13. HAUTE CULTURE

In the middle of the garden, a grid is the basis for what appears to be a podium displaying “haute culture” dresses in various colours, arrogant, extravagant, sculptural, and decorated with flowers. The garden is punctuated by black masks that give us the chance to discreetly admire the dresses from different, diverging points of view. As we try on the dresses, the garden allows us to experience and feel the emotions of a top model on the stage and behind the masks, to take the place of a fascinated spectator.

The area seeks to be the metaphor for the new continent of pride and of showcasing oneself, opened up by social networks. Pride is truly at the centre of our digital sins.

designers

From left to right: Pauline Legroux, Valentin Fayet and Jean Pouillart

Friends since secondary school, Pauline and Valentin share a passion for architecture and design. From the point of view of their future professional collaboration, their selection for the International Garden Festival competition is a promising initial step.

Although he was born in the Parisian region, Valentin Fayet spent most of his childhood in Sologne. Son of the manager of a company specialised in plant material packaging, and a trained horticulturist, Valentin came into contact with flowers and plants at a very young age. Throughout his childhood, his parents exposed him to horticulture by taking him to nurseries and gardens. Thus, it is only natural that he became interested in flora. Curious, he also developed an avid interest for science, computing, new technology and art. After studying science, he set off for Paris and started at the École Nationale Supérieur d’Architecture de Paris Val-de-Seine in 2008. His years spent studying and his professional experience have enabled him to develop his creativity and to acquire a working method and technical skills. Very attached to his rural roots and passionate about heritage, for his degree he put forward a restoration project for the former Dessaux vinegar factory in Orléans. He created an experimentation and exhibition space dedicated to the emerging arts. Currently finishing off his studies, he is throwing himself into his first professional design project, a computer-assisted tool for architects (drawings, 3D, infographics, etc.), as well as in the competition of the Chaumont-sur-Loire International Garden Festival, which was the opportunity to combine his passions - architecture, heritage and nature.

When she was 18, Pauline Legroux moved to Paris to combine her studies and his passion for art. She spent 3 years at the École d'Arts Appliqués de Condé, where she was introduced to many graphic design, visual and plastic techniques. There she leant towards interior architecture. Her first professional experience took place at the Atelier Méthode managed by Marie-Tiffany Hamon-Delgado. Architecture opened her eyes to environmentally responsible architecture and woodwork. It made her aware of the Chaumont garden competition, having taken part herself in the “jardins de couleurs" edition. Influenced by this discovery, Pauline studied garden diversity to achieve her spatial design BTS. For her degree, she put forward a restoration plan for Sceaux indoor market. Her project was that of an exhibition space dedicated to garden innovations, echoing Sceaux park. In 2011, she joined OBO, a firm specialised in events. She followed the team of architects offering creative solutions regarding the organisation of parades, presentations and events. She explored the basics of stage design. This experience taught her to play with the codes of fashion and luxury. For the last two years she has been part of the firm CETEG: a general company where she has developed her technical skills through carrying out renovations to numerous apartments. She likes understanding and channelling her client's wishes, making her skills available to them: working with space, light and the choice of materials.