Two-In-One at Colette

Since its opening in 1997 on the elegant rue Saint-Honoré, Colette has made a name for itself for combining street art and high art, contemporary literature and underground magazines, cheap basics and luxurious wear – making every other boutique, including Galliano, look middle-aged in comparison.
 
Their launch on Tuesday was a reflection of their heterogeneous attitude towards pop culture. It combined two simultaneous openings: one marked the official arrival of Uniqlo at the shop and the other celebrated the opening of a solo show by street artist Todd James, entitled ‘Don’t Stop Get it Get it’. Inside the blasé, Parisian crème de la crème wandered, strawberry macaroons in hand, from stalls of colourful (and affordable) cashmere jumpers to naïve, tongue-in-cheek illustrations.

“Fashion and art are two universes which share an interesting dialogue," pointed out Lubna Playoust, press officer for Colette. “Todd James and Uniqlo are urban, colourful and accessible to the broadest audience.”

Todd James’s show, on the top floor of the boutique, consists of a series of his trademark child-like characters, reminiscent of 70s cartoons; and they are undeniably a poke at art class and school days. Many are inspired by the theme of war and portray hybrids between Looney tunes-esque characters and instruments of warfare in psychedelic battlefields. “I don’t know if art can help conflicts, but the current chaos has just been on my mind lately,” explains James.

James’s first canvases were New York subways in the early 80s. Since those early days he has worked in with Aaron Rose on shows such as ‘Beautiful Losers’, but also television and animation shows, he also regularly collaborates with musicians ranging from Iggy Pop to Eminem, and with urban fashion brands such as Stüssy. “Mixing street art and fashion has a different aspect," he says. "It communicates different things, and it certainly reaches a younger audience."

James has exhibited his work in many prestigious institutions round the world, such as Deitch Projects in New York, the Tate Museum in Liverpool, Lazarides in London, and many more. Yet, ‘Don’t Stop Get it Get it’ is his first solo exhibition in Paris. “I love Paris,” Todd says. “Every time I come I get really amped.” After looking at James's drawings and watching the animation video made specially for Colette, the crowd moved to the bottom space of the gallery, reserved for the recent arrival of Uniqlo. This includes raincoats, from basic black, or to bright primary colours – which are already visible on connoisseur's backs all over town. Colourful cashmere jumpers and t-shirts are also available. There are also a limited-edition of 500 specially-made cashmere pullovers, which bear the inscription “From Tokyo to Colette.”

“The great thing about Uniqlo is that, because of the plain cuts, colours, and price-range, there is something in there for everyone,” said Sarah, the director of Colette, who has been a fan of the brand for many years. “I like to think there are no rules here.”

Colette, 213 Rue Saint-Honoré 75001 Paris. 
Exhibition “Don’t Stop Get it Get it” by Todd James runs until the 3rd of October