Surrounded by a family of architects, painters and musicians, Alexis Mabille has always been naturally drawn to the creative arts. After considering fashion and architecture, he began his career by working for designer John Galliano at Christian Dior, where he designed jewellery for nine years. He later launched his eponymous clothing label.
Today, in addition to being a renowned fashion designer, Alexis continues to cultivate his passion for interiors, designing projects that include restaurants and homes and furniture for himself as well as people he feels connected to.
The Parisian apartment Alexis currently calls home was perfect for experimenting with and unleashing his creativity. He usually prefers the first arrondissement, but he fell in love with this 105 sqm space in an area of the ninth arrondissement frequented by intellectuals and artists in the 18th and 19th centuries.
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Because of its state of disrepair, the apartment was a blank canvas that allowed Alexis to rethink everything – which is precisely what he did.
He decided to restore the dwelling to its former glory, highlighting the late 19th-century Directoire style. To achieve that while pushing the boundaries of his comfort zone, Alexis asked his friends Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet – founders of Humbert & Poyet – to help him.
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It took six months for the trio to finalise the design. With only one bedroom, the apartment has generous common areas, high ceilings, boiserie (wooden panelling), elegant neoclassical mouldings, French doors trimmed in gold leaf and herringbone parquet flooring in a traditional chevron pattern inspired by the late French decorator Jean Royere.
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Exuberant colours and different types of marble adorn the rooms: Calacatta in the kitchen; Carrara and green in the bathroom; and royal red for the 210kg marble coffee table in the living room, which Alexis designed.
All the spaces are filled with natural light, thanks to his decision to forgo curtains. An exception, however, was made for the bedroom, where mirrors reflect lots of natural light.
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Symmetry is omnipresent in the interior. For example, in the living room, two blue sofas by Alexis, two white lamps by Diego Giacometti, two planters and two Napoleon III chairs flanking the fireplace stand in perfect symmetry.
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While the apartment’s layout is typical of its era, the furniture and artworks mix periods and styles, creating a harmonious, eclectic look. Contemporary objects, antiques and flea market treasures exist alongside family heirlooms and furniture designed by the couturier himself. His sofa in the living room, embroidered with ‘50s and ‘60s-era flora and fauna, was inspired by a sofa in the Maison de Verre by architect Pierre Chareau.
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These elements are paired with artworks by the likes of Adrien Dirand, Paul Poiret and Francois Halard. The gold Maison Christian Dior chair in the hallway was a gift from Galliano. An antique Egyptian vase, a Stilnovo chandelier and a Xavier Tronel painting complete the look.
The kitchen was purposefully given more of a living room feel as it doubles as his main workspace and is where he lays out his sketches.
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The bedroom – a strong testament of his broad sense of style – has shelves filled with books, curtains created from a 19th-century tapestry from Chateau de Saint-Victor in the Loire Valley, ’70s green chairs, two striped Napoleon chairs, an Empire bed, Stilnovo side tables, Charlotte Perriand bedside lamps and collages by Damien Blottiere and Scott Ramsay.
A ’40s Swedish ceiling lamp, ’70s Italian sconces, ’40s Italian stools and Directoire handles make the bathroom stand out.
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In his home, where he loves to entertain, Alexis’ contemporary eye has successfully honoured the past and fearless boldness.
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