Fashion house Chanel has completed an extensive restoration of the gardens surrounding Coco Chanel’s iconic La Pausa residence on the French Riviera.

The main goal of the project was to restore the garden surrounding the estate in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to the atmosphere of the 1930s, when the designer purchased the roughly four-hectare property overlooking the Mediterranean and named it La Pausa.

The residence became a place of rest, inspiration and gatherings with friends for Chanel. It was here that she spent time away from Paris and the fashion world. In 1953, however, the designer sold the estate to publisher Emery Reves.

Today, the restoration of the house and gardens has been overseen by American architect Peter Marino, who has worked with Chanel for many years and has designed numerous boutiques and offices for the fashion house.

Together with the Chanel Heritage team, Marino studied archival materials to understand what La Pausa looked like during Coco Chanel’s lifetime.

One of the estate’s defining features remains its olive trees. Around 250 grow across the grounds, and some are estimated by experts to be approximately 800 years old.

In the evening, the ancient olive trees are given a particularly striking illumination. Small LED lights have been installed directly on the branches, with the beams directed downward. In the darkness, the trees consequently resemble silhouettes illuminated by moonlight.

Particular attention was also paid to lavender and irises. They were planted in large expanses, creating distinct areas of colour.

On the slope in front of the house, the lavender appears to flow down towards the road. In France, this style of planting is known as «coulée» — literally, «flow».

The garden also has a special connection to Chanel’s world of fragrance. Jasmine and iris are among the aromatic components associated with the legendary Chanel N°5. Their presence at La Pausa is therefore far more than a decorative detail.

Today, La Pausa remains a private Chanel residence and is not open to the general public. From time to time, however, the property hosts corporate events, photo and film shoots, as well as creative residencies.

Photo: Architectural Digest

Transforming a luxurious space into a true embodiment of haute couture – that is the vision behind the legendary Parisian house Maison Margiela and its latest project, Maison Margiela Residences.

For its debut in the realm of residential architecture, the brand has chosen an exceptional location – Dubai. The complex, comprising 25 exclusive apartments, will be situated on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, offering panoramic sea views and convenient access to the city’s finest restaurants and boutiques.

Though fashion has always remained at the heart of Maison Margiela’s philosophy, the House has long nurtured an interest in architecture, interior, and product design.

«Architecture and design have been integral to Maison Margiela’s philosophy since its founding in 1988. Maison Margiela Residences represent a new expression of our values and a continuation of our unconventional approach to design. Exquisite finishes, leather stitching, noble materials, red marble, and vintage mirrors challenge traditional perceptions of interior aesthetics», noted Gaetano Sciuito, CEO of Maison Margiela, in an interview with Vogue Arabia.

Examples of the brand’s creative daring include the theatrical staging of its runway shows, the reinterpretation of Paris’s La Maison Champs-Élysées hotel in 2011, and the creation of art objects such as lamps made from recycled bottles, nesting dolls, quill pens, and pristine white cushions.

The residence project was designed by architect Carlo Colombo in collaboration with construction company Alta Real Estate Development. Each apartment is uniquely styled and furnished with handcrafted pieces. Interiors feature golden accents, travertine walls, red marble, and silver-coated mirrors.

«I create dreams – for living, working, and relaxation. My path is rooted in respect for craftsmanship, for those who create, and for those who bring design to life», says Colombo, whose works appear in the collections of Poliform, Artemide, Bugatti, Bentley, and Elie Saab.

The complex will also include an art gallery, a library, fitness studios, a swimming pool, a spa, and a welcoming Margiela Café.

Photo: voguearabia.com