HONG KONG—The story of diptyque reminds me of that store in Greenbelt 5 called AC+632. Whenever I walk into AC+632 I see all sorts of knick knacks brought in by Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo from their travels abroad. You could say there’s something very French in that store.
Diptyque, on the other hand, began in Paris in 1961. It was opened by three friends with a passion for travel and design.
L-R: Yves Coueslant (The Stage Designer), Christiane Gautrot (Designer), Desmond Knox-Leet (The Painter)
The store on the bohemian side of 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain became known as a kind of “chic bazaar” for clients who loved their avant-garde fabrics, decorative items, wooden toys, and all kinds of knickknacks the trio brought back from travels to the Far East and Africa.
In 1963 they introduced colored and scented candles, which were such a hit, it eventually became the main focus of their business: the diptyque label was born.
Today, and 50 years later, the diptyque brand is synonymous with world-renowned fragrances and scented candles. It counts among its many fans the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Philippe Starck, Andree Putman, Jane Birkin, Christian Lacroix, Manolo Blahnik, Ines de la Fressange, Pierre Herme, and John Galliano.
Found in 40 countries around the world, diptyque recently opened its first stand-alone boutique in Asia at Hong Kong’s International Finance Center or IFC Mall. The 270-square-foot space was by designed by “couturier of interior design” Olivier Lempereur.
Eric Cauvin, Commercial Director of diptyque showed us the entire product lines which includes 38 scents of candles, 13 kinds of eaux de toilette, bath and body care products, and home fragrances.
Lunch followed at Lane Crawford’s Café Costa
L-R: diptyque’s Stanislas Le Bert (Area Sales Manager Grand Export), Sophie Lambert (Chief Operating Officer), and Eric Cauvin
At night the official opening at the IFC store was highlighted by a ceremonial lighting of candles headed by Sophie Lambert, Mr. Clement Yang, managing director of Vitel International Company; and Elisa Barthelemy, wife of the Consul General of France.
Side story: I spotted this chic girl in Chanel shoes and socks
I was actually stalking her
Then I found she is Chinese celebrity Cheuk Wan Chi
Also spotted (from L-R): Stanislas Le Bert, Sophie Lambert, Cheuk Wan Chi, Fan Chiang, Barney Cheng, Lisa S, Clement Yang, Mme. Elisa Barthelemy, and Eric Cauvin
diptyque is at Shop 1080, Podium Level 1 ifc mall, No. 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong.
In the Philippines, it is available exclusively at Rustan’s department stores.
To know more about the products, go to http://www.diptyqueparis.com/.
Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.