After 20 years in the fashion world, Biche de Bere wanted to celebrate her humble beginnings where she first began her illustrious career in an old warehouse on Manhattan Avenue overlooking the skyline.
The warehouse is now destined to be the site of a newly restored residential building, which will be designed by Daniel Libeskind, the proposed architect of the Freedom Towers. Biche de Bere wanted to host a one of a kind fashion show, art show, and exhibition of architectural design all rolled into one, and open the doors to her beloved Union City warehouse once more before it is transformed.
"I bought this space in 1987, and this is where I really started out as a fashion designer," said Biche de Bere. "Before the walls disappear forever, I wanted to bring back the magic and invite artists to come."
Art on the line Artists came from as far as France to as close as New York City to participate in the international French art exhibition Sur le Fil (On the Line) curated by Parisian gallery Numeriscausa, which has traveled from France to Asia, and made its first appearance in the U.S. in Union City.
"We welcomed about nine different artists from France and New York, and it was really our last farewell to the building," said Biche de Bere.
The exhibit united artists and designers focusing on the themes of the string, the line and the pixel. The result was a spectacular collection of multimedia works, which incorporated light, optical installations, photography, sculpture and interactive digital art portraying notions of fragility, tension and motion.
"They represent all different types of mediums, but the goal is to put every aspect into a contemporary crossing of digital art," said Biche de Bere.
Sur le Fil's featured artists are Jean-Charles Blais, Miguel Chevalier and Emmanuel Berriet, Marion Duclos, Thomas Lannes, Golan Levin, Monsieur QQ, Music2eye, and Antoine Schmitt.
Over 600 guests attended the opening reception on Oct. 6, and were treated to various creative designs all falling under the theme of Sur le Fil including Biche de Bere's Fall-Winter 2005 Couture Collection, which also explored the theme of time. Guests could bid on certain designs in a silent auction following the runway show.
"This is my first fashion show in the states; I've mostly been in Europe and Asia," said Biche de Bere. "I draw my inspiration from life, and I like to do some different combinations."
Biche de Bere has over 50 stores in France, one in China, and one in SOHO at 482 West Broadway in New York City.
The French art exhibit Sur le Fil presented a collection of multimedia works incorporating light, and of course the announcement of the new groundbreaking architectural project by Libeskind.
A union of designers Nelly Biche de Bere is one of the most famous young designers in the world receiving several accolades such as the "Femme 3000 Prize" at the French Senat and the 2004 "Pierre Cardin Award" for best French designer. She was also chosen to represent French Fashion in China during their "Year of France in China" ceremony, and has exhibited her collections in the states from New York City to San Francisco.
After first arriving in the U.S. in 1985, she began working in different design studios in New York. In 1987, with the help and support of some wonderful friends, Biche de Bere was able to buy her studio warehouse on Manhattan Avenue.
"Working in that 200-square-foot glass cube was bliss, and I just loved the view," said Biche de Bere. "In the morning, the squirrels would jump from branch to branch while the sun rose, shining off Manhattan's skyscrapers."
According to Biche de Bere you don't see many squirrels in France.
It had been a number of years since she opened up the space or even visited the property, and this past summer decided on selling it, but realized she could not bear to part with her past.
"I glued my first jewelry there, making dozens of samples before doing expos across the country," said Biche de Bere. "It was there I designed my logo by hand."
Instead Biche de Bere sought the creative eye of Daniel Libeskind to help her transform the space into a major new residential building.
"Restoring this old warehouse is really about reviving that period [when she first began]," said Biche de Bere. "Asking Daniel Libeskind to design the new building is about keeping the place's magic. He's the only one who can understand the light, and who is sensitive enough to be able to make it part of both the Palisade Cliffs along the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline."
Originally from Poland, Libeskind became an American citizen in 1946 and has become one of the most famous international figures in architectural practice and urban design, with projects around the world that have included cultural institutions like museums and convention centers and housing developments.
In February 2003 Libeskind won the World Trade Center Design Competition, and was appointed as the master plan architect for the site and Ground Zero.
"He is very [considerate] about what I want, and it comes form his heart," said Biche de Bere. "The show was also an announcement of this partnership."
Development of the warehouse won't be for some time, but Biche de Bere and Libeskind continue to collaborate on ideas for the site.
The exhibition Sur le Fil at Biche de Bere's gallery at 1506 Manhattan Ave., Union City, will run until Nov. 6. Gallery hours are from noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call (201) 866-3919 or visit, www.biche-de-bere.com.
Jessica Rosero can be reached at jrosero@hudsonreporter.com.
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