Colette x KK Outlet

Get ready for Colette to invade Hoxton Square on July 2nd: the Parisian boutique is momentarily taking over KesselKramer, aka KK Outlet, and charming its customers with Francophone goods; in parallel, the East-London multi-creative space will cross the Thames and give a sample of eccentric Britannia to the French store. The swap isn’t all that surprising, both Sarah Lefler, daughter of Colette herself, and Danielle Pender, curator and gallery manager of KK, believe, as the two spaces mirror each other’s approaches, and offer a new, hybrid mode of shopping: they “have a similar model in that they're both multi-functional spaces housing retail and a gallery. Colette stock KesselsKramer books and we have worked with the same people in the past such as Anthony Burrill.” Danielle explained.

As for the ‘shop swap’ tactic, it seems to be all the rage these days: from Haute Couture swaps to The Wife Swap, any form of exchange appears to be an endless source of excitement. “People are a lot more interested in finding unique one off items, whether that is searching through second stores and markets or online” said Danielle about this new approach to acquiring goods (not wives). But a shop swap has the practical benefit of visiting a place in another country without physically leaving the East End or Paris’ rue Saint-Honoré. “It is a way of experiencing Colette without leaving London!” said Sarah, with a smile.

Colette will offer Hoxtonites a special selection of books, pieces by graffiti artist André, illustrator Darcel, and paintings by Irina Dakeva. There will also be jewellery by Yazbukey, accessories by Azumi and David, and scarves by Julien David, and more : “We tried to bring to London products that one can’t get there, such as our candles and Colette compilations”, Sarah said. In exchange, Kesselkramer will bring over art work by Erik Kessels, along with books and a variety of products – more details have yet to be revealed. And there is more :  a collection of collaborative products will be available, such as ‘divided loyalty’ scarves, and a yes/no cube – a symbol of this novel ‘entente cordiale’ between the Frogs and the Roast Beefs. As the proverb would say, if you won’t come to Paris, Paris will come to you – well, almost.

London Dates
Private View: Thursday 1 July
Shop Swap: 2 July – 28 August
KK Outlet: 42 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6PB

Paris Dates
Private View: Monday 5 July
Shop Swap: 6- 31 July
Colette: 213 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris