American Vintage brings the South to Paris for Hubert Crabières’ exhibition
American vintage added its signature color, character and cool factor to a gray night in Paris with a cocktail to celebrate the opening of an ephemeral exhibit from photographer Hubert Crabières staged at the brand’s rue de Charonne shop. Crabières took home the 3rd annual American Vintage Photography Award at this year’s Hyères Festival of Fashion, Photography and Fashion Accessories at the legendary Villa Noailles and now his work is on display in a new exhibition titled “On dirait le Sud” (or “Feels like the South”) at the American Vintage boutique on the rue de Charonne through October 26th. For this contemporary photo series, Crabières gathered his close friends to pose against a backdrop of printed fabrics with summer landscapes depicting the South of France, home to both American Vintage (Marseille) and the Villa Noailles (Hyères). The fabrics replace reality to create distorted, poetic images of all of the warm colors and free spirit of the South juxtaposed against an urban backdrop.The exhibit, staged by artist Maximilien Pellet and interior designer Zoé Piter, has taken over the boutique’s entrance, with more photos and fabric enrobed in clear plastic cases suspended by hangers scattered throughout the store. Crabières’ vibrant, lively images with an authentic, intimate and almost surrealistic feel are a perfect contrast to the brand’s colorful clothing and casual, cool vibes. Villa Noailles director and Hyères Festvial founder Jean-Pierre Blanc joined Crabières to welcome friends including John Nollet, Audrey Marnay, Eddy de Pretto, Marc Turlan, Guillaume Salmon and more among an eclectic blend of guests from Marseille, Paris and of course Crabières’ own Argenteuil gathered inside of the shop and spilled out onto the street for the opening cocktail blending beers and carrot juices with colorful, plant-based sandwiches and salads adding even more bright hues to the evening.
