In their latest episode, The Avant/Garde Diaries sit down with André Saraiva and Olivier Zahm, under the theme ‘Unconventional Friends’. During a photo shoot with Andre’s friend Olivier Zahm, they talk about his various ‘jobs’ – art, clubs, hotels and also his new gig at L’Officiel Homme.

If you want to know what it means to be ‘Avant/Garde’ to Andre, check out the video here above.

More from The Avant/Garde Diaries here.

In a rather natural team-up, French brand Kitsuné Parisien has gotten together with artist André on a product collaboration. Paying tribute to the essential French outfits that André is known for, Maison Kitsuné has designed for the very first time a replica of his 5 pocket Aviator leather jacket. The special garment comes with two different colors tartan lining and boasts a “Kitsuné Parisien” label especially designed by André himself. Two pairs of boxer shorts harmonized to the jacket lining complete the outfit.

While in Paris this week, we picked up the latest issue of L’Officiel Hommes, marking the first issue with André Saraiva being the new creative director. Many of you know him just as André, the artist, creative, hotel/restaurant owner or club owner. Now he also has his hands in the fashion magazine business.

Issue 25 jumps right into your eye, as the cover already features André’s signature font in large. The font is featured through out the entire magazine, which is a nice touch for the first issue, let’s see if they will keep that in the upcoming ones. Interesting articles in the issue include interviews with André Balazs, Glenn O’Brien and pieces on Hedi Slimane, Brian Wilson, the movie Drive, CY Twombly, Richard Prince and La Colombe D’Or. Of course Olivier Zahm from Purple Magazine and one of André Saraiva’s best friends also has some pages in the magazine. The magazine is in French, but all bigger pieces have English translation in the back.

As a conclusion, we would say, that it is definitely worth picking up and checking out. Overall it feels rather personal, which can of course be a good and a bad thing, but for this first issue by Saraiva it feels like quite a natural start.

Photography: Highsnobiety

Take a look inside the magazine after the jump.

The CLOT x Disney ‘Man in the Forest’ Travelling Mickey exhibition recently had its first stop in Shanghai. CLOT asked a series of artists and designers to present custom versions of the iconic cartoon character. The line-up of participating artists includes Dr. Romanelli, Madsaki, Andre, Cassette Playa, Mr. Cartoon, Eric So, Mr. Azuma, CLOT themselves and other outstanding artists.

Take a look at the various versions of the character and the Shanghai exhibition opening after the jump.

André Saraiva has collaborated with French brand Saint James on a monogrammed version of their famous 122-year-old striped shirt. Interview reports: “As a little kid, I would go to Brittany to the sea, I would go to the old fishermen stores, and always grab a few Saint James winter sweaters, and the T-shirts,” he says.

The updated ‘Naval II’ shirts will be unveiled at The Standard New York on Bastille Day and feature Andre’s pink “Mr. A.” character on the chest and a red and blue sailor’s hat on the sleeve (representing NY.) A limited edition of the shirts will be sold at The Standard, New York shop and ShoptheStandard.com, as well as Opening Ceremony in New York and Los Angeles, and Colette in Paris.

Photos: © Henry Hargreaves

Anyone who’s been to Paris will be familiar with the little Eiffel Tower trinkets that litter the tourist spots. From Curated – “The Eiffel Tower Colors is a neat little zinc alloy collectible that gives the Parisian landmark a street art twist. Andre is responsible for the painting style and the first of what proposes to be a series has hit colette for pre-order. Produced with Merci Gustave.”

Parisian jewelry brand Nous Sommes has teamed up with artist Andre. After first having released a bunch of celebrity bust necklaces, they worked with Andre on the ‘Secret Box’. It comes both as a box and attached to a chain as a pendant. In both cases there is a black/pink and a silver/blue colorway, all available now from colette.

This past week Parisian artist Andre passed by the Nike Stadium space in New York to design a custom Destroyer varsity jacket, to support the Le Baron Tokyo ‘Help Japan’ charity auction. As usual the artist placed some of his iconic character graphics on the piece, yet this time all of them come in red, underlining the connection to Japan. More information on the charity auction can be found here.

Detailed images of the jacket follow after the jump.

Artist Andre’s retail space Black Block, usually found inside the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, has opened a temporary pop-up store at the gallery L’Imprimerie in the heart of the city, in the Marais neighborhood.

The store will rest open from April 29th until May 23rd, featuring an interesting range of products. Included are Porter, Medicom, Shwood and many others, of course mostly hard to find goods.

Black Block at L’Imprimerie
16, Rue St Merri
Paris 3eme

Photography: Mathieu Vilasco for Highsnobiety.com

Take a look inside the new pop-up space after the jump.

Kitsune is about to release their next compilation and this time chose two interesting ambassadors to choose the tracks of the new compilcation – Andre and Gildas.

“The new Kitsuné compilation is called KITSUNÉ PARISIEN! Selected by label head-honcho Gildas Loaëc and Int party hopper/artist ‘André’ Saraiva, it showcases the cream of the new Parisian music scene. No surprise, these two know a thing or two about Paris and music. KITSUNÉ PARISIEN officially digs the next breed of Parisian acts.”

You can listen and download minimix by Jerry Bouthier of the new compilation from the player here below.