Interiors: Fashion Designer Azzedine Alaïa's Parisian Loft - atelier 55 - The Curator of Contemporary African Design

Azzedine Alaïa [Tunisia]

[Image credits: Azzedine Alaïa Apartment Interior –
Alexandre & Emilie, Persona Production via Yatzer]

I recently came across a feature into the interior style of Tunisian fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa, who converted a 300 square metre loft in a traditional 17th-century building into three separate apartments. Located in Rue de Moussy, Marais, one of Paris’ most exclusive districts, Azzedine wanted to create a boutique hotel feel giving guests to his home a taste of his style and appreciation for art and design, as well as a feel for Parisian life from his point of view. The apartments are also located close to Azzedine’s private home, atelier, showroom, boutique, and warehouse.

From articles and interviews I have read about the designer, Azzedine Alaïa is known to be a shy and quite private person, and when I first saw the images it struck me that the interior seemed devoid of any personal touches and interestingly enough no artwork on walls bar functional pieces like a mounted bookcase/cabinet and sculptural sidelights, this, however, seems intentional as closer examination reveals that the true beauty lies the attention to detail; finely crafted furniture chosen for its exceptional design aesthetics, the textures of tabletops, work surfaces and upholstery, and the organic and sculptural shapes of the seating.

[Image credits: Azzedine Alaïa Apartment Interior – Alexandre & Emilie, Persona Production via Yatzer]

Wanting to achieve the feel of a luxury hotel whilst retaining a sense of a home away from home feeling for his guests, Azzedine personally designed the interiors which are decorated with carefully selected furniture and lighting from his favourite designers who include; Jean Prouve, Charlotte Perriand, Marc Newson, Andre Sornay, Pierre Paulin and Arne Jacobson. The spaces are kept minimal in style, designed to focus attention on the furniture and objects which are given ample space around them like works in a gallery, and in contrast to the stark white walls, the colours of the furniture are warm, creating the effect of calm open spaces designed for relaxation and thinking. The apartments have a sense of nostalgia about them which emanates from the modern classics style of the furniture and the occasional bright blocks of colour as seen in the kitchen and on the dining room table chairs lends a sixties vibe. Each apartment has its own entrance and doorway and is equipped for the comforts of every day living with its own fitted kitchen.