Like fellow Frenchwoman Colette Roussaux, Christiane Celle has mastered the art of curation. Each piece in her Calypso boutiques is an instant classic–easy, chic, and versatile. Her latest project, Clic Gallery, marks a shift from fashion to photography. This Noho store, opened in October 2008, has already earned a reputation for its careful selections and eclectic taste. You can find photography books from publishers such as Verlag Schaden, Rizzoli, Phaidon, Taschen, TeNeues, and Steidl, as well as small independent publishers, signed trade titles, limited editions and artists editions with signed prints.
Last month, Clic St Barth opened near the banks of the Gustavia Harbor of St. Bart’s. A third location, also in Noho, is in the works. It will allow for large scale photography exhibits curated by Christiane, featuring new and undiscovered artists, more books (including rare and vintage volumes), signings and special events.
As part of our “what’s your inspiration” series, we asked Christiane what inspired this new venture:
I was inspired with all my years being a fashion stylist and traveling for Calypso. I discovered that there are many books on photography, but most of the big bookstores carry just small selection. I wanted to create a beautiful store where people can look at many books up close. As most bookstores display books on shelves like library, it is hard to see books this way. Also most of the stores do photography, architecture, landscape etc.
There are so many photographers and, yes, it is true most of us know the famous one like Avedon, Irwing, Penn, or the most classic like Paul Strand etc. But in the last few years there have been so many new photographers that are doing art. Most of them have been inspired by William Eggleston or Stephen Shore and the like. Also during this economy people will likely invest more in their homes, decorating them and making them cozy.
189 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10013
Rue de la République – Gustavia, 97133 St. Barthélemy
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