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Pierre Painchaud, the charm of the imperfect
He received us dressed head-to-toe in Fendi, with his angelic face tilted slightly towards his shoulder and looking a little as if he were levitating. All we knew about Pierre Painchaud was that he had over fifty thousand followers on Instagram and over a million on TikTok. At the risk of sabotaging ourselves, we’re telling you this – there’s no substitute for a face-to-face meeting. Pierre Painchaud is less frail than when he started modelling; he embodies a certain idea of grace and has just moved into his apartment in eastern Paris. A chance to stock up on second-hand items… The Socialite Family met him at his home on a chilly autumn morning.
Location
Paris
Author
Elsa Cau
Photos and videos
Jeanne Perrotte
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TSF
Pierre, please tell us about yourself.
Pierre
I’ve been a model for seven years, and I’m also an influencer. I still model for campaigns and magazines, but I’ve gradually stopped doing catwalk shows and fashion week. Physically, I’ve changed a lot. I started when I was fifteen, and since then, I’ve grown and put on weight… Quite simply, I’ve grown up! But I know I’m still distorted by this vision. The fashion world can also be very perverse, involving abnormal situations that young people find hard to deal with. As it happens, influencing took precedence over modelling in my career during the 2020 pandemic. I was bored, confined to Brittany, so I launched myself on Tiktok, showing my daily life and the trials and tribulations of being a model rather than the glitter and glam. That’s how the whole machine got going! I have a very strong community on the social networks. Brands were interested in me in a different way. When Prada calls me, for example, it’s as a talented individual. We plan a collaboration, and I’m no longer just a ‘clothes hanger’.
TSF
Can you give us a flavour of where you grew up?
Pierre
My childhood has no bearing on the way I am now! I grew up in Brittany, in a house with old-fashioned decor: C18th armchairs, you name it! My parents weren’t particularly interested in designer furniture, which is much more to my taste.
TSF
Is this place a reflection of you? What is your style?
Pierre
As soon as I got my first apartment, a studio in the 19th arrondissement, I wanted to focus on high-quality, original pieces. I’d rather invest in a beautiful piece than buy a copy or a piece of junk. I pretty much only bother with second-hand items, apart from current designers who might interest me, whether that’s in fashion or interior design. I don’t like new things; I like vintage, things with character and charm. I love the 1960s/1970s in furniture, but I especially like a mix, especially of materials. I’d say I like it when the decor isn’t overthought – when it’s lively and, above all, not minimalist. I love it when there are little things lying around. So yes, this place suits me, with the charm of its antique marble fireplace, the mouldings, the light and the accumulation of small objects I collect and which complement some beautiful designer pieces.
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I like objects that have already lived a life. I love the emotional charge they carry.
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TSF
There are old, reused pieces here, sometimes a bit cracked… Is it important to you to recycle things?
Pierre
Generally speaking, I like objects that have already lived a life. I love the emotional charge they carry. I like keeping pieces going and giving them a second lease of life. This sofa, for example. I bought it from a friend who has a dog. The leather is warm and scratched, with a beautiful patina and all the joy of everyday life. I like that. I’ve also just found a floor lamp by Le Corbusier, as well as the armchair you see here, a great classic by Marcel Breuer.
TSF
What does The Socialite Family mean to you?
Pierre
I love the work the brand does to create beautiful classics. For me, it’s like buying an affordable designer piece. There’s a huge choice of materials, patterns and colours for every piece of furniture and every item, and I really like that!
TSF
Which are your favourite TSF pieces?
Pierre
I loved the combination of leather and aluminium in the Rotondo fireside chair, which I brought with me when I moved. I like the slightly more intimate dimensions of the little Gioia lamp, which I chose in a cheerful green. The beautiful materials, the lacquer and the pleated fabric shade also really appealed to me. The Carlotta marble coffee table matches the reddish-brown marble of my mantelpiece. I love the beautifully proportioned feet in black lacquer. Its roundness is a bit of a departure from the angles of the other pieces I have here. I’m not sure where it’ll go yet; maybe it’ll go somewhere else… What’s more, I’ve been able to reconcile my passion for second-hand: this coffee table comes from the Imperfects sale, the pieces that have lived a little or have a slight defect and that you’re selling at a reduced price as a result! And finally, I recently decided to go for the Marta table lamp, and I can’t wait! I’ve chosen the white ceramic base, and I haven’t yet decided on the colour of the lampshade: yellow velvet or cognac…
Lien
TSF
What are your favourite addresses in Paris?
Pierre
CANDLEKIDSCOFEE (107 rue des couronnes, Paris 20). It’s a little café that a friend of mine opened just three months ago, with a fantastic chill atmosphere and decor. And the coffee’s delicious, of course! I love bookshops where you can find fashion archives and current magazines you can’t find anywhere else. My favourites are OFR LIBRAIRIE (20 rue Dupetti-Thouars Paris 3) and SMITH & SON (248 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1er). And I’d add Buck, Chicken & More (25 rue de la Forge Royale, Paris 11), another friend of mine: it’s simple, and it’s good.
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