The "Astier de Villatte Christmas Exhibition (Le Noel d'Astier de Villatte)" is being held at H.P.DECO (5-2-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) in Omotesando, Tokyo, and at H.P. DECO in Kobe (1F Kaigan Building, 3-1-5 Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe). It will run until December 26th.
The event was started by Astier de Villatte designers Yvan Pericoli and Benoît Astier de Villatte. This year, in addition to gift items and Christmas ornaments discovered by the two on their travels around the world, they have also released a limited edition "Mystery Box," a special gift set filled with playfulness that you can "open and enjoy." The mystery boxes are based on 10 unique themes, including "Paris," "Galaxy," and "Romantic," and are a mix of items Yvan and Benoît sourced from around the world, one-of-a-kind finds at flea markets, and Astier originals. Each "Paris Box" contains a vintage notebook, "Opera" incense and a scented eraser from "Rue Saint-Honoré" to evoke the scent of Paris in your room, an antique Eiffel Tower card, a 3D stereoscope showcasing Parisian monuments like the Sacré-Coeur, a miniature Eiffel Tower sculpture, and a 1960s puzzle game that transports you back to a retro Paris. Even within the same themed box, each one contains a unique item, and each one includes a message card from Yvan and Benoît. Prices range from ¥17,000 to ¥42,000. The Christmas ornament collection features nearly 200 items, ranging from poetic and adorable pieces by American and European female designers to pieces designed by New York artist John Derian. Also available are gift items like "My Mug of Tea," a modern redesign of a mismatched tea set like grandma's, beautifully embroidered gift-sized velvet cushions, and candy-shaped candles. Also on display are new pieces from Astier de Villatte, including a reproduction of a lamp designed by painter Balthus in the early 1960s when he was director of the Villa Medici; new pieces from the Setsuko Collection; pieces inspired by the decoration of the Grand Chalet de Rossinière, Switzerland's largest wooden building; and a collaborative collection with John Derian.