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Sunroom Q+A: Olivier Grasset of Dr. Collectors

 

We couldn't be more excited to welcome DR. COLLECTORS to Sunroom this week!

Olivier Grasset, alongside his wife and business partner, Beatrize, and in memory of their late son, Teddy, marries a distinctly French heritage with a Californian vision. Their brand, DR. COLLECTORS, embodies the quintessential French-Americana vision — reclaimed workwear, utilitarian flare, and plenty of artisanal indigo dyed creations.

The brand operates out of the Trading Post Gallery in Hollywood, California, where the Grassets also sell a wide assortment of curated vintage goods, housewares, and apothecary. Here's what Olivier had to share about his history... 


How has your relationship to French design and lifestyle changed over time now that you've been established in California for so long? 
For me, nothing has changed. I am in my real life in LA in the Hollywood Hills. My American dream came to reality.

Describe in words, objects, colors, a song, etc. the Californian-French aesthetic:
The blue sky and the waves, like a washed indigo. 
The palm trees.
Joshua trees, nature. 
Always eat in the garden and listen. 
Hotel California. 


Amidst all your collecting for the shop and for your vintage line, do you collect for yourself? What are some of your most treasured personally adorned items? 

A Santo Domingo Thunderbird Necklace, handmade with recycled trash. During the 1930s, when the Depression-era was in full swing, New Mexico Pueblo Indians were severely affected. At Santo Domingo Pueblo (now Kewa Pueblo), the Indians became very resourceful and began producing jewelry from whatever materials they could find. One particular folk art creation they produced has become a very collectible item: the Depression-era necklace. Production continued at a lesser rate into the mid-20th century.

This necklace was made from several "found materials." The beads were made from bone, the black backing probably from automotive battery casing, the red from toothbrush handles or something similar, and the turquoise is genuine. These necklaces were usually in the squash blossom style, with pendants protruding from the sides and a bird pendant at the bottom.

The dark green turquoise superimposed over the black casing material displays a rich and wonderful patina against the opaque bone beads that also have assumed a warm and old patina.  The Thunderbird pendant is resplendent in all its red and white, particularly the star on the bird's body.

Image c/o Dr. Collectors
Quick-fire: 
Small thing I’m doing right now to take care of myself (mentally, physically, and/or emotionally):
Eat healthy. Walk a minimum of 2 miles every day. And the most important: wearing my Dr. Collectors mask. 

My design ethos in three words:
Americana, Japanese, French vintage.

I always start my day with:
Juice of lemon & ginger, and if possible, yuzu (Japanese lemon)

Song or musician I'm loving right now:
Always the same – The Rolling Stones & David Bowie. 

The best purchase I’ve made under $100:
A Navajo rug at the PCC (Pasadena City College) Flea Market, held on the first Sunday of the month.

My mantra or a favorite quotation:
Impossible is not French. 
Photos by Kate Berry