Luxury leather goods brand GRAF PARIS finds a home at Paris's Four Seasons Hotel

By

Cassia HALABI CARTER

Published
Feb 7, 2023

Luxury leather goods brand GRAF PARIS, designed by illustrious architect and decorator François-Joseph Graf, has opened a boutique within Paris's Four Seasons hotel.  

As the creative force behind Provence's charming Hotel La Mirande to the interiors of Pierre Bergé's chic Saint Germain-des-Prés apartment, Graf is recognized by many as the maestro behind some of the world's most gorgeous homes, hotels, restaurants and art exhibitions. This defender of French craftsmanship, considered by many to be a veritable Midas of the arts, has now turned his talents towards creating luxury leather goods.

The landmark Four Seasons hotel is now home to Graf's eponymous line of carrier bags and pouches. Each bag is unique, and drawn by the designer in his Parisian atelier, after which it is brought to life by devoted artisans -- who spend up to thirty hours sewing each model! The process is closely overlooked by Graf, who considers his creations with the same meticulousness as his architectural works.

Bags start at 4,000 euros and peak at 6,500 euros. Pouches, as for them, start at 1,500 euros. A hefty price point, but not for the target consumer Graf seeks to attract: "A woman who knows the meaning of quality and who can afford everything but who desires more." 

Bold color patterns and structured lines adorn Graf's bags as a reflection of his love of architecture. "With this line of leather goods, I want to pay tribute to the technicality of my job as an interior designer, and thus demonstrate that fantasy can only be expressed correctly with extreme rigour," is the mantra given by the designer on his website. "It is a drawing, a proportion, and a volume. In all areas, creating is a work of pleasure, and designing a facade, a door, a fabric, or a bag remains architecture." 

GRAF PARIS's creations can also be found in the windows of Paris's left bank Hotel Lutetia, and were previously featured in a boutique within Fashion Week-goers' favorite hotel, Hotel Costes. Bags are also available for purchase on the brand's website, http://grafparis.com.