Photos courtesy of colette of Andre’s drawings
Legendary street artist Andre, known for creating a pink Mr. A’s -a street art creation of a stick man wearing a Cheshire grin and winking with a top hat– and painting names of people in love, has made an exhibition of his “Love Graffiti” featured at the concept store colette this month. Andre, who like Shepard Fairey, Space Invader, and Banksy, among many other top graffiti artists has become an enterprise unto himself, including owning a hotel, several night clubs, a denim collection, and concept store Black Block in Palais du Tokyo. His exhibition for colette in Paris includes a series of his colorful drawings taken from notebooks over the years, particularly circa 1997-2003. In those days he would spraypaint names of romantics who commissioned him to post their devotion for a loved on the side of a building or other structure in bright, colorful fat fonts. 
Love Graffiti, along with Mr. A catapulted Andre to fame, especially in Japan, where you can still see much of his work in discreet corners of Harajuku. His exhibition includes 30 drawings, much of what he said is inspired from retro 70’s bright colors, psychedelic influences, and ’80’s neons, plus a limited-edition of hand-painted Quiksilver surf boards, which is all available either online at colette.fr or at the store until February 27, 2010.
Black–the new pop-up shop from Comme des Garcons
Comme des Garcons Pop Up another Pop-up
Mysto Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo continues with creating cool retail concepts, this time with another pop-up store called Black at 7 rue du Perche 75003. The store actually features many apparel and accessory items that are far less expensive than what a normal Comme des Garcons piece would cost, and features many limited-edition pieces as part of their 40th birthday.
Hard to believe that Comme des Garcons is that old, but the tiny little pop-up shop is sure to be flooded as cult fans seek out vintage pieces, re-edited collections, and special 40th anniversary gear. 
Surface to Air in the Marais and Pop-ups Bless Pop-up
In more pop-up retail good news, one of our favorite collectives, Surface to Air opened up another store in a better location in the Marais right on rue Vielle du Temple in the hipster 3rd arrondissemont. The store is not only bigger and next door to the gallery Yvon Lambert, but includes many collaborations including their latest with Kings of Leon, plus older collabs with Justice and Solve Sundspo.
The new Surface to Air store at 108 rue Vielle du Temple
In addition to a new store is a pop-up store inside called Bless, open until April featuring various accessories and a collaboration with Longchamp.
If you’re curious about how a collective such as Surface to Air does so much, including design, retail, trade shows Rendez-Vous, and their online trade show Le NewBlack, check it out here. We’ve been following them for years.
Bless, the pop-up shop inside Surface to Air.
