Christie's Arbiter of Style

Christie's auction house was kind enough to as me to be their Arbiter of Style this month.  I chose my favorite pieces from the upcoming Interiors Sale, taking place June 18 and 19 in New York, including this gorgeous painting Anemones with Red Cloth above by artist Nell Blaine. I also answered some fun questions you can read here. I've learned so much from attending auction previews over the years that I highly recommend stopping by even if you think you can't afford anything.  And who knows, you might just get lucky and find something great! Thanks again Christie's! 

Resplendent Rochas Apartment

Brooke Astor isn’t the only chic woman whose estate was up for auction this week.  The contents of the gorgeous apartment of Hélène Rochas who passed away last year is up for auction at Christie’s in Paris today.  I apologize for the short notice but I myself just learned of this yesterday.  Even if you missed bidding, you can still marvel at the décor. 

Hélène Rochas was the widow of courtier Marcel Rochas of the venerable fashion house Rochas.  Hélène met the twice divorced Marcel in the metro and became his wife at the age of 18.  The couture house was closed in 1953 but after Marcel’s death in 1955, Hélène Rochas took over the perfume business and created an empire. She was known for her great beauty and lavish parties that she threw in her apartment in a hôtel particulier in the 7th arrondissement.  It too is up for sale here.

Hubert de Givenchy stated that “Rochas was exceptionally skilled at blending classic and contemporary elements” and you can see that in many of those photos.  I was thinking it reminded me of of the home of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berger and then I read that they lived close and were also friends. Her daughter, Sophie Rochas says “the original interior was conceived by her father and his decorator, Georges Geffroy” but that her made it her own over the years.  You can see one example from the music room that was dark blue in the 1980’s and is now a soothing beige.   

In WWD, “François de Ricqlès, chairman of Christie’s France and a friend of Hélène Rochas, describes the collection as the culmination of a cosmopolitan French style influenced by the wealthy Americans who started coming to Paris in the Twenties."

“It’s a form of taste that has practically died out, in which styles and eras are brought together with elegance and sobriety. The walls are white, the curtains are plain and what stands out is the beauty of the artworks,” he says. “I think it’s extremely Parisian.”

The Hélène Rochas auction catalog was online (not sure where it went) and was more than just a catalog.  It’s was filled with memories from many of Hélène Rochas’ friends such as Hubert de Givenchy and Francois Catroux and was a touching tribute to a lovely lady. 

Hélène Rochas with her son François and daughter Sophie, circa 1950.

“A dinner for six has to be for very close friends." - Hélène Rochas

Hélène Rochas flanked by Francois Catroux and Yves Saint Laurent. 

 Fabio Rieti drawing of Hélène Rochas.

Hélène Rochas in the music room in 1987.

The music room today. 

Hélène Rochas by Andy Warhol.

Hélène Rochas posing for Andy Warhol. 

Andy Warhol and Hélène Rochas at Maxime's in Paris in 1970. 

The private garden. 

“You need less rather than more to be elegant now."

Hélène Rochas

1927 - 2011

At Auction

You may not be able to buy anything from Chateau de Groussay but you will be able to buy some similar treasures from Palais Abbatial de Royaumont soon.  The Italianate House near Chantilly, France is featured in World of Interiors and its contents will be up for auction at Christie's in Paris 19-21 September.  The public viewing is 17-18 September from 12:00-7:00pm.

The home was built in 1792 by Louis Le Masson but wasn't lived in long by the owner abbot Monsieur de Ballivieres because of the revolution.  It was restored in 1832 by Marquis de Bellissen and sold in 1899 to a railway magnate and later to Baron Eugene Fould in 1932.  He was married to Marie-Cecile (Mitzi) von Springer and they completely restored the facade and interiors.  The couple became Baron and Baroness Fould-Springer and hosted guests that included Elsie de Wolfe, Coco Chanel's friend Misia Sert, and the Greek royal family.  The house was spared during the war because their daughter Helene's husband was a Spanish diplomat and they were able to fly the Spanish flag over it.  Liliane, one of their other daughters, married Elie de Rothschild in 1942 and it continued to host fabulous people and parties. The saddest part of the story is that the house will be turned into a conference center after the auction.  Only Mitzi's room will remain intact in honor of her. But the house's loss can be our gain.  I'm off to check the reserves now.  I saw some chairs that are calling my name.