Much like fashion, Paris is a global reference for design. There are the iconic interiors one might imagine when thinking of Paris but then there are the more sceney or concepty places that seem to have big design firms and big investors behind them. In the last 8 or so years, it feels like every new spot has a resident interior designer or architect or a theme that they’re going for. In some ways, it feels more like London with its developed restaurant groups and their sharp designs. What might explain the proliferation of more global less local styles in restaurants and hotels in Paris? Who have been some of the tastemakers over the years and what defines the kind of look and feel we’re seeing now? To get to the bottom of it, I chat with Tala Gahragozlou, an interior architect who trained with and worked for Frank Gehry, has worked for Soho House, India Mahdavi, The Hoxton, and with her design collective Atelier Ramo, designed Bleu Bao and Bao Express, two restaurants from the group Bao Family.

Mentioned in this episode:

Atelier Ramo 

India Mahdavi 

Hotel Costes 

Jacques Garcia

Thierry Costes

Buddha Bar

Christian Liaigre 

Joseph Dirand

Paris Society spots (Monsieur Bleu, Girafe..) 

Stéphane Jego’s L’Ami Jean 

Septime 

Frenchie / Gregory Marchand

Big Mamma Group

Touriste Hotels / Adrien Glouagen 

Café des Deux Gares 

Soho House

The Hoxton

La Samaritaine 

Cheval Blanc 

Maxime Frédéric pastry chef 

Thanks to Matthew Jordan for technical production and editing on this episode!