Nice Premium attended the inauguration of Ici Concept Store, a new venue in the heart of Nice combining quality products and respect for the environment. Open since July 12, 2022, it offers designer products, a tea lounge, as well as discovery workshops and corporate events.
The founder, Anne Grégoire, after working in the banking sector, wanted to take a new direction in her career. She envisioned this place as a “Concept Store meets living space.” The idea is to highlight and offer customers decorative objects, ready-to-wear, natural cosmetics, jewelry, and tableware from creators, all sharing a common trait: strong eco-responsible values. A tea lounge is also available where you can enjoy healthy drinks, tea, or coffee. Additionally, Ici Concept Store welcomes discovery workshops featuring creators and the organization of professional events with people wishing to share knowledge. For Anne, it is above all a human adventure.
For a year now, she has been searching for creators. The choice is made based on a personal liking and human connection, provided they have an eco-responsible footprint (unique pieces, recycled materials, short supply chains, second-hand, and/or small quantities). Some of the creators are local, while others were not previously found in the region, bringing in novelty.
Among the present creators:
Trésor Brut: Costume jewelry made with precious stones. The Parisian creators work with raw stones that are too small or flawed to be used, mounting them on gold plating while retaining the raw aspect of the stones.
Q de Bouteilles: A French brand that recycles wine and champagne bottles to create various everyday objects such as glasses, vases, candles, and table art objects…
The Vielles Âmes Creations.
An eco-responsible women’s ready-to-wear brand offering trendy and unique “made in France” pieces, some of which are made in Nice. These creations will be a constant feature in the Concept Store.
We spoke with the passionate creator of the brand. A former fashion student, after experiencing a burnout in New York, where she is from, she decided to quit everything and close her business to move to Nice.
Why Vielles Âmes?
This brand name refers to someone who has wisdom beyond their years, implying that there has been a rebirth somewhere, a transformation, an evolution, and it reminds her of her personal journey.
She works with a Parisian pattern maker and high-end surplus fabric suppliers. In fact, the pieces are made in a workshop in Nice in small quantities from already existing fabric stocks. The models are both trendy and timeless; she loves colors and silky materials that make you feel good.
A place designed by decorator Stéphanie Canarelli.
The beauty of the place and its surprising decoration couldn’t go unnoticed. We wanted to know more about the inspirations of interior decorator Stéphanie Canarelli, who assisted Anne Grégoire in her Concept Store project.
Together, they created a unique environment where three distinct spaces become one: a surprising mix of shapes, colors, and materials, always centered on an eco-responsible approach.
As a decorator, “it’s a bold choice,” she told us. She loves all things maximalist, which means exaggerating decoration and mixes, where perfection is elusive. With the founder’s desire for a very convivial place, Stéphanie Canarelli opted for the idea of the beach, hence the floor reminiscent of rocks, and she repurposed old furniture to “create things you won’t find elsewhere and that aren’t repetitive.”
Visit from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, at 24 rue Tonduti de l’Escarène!
