Carla Sozzani opens her Paris foundation

Carla Sozzani, noted retailer, gatekeeper to the Azzedine Alaïa archives and all-round fashion legend, has a new project. Her own foundation.

The Italian lady opened the Fondazione Sozzani on a blustery Monday night in Paris, and in typically iconoclastic manner did so in a very unexpected neighbourhood.

Built inside a soaring, late 19th century atelier near the metro stop La Chapelle, the Fondazione Sozzani is certainly located deep in the heart one of north Paris' funkiest neighbourhoods. Then again, Sozzani, the older sister of the late Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia editor-in-chief, has always been a pathbreaker.

Carla practically invented the concept boutique in the 1990s with Corso Como, her multi-brand fashion, design and art gallery boutique in Milan, which has now spawned off-shoots in Shanghai, Seoul and Manhattan. While her selection of innovative retrospectives inside Alaïa’s old Marais headquarters – most notably the brilliant exhibition on his work with mass market brand Tati – was particularly pioneering in terms of presentation and revelation about the true progenitor of masstige.

“I began thinking about the idea of a foundation, a few years ago, when Franca became ill. What I wanted to say about life, and about art. And the idea of a foundation of my own began to percolate,” said Sozzani, joined at the opening by Suzy Menkes and Olivier Saillard among others.

Though Sozzani is noted for her exceptional photography collection, the opening exhibition named Creation Language features a retrospective of works by American-born artist, and Carla’s partner in life, Kris Ruhs, featuring massive wall hangings done in his signature found materials.

“I found this place by accident about 20 years ago. One day taking a taxi to Charles de Gaulle airport, I saw a sign saying there was a space to buy back. And back then it cost almost literally zero!” laughed Sozzani who plans regular exhibitions at the 1,000-square-meter Eiffel-era space.

Fondazione Sozzani, 22, rue Marx Dormoy, 75018 Paris
Open every day except Monday from 11AM to 8PM

Carla Sozzani opens her Paris foundation

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