EMPREINTES, a new concept store offering a glimpse into French craftsmanship and avant-garde pieces, has opened in Paris's Marais district. The four-story, 600-square-meter space displays and sells over 1,000 pieces by French artisans, and also features a cafe, mini-library, and a screening room. The store is bustling with Parisians and tourists alike, offering a chance to rediscover the charm and power of handmade crafts.
Empreintes was established with the desire to allow visitors to see, touch, and enjoy the creations of artists belonging to Ateliers d'Art de France, France's largest artisan association, founded in 1868. The store, a collaborative effort between talented producer Elizabeth Leriche and Jean-Luc Colonna, Merci's renowned buyer, generated significant buzz when it opened in September 2016.
Each floor of the store has a different concept. The first floor, named the "Creator's Gallery," is centered around highly creative art pieces, such as interior goods and objects. Profiles of the craftspeople and photos of the production process are also on display, making it enjoyable just to browse, just like a gallery. In the back, there is also a space displaying works created through collaborations between artists.
The second floor, named the "Big Cupboard," is filled with items suitable for everyday use, such as tableware, pottery, and miscellaneous goods. Because all the products are handmade by craftspeople, each one has a unique texture, creating a warmth not found in mass-produced items. "Season" is a relaxed, open-air cafe filled with natural light and serves healthy options, including organic coffee and gluten-free drinks served in cups for sale.
The third, top floor, is known as the "Accessories and Jewelry Room." It's filled with women's jewelry and objets d'art, as well as unique furniture and lighting. There's also a mini-library space where you can relax on the sofas on display and read books from the shelves.
The basement serves as a projection room, where videos of the manufacturing process are constantly screened. True to its concept of "buyable art," prices start at a reasonable 10 euros. "I want the art created by artists with love and care to blend into everyday life and become special works that brighten the lives of many people," says director Anne Sophie. Since the opening of Merci seven years ago, concept stores have been popping up one after another in Paris, but Empreinte stands out among them. It aims to make art a part of everyday life and serve as a bridge between people and artists. "We change our concept every two to three months and refresh all our products. We want to develop this into a place where you can always find something new and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter."
The store's name, Empreinte, means footprint. Along with its mission to convey France's proud traditional crafts and pass them on to the future, the store is likely to grow into a unique presence that is strongly influenced by the artist, Empreinte.
Empreintes was established with the desire to allow visitors to see, touch, and enjoy the creations of artists belonging to Ateliers d'Art de France, France's largest artisan association, founded in 1868. The store, a collaborative effort between talented producer Elizabeth Leriche and Jean-Luc Colonna, Merci's renowned buyer, generated significant buzz when it opened in September 2016.
Each floor of the store has a different concept. The first floor, named the "Creator's Gallery," is centered around highly creative art pieces, such as interior goods and objects. Profiles of the craftspeople and photos of the production process are also on display, making it enjoyable just to browse, just like a gallery. In the back, there is also a space displaying works created through collaborations between artists.
The second floor, named the "Big Cupboard," is filled with items suitable for everyday use, such as tableware, pottery, and miscellaneous goods. Because all the products are handmade by craftspeople, each one has a unique texture, creating a warmth not found in mass-produced items. "Season" is a relaxed, open-air cafe filled with natural light and serves healthy options, including organic coffee and gluten-free drinks served in cups for sale.
The third, top floor, is known as the "Accessories and Jewelry Room." It's filled with women's jewelry and objets d'art, as well as unique furniture and lighting. There's also a mini-library space where you can relax on the sofas on display and read books from the shelves.
The basement serves as a projection room, where videos of the manufacturing process are constantly screened. True to its concept of "buyable art," prices start at a reasonable 10 euros. "I want the art created by artists with love and care to blend into everyday life and become special works that brighten the lives of many people," says director Anne Sophie. Since the opening of Merci seven years ago, concept stores have been popping up one after another in Paris, but Empreinte stands out among them. It aims to make art a part of everyday life and serve as a bridge between people and artists. "We change our concept every two to three months and refresh all our products. We want to develop this into a place where you can always find something new and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter."
The store's name, Empreinte, means footprint. Along with its mission to convey France's proud traditional crafts and pass them on to the future, the store is likely to grow into a unique presence that is strongly influenced by the artist, Empreinte.
