MOYNAT Book Édition Limitée

My book arrived today! I am such a sucker for all things limited, so when I found out that Bernard Chauveau has an Édition Limitée book about Moynat, I knew I would move heaven and earth to acquire one.  I called them using my elementary French and was so happy to know that they still had three copies left. Limited to only 39 print editions (mine is number 21) the book is encased in a "coffret" designed like the limousine trunks that Moynat is known for. They also make a regular print version which is available in a handful of Parisian bookstores.

Below is the description from Bernard Chauveau:

Moynat : la réussite d'une audacieuse

"Have you ever heard of Moynat? Yes, undoubtedly but your recollection is vague. And why is that? In the universe of chic luggage, the brand has been sleeping for the past forty years. So why would somebody want to wake it up now and how can that be achieved?

After consulting/ perusing the archives, the answer is obvious. The story of this leather luggage-maker begins with the growth of the transportation sector in the middle of the 19th century. Its creations accompanied the lives of refined people from their first journeys through Europe to the early days of the automotive industry that required tailor-made luggage. Moynat also shone in every universal exhibition, notably the Arts Déco exhibition in 1925 in Paris.
A woman embodied the French brand -which was named after her- and achieved its high level recognition: Pauline Moynat. Although she could have remained a little girl from France’s Provinces moving to Paris to find a fortune, she succeeded in moving with the times as she kept up with the French capital, completely transformed by the bold Baron Haussmann. She understood the expectations of a clientele who demanded that creativity and novelty go hand in hand with durability and know-how.
Moynat’s luggage have seen the start of two centuries: from the first wicker trunks also called “English trunks” («Malles anglaises»), the steamer trunks, the trunks tailor-made and adapted to each automobile, the tea and picnic sets, etc… And let’s not forget the ladies’ bags that Pauline introduced to the universe of trunk-makers for the first time. Newspapers of the day extolled the virtues of the brand’s luggage: “they are the most beautiful”.
Moynat remains loyal to its heritage in two ways: the new store has opened its doors on 348, rue Saint-Honoré (Paris) not far from the original store and the brand has drawn on its rich heritage to perpetuate timeless design suitcases and bags. The sophistication of the materials and the refinement of the finishing are inherited from the past but the colours are definitely today’s. A new invitation to travel is launched with this exceptional book."

Michèle Lécluse

WHERE TO FIND THE BOOK IN PARIS ?
- Colette;
- Artcurial Bookshop;
- Bon Marché Bookshop;
- 7L Bookshop;
- Galignani Bookshop.

Standard Edition
Bound, enhanced a small piece of / 100 colour illustrations
Size: 40 x 27 cm / 176 pages
Publication date: December 2011
ISBN: 9782363060204
75EUR

Limited Edition
Book shown in a deluxe box remembering the form of a famous trunk Moynat
Size: 50 x 35 cm
Print run: 39 copies
Publication date: December 2011
200EUR

Natalia Vodianova with Pauline Haut

Natalia Vodianova with Pauline Haut at the Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2012 2013 Fashion Show, March 7, 2012. Photos.bauergriffinonline.com

MOYNAT in ACTION

The Pauline Voyage and Cabas Initial aboard a traditional dhoni - pictured by one of our early fans !  ~ Moynat Paris Facebook

Le Modèle Pauline Haut

I know I posted this last week (click here) but I wanted to share with you all what Vogue.fr had to say.

Au premier rang du défilé Valentino automne-hiver 2012-2013, le mannequin avait opté pour un total look bleu marine accessoirisé d’un sac Moynat noir.

Le 6 mars dernier, la maison Valentino présentait un défilé automne-hiver 2012-2013 d’inspiration folk. Au premier rang, Natalia Vodianova avait opté pour le charme classique d’une tenue bleu marine accessoirisée de sandales Givenchy et d’un sac Moynat : le modèle Pauline Haut en cuir noir. Un incontournable de la célèbre maison malletière qui vient, pour le plus grand plaisir des collectionneurs et des férus de sacs à main, de s’installer à nouveau dans la capitale. Côté beauté, Natalia Vodianova avait relevé ses cheveux en un chignon haut, laissant ainsi apparaitre des créoles dorées, grande tendance de l’automne-hiver 2012-2013.

MOYNAT Trunks

Automobile boot trunk that follows the form of the carriage, washable coated canvas. 1912, Collection Moynat Paris. www.MOYNAT.com

Interview with Gwenaël Nicolas of Curiosity, Tokyo

Gwenaël Nicolas was born in 1966 in Bretagne, France, and lives and works in Tokyo.

He studied at l’ESAG (Ecole Superieure d’Arts Graphiques et d’Architecture) in Paris where he graduated in 1988 with a masters in interior design. After 2 years in London at the Royal College of Art, he graduated with a masters in industrial design.

In 1991 he moved to Tokyo to collaborate with water studio (Cassina Ixc. Boomerang Sofa) and Issey Miyake for interior design (Pleats Please Shops) and perfume design (le Feu d’Issey).

In 1998 he founded his studio ‘Curiosity’ with producer Reiko Miyamoto which is involved in product design, interior and architecture.

He has been commissioned to direct the graphic and architectural design of Moynat.

Interview Source.irenebrination.typepad.com

When you were commissioned to direct the graphic and architectural design of Moynat, what did you know about this historical trunk maker?
Gwenaël Nicolas: It was the first time I heard about the brand, so I was surprised to discover it was established before Louis Vuitton and in fact it was the third most important trunk maker of that period. Not having preconceived ideas about the brand, I was able to discover and look at it with a totally fresh eye.

Were you inspired by any of the Moynat products - by a specific trunk, for example - while designing the shop?
Gwenaël Nicolas:The boutique is designed to be an “écrin” to present the products. To design a boutique you have to place yourself outside the brand and create a process of discovery, wondering what is the first impression you want to express, how you can create a new identity for Moynat that will be relevant to today’s consumers and how a luxury brand can establish itself in today’s world. Looking at the original trunk I realised it was very simple and modern, especially for what regarded the choice of materials, the colour palette and the uniqueness of the shapes that looked quite peculiar to me until I realised the trunks were specifically designed for individual clients with specific needs.

What fascinated you the most about this project?
Gwenaël Nicolas: It was a very rare project since I had to create everything from the physical space to the graphics for the book. My work is usually very modern and conceptual so it was a real challenge to start with something that already existed, dig into the huge amount of information and extract the essential. It was very important to perceive it as a modern brand rooted in the past, as reference emerges from time to time especially through the display of the products more than in the boutique itself. This project was not developed around a brief but totally as an open book and my task was writing the next chapter.

While researching for this project, what did you learn about the work of this historical malletier?
Gwenaël Nicolas: I discovered that most trunk makers were doing a lot of pieces on order, so if you had something very precious to carry you used to visit a malletier. Each piece was unique and would fit perfectly to the function: if you had a Bugatti they would create a curved trunk that would perfectly fit in the car for example.

There seems to be some Art Deco moods in the circular space around the columns, did you take inspiration from the architecture/design that was fashionable in the heydays of this brand?
Gwenaël Nicolas: Paris is very much influenced by the Art Deco period and this is a boutique in Paris. I wanted to make the most beautiful façade in rue Saint-Honoré, very impactful but also very respectful of the place. Moynat’s “havane” colour, the delicate lighting at night and the bronze metal frame give the boutique a strong and graphic look, yet the store perfectly fits in with the environment surrounding it, so it’s designed to last.