PROFILES

When we last profiled Humbert & Poyet, in 2013, they had just signed off Alexis Mabille’s first flagship store in Paris. The genesis of this practice celebrating its 10th year in January 2018 was the meeting between Monegasque CFAI interior architect Christophe Poyet and Parisian chartered architect Emil Humbert. Having set up shop in the Principality, the pair made their name through a series of commercial contracts (restaurants and shops) then in residential architecture and villas. Young and dynamic, they developed a luxurious pared-back style, nuanced with references to great design names but resolutely modern. “What inspires us? The 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, contemporary art and fashion.” states Poyet straight off. Presently working on the decoration of the 26 Carré Or apartment block, the two have already designed the ambience of several Monaco restaurants including the distinguished Song Qi, the typical Bouchon and the Mozza trattoria where you feel you’ve stepped into a Martin Scorsese film. In the Beefbar restaurants and Weill shops around the world we also see their unmistakeable hallmark. “For Weill’s historic head offices in Paris, we came across some light fittings by Paul Dupré-Lafon in the cellars, so we had them renovated,“ says Humbert. “After the Beefbar Monaco, where we started from a Soulages painting, all black and striated, for the upcoming Dubai Beefbar we’ve gone for white canework.” No copy-and-paste for them, theirs are bespoke decors guidelined by materials: wood, marble, bronze and brass. “We try to work from inception with all the trades involved. We like to design everything in our projects,” continues Poyet. Presently the partners are adding another string to their already well-furnished bow, by developing their own range of light fittings, sofas and side tables. Their ambition is to bring out a new collection each year.