In 1937, the famed decorator Jean-Michel Frank was charged with the decoration of the first boutique of Schiaparelli fragrances. It had been opened on the occasion of the launch of the perfume Shocking. Elsa had previously entrusted him with the decoration of the showrooms of her Couture House, located since 1935 in the Hôtel de Fontpertuis, at the legendary address of 21, Place Vendôme.
For this new commission, Jean-Michel Franck designed a birdcage with double artistic and functional purposes. It was decorated with displays designed to feature Schiaparelli's latest fragrance creations. This giant aviary was made of gilded bamboo framed by a black metal structure strewn with multi-coloured hand-painted flowers. This original concept, and the unusual store window installations created by Bettina Bergery, a close friend of Salvador Dali's, attracted all the locals and tourists in Paris at the time.
La cage (The cage) of Jean-Michel Frank is still, today, situated in the Haute Couture salons at 21, Place Vendôme.
Jean-Michel Frank
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