration with famed compatriot Jean Paul
Gaultier enchanted the world of haute couture with
a parakeet bolero of vibrant rainbow plumage and a
jacquard sweater fabricating trompe-l’oeil. “I used
feathers to create the illusion of wool. The feathers
simply became wool with panache,” she smiles coyly.
Her multi-faceted commitment to her craft shepherded
her to a collaboration with renowned furniture
maker Thierry Drevelle. “Thierry works with rare tree
species, exotic wood species,” she says. “We both share
the same passion for the preciousness of materials,
their preservation and renewal.”
As their expertise intertwined, their decorative works
“became an adventure. Our goal was to make two worlds
meet that had never rubbed shoulders before — the
marquetry of feathers and wood. We developed a really
excellent artistic collaboration and also a personal one.”
Cycle of life
“Feathers are my life — it’s a state of being, a state
of mind,” Saunier says. “The feather itself becomes an
emotion.” Breathing life into plumage surprisingly does
not start with a refined skill of hand.
“To capture the beauty, the different textures and
infinite richness of the feather, you must have a thorough
knowledge of our feathered friends.” She closely studies
her winged companions: how they fly and why, their
reaction to the elements of sun, wind and weather,
shadows and darkness. Her travels to exotic places and
long walks with ornithologists enlighten her too. “This
type of learning is a work in progress. My wisdom
deepens every day.”
Synthesizing the mental and the material is what
makes Saunier’s work so different, so alive. “I use
drawing as a basis for expressing my ideas, but I also do
research on the composition of the feathers: diagrams,
sketches, color pallets, fabric swatches, texture pallet,”
she elaborates. “Upon completing this time-consuming
research, I visualize the effects, the lines, the resonance
of colors, and I assimilate them into my work.”
Photo courtesy of Harry Winston
Photos courtesy of Nelly Saunier
A shared love for conservation spawned a beautiful collaboration with
esteemed furniture-maker Drevelle Christian-Thierry — an experience for
Saunier that was as fulfilling emotionally as it was artistically.
Pay it forward
Saunier’s pledge to preservation extends past protecting her
little playfellows and the planet. Historically, feathers were
in fashion in France, from trendsetter Marie Antoinette’s
extravagant plumed pouf to the quilled caps covering the
streets of Paris a century later.
With the peace and
prosperity from 1860 to
1914, the arts thrived,
including plumasserie.
There was a joie de vivre
— a joy of living.
For artisans like herself,
“demand was high
because women wore
feathers on their hats and
changed attire often,” Saunier explains.
But with the financial crisis and War in Europe, feathered
fashions became a luxury people could do without. Now the
houses of plumasserie can be counted on the fingers of a
hand. But Saunier refused to let her craft die.
“The art of featherwork, traditionally, is intimately
linked to infinite precision and relies on specific techniques
so that the creations persist over time while
sublimating the medium. I applied myself to pass on this
rigorous precision of ancestral know-how, to avoid the
disappearance of this tradition, so that new generations
will understand its use.”
After 20 years of passing her passions on to the next
generation at the Octave Feuillet vocational school in Paris,
she now handpicks her apprentices. And her devotion to her
art — both the creation and conservation — seems to be
doing its magic. “When I
started teaching, feathers
“I am sensitive to the purity and
simplicity of nature: birds are born
with their own elegance; there is
no deception in their appearance.”
as a medium were not as
fashionable as today.”
In 2008 and 2012,
the French Minister of
Culture and Communication
honored Saunier
with the titles of “Maître
d’Art” and “Chevalier
des Arts et des Lettres” for her profound influence in the
teaching and crafting of plumasserie. “He was touched by
my long and artistic journey, and my will to perpetuate and
persevere in defending and promoting a rare endangered
expertise so as to avoid its extinction.”
Her recent travels took her to the prestigious French
institution Villa Kujoyama in Kyoto, Japan, where her
legacy continues.
“A world within a world.” It’s true — Saunier’s labors of
love do uncage a universe of beauty just waiting to fly away.
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Design | Aficionado
The Power of Detail and
the Modern Order of Serenity
Text By Yi Yang
Produced by Peggy Liu
Acclaimed as a “Dean of American Design”
by Architectural Digest, Geoffrey Bradfield’s
interior designs have a synergy that reflect
his charming wit and inimitable sense of
style. His work is easy to recognize. It has a
distinctive signature that is elegant and glamorous yet has
a whimsical and natural look. Above all, his works possess
a unique sense of order and serenity.
Among his many impressive achievements, Bradfield was in
recent years awarded the Hyland Award for Design Excellence
in 2012, as well as the New York School of Interior
Design’s Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
Growing up on a bucolic farm in rural South Africa,
young Bradfield was surrounded by the beauty of nature.
The family house looked out to the Indian Ocean, flanked
by open fields lined with avenues of trees.
“The greatest artist of all is Mother Nature,” he said. “How
can one compete with the natural beauty of the sky, the sea?
There’s no way. Our human creativity follows second.”
At age 19, Bradfield traveled around the world for two
years and recommends that everyone in the visual arts
explore the wealth we have in the world today. “I was exposed
to so much, which was overwhelming and fabulous. It was
one of the best educations imaginable for me,” he said.
“Our museums have never been greater. Our galleries have
never been finer. Performing arts have never been as superior,”
he continued. “These are life-changing.”
Since embarking on his career at age 22, the famed
interior designer has worked with the most distinguished
persons in business, entertainment and even royalty. Bradfield
discreetly refers to his clients as “silent celebrities.” Among
them, he is known for being meticulously detailed, lending
a personal touch to all of his projects, where he designs
literally everything. In most cases, carpets, textiles, and
even ironwork are custom-made throughout to create the
ultimate cohesive and tranquil feel.
Bradfield believes that simplicity is the key to beauty.
Perhaps one of the most iconic spaces that Bradfield has
created is White Hall, appropriately named because of his
use of white throughout the house. Bradfield’s design of
rich and luxurious details, and his ingenious use of mirrors
and art add up to a glamourous yet surprisingly fresh
atmosphere.
In a more recent project — a penthouse at One Beacon
Court, with panoramic windows of the city and high ceilings
— Bradfield enhanced the breathtaking views with mirrored
walls and a fantastic shaped carpet that resembles rippled
clouds moving through a floating palace. And, of course, in
the center of the living room is a target painting by Kenneth
Noland. The space is a composition of simplicity and wit.
To every project, Bradfield brings his unique taste, which
embodies the finest of old-school charm and a classic
contemporary sophistication.
“I think if something is simple and easy to define, it’s
beautiful,” he said. “I believe that if one’s work has resonance,
it will outlive us.”
Geoffrey Bradfield is the founder of Geoffrey Bradfield Inc. Most recently, Bradfield has partnered with company vice president
Roric Tobin, to form B & T Global LLC, focusing on their international projects across the globe.
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Design | Aficionado
Bradfield's Favorite Things
“The greatest artist of all is Mother Nature.” says
Geoffrey Bradfield. Bradfield’s feel for artful elegance
permeates his surroundings: from the monumental
Art Moderne Venetian mirror gracing his office’s
conference room, to the sharp Montblanc fountain
pen he chooses to work with. He goes contemporary
when it comes to his home, expressed in pieces like
the acrylic and suede Coco chair from his own
collection, and his most recent art acquisition, 2006
Damien Hirst “Porter Rhodes.” When a refreshing
glimpse to the past is in store, he indulges the urge
to re-watch classic Italian films like Visconti’s The
Leopard, or leaf through his favorite book, Joan
DeJean’s “Essence of Style.” In all his modernist
tastes, it’s hard to deny that for Bradfield, there
is no true art without classical beauty: he finds
a source of his inspiration exploring the ancient
streets of Rome and admiring the works of the
masterful Michelangelo.
The Rome street: Iakov Kalinin / Shutterstock.com
“The greatest artist of all
is Mother Nature.”
Magnifissance 74

Food | Master of Palate
Sitting in Jardin de la Reine at
Versailles Palace where he picks
his ingredients, Alain Ducasse is as
meticulous sourcing food as he is
preparing it.
Culinary
Sage
A culinary maestro blends nature and
imagination to reinvent French cuisine and
rediscover the deeper meaning of life.
Interviewed by Milene Fernandez
Text by J.H.White
Produced by Peggy Liu
The warm midday sun pours through, dancing off grand chandeliers,
soaking into bare wooden tables. Missing tablecloths are not missed
but instead enhance — a lifting of life’s modern veil to help us taste
what’s truly important…
“We need to reconnect with nature,” declares legendary French chef and
restaurateur Alain Ducasse. “Consumers — and citizens as well — throughout
the world have to understand that the resources of the planet are not endless.
For us cooks, we must put nature at the center of our cuisine.”
With this virtuous heart, Ducasse decided to take significant culinary risks in
2014 with a new menu at Plaza Athénée Hotel in Paris. To start, he removed the
French staples of meat, cheese and bread, calling it “Cuisine de la Naturalité” —
Cuisine of Naturalness.
Photography by Guillaume Czerw
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Food | Master of Palate
Ducasse and his chef Romain Meder at Plaza Athénée Hotel in Paris redefine popular belief of what is French cuisine.
Ducasse enjoys creating the perfect ambiance as much as doctoring dishes, as can be seen here in the
subtle simple elegance of the Plaza Athénée Hotel.
“I’m detail-obsessed,” says Ducasse. With “Cuisine de la
Naturalité,” he desires “to make dishes that are evident, just
right in their seasoning, their temperature — the harmony
between content and container.”
His perfectionism plainly plays out with the menu’s three
simple yet specifically sourced types of food: organic vegetables
from Jardin de la Reine at Versailles Palace, organic
grains hand-picked from small producers, and fish only
captured using sustainable traditional line and hook.
“This cuisine is better for the planet and our health,” he
notes. “The pleasure is what you came to savor, what you
came to eat, what you came to drink, on a simple wooden
table, for delicious moments.”
Sprouting up
Considered the chef of chefs, Ducasse is the holder
of 21 Michelin stars and the first restaurateur to own
three restaurants that each have the top rating of three
Photography by Pierre Monetta
Michelin stars. Though his dishes beguile foodies from
Paris to Saint-Tropez, London, Monte-Carlo and Hong
Kong, his journey began far from city lights.
“Becoming a chef was a very early call. I was born on a
farm in the southwest of France. My grandmother used
to cook for the family. I can still remember the taste
and flavor of the roast chicken she prepared for Sunday
lunches.” To help her, Ducasse would pick ripe vegetables
in the kitchen garden, cultivating a mindset and skill that
would pay off later. “This experience taught me a very
important lesson: before cooking, there is nature.”
“A cook is an intermediary between nature and the
eaters,” explains Ducasse. “The role of the cook is to choose
the best possible produce, to prepare it with a lot of respect
and bring their authentic tastes to the plate.”
While Ducasse was born with creativity you can’t teach,
master chefs like Roger Verge and Alain Chapel helped
shape his craft. Chapel always reminded him, “cooking is
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Food | Master of Palate
Ducasse’s signature dish, the cookpot, is the quintessential example of his philosophy, “Glocal: a local execution of a global concept.”
Photography by T.Duval
much more than recipes.” Years later, he realizes, “this is
very true: cooking conjures up an entire vision of life.”
And nothing could be more true with the art of fine
French cuisine.
French formula
A master chef must master boiling, steaming, roasting,
sauteing, simmering and braising, often blending these
methods within the same recipe. “The techniques give
French cuisine its complexity yet also its subtlety,” says
Ducasse.
Secondly, savory sauces characterize French cuisine.
With time, they’ve become lighter and lighter, until now,
where they’re simply just
concentrated juices. The
structure of the multicourse
meal, a wellmatched
wine and casual
hobnobbing also play a
vital part.
As Ducasse mastered
his art, he received his
first two Michelin stars.
But with these initial
tastes of success came
something unexpected and more grueling than few can ever
understand.
Resurrection
In 1984, a 27-year-old Ducasse was flying over the Alps
with his staff when the Learjet crashed into a mountain.
Thrown from the plane, Ducasse laid wide awake in the
snow until a rescue team arrived six hours later. No one
else survived.
It took 15 operations on his back, legs and eyes, plus
another three years before he could walk again unaided.
But while sentenced to his bed, he conjured up new recipes
and menus.
“During my convalescence, I deeply reflected about how to
keep cooking without needing to be present in the kitchen,”
says Ducasse. “This helped me reconsider my trade.”
“The role of the cook is to
choose the best possible produce,
to prepare it with a lot of respect,
and bring their authentic tastes
to the plate.”
Haute cuisine
Today, Ducasse’s vision is global, and each of his 24
delectable restaurants is a “genuine creation,” he declares.
“I don’t duplicate.”
Ducasse’s obsessive creativity extends past the kitchen, as
he perfects elements such as lighting and decor. “I feel like an
art director, as I devote as much time creating the ambiance
of the venue as I do the menu. And I spend as much energy
making sure the restaurants evolve as I do launching them.”
Much of his success comes from attention to the delicate
details of the customers’ lifestyle. “I love to deal with cultural
differences! Most of them relate to local eating habits. For
instance, Americans tend to expect larger portions. Asians
prefer fish cooked for a
shorter time. However,
the pleasure of eating
remains universal.”
Cooking up an
award-winning menu is
as exciting for Ducasse
as it time-consuming.
It can take up to 18
months, during which
time he sources food
locally to ensure only
the purest ingredients, and he studies his surroundings. He
wants to elevate his patrons’ lives here and now, paying
special heed to intangible qualities like “the spirit of the
venue, the way that people live, what they like, and the
vibrations of the urban neighborhood.”
A sage is a rare individual who can harmonize opposites,
keeping an eye on infinite detail and grand horizons at the
same time. As Ducasse experimented with the cookpot, a
casserole of local and seasonal slowly simmered vegetables,
a philosophy emerged that displays his life’s legacy. “Glocal:
a local execution of a global concept. The components vary
according to the place and season, yet the structure of the
dish remains unchanged.” Intimately personal yet universal,
innovative yet traditional. As he guides us back to our
nature, it’s unmistakable that Ducasse’s uncommon craft is
the gift of a guru.
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Food | Sweet Buzz
Nectar of
the Gods
and Men
Text by Kate Missine
Original recipe by Gaelle Didillion
Food styling and photography by Jie Freishter
Nature’s wondrous gift:
honey’s journey from ancient
Greece to the Versailles to a
modern-day spring table.
Food of the gods, celestial nectar, liquid
gold. Shrouded in sacral legend,
honey’s amber-hued sweetness has
been worshiped since its first discovery
by man around ten thousand years
ago, likely in the depths of a wild beehive. In its
distinct intensity, unlike anything tasted before, it
isn’t surprising that the fascinating substance was
seen as a gift from above in almost every culture.
In India, it was considered dew fallen from the
heavens; Egyptians (thought to be the first to
cultivate honey using logs to mimic hives) buried
honey-filled clay vessels in tombs — traces of it,
still edible, have been unearthed dating over 5,000
years back; and the Greeks spoke of ambrosia, a
drink of honey and milk enjoyed by the deities.
Mythology aside, ancient Greece was also
among the first to tap into honey’s powerful
medicinal potential. While home cooks concocted
newfound delicacies with the first-ever sweetener,
others explored its many therapeutic properties.
Homer and Aristotle wrote extensively on its
virtues, and Hippocrates, the father of Western
medicine, proclaimed the bees’ precious product as
one of nature’s most potent healing agents, using
it to treat a variety of ailments and dress wounds
and burns.
In the physician’s footsteps, modern findings
confirm that the delicious condiment boasts a
plethora of disease-fighting compounds, even
aiding in cancer prevention. Perhaps we no longer
attribute its powers to the divine, yet honey is
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Food | Sweet Buzz
Ingredients:
1 litre oat milk
250ml oat or soy cream
4 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons almond butter
4 tablespoons almond meal
1 small handful lemon verbena leaves
1 teaspoon agar-agar
still something of a miracle — the product of a
team of petite workers, it’s a testament to nature’s
perfect design and the wonder of its complex
workings.
Honey-infused food and drink, such as the
fabled mead of the medieval table, starred in
feasts and royal tables throughout history, and
the French courts were not immune. A favorite of
Louis XIV’s Queen, Maria Theresa of Spain, the
golden confection was elevated to refined heights,
maintaining its status as a darling of French cuisine
to this day.
This silky pudding, inspired by the regal desserts
of centuries past, brings out the nectar’s delicate
floral notes in a bouquet of fragrant almonds and
verbena leaves, an ideal finish to a light spring
meal.
Almond Verbena Dessert
Directions:
In a saucepan, combine the agar-agar and almond
butter. Gradually pour in milk until butter is dissolved;
then add in cream, almond meal, and verbena
leaves, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, then stir
in honey, and remove from heat.
Pour the still-hot mixture into small dishes or
molds. Let cool, then refrigerate for 2 hours. Turn
molds upside down onto plates, or serve directly in
serving dishes.
Magnifissance 84
* This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Travel | French Odyssey
The
Romance
of
Paris
Text by Don Geroge
Neirfy/Shutterstock.com
Magnifissance 86
View of Notre Dame Cathedral over the
Seine on a summer day.

Travel | French Odyssey
View through the Clock at Musée d’Orsay
Decorated with ornate Art Nouveau lamps and sculptures, Pont Alexandre III bridge (1896) is the most extravagant bridge in Paris.
I
fell in love with Paris when I was 22 years old. I
moved there right after graduating from Princeton, to
work on a three-month internship at Kodak-Pathé.
After an initial week of desperate room-searching, I
lucked out with an apartment on the rue de Rivoli,
overlooking the Jardin des Tuileries, and just a five-minute
walk from the Hotel Ritz and the Seine. Every evening,
I would wander the streets, from the fashionable shops
around my apartment to the Quartier Latin, all the while
inebriated with the elegant avenues and facades, the
arching bridges and graceful streetlamps, the laughter
spilling out of bistros and bars, the musicians in the metro,
and the grand apartments on the Île Saint-Louis, whose
high-ceilinged, chandelier-lit rooms beckoned like a
dream.
That summer, I gorged on Molière at the Comédie
Française and the Ballet Béjart in the park, immersed
myself in Manet and Monet in the Musée d’Orsay, got lost
Matthew Dixon/Shutterstock.com
Photography by Gaelle Didillion
in the ancient alleys of Montmartre and the Marais, stood
stunned in stained-glass silence in Notre-Dame and conjured
Hemingway and Fitzgerald on Rue Descartes and in
Les Deux Magots café.
One morning halfway
through my stay, I took
my apartment building’s
rickety old filigreed
elevator as usual from
the fifth floor to the
hushed shade of the
ground-floor entryway,
then stepped through
the massive wooden
doors into the street —
and stopped. All around
me, people were speaking
French, wearing French,
acting French. Shrugging their shoulders and twirling their
scarves and drinking their cafés crèmes, calling out “Bonjour,
monsieur-dame” and paying for Le Monde or Le Nouvel
Observateur with francs and stepping importantly around
me and staring straight into my eyes and subtly smiling in a
way that only the French do.
“In the romance of that
moment, the seed of my future
was sown. Rather than write
about literature, I would write
about life in the world. I would
become a travel writer.”
Until that summer, I had spent most of my life in classrooms,
and I was planning after that European detour to
spend most of the rest of my life in classrooms. Suddenly
it struck me: This was the classroom. Not the musty, ivydraped
halls in which I
had spent the previous
four years. This world
of wide boulevards and
centuries-old buildings
and six-table sawdust
restaurants and glasses of
vin ordinaire and poetry
readings in cramped
second-floor bookshops
and mysterious women
smiling at you so that
your heart leaped and you
walked for hours restless
under the plane trees by the Seine. This was the classroom.
In the romance of that moment, the seed of my future
was sown. Rather than write about literature, I would write
about life in the world. I would become a travel writer.
Four wonderful, wandering, travel-writing decades later,
I returned to Paris last summer for a celebratory three-day
Magnifissance 88

Travel | French Odyssey
stay. My initial plan had been to revisit my old
haunts, but on my first night, I stopped for a glass
of rosé at a clean, well-lighted sidewalk café and
became enchanted by the street theater: parents and
children walking in a festive row, the kids occasionally
breaking free to skip ahead; couples with their
arms wound around each other, pausing to kiss long
and passionately; sleek, suntanned women in short
skirts and high heels walking arm in arm; solitary
strollers measuring pensive steps. I remembered
what my first love 40 years before had taught me:
that Paris is a place you see by surprise, not design.
And in a brief ritual over a second rosé, I tore up
the scrupulous list of things to do and places to go
I had prepared, and surrendered myself to the city
instead.
Over the ensuing days, I paid homage to my old
apartment at 200 rue de Rivoli, ambled through the
mind-greening Jardin des Tuileries, lingered before
Monet’s “Coquelicots” at the Musée d’Orsay, made
one pilgrimage to the soaring stone symmetry and
stained-glass splendor of Notre Dame and another
to the sacred secondhand bookshelves and reading
rooms at Shakespeare and Company. I bought
Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast there, then stopped
at the charming bistro next door, Le Petit Chatelet,
which turned out to be an exceptionally pleasant
place to nibble on camembert and baguettes and
sip a crisp rosé.
I was doing just that when Notre-Dame unexpectedly
erupted into a symphony of bells. The clarity
and purity of the sounds seemed to suspend the
air, and I thought of all the ages that pealing had
descended like a blessing balm over the city, from the
12th century to the 21st.
I remembered those same peals transporting me
four decades earlier, and I exulted in my journal: “I’m
feeling fantastically satisfied by my three-day stay
in Paris. I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do: I’ve
revisited the most important places from my past,
and let serendipity take me by the hand, wandering
through the streets, gazing up in awe at the elegant
buildings with their wrought-iron balconies, absorbing
the beauty and spirit of this intoxicating place.
There is such a celebration of art and philosophy
and history here, so much intelligence manifesting
in the design of the
city and the preoccupations
of its citizenry.
Art exhibits, concerts,
the celebration of
eating—la bonne vie
française. I’ve fallen in
love all over again.”
That night, I paced
a solitary path to the
Seine. Before I left
the city, I wanted to
get at the essential
romance of Paris, to
understand how it
exerted the enchantment
it did, why
passion and sensuality
seemed to grow so
lushly in its urban soil.
Then I reached the
river, and the moonlight
in the leaves of
the plane trees and
the lamplights on the
surface of the water
made a mockery of
analysis. Couples
whispered, laughed,
kissed; the leaves
applauded; the stars
winked at the clouds.
Paris past and present
seemed to march
in a procession of images before me: the bright,
chic streets, the haute couture shops, the boulangeries
and brasseries, the churches and museums;
the green parks with their burbling fountains and
marble statues; the leaves of the poplars rustling
in the wind and the leaves of the chestnut trees
turning from green to red; smoky dinners in centuries-old
restaurants; candlelit, table-clothed tables
bright with flowers. I thought of the smell of fresh
baguettes, coffee and chocolate, of walking and
walking and walking, of sun-dappled squares with
little round tables and cane chairs. And I thought
majeczka/Shutterstock.com
The Seine flowing right through the heart of Paris.
of that morning 40 years ago on the rue de Rivoli, when
Paris had first opened the life-path before me.
I recalled Hemingway’s final words in A Moveable Feast:
“There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of
each person who lives in it differs from that of any other.
We always returned to it no matter who we were or how it
was changed or with what difficulties, or ease, it could be
reached. Paris was always worth it and you received return
for whatever you brought to it.”
Suddenly the puzzle-pieces clicked together, and I took
out my journal and penned: “This is the real romance of
Paris, the essential lesson it bestows: that past and present
are all part of a vast, vibrant, life-celebrating whole. Paris
evolves and I evolve, and the decades infuse layering and
rounding richness to it all. The city I first loved and the
22-year-old who loved it are still abundantly alive, outside
and inside; they always have been and always will be. On
this return 40 years later, I’ve found that young man still
enrapt in Paris, and the romance of Paris still enwrapped
in me.”
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Travel | Polished Perspectives
French Culture,
a Cosmopolitan’s Crowning Jewel
For these four New Yorkers, French culture — whether born with it or reborn within it — is inseparable
from themselves. Quiet coastal cruises, imperial dominions, and lifelong love and devotion are a few of
the French memories these tastemakers hold so dear.
Text by Ben Maloney and J.H. White
Produced by Chelsea Chen
experience, Fischer reflects on the differences between
two of the world’s greatest cities.
Not your typical gardening routine
Although Van Ness lives mostly in New York, working
with charities and nonprofits, when she’s at her home in
the pristine French countryside, she’s rooted in gardening
and caretaking the land.
Van Ness’s house in Sologne (at the edge of a small
village in the vicinity of Orléans) is not far from one of
Napoleon III’s castles, in a region she considers the “true
soul of France.” But some of her routines aren’t exactly
relaxing. “I spend most of my time keeping away the wild
boars from my house.”
Magnifissance 92
As one of the world’s top luxury travel experts, it’s Stacy
Fischer’s business to know the ins and outs of some of the
most enchanting cities around the globe. With 25 years of
Why did Severine Picquet move
4,000 miles away from Paris to New
York? She wanted to share her passion
for French culture (and cuisine).
Bon appétit
If you’re craving authentic crepes and
steak fries, you’ll need to experience
French Restaurant Week in New
York this summer. Started by Picquet
in 2011, it’s now grown to other
cosmopolitan cities like Chicago and
San Francisco.
Long drives and scenic vibes
Tucked away among the mountains
in the south rests Severine’s favorite
French villa, Saint Cézaire sur Siagne.
She loves visiting her parents’ home
there, with the serene, scenic drive
welcoming her in.
About Severine Picquet
Severine Picquet is the founder and president of MPB Agency, LLC. This native
Parisian, now New Yorker, also runs French Restaurant Week and Bastille Week.
A city of dreamers…
“Paris and New York are similar in that they are both
worldwide focal points of art, cuisine and fashion. They are
very different, however, regarding mindset. Paris is a city of
dreamers, while New York is a city of doers.”
Paris: a five-letter word for love
In a fluke of fate, she bumped into her friend Richard in
Paris. An interest ignited, and when they returned home
to New York, they courted. The spark continued to kindle
and they soon married, having never been happier.
Believe it or not
Her husband’s French friend told him if the two ever
ended up getting married he would wear a kilt to their
wedding. You can hear the bagpipes now!
About Stacy Fischer
As president of Fischer Travel, Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal is responsible
for running one of the most elite lifestyle and travel brands in
the world. She currently resides in Manhattan with her husband,
Richard, and their son, Max.
A scenic drive way in Alpes-Maritimes department in
southeastern France
Portrait: Photography by 5th Avenue Digital Photography; French riviera: LiliGraphie/Shutterstock.com
Portrait: Photography by Lydia Lee Photography; The scene: milosk50/Shutterstock.com
Photos courtesy of Ann Van Ness
Portrait: Photography by Annie Watts photography; The tree: potowizard/Shutterstock.com
From Louis XIV’s legacy to Stendhal’s
Love and irresistible St-Tropézienne
cake, Ann Van Ness deeply admires French masterminds
and their sense of refinement. Since post WWII, Van Ness
has been traveling to France regularly a few times a year.
Describing Robin Cofer as a
dancer, poet, yogi and woman of
substance is as true as saying
France is sophisticated, chic
and unique. Though for both
there’s an air of elegance you
can’t quite put your finger on.
Perhaps we’ll simply have to
call it “French.”
Worth missing your flight for
Hearing the Paris Opera
Ballet playing plein-air
under the stars in St. Tropez
epitomizes what Robin loves
most about French culture
— that intuitive feeling that
pulls you closer like a good
dance partner.
Rejuvenative power
St. Tropez isn’t only for
parties and socializing. Cofer
occasionally visits a friend’s
property, home to a grove of
300-year-old trees, for spiritual
rejuvenation. “Just to sit under
them, that was bliss.”
About Robin Cofer
Robin Cofer began her classical ballet training at eight. She is an ordained
priest as well as chaplain, currently advising individuals with spiritual psychology.
Robin has co-chaired the NYC Dance Alliance gala since 2011; she is currently writing
a nonfiction work: 7 Ways to Cultivate a Healthy Soul — From Ithaca to St. Tropez.
An American’s love for France
15 years ago, a friend invited Van Ness on a tour to
explore France’s privately owned monuments. “It was
like going through history,” she says.
The trip deepened her love for the French people and
their heritage. She is now a board member with French
Heritage Society, whose mission is to preserve the beauty
of French landmarks and historic monuments.
About Ann Van Ness
Ann Van Ness, a Manhattan-based
philanthropist, spends some of her time
traveling around the world, including visits
to her home in the French countryside.

People | Nature’s Craft
The Druid
of
Paris
A philosophical savant infuses magic into
Paris’ finest restaurants.
Produced and written by Olivier Chartrand
Edited by J.H. White
Photography by Gaelle Didillion
It’s early morning near the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The door
to the exquisite 19th century restaurant creaks open. In walks
a man dressed in simple attire and sandals, with hair down
to his shoulders and a long gray beard framing his serene
face. He carries a wide wicker basket full of uncommon wild
plants. They call him the Druid of Paris. Stéphane Meyer is a wild
plant gatherer. At his sight, a twinkle lights up the world-renowned
French chef Yannick Alleno’s eyes. Dispatching unneeded pleasantries,
Alleno eagerly paws through Meyer’s herbal gems, hungry to see the
gifts of Mother Nature.
Meyer brings his harvest of the day to world renowned chef Yannick Alléno at Restaurant
Ledoyen, one of the oldest restaurants in Paris — a Michelin three star-rated establishment,
situated in the square gardens in the eastern part of the Champs-Élysées.
Magnifissance 94

People | Nature’s Craft
Stéphane Meyer’s knowledge and practice for plant
gathering are used in the most delectable restaurants
in France for the pleasure of European nobility, such as
Prince Albert of Monaco.
Like the druids of ancient Gaul (an area of Western
Europe during the Roman Empire that encompassed
France), Meyer has a special quasi-mystical relationship
with the plants he picks and the land on which they grow.
Like a handful of other of wild plant gatherers in France,
his knowledge is not institutional but was passed down
from master to disciple.
Lineage
Meyer studied oenology
for seven years, as he grew
up in a family of winemakers
from the small village
of Voiteur, the French
region of Jura, famous
for its distinctive wines.
“I didn’t receive official
training to become a gatherer,” he explains. “In my family,
we gathered wild plants for our own use. My parents are very
connected to nature, so I always had an interest in it.”
In 1995, Meyer met Gérard Ducerf, a distinguished
botanist in Europe whom students revered and desperately
wanted to study under. But Ducerf saw a unique character
in Meyer, deciding he wanted to mentor him as a student.
“At that time, I didn’t know much. He took me under his
wing and showed me the trade,” explains Meyer, who can
now recognize between 3,000 to 4,000 species of plants.
“We had a very strong bond.”
Meyer’s acumen and pace of learning were so quick, Ducerf
entrusted him to take over his practice of finding rare wild
plants for medicinal purposes. Soon enough, Meyer’s own
reputation began to grow. Journalists and chefs, enamored
by his ability to find rare plants and herbs that would
alchemize fine cuisine, titled him ‘Druid of Paris.’
“Plants touch me as much as
people do. I consider them as
alive as animals. They’re
intelligent forms of life.”
farm-grown plants,” says Meyer, a founding member of
the AFC (French Association of Professional Wild Plant
Gatherers). “They don’t grow just by chance. They grow
according to the needs of the land. In nature, there is a very
precise reason for the survival or disappearance of different
types of plants in a specific area.”
His mentor Ducerf ’s approach emphasizes the symbiosis
between the plant and the land where it grows, analogous
to a druid’s holistic approach to life and dissimilar to the
segmented modern perspective. Meyer explains that plants
grow and die to help the land in its different life cycles. In
some cases, the plants can
cure the land the same
way they cure people.
“For instance, the dandelion
grows on a field
when too many animals
leave their feces or when
a farmer uses too much
animal feces as fertilizer.
The land is then contaminated,
and the flower detoxifies the land.” Meyer explains
there is a direct correlation with its medicinal properties
for humans. “The dandelion is used as a detoxifier when
people eat and drink too much.”
Another example is Meyer’s favorite plant, Achillea
millefolium, named after the mythical warrior Achilles.
As the legend goes, “Achilles used it to cure his soldiers,
since it prevents hemorrhaging.”
Just like a human being, every time the soil turns over,
the skin of the land is open. “The plant grows when the soil
is turned over. It prevents erosion, making the soil stable so
the water flow or wind won’t transport it away. When the
soil stabilizes, the plant disappears.”
In his encyclopedia in 5 volumes, L’encyclopédie des
plantes bio-indicatrice (only in French) Ducerf, Meyer’s
mentor, lists more plants and their correlation with the
land.
Photography by Franck Juery
Nature, a comprehensive system
“Plants touch me as much as people do. I consider them
as alive as animals. They’re intelligent forms of life. Wild
plants carry a message and an energy that is stronger than
Family tree
Meyer’s family is now part of some of his expeditions.
“When gathering plants was the main part of my job, I
could go picking for 6 to 8 months. Since I have kids now,
Magnifissance 96
Meyer gathering wild plants in Val Thorens, located in
the Tarentaise Valley at the heart of the Savoy region of
the French Alps.

People | Nature’s Craft
Photography by Gaelle Didillion
Meyer smelling the roots of a plant known as “wood avens” (Geum urbanum) in Val Thorens, in the Savoy region of the
French Alps. The roots of this peppery flavored plant are used as spice in soups and also as a treatment for poison or
liver disease.
In old ruins on the site of the Villa Lena, an hotel in Tuscany, Italy, Meyer practices the ancient Chinese meditation of
Falun Dafa prior to continuing his work: putting in place a permaculture garden for the hotel.
I only go for a month,
and I try to arrange for
my kids to come with
me. They pick plants
too, and they take it very
seriously.” A smile cracks
over his lips as he thinks
of his 6-year-old daughter,
Appolline, and 4-year-old son, Augustin, exploring the
hillsides with him.
His wife, Isabelle, is also part of their adventures. The
two met over ten years ago, both practicing an ancient
Buddhist meditation from China called Falun Dafa (or
Falun Gong). Meyer was touched by the authenticity of
Falun Dafa, and its teachings resonated strongly with
him, as spirituality had been an integrated part of his life
since a very young age. Following the course of nature,
“In nature, there is a very
precise reason for the survival or
disappearance of different types
of plants in a specific area.”
cultivating compassion
and thinking of others
first were similar to
philosophies he was
raised on. Like plants
that nurture the land
where they grow, he
found that cultivating
honesty and compassion positively impacted his environment,
as his clients are inspired by his work.
Meyer explains, “there was a radical change inside. I felt
a real and tangible mental, emotional and physical peace.
I experienced a feeling of relief and calmness.” When
gathering plants, “Falun Dafa creates a mental state of
emptiness that helps me be absorbed into my job. I put
myself in my clients’ shoes to find something they’ll deeply
appreciate.”
Photography by Franck Juery
Chefs and the Druid
Giving advice to chefs of three-star Michelin restaurants
didn’t come right away. “At first, I was presenting chefs
with seasonal plants. Later on, they started to ask what I
would put in a meal. Since I know the aroma of plants, if
they want to create a contrast of flavors or create a more
harmonious taste, I would suggest something. And I don’t
make too many mistakes,” he smiles humbly.
While he is known as the ‘Druid of Paris’ by prestigious
chefs and restaurateurs of three-star Michelin establishments
like Pascal Barbot of L’Astrance and Alain Passard of
L’Arpège, he carries another nickname. The famous chef
Yannick Alleno calls him Santa Claus.
“My long beard might play a role, but it’s mainly because
of the gifts. I come with a basket full of surprises. The chefs
are very busy people, and they don’t have many opportunities
to step out of the city. I bring them some fresh air. You
should see them when I bring wild plants they’ve never
seen before. Their eyes sparkle!”
Meyer doesn’t stop at delivering wild plants. He now
creates different lines of products, from natural skin care
to fine liquor that are popular among the European and
Mediterranean elite.
“I got a phone call from the ambassador of Morocco,
because one Moroccan princess drank one of the herb teas
I created. She wanted more.”
It seems princes and princesses alike crave Meyer’s royal
touch. “Prince Albert of Monaco, for his birthday in 2015,
received a bottle of fine liquor that I produce and sell. He
really enjoyed it. I know he savored it on different occasions.”
For a man whose refined craft is supported by a practice of
personal refinement, it’s clear that the Druid’s magic will
continue on for many years to come.
For more information, visit the Facebook page of Druid of Paris.
Magnifissance 98

People | Family Legacy
Life in the
Saddle
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Photography by Hugo Glendinning / Exhibition: Yee-Haw. Artist: Paola Pivi. Courtesy of Galerie Perrotin & Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping
Virginie Couperie-Eiffel admires the view as photographers
capture a stunning moment from the first floor of the Eiffel
Tower to promote Paris Eiffel Jumping, a dream come true
for the great-great granddaughter of Gustave Eiffel.
Champion horse jumper, elite
horse breeder and great-great
granddaughter of Gustave Eiffel,
Virginie Couperie-Eiffel may have
hung up her boots, but her raison
d’etre is forever fostering the family’s
equestrian tradition.
Text by Janine Mackie
Produced by Peggy Liu

People | Family Legacy
Left: Cover of graphic novel “Gustave Eiffel: le Géant du Fer,” written by
Phillippe Couperie-Eiffel with Eddy Simon and Joël Alessandra. Right:
Illustration from “Gustave Eiffel: le Géant du Fer.” Designed by engineer
Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 to recognize the 100th
anniversary of the French Revolution. Illustrations by: Joël Alessandra for
“Gustave Eiffel: le Géant du Fer”
Magnifissance 102
Couperie-Eiffel started riding
horses at the age of three.
Today, she shares her winning
techniques of trust-building
between horse and human
with young riders.
Photography by Gilles Bensimon
Galloping with grace through the countryside
— majestic and free, horses are living art forms
that inspire wonder and awe for the natural
world. Up close, their velvet noses, expressive
eyes and flowing manes spur grown women
like Virginie Couperie-Eiffel to gush with emotion while
describing virtues akin to “a friend or a lover.”
Not a moment of life is
wasted that is spent in the
saddle, says Couperie-Eiffel,
a champion of French riders,
and great-great grand daughter
of Gustave Eiffel. Her
innate bond with horses has
allowed her to literally soar
to new heights, navigate life’s
obstacles and fulfill her raison
d’etre to create a prestigious
show-jumping competition at
the foot of the Eiffel Tower,
where the legacy of two extraordinary
families becomes as one.
“I was born on a horse,” she happily exaggerates, marvelling
how her pregnant mother rode until one month before she
was born. From her bedroom window as a child, she could
watch horses jump in the first Bordeaux jumping competitions,
founded by her father. Even her first companions were
horses, she says. “My joys and sorrow were for it,” she says of
Pompon, a pony with whom she spent every waking moment.
Her story begins at Chateau Bacon, an estate with a storied
past where her family has bred and raised Anglo-Arabian
horses for over a century. The setting is idyllic, nestled in
a lush valley near Bordeaux, a region in southwest France
famous for its medieval castles, mouth-watering cuisine and
sweet wine. Her childhood was a “wild” one, she muses, “in
the middle of trees along the poetic river of Dordogne,
following the rhythm of nature. It was a childhood filled
with fond memories
of farming, driving
“Gustave Eiffel instilled in
us the power of passion and
dreams, of boldness and
innovation, hard work and the
necessity of being a team.
Together, nothing is impossible.”
tractors under the
intense sun, and
enjoying “the true
pleasures of this
countryside life.”
Inspired hereditary
traits branch in
all directions from
Couperie-Eiffel’s
family tree. Her
father’s lineage is one
steeped in equestrian
and aristocratic tradition. The Couperie name can be
traced back to Joseph Fouché, Duke of Otranto, who served
as minister of police under Napoleon — when battles were
fought on horseback. Despite losing the noble title during the
French Revolution, the Couperie family enjoyed an aristocratic
lifestyle in the 1900s — committed to elite education,
raising horses and taking part in equestrian competitions.
On her mother’s side, the great-great grandfather Gustave
Eiffel needs little introduction — the engineer and visionary

People | Family Legacy
Below: Couperie-Eiffel became the France champion of show jumping in 2005 on the saddle of Jolie B’Neville. Right:
The 2016 Paris Eiffel Jumping is a three day event, free and open to the public, starting July 1st. It is celebrated as a
place where “everyone can find happiness, and dream through the celebration of horses, art, culture and elegance.”
Photos courtesy of Sportfot
who pushed the boundaries of imagination and science
while connecting the world with his iron inventions: the
Eiffel Tower, the locks of Panama Canal, the framework for
the Statue of Liberty in New York and numerous churches,
bridges and train stations.
“Gustave Eiffel instilled
in us the power
of passion and dreams,
of boldness and innovation,
hard work and
the necessity of being a
team. Together, nothing
is impossible,” says
“I know everything from [the horse],
as it knows everything from me.
Horses will give everything for
free, just because you ask.”
Couperie-Eiffel, who
finds strength as she
looks up at the tower, exposed to all the elements of nature,
yet confidently standing as the very symbol of freedom.
While the DNA was there, it was Couperie-Eiffel’s
father, Emeric, who truly harnessed his daughter’s love of
horses — teaching all four of his children to ride. Every
morning they’d rise early, one by one waiting their turn.
With eyes closed, Couperie-Eiffel describes their routine
like it was yesterday. Her father hoisting her up high onto
the horse’s back, then she would repeat exercises for hours,
over and over like a “dancer with the barre.”
Couperie-Eiffel trained vigorously every day, with hours
and hours of work. “We were one hundred percent into this
life — from morning until evening, we were thinking and
sleeping horses.” Besides working the muscles and increasing
the flexibility,
the disciplined training
established a connection
between horse and rider,
and at the same time
began to nurture the
spirit of the horse, “its
generosity, its goodness,
its sensitivity.”
Time and patience paid
off, and as she matured
into adolescence, she demonstrated an understanding that
success was not through dominance but through a balance
of leadership and partnership with her horse. “Horses teach
us what is dignity, how to listen, how to self-reflect, and
how to be humble,” she says. She paired this insight with
her father’s wisdom “never to go against a horse’s will but
become one with it. That is where the magic happens, and
that is when one becomes an avatar.”
On the eve of her biggest competition, the 2005 French
Championship of show jumping, she could barely sleep as
Photo Courtesey of Virginie Couperie-Eiffel
Top Right: Photos courtesy of Bestimage
Top right: Couperie-Eiffel with Charlotte Casiraghi, the glamorous Monegasque
princess (fifth-in-line to the throne of Monaco) was among competitors at last
year’s Paris Eiffel Jumping event. Bottom right: Couperie-Eiffel (far right) and
her sister Coco (far left) pose with friends Bruce Springsteen and his daughter
Jessica, who all share a passion for the equestrian arts.
she prepared to exceed herself as an athlete. She recalls her
mindset as she lay in bed: “I was already in the competition.
I could feel the concentration rising little by little.”
This fervor continued to the next day as she gradually
progressed to the final stage of the competition. In the
saddle of Jolie B’Neville, “a mare with a big heart,” she
would negotiate through a timed course of six fences, each
obstacle higher than the last.
“Everything is happening very slowly in my head,” she recalls.
“I go through each of the obstacles. I must be flawless.
I was so excited to jump my last fence. I could feel my mare
excited too, yet we must not be in a hurry to win... I do the
final jump and finish with one second left over... I close my
eyes and lift my arms. I have just become champion!”
In true partnership, she credits the sensitivity and generosity
of her horse. “I knew everything from the horse, as it
knew everything from me. Horses will give everything for
free, just because you ask.”
The day Couperie-Eiffel retired and “put back boots
and vest was a day of bereavement,” she says. In time, she
discovered new joy in “training young riders to become
champions in respect of horses, nature and humankind” and
in establishing Eiffel Academy. She is currently teaching a
number of talented young riders, including her niece Marie,
as well as Mathilde Pinault, “who is very gifted.”
To this day, Couperie-Eiffel is intentional with her life,
sharing her days between Chateau Bacon and her life
with husband Charles Berling in Montmartre, where she
oversees the third annual Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping
on the Champ de Mars. The three-day cultural event draws
the world’s best riders and horses, as well as celebrities and
artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, who will
watch their daughter Jessica, an American show-jumping
champion, compete; French film stars Marion Cotillard and
Guillaume Canet; and American actress Salma Hayek. To
see horse and rider once again regain the heart of Paris is a
dream come true for Couperie-Eiffel, and in every essence a
tribute to both her parents and Gustave Eiffel himself.
“When I look up at this Eiffel Tower that rises like
latticework toward the sky, I feel a breeze of freedom go
through me. The openness and the lightness of the structure
is what really makes the tower strong and sturdy, high up
in the sky. To let go and soar to new heights. That is the
legacy I was bestowed.”
Magnifissance 104

Magnifissance | Heartful Spaces
On entering the glorious lobby, it’s evident Luigi Esposito’s signature style is a beautiful marriage of architecture and
art — often embellished with historical elements, Old World craftsmanship, polished rosewood joinery and curated
antiques like the 18th century grand piano.
The Art of Bespoke
— A Piccadilly Penthouse is Reborn
All photos courtesy of Oro Bianco Interior Design, London.
London-based architect and interior designer Luigi Esposito
infuses a posh penthouse with divine floor-to-ceiling artistry and
restores it to its glory days — when gentry and aristocrats were
among the neighbors.
Text by Janine Mackie
Produced by Peggy Liu
Magnifissance 106

Magnifissance | Heartful Spaces
Seven stories above the Hard Rock Cafe in
West London. That’s where Luigi Esposito
found himself envisioning the potential
of a 7,800-square-foot penthouse, set in a
1904-period building — a coveted cachet
with an impressive view of the London skyline.
His initial design plans were inspired to go in a new direction
when he discovered archaic details behind the walls.
“We began uncovering fragments of Classical architectural
elements — ornate cornices, plaster-molding embellishments
and columns,” says Esposito, the creative director of
Oro Bianco Interior Design — an exclusive design house
with a bespoke approach. “There is a profound joy in finding
such beauty in unexpected places.”
While the building’s stone exterior is a flamboyant
example of Flemish Baroque architecture, the building’s
interiors were an incongruent anthology of design styles.
Adapting to the times and different owners, the flats inside
had morphed from grand mansions for American aristocracy
and nobility in the 1900s to professional offices
after the Second World War, and then as contemporary
pied-à-terres for the nouveau riche enticed to live here in
the district of Mayfair — the most expensive and exclusive
postal code in Britain.
Protected under the conservation department, the
integrity of the original architectural elements could not
be removed, but they could be covered. As the floor plan
was reconfigured and the plasterwork removed, true beauty
was revealed. Molds were taken of the original
architectural details and the refurbished embellishments
subtly integrated, framing bespoke
bedroom furniture and adding a sense of history
to the expanded social spaces.
With elite property owners demanding furniture
and finishes as bespoke as their homes,
Esposito rose to the occasion by also highlighting
traditional craft methods in this Mayfair
penthouse. Exceptional artisans were appointed,
each skilled in rare Old World techniques for
building furniture, creating floor art and embossing
luxurious tapestries.
“There’s a renewed appreciation for true
craftsmanship,” says Esposito, whose affinity for
classic architectural proportions and opulent
interior design sparked as a child.
“I grew up loving to explore Europe’s art galleries
and museums, finding myself inside a magical and
mysterious world,” says Esposito who aspired to
be an artist, with a “passion for paint and sculpture.”
His father steered him towards a more
profitable career as an architect, a natural choice
for a student who “had an eye for everything.”
When he first saw the Colosseum, he realized
the strong connection between architecture and
art, “the proportions and beauty of the monument
expressed art in his eyes.”
Opposite: With seating
capacity of 18, the handcrafted
dining room table
with its extoic marquetry
mother-of-pearl inlay is an
outstanding showpiece.
It was designed by Luigi
Esposito and created by
Linley, a joinery company
founded by David Linley,
nephew to Queen Elizabeth.
Above: Sumptuous
sofas in the drawing room
are clothed in rare silk and
velvet embossed in gold
using the fine-art craft of
“gaufrage,” a technique
dating back to the Renaissance
in France.
Magnifissance 108

Magnifissance | Heartful Spaces
“When you walk into a room and there is a
balance between the design, the proportions, the
space, the lighting and the artistic
elements, there is beauty.”
Carrying this appreciation for aesthetics, Esposito
was determined to follow his own dreams and
began on a journey of discovery — creating theatrical
sets and costumes, working in the fashion industry
as an interior design consultant at Ralph Lauren,
and today designing extraordinary residences for a
discerning international clientele.
The Mayfair penthouse’s ornate lobby provides
insight into Esposito’s design philosophy “to be
unique — yet create something beautiful, balanced,
elegant and timeless — equally respectful
to the past and to the client.”
One of the distinguishing elements of Esposito’s
work is the use of wood — stylized furniture
with lathe-turned legs, beautiful marquetry inlays
and decorative joinery. Exotic rosewood door
frames are totally bespoke in this home, as are the
doors, the walk-in wardrobes and wall panels —
all made-to-measure by a centuries-old family
company in Italy, “their joinery traditions and
crafts handed down through two generations.”
There is much for the eyes to feast on: a checkered
marble floor, a pair of crystal chandeliers,
and a Louis-XIV commode inlaid with tortoiseshell
marquetry and mounted with Ormolu — a
technique favored back in the 18th century by
great French furniture designers, whose giltbronze
pieces were as fine as jewelers’ work.
Opposite: A fragment
of a historic column
was discovered behind
plasterwork, then reproduced
to make two new
columns — now beautifully
reinstated to enhance the
classical timeless design
of this guest suite. Above:
Decadence is delivered in
the master bedroom with
a harmonious combination
of off-whites and silver-leaf
damask wallpaper to offset
the blue silk draperies
bedazzled with Swarovski
crystals.
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Above: An enchanted English garden was created to glorious effect by Canadian artist Peter Gorman. The hand-painted chinoiserie on
gold leaf panels and verre églomisé glass with gilded-age details is a bespoke work of art. Opposite: A stunning Pietra Dura mosaic adds
creative interest underfoot with over 47,000 gemstones stylistically arranged on the marble floor of the master bathroom.
“The beauty is so intense you want
to keep it to age with you.”
Esposito’s love of fine furniture developed in his formative
years with an Italian uncle who was an art and antique
collector, and a Brazilian grandmother whose house was
filled with extraordinary woodwork.
“Sometimes as I’m in the design process, I find these memories
come back to me as inspiration,” says Esposito. “They
shape my vision and
come to life as I repackage
them to create something
that itself will become
antique one day.”
Making one’s way
through the well-tailored
spaces, one can see that every detail has been considered.
Even the walls are bespoke art pieces, clad in engraved leather,
silver-leaf damask, or glistening golden panels.
“The beauty is so intense you want to keep it to age with
you,” says Esposito as he admires the work of Canadian
glass artist Peter Gorman from Vancouver. The walls of the
main corridor are adorned with backlit “verre églomisé,”
a technique for which Gorman has become famous. The
reverse side of each piece of glass is gilded with gold to produce
a softly reflective surface, which is then hand-painted
in a botanical garden motif. “The more light that is captured,
the more beautiful it becomes,” says Esposito.
The golden touch carries into the drawing room where
a pair of bespoke sofas have been covered in a sumptuous
silk velvet, embossed using a medieval technique known as
“gaufrage.” A mill in France has perfected the process, dusting
fabric in tarnished metals, resulting in a raised “burnt-gold
pattern that looks both rich and worn at the same time.”
What may seem a small detail to some is to Luigi the
pinnacle of artistry in this
penthouse — a mosaic
on the master-bathroom
floor. The Pietra Dura
floor “pays tribute” to his
client’s Indian culture.
Over 47,000 pieces of
semi-precious stones such as amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli
and mother-of-pearl were used. The highly-polished stone
mosaic was made in India, photographed to the client’s
approval, and then dismantled and recreated in London.
Like a true master in his field of expertise, Esposito
stands back and admires the completed magnum opus.
Seeing a project come alive after months of planning, and
then shine with enduring patina, is his true reward.
“Beauty manifests when you do what you love, and I love
what I do,” he says. “When you walk into a room and there
is a balance between the design, the proportions, the space,
the lighting and the artistic elements, there is beauty. I feel
truly grateful to experience this balance in my life.”
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Classic oversized soft furnishings
from Ralph Lauren suit the masculine
mood of this room layered with
leather wall panels and modern art.
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