A breeze of French luxury is blowing over the Bosphorus… The Comité Colbert, sponsor of the “Modernity ?” exhibition that will open January 15 at the Istanbul Modern, is also planning a Festival Colbert (January 16-22) to communicate the modernity of French luxury to Istanbulites.
For centuries, the story of cultural relations between France and Turkey has been one of mutual fascination. The Comité Colbert decided to cultivate these affinities by planning a cluster of events on the modernity theme in Istanbul for January 2013.
The exhibition
The Comité Colbert contacted Istanbul Modern to present an exhibition of works by contemporary artists in France and in Turkey. The result is the exhibition “Modernity? Perspectives from Turkey and France” sponsored by Comité Colbert. By contributing to cultural life in Istanbul, French luxury plans to demonstrate social responsibility and promote cultural diversity while celebrating the vitality of the Turkish art scene.
The Festival Colbert
From January 16 to 22, 26 Colbert member companies will present their own take on modernity to the public in Istanbul. Some will draw on collaborations with artists or explore the artist’s perceptions of house collections, others will present installations, reinterpretations of house classics or special creations. These showcase events will take place at the boutiques of French luxury houses at the Istinye Park and in the Nisantasi area.
The Festival Colbert will also be presenting “Duos” that illustrate the spirit of the Comité Colbert, whose members – advocates of excellence – organize collective events to promote together the multiple facets of French Art de Vivre. Under the Duo concept, members with boutiques in Istanbul “host” members that do not, which will allow Istanbulites to discover other unique French luxury brands. Cartier will partner with Rémy Martin, Chanel and Ères with Sèvres Cité de la Céramique, Christian Dior with the Plaza Athénée, Christofle with Hédiard and Perrier Jouet, Hermès with Pierre Hermé, and Louis Vuitton with Baccarat, Christian Liaigre and Ercuis.
“Once again, the Comité Colbert shows the way. Large firms entrenched on the promising Turkish market allow SMEs to benefit from their experience, brand recognition and investments, which gives the SMEs a boost in their business development,” declares Elisabeth Ponsolle des Portes, President and CEO of the Comité Colbert.
A delegation of Colbert chairmen
For Colbert companies, exports account for 84% of sales. Turkey may only account for 2% of total sales, but the figures are climbing. In the last five years, French luxury houses that do business in Turkey have seen a two-digit increase in sales (+30%, on average).
Manifesting their interest in Turkey, more than twenty Colbert chairman will be in Istanbul for the Festival Colbert opening on January 16, 2013. Nicole Bricq, the French Minister of Foreign Trade, will accompany the delegation, showing that, in the eyes of the French government, the luxury sector makes a valuable contribution towards building national influence abroad.
More info at http://www.comitecolbert.com
