Inspiration through material
Gabriel Escámez • © Salva López
In Paris, Sessùn has opened a gallery-boutique in the trendy neighbourhood of Montorgueil, to encourage discussion and a meeting of the minds. Conceived by Gabriel Escàmez, founder of Cobalto Studio, and Emma François-Grasset, creator of Sessùn, this bright, stone-filled showcase seals their shared passion for craftsmanship.
A former anthropology student, Emma François-Grasset has kept her taste for discovery and sharing. Her first collections were inspired by her trips to Guatemala, where she forged a strong bond with craftsmanship, which she interpreted in a timeless wardrobe made from the finest materials. Over the course of three decades, her fashion label has grown to include other pursuits. Th first was Sessùn Alma, a hybrid destination that combines shopping, food, workshops and exhibits, in the heart of Marseille, her home port. Then there was the Sessùn Craft Prize, which each year recognises promising talents on the international design scene.
Her new location, inaugurated in September 2024 on rue Bachaumont in Paris, has become the rallying point for the entire Sessùn universe, around which gravitate creations at the crossroads between works of art, design collections and small runs of handmade objects. It’s an unmatched experience, enriched by the interior design of Gabriel Escàmez, the creative soul behind the multidisciplinary Cobalt Studio. Guided by their Mediterranean roots, and by the attention they pay to materials, know-how and colours, Emma François-Grasset and the Barcelona-based architect have found their common denominators. In Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and then Paris, Gabriel Escàmez has been able to transpose the essence of Sessùn with authenticity. “Each project explores a distinct concept and has a narrative specific to its environment. It’s very stimulating to write a new story and to meet new people through it,” he raves.
An oasis amidst the tumult of Paris streets, the flagship store is decorated in a sunny palette - beige, cream, light grey, terracotta - creating a gentle, peaceful atmosphere. More than a simple boutique, Sessùn invites visitors to explore and contemplate. Along a path marked by the remains of a column, blocks of unshaped stones and antique capitals, symbolising longevity and heritage, visitors discover a contemporary reinterpretation of classical architecture.
The micro-marble mosaics by the artist Kautar Larif enter into a dialogue with Audrey Guimard’s sculptural totems, resembling art installations, and Sara
Regal’s textured seats, made from recovered materials. The omnipresent
minerality is balanced with the warmth of the fabrics and the wood furniture,
in a play of shapes, some organic, others Brutalist.
The scenography of the location, stripped down by design, highlights an eclectic, curated selection of objects, allowing each piece its place in the sun. Ceramic vases stand next to wooden cutlery, candles, lights with woven lampshades as well as books on art and interior design. To bind together the three modular spaces of the shop, Sessùn was inspired by an agora. In the centre, an imposing table, painted indigo blue, adds a dynamic touch. As a sly nod to Sessùn Blue, the label’s denim line, this bespoke piece is intended to welcome an enlightened community for special events. Further along, a ceramic grandstand serves as a theatre for the exhibition of singular works, such as artistic representations of the iconic bag Divine by fifteen creators with special ties to the brand. •
Year: 2024
Address: 11 rue Bachaumont, 75002 Paris
Space and furniture design: Cobalto Studio
Materials: Concrete, painted wood, untreated and enamelled ceramics, walnut, plaster, limestone, etc.
Surface area: 200 sqm
