Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Posh Japanese Workwear by Way of Paris

Search

Posh Japanese Workwear by Way of Paris

December 31, 2014

I’ve been transfixed with designer Sonya Park’s line, Arts & Science, for a while now, but since it is based in Tokyo and has only a few global stockists, I can only admire the pieces from afar. So when I learned about Arts & Science’s shop in Galerie Vivienne in Paris (their only location outside of Japan), I went on a pilgrimage.

The shop is located in the Second Arrondissement, where you’ll find the former stock exchange, banking headquarters, and textile district. Partially designed by Franí§ois Jean Delannoy in 1823, the neoclassical passages are covered with a glass dome that infuses the interiors with a warm glow–that alone is worth the visit. Galerie Vivienne is the perfect setting for Arts & Science, which, since its inception in 2003, has inspired a whole world around luxe utilitarian design, working with minimalist shapes in natural Japanese fabric.

In the small shop I was greeted by Taro, on the Paris shop staff, who really sort of breathes the A&S aesthetic–something I realized as he, wearing a perfectly shapeless black linen suit, described the spring collection. With its palette of light wood, black-painted furniture, and brass display pieces sourced from the Paris flea market, the shop’s interiors serve as a seamless backdrop for the spring collection.

In Paris, visit Arts & Science at 39 Galerie Vivienne; for more, see To Wear, To Dwell, To Eat and Down the Stairs: A Staff Canteen and Cafe in Tokyo.

Photography by Alexa Hotz for Remodelista.

Arts Science Paris 01

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 08

Above: A half column in the window displays the 2 Way Bag in yellow calfskin with a linen lining.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 10

Above: A couple of Jabra Wallets in brown leather with an accordion-style card holder.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 02

Above: Arts & Science’s spring collection is a mix of linen and chambray, accented with mustard yellow.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 03

Above: Park has a close relationship with Astier de Villatte, who stocked A&S pieces in their Rue Saint-Honoré shop long before the Galerie Vivienne location opened.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 09

Above: The Chesterfield Work Coat is a new-old tailored jacket inspired by vintage work jackets and made in linen or cotton.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 01

Above: An antique pendant lamp sourced from the flea market with updated wiring.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 13

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 11

Above: The brass frame on a glass cabinet is in accord with the detailing of A&S accessories: buckles, latches, and zippers.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 06

Above: Wallets in a stiff, black cow leather.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 07

Above: The medium-size Simple Bowling Bag is made of brown or black cow leather.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 12

Above: Select Astier de Villatte ceramics. In the past the two brands collaborated on a series of china featuring the A&S logo of a key and a gold rim.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 15

Above: An antique porcelain finial at the bottom of the stairs banister. Upstairs, Arts & Science hosts clients in a showroom full of billowy dresses in draped silhouettes.

Arts Science Astier de Villatte 01

Above: Large vessels from Astier de Villatte.

Arts Science Paris Galerie Vivienne 16

Above: A brass-footed music stand holds a sign with the shop’s opening hours.

Arts Science Paris 02 0

For more places to visit in and around Paris, see our Travels with an Editor: Paris series and visit our Paris City Guide.

This post is an update; the original ran on June 3, 2013.

Location of Arts & Science in Paris:

View Larger Map

(Visited 1,585 times, 2 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Product summary  

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0