Tory Burch Goes Down the Rabbit Hole in Paris
ANIMAL MAGIC: Tory Burch continues to channel her love of animals with an installation at her Paris boutique featuring German photographer Walter Schels. Giant renderings of Schels’ animal portraits, which are a key feature in Burch’s resort 2024 collection, have taken over the storefront and interior on Rue Saint-Honoré.
“There is a human element to Walter’s photographs, in the way he looks at the animals and they in turn look back,” stated Burch, who is celebrating her brand’s 20th anniversary this year. “He gives animals the same respect as humans, highlighting their unique personalities and emotions.”
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The installation builds on a collaboration with Opening Ceremony cofounder and former Kenzo co-creative director Humberto Leon for Burch’s pop-up concept store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, which opened in January, and at Shanghai’s Kerry Centre.
In Paris, the three giant photos of Schels’ rabbit headshot emblazon the front of the building. Inside, the meowing cat portrait that Burch featured in her resort designs takes pride of place in repeat in black-and-white across the walls of the store’s front room and mezzanine.
Inside the store, the portraits are contrasted with an installation of display ledges and beige shag rug designed to mimic a cat tower. There is also a specially commissioned series of pink ceramic pedestals from Aranza Garcia of Mexican design agency Chuch Estudio to showcase key designs from the spring 2024 collection, including the tiered hoop minidress that went viral when worn by Hailey Bieber.
The capsule collection of ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags and accessories printed with Schels’ cat are offered in the store and on a dedicated e-commerce landing page. The installation runs through September, and will be celebrated Tuesday evening, coinciding with the opening night of the Paris men’s shows. The cocktail event at the store is being cohosted by Tina Kunakey and Jenn Abey.
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