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Y annick Alleno is part of the elite circle of the world's greatest chefs. Enthusiastic, he is devoted to his passion and defends a vibrant French cuisine that is rich in its heritage and ambitious in its creations. Today, Yannick Alleno is at the head of the Pavillon Ledoyen, which has the most Michelin stars of any independent establishment in the world, with the restaurants Alleno Paris (3 stars), l’Abysse (2 stars) and the Pavyllon (1 star). Alleno is also at the helm of the restaurant 1947 at the hotel Cheval Blanc in Courchevel (3 stars), STAY in Seoul (1 star), REVA in Piedmont, Italy, the Table de Pavie in St-Emilion and Vistamar, now called "Yannick Alleno at the Hôtel Hermitage”.
What does the title of the sale "La Vie est Belle - Paris" evoke for you?
It immediately echoes the beauty and richness that the city of Paris exudes. I consider myself very lucky to live in such a beautiful city, where every morning my commute to work is punctuated by such monuments as the Grand Palais and the Pont Alexandre III. This title inevitably brings to mind all that the city is known for. Paris is the capital of luxury where one can find all of the greatest names in high-end leather goods, jewelry, haute couture and so on. The city is the nebula of savoir-faire that has evolved around the Place Vendôme and the Rue du Faubourg St Honoré.
“Paris is the capital of luxury where one can find all of the greatest names in high-end leather goods, jewelry and haute couture, and food...”
Yannick Alleno
Yannick Alleno's Picks from the Paris Luxury Sales
For you, what is the ultimate luxury?
A weekend in Paris with all that is the pinnacle of Parisian luxury. {But} I am especially sensitive to luxury that is non-ostentatious, luxury that moves me.
What type of collector are you: thoughtful, sentimental, sensible? What place does art, design, hold in your life?
I am more of a sentimental collector and particularly sensitive to contemporary art. Art is part of my daily life; it is an incredible source of inspiration for my cooking. That's why it was important for me to bring together contemporary art and my cuisine at the Pavillon Ledoyen. Artists such as Tadashi Kawamata, the painter Olivier Masmonteil, the artist Kostia or even Laurence Bonnel are now an integral part of the renewal of the Pavillon Ledoyen. They have each, in their own way, contributed to the renaissance and the evolution of our company.
Sotheby’s is delighted to have you as the curator of this Parisian Luxury Week. What are your favourite lots from these sales?
The diamond solitaire from Fine Jewels is timeless, never goes out of fashion and is an essential for a woman. Simplicity that is full of elegance. Also on the subject of jewelry, the stone in the pendant is magnificent, the depth of its colour is incredible. The Kelly and Birkin bags from Life is Beautiful: Paris are iconic pieces from Hermès, that really showcase exceptional leather and French savoir-faire at its best. And finally, as interiors are an important part of the whole dining experience, the Marcel Breuer chair from the Design sale is exceptional. I love the construction, the choice of materials and the lines of this piece. It instantly makes you want to sit in it and at the same time it's very aesthetic.
