André Malraux

"Culture is what answers to a man when he asks himself what he is doing on earth."

THE TASTE FOR BEAUTIFUL THINGS

ANDRE MALRAUX COLLECTION BY MAISON GABRIEL PARIS

Some stories are meant to be told and shared in many ways. One is that of André Malraux : writer, resistance fighter, minister of culture, and eccentric genius leading the life of an adventurer and dandy in the service of a certain idea of ​​France and its elegance.


Malraux is a French icon in many ways. He etched his legacy as the inaugural French Minister of Culture - a position President Charles De Gaulle created to leverage his unparalleled passion for culture.
Among his most memorable moments, the one that remains the most told has a delightful ambiguity. Malraux orchestrated the historic transfer of the Mona Lisa to the United States to please Jackie Kennedy - who asked for it during her visit to France.

This gesture of diplomatic finesse and profound appreciation for art underscored Malraux's dedication to fostering cultural exchanges - cementing his role as a luminary in cultural diplomacy and preservation. To others, it was a clear example of the man's seductive streak, assuming the gesture was pure chivalry, fuelling rumours around his close relationship with the American First Lady.


This remarkable character, unsurprisingly, carried a distinctive personal style: a tight edit of items of modernist appeal that flawlessly telegraphed his personality to the world.


To bring this uniquely chic character back to life, three people came together: Alain Malraux, author and nephew of the latter; Alexandre Duval-Stalla, biographer of André Malraux and creator of the eponymous literary prize, and Cyril Arvengas, founder of the Maison Gabriel Parisand whose father worked for Malraux.


Maison Gabriel Paris marks its profound admiration for this unique man by appropriating his wardrobe with iconic pieces: the suit, the raincoat, the shirt, the ties, and the glasses, which will launch in stages throughout this season.

Discover André Malraux collection

André Malraux Collection