18 February 2019
The Weekly

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche has embarked on a wide-sweeping tech exhibit that will run from February 23 to April 22. The department store will be stocked with futuristic gadgets of all shapes and sizes, including interactive displays, virtual reality, holograms, full-body massage machines and an infinite supply of personalized products. Dozens of brands are participating in the technology bonanza. In the personalization department, a client's initials take on new life as a full pattern, which can be applied to leather handbags by Valextra. A virtual swing, meanwhile, comes in the form of a large handbag signed Delvaux, meant to be sat upon, facing a screen that offers a traveling experience in new landscapes. Ralph Lauren will offer a digital wall for building modern art works, handily e-mailed to the artist upon completion. In the shoe department, Bettina Vermillon will offer different aluminium heels to customize pumps while Ecco Quant U takes things a step further with soles moulded to individual feet. Lemon Jelly, has crafted glow-in-the-dark soles on a selection of high-end rubber boots. The makeup counter at Nars will offer a connected mirror showing different color combinations of makeup while Guerlain will employ artificial intelligence to help select the right fragrance out of a dizzying array of more than 100 choices.