Kris Van Assche talks personal taste: Part One
Belgian designer Kris Van Assche has been bringing exquisite tailoring and technical flair to Dior Homme since 2007
Kris Van Assche | Image: Lea Crespi
My personal style signifier is a Tiffany white gold necklace with a diamond solitaire. It was a gift from my boyfriend who knew I would like the idea of discreet diamonds on a man and the notion that diamonds are forever. It works well with the white dress shirts I wear every day, either with jeans or a suit. www.tiffany.co.uk.
Moynat leather passport holder, £220
The last thing I bought and loved was a leather passport holder from Moynat, which I like so much I have given a few to friends as presents. It is an envelope-shaped case and comes in various colours. They can also emboss it with your initials in a little over an hour. £220;348 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris (+331‑4703 8390; www.moynat.com).
And the things I’m eyeing next are some 1950s French ceramics to add to my collection. I have developed something of an addiction and love pieces – which I find at the big French auction houses like Piasa and Thomas Fritsch, but also at the St-Ouen flea market – by Pol Chambost in particular. Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, www.marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com. Piasa, 118 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris (+331-5334 1010; www.piasa.fr). Thomas Fritsch, 6 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris (+331-4326 7712; www.thomasfritsch.fr).
Van Assche’s Adidas Ultra Boost trainers, from £130
The last accessory I added to my wardrobe was a pair of Adidas Ultra Boost trainers in a navy, red and grey argyle pattern. They combine lightweight materials and high performance and are one of my favourite collaborations to date. From£130; www.adidas.co.uk.
The rooftop infinity pool at Rio’s Hotel Fasano | Image: Courtesy Fasano
The last music I downloaded was Narin Yalnizlik by the contemporary post-punk Turkish band She Past Away. I love their 1980s sound – it reminds me of the band Sisters of Mercy – and the Turkish lyrics.
Rinus Van de Velde self-portrait in charcoal, 2012 | Image: Lea Crespi
The last meal that truly impressed me was at L’Acajou in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. I love the simple fresh food – like a starter of delicious “forgotten vegetables” served in a little pot – and the setting, which feels a bit New Yorkish, with one low, sleek, black-lacquer communal table. Both the decor and cuisine are very pure. 35 Rue Jean de la Fontaine, 75016 Paris (+331-4288 0447; www.l-acajou.com).
The people I rely on for personal grooming and wellness are my trainer, nutritionist and best friend Adele, with whom I work out three times a week at the Klay club. I’ve been training with her for 11 years and the gym is a beautiful, industrially designed space. And I’ve had my hair cut by Milan at the gents’ hairdresser Cercle Delacre for years. Cercle Delacre, 17 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris (+331-4070 9970; www.cercledelacre.com). Klay, 4 Bis Rue Saint Sauveur, 75002 Paris (+331-4026 0000; www.klay.fr).
If I didn’t live in Paris, the city I would live in is Rio. For work there is no other city than Paris, but for great weather and nice people it is hard to beat Brazil. I like Ipanema’s sleekly designed Hotel Fasano, with its rooftop infinity pool; the Oscar Niemeyer-designed Niterói Contemporary Art Museum overlooking the bay and city beyond; and restaurants like Rubaiyat, with its excellent grilled steaks served overlooking the Botanical Garden. Rio provides a welcome change of pace from the Parisian fashion world. Hotel Fasano, Avenida Vieira Souto 80, Ipanema (+5521-3202 4000; www.fasano.com.br). Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, Mirante da Boa Viagem, Niterói (+5521-2620 2400; www.macniteroi.com.br). Rubaiyat Rio, Rua Jardim Botânico 971 (+5521-3204 9999; www.rubaiyat.com.br).
The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is the Belgian Rinus Van de Velde. I love his enormous charcoal drawings and have altered a wall in my apartment to accommodate one. His pieces seem radically new and yet somehow traditional; I’d like to own more, but I’d need to move to a bigger place.
An object I would never part with is a letter from my grandmother. We were extremely close. She was in good health until the age of 94, but I think she sensed she would decline thereafter so it’s a goodbye of sorts.
My favourite websites are France’s Le Figaro and De Standaard for all the news from Belgium; I moved away 17 years ago, but like to stay informed. And 1stdibs and eBay for sourcing ceramics from all over the world. www.1stdibs.com. www.ebay.com. www.lefigaro.fr. www.standaard.be.