DATE |       3 Oct 2009, Saturday

VENUE |   Au Printemps, blvd Haussmann, 9er Paris

EVENT |   Celebration of the opening of espace Maria Luisa and her new role as Fashion Editor for Printemps

Long time no see.

As I was wondering what to do in my hotel room at Faubourg Saint-Honoré, my dear friend asked if I want to go to Maria Luisa’s new store opening at Printemps. Of course, I last met up with her was over a year ago in Dec 07 in Hong Kong. This new store concept is groundbreaking and will sure shake things up in Paris retail- as every move Maria takes. It wasn’t just another party, I mean, when you have all the biggest, hippest names in the biz, along with some upcoming ones and avant-gardists, all mingle in the same new roof of the legendary department store, they all come here for the friendship, mentorship and relationship archived over the years; only a couple of people in the business who could pull this crowd together, and Maria is one of them. I couldn’t find better words other than their PR’s caption to describe her – Maria Luisa Poumaillou, Queen of high fashion and luxury retailing in Paris (I’d add Hong Kong and Qatar as well).

Congratz to Maria Luisa & co., as well as her new partner Printemps team, who is daring enough to make this approach. See the official press release at the bottom. (*Special thx goes to Sidefame PR team.)

MARIA LUISA Boutique – A Groundbreaking Opening Cocktail Party

Maria Luisa Poumaillou has signed a partnership agreement with Printemps in February and becomes the Fashion Editor of this legendary department store. To commemorate the grand opening of the MARIA LUISA Boutique, a groundbreaking cocktail party has been held on Oct 3, 2009. Well-renowned designers including Rick Owens, Pierre Hardy, Nicolas Ghesquière, Bernhard Willhelm, Gareth Pugh, Charles Anastase, etc have been there to show support, signifying the respectful status of Maria in the fashion industry.

Maria Luisa Boutique located at the heart of the second floor of Printemps’ fashion department, gives expression to a strong graphic universe based on an optical play of stripes and black and white checks. The surface area is divided into three sections: the main area where the clothes are displayed is more closed and then opens out onto two annexes on either side where the accessories are arragned on cubes at different levels. These thress areas are connected to each other through the visual pattern of the stripe on the carpet. The graphic elements are used on a variety of scales, in the passageways and on the seatings. To soften and add a feminine touch to this atmosphere, the walls are covered with cream suede panels. The powder pink ceiling also contributes to this effect. A cube-shaped changing room covered with mirrors on all foud sides is located in the middle of the space. The intriguing and attractive setting embodies the desire for modernity and elegance that forms part of Printemps’ new strategy.