Our Story...
Interview with Paris-based artist and founder, Susan Bottrell
Q. Hi Susan. You’re an artist living and working in Paris. Tell us why you decided to create IVRE Paris?
Susan: IVRE Paris is really an extension of my studio practice. My work is a kind of weaving of connections and memory. For me, making art is a way of making meaning, out of what I see, feel and experience in life. IVRE Paris offers the freedom to expand that vision by connecting my passion and work as well as the work of other artists to a broader audience.
Q. Tell us about your top priorities for IVRE?
Susan: Our top priority is to preserve the integrity and beauty of the art that inspires our scarves and coming accessories. Everything we do is done with attention to detail. From finding the right sources, the highest quality materials and the best solutions for you and the environment. This is why your IVRE scarf is made of pure silk twill with hand-rolled edges. Your scarf will arrive in a beautiful reusable cloth bag which significantly cuts down on waste and bulk. At IVRE Paris we're making accessories to last and endure for generations.
Susan Bottrell (photo: Ivana Kalvacheva)
Q. Can you describe the visual language of IVRE Paris?
Susan: Each of our creations has its own identity, offering a seam of the mystique, a Bacchic allure, that is uniquely IVRE.
Our first collection of scarves was inspired by the words of poets. Take our scarf, ‘Time Was All I Wanted’. I love the idea of you wearing this, because it’s a work of art that holds a universal message.
The idea of valuing time above anything else appeared in a letter by the poet Emily Dickinson. I painted her words on a canvas and then transformed them into a beautiful silk scarf. The message is not apparent unless the scarf is unfolded, but it’s always there, you know … ‘Time Was All I Wanted’.
Time Was All I Wanted - 2010 / Private collection
Q. What is your vision for IVRE Paris?
Susan: Our vision is to reimagine timeless accessories as 'wearable art', starting with the classic French ‘foulard’. In this sense, IVRE Paris is a living gallery, taking art off the wall so you can wear it anywhere. We have many other creations in the pipeline!
Q. Can you tell us about the photographer who did the shots for your website?
Susan: Yes! We are so excited to be collaborating with Ivana Kalvacheva. Ivana is a photographer whose unique vision comes alive while exploring the environment wherever she may be. She has a rare ability to find the unexpected and fleeting beauty in the most everyday moments. Her street-style photography perfectly captures the look and feel of IVRE Paris. Check out more of her work on Instagram. (@ivana_lens)