FOOUND

Creative industries thrive on spaces that nurture collaborations and communities as platforms for artistic exchanges.  Geneva’s newly opened FOOUND takes on the historic baton-pole from Andy Warhol’s own fabulously seductive and seminal NYC Factory, within which he created some of his most famous pop art, serving as a meeting place for the intermingling of musicians, artists, sexual radicals and film-makers alike.

FOOUND is a beautiful concept store on the rue Jean Gutenberg 16 just 5 minutes away from Cornavin station and also housed in an abandoned factory whose primary objective is to promote and sustain young Genevan artists and entrepreneurs.

It is a large-scale space boasting 500 sq. metres and two floors, filled with little niches of craft shops, artist ateliers, restaurants and cafés, but also hairdressers, nutritionists, yoga and Pilate’s instructors, and a tattoo parlour. There’s even a flashy international architecture studio called A-Bureau sitting comfortably next to a few experts in astrology.

Although, ‘eccentric artist types’ might come to mind, FOOUND is not a self-contained artistic hub but is open for business. Run by the practical mind of ex-retail marketer Fanny Arnaudo. Prepare to be blown away by the thoughtful retro-interior Swedish designs that are almost too perfectly selected and arranged to the oh-so-trendy 3D printers that will make you a toy on the spot.

Part-exhibition, part-marketplace; Here are 21st century crossroads which join the commercial with creative ideas. Open to the public and very much for sale.

The Mark Hotel

An imaginary game we're playing on ourselves, dreaming about our stay at this Garden Suite in The Mark. In fact, any room would be splendid, but this space is impeccably charming. There's nothing pretentious about it, as some luxury hotels do stir towards overtly decorative means of design. I'm particularly fond of the overall feel and ambience. It has this vibe of being luxurious but with a touch of warmness, an in between of something familiar and aspirational. It is clean, crisp and elegant, with dark wooden flooring that completes the look.

P.S. Do take advantage over the amenities provided, from a daily shoe shine, local calls and fine Italian toiletries formulated exclusively for The Mark.

Oyyo Design Studio

Hailing originally from Stockholm, Sweden, this design studio, although rooted in it’s Swedishness, is a celebration of nomadic travel, adventure and the convergence of cultures. Their designs capture simplicity combined with a passion for prints and patterns and are a demonstration of a craftsmanship within a global modernity. Oyyo is working with local communities around the world to create quality bold, enigmatic products such as the recently launched No.1 Cotton Dhurrie collection hand-woven by a community of craftspeople near India’s Blue City, Jodhpur made with machine-free techniques dating back centuries and vivid vegetable dyes derived from local plants. Drawing from a rich variety of inspiration from the Nordic textile arts and crafts heritage to the Bauhaus movement to Surrealist artist, Salvador Dali, the studio will release one or two products per year, working up a core collection of textiles, furniture and accessories.