French fashion legend Agnès B’s favorite New York finds

Alev Aktar

featured

May 5, 2016

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As a studious and artistic child in post-WWII Versailles, Agnès Troublé longed to be a museum curator when she grew up. She took the roundabout way, first becoming one of France’s most successful fashion designers and launching her famed brand agnès b. (the initial is a nod to Bourgeois, her first husband’s last name), which now boasts 332 stores around the world. In 1984, her creative ambitions came full circle when she opened Galerie du Jour, a Parisian art and photography exhibition space and bookshop. The 74-year-old art patron now helms three such galleries — along with a film-production company and her own contemporary-art publication. In New York for Frieze, she shares with Alexa a few of her favorite treats and togs. Kazou Ohishi

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“I invited my good friend [NYC-based artist] Ryan McGinness to launch his own entry in my artist T-shirt collection at the Galerie Boutique in Soho. We’ll have the T-shirt and other daily objects — a skateboard, a book, coffee cups — all designed by Ryan.” Ryan McGinness for agnès b. “Unite or Die” T-shirt, $145 at agnès b. Galerie Boutique, 50 Howard St. Courtesy of the Designer

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“I gave Maman in Tribeca my mother’s recipe for tarte au citron. It was their dessert of the month in February. Now you can find their [own] version and it is just as good!” Lemon tart, $6 at Maman, 211 West Broadway Handout

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“William Eggleston is a great artist and a friend. I worked with his daughter, Andra, on a print for my fall collection. She does drawings inspired by the beautiful abstract paintings of her father.” “William Eggleston’s Guide” with introduction by John Szarkowski, $40 at artbook.com Courtesy of MoMA Store

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“I love the hammam towels from Tunisia. You can use them everyday.” Fouta (towel) in fuchsia honeycomb, $25 at abchome.com Courtesy of ABC HOME

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“I love flowers! And I love to take photos. This tote bag from my summer collection is printed with one of my photos.” “Rosie” tote bag, $165 at agnesb.us Courtesy of the Designer

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“Bigelow’s is always a great place to visit. And I love this cinnamon toothpaste.” Marvis “Cinnamint” toothpaste, from $6 at bigelowchemists.com Courtesy of store

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“A great chronicle of the ’60s from my beloved Jonas, a great artist and friend. I always say that he’s a New York treasure!” “Jonas Mekas: Scrapbook of the Sixties: Writings 1954-2010,” $35 at amazon.com Courtesy of Spector Books

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“[Independent record store] Rough Trade in Brooklyn is great! I’ve known them for 20 years. We just celebrated Record Store Day with them at the Point Ephémère, close to Canal Saint Martin in Paris. It was fun!” T-shirt, $20 at Rough Trade, 64 North Ninth St., Brooklyn Courtesy of store

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“I remember when I opened my first shop in New York on Prince Street, Dean & Deluca was just across the street. We used to go there to buy sandwiches.” Wild blueberry organic fruit spread, $8.50 at deandeluca.com Courtesy of Dean & Deluca

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“I like to visit Albertine in front of Central Park. They have great books in French and English. Art books, cinema and literature . . . and a great reading room!” Books from $4 to $3,500 at Albertine, 972 Fifth Ave. Getty Images

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