Saturday, 3:17 PM. We are strolling along the Canal Saint-Martin, supposedly on our way to a café. Then comes rue de Marseille. Bad news for our schedule: Centre Commercial is open.
When Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion, the founders of Veja, opened Centre Commercial in 2010, the name was intentionally ironic. Inspired by the writings of philosopher Bernard Stiegler and sociologist Mike Davis on consumer society, the space represents the exact opposite of what it promises: a shop where the goal, precisely, is not to sell everything.
Today, the curation blends labels like Studio Nicholson, RIER, Paraboot, MAN-TLE, Simuero, Baserange, or Veja, selected as much for their aesthetic language as for their craftsmanship, savoir-faire, or sourcing transparency. Centre Commercial has always had a keen eye: in 2010, the boutique became the first Parisian retailer of Paraboot, at a time when the French heritage brand was already thriving in Japan and Korea but remained relatively quiet in Paris.
The lifestyle offering now brings together Frama, D.S. & Durga, Comme des Garçons Parfums, Studio Arhoj, alongside books, stationery, home goods, incense, and skincare. The universe has since expanded in the neighborhood with Centre Commercial Outdoor and Kids, and more recently, a new address at 26 rue de Charonne.
TASTE
Canal Saint-Martin · Independent Fashion · Curated · Conscious · Paris Saturday
