Au Départ Unveils Its New Boutique on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré

Au Départ unveiled its newest store In the heart of Paris, on the historic Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Art is at the center of this one.

On the ground floor, Au Départ showcases its iconic products alongside an archive that highlights the brand’s rich heritage. Meanwhile, the upper level is dedicated to the brand’s latest cultural initiative, the Au Départ Art Collective. For this occasion, creative duo Diana Kim and Scott Ponik from Stand Up Comedy reimagined the traditional window display. Their installation features the brand's vintage trunks transformed into animated, talking molluscs. As they open, these whimsical pieces reveal the newest creations: the Belleville Bag and the Tuilerie Bag.

Echoing the layout of its original late 19th-century locations, placed near cultural landmarks like the Palais Garnier, the latest boutique seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Its design contrasts raw concrete with refined marble accents and brass detailing, creating a harmonious fusion of the brand's historical roots and contemporary style. 

The Au Départ journey began at the bustling Gare du Nord station in Paris, where Au Départ Paris opened its first boutique in 1847. The ultra-luxury brand became renowned for its exquisite trunks and suitcases, which were originally designed to carry everyday essentials and wardrobes aboard carriages and trains. Their iconic monograms, introduced in the early 1900s, are inspired by the intricate tiles found in Pompeii's ancient churches and became a distinctive hallmark. People like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry — author of 'The Little Prince' and a devoted Au Départ customer — emerge as notable figures in the brand's history, along with illustrator Yan Bernard Dyl, behind some of its memorable ad campaigns.