Our guests are talented creatives from various fields. They share their passion for collecting, rare finds, and merchandise that holds a special place in their hearts.
For the fourth episode of 'Souvenirs Souvenirs,' we have David Bellion, a former professional footballer turned creative consultant, heading the Super Vision Office agency and also the publisher of Sport Étude and Take Away magazines. He opens the doors to his closet in Paris.
Can you tell us about your profession? The best way to define it would be Chief Creative Officer at Super Vision Office agency and a freelance Global Creative Consultant for brands, football and basketball clubs, and public figures. I've also launched two magazines, SPORT ÉTUDE, focusing on sports as the name suggests, and TAKE AWAY, centered around food.
Where are you currently based, in which city? Paris.
JAH JAH Plate - A wonderful gift from the Billionaire Boys Club x JAH JAH dinner. A yellow plate featuring an illustration by the talented Engy Saing Ange.
BAMBINO x KAPPA Jersey - A Kappa jersey designed by NSS and the Bambino bar and restaurant for the Parisian event 'Ceux Qui RĂŞvent.' I was part of this collaboration adventure, and we actually played a football match wearing this jersey. Sublime pink
What's your relationship with travel? I truly started traveling during my former life as a professional footballer, which took me all around the world. But it's during vacations that you take the time to explore other countries. Travel, for me, is about embracing the change of scenery and appreciating cultural diversity.
How often do you leave your city? I would say about four times a month on average, often for professional trips.
PAPERBOY T-SHIRT - A gift from my friend James, the founder of Paperboy. I love wearing it because it's oversized and features the timeless and fantastic Paperboy logo.
NEW BALANCE x PAPERBOY Sneakers - A triple collaboration in pink between Paperboy, New Balance, and All Gone. The only way to purchase this pair was to buy the book and check if there was a ticket between the pages, which was your pass to grab a pair. They sold out quickly.
What's your connection to merchandise or 'merch'? It has been a significant part of my life since I was 18, the age when I became a professional footballer in the Premier League, where the world of sports merchandising is dominant.
What kind of places make you want to buy merch? Rare sporting or musical events with limited-edition merch, or restaurants with a compelling story to develop into a brand.
ADIDAS x RED STAR FC Chocolate Box - An original and unexpected chocolate box from adidas, celebrating Red Star FC with items like jerseys with my name and soccer balls. Very impressive!
RED STAR Bowl - A Red Star FC bowl created by the talented Lev Rosenbush, a ceramic artist inspired by football and a graduate of Central Saint Martins School. We had the honor of showcasing this bowl along with the rest of the collaboration at One Block Down. And if you focus really well, you can spot a hidden Easter egg in the red star.
What prompts you to make a purchase when it comes to merch? Is it impulsive or emotional? It's often emotional. If it has meaning, I take pleasure in supporting creativity and buying merch to lend it strength.
Your all-time favorite piece of merch? I would say L’Air de Panache, a fragrance seen in Wes Anderson's film 'Grand Budapest Hotel,' but it was actually produced by Nose perfumery in a limited edition, without much publicity. A merchandise item blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
BUDWEISER x BLEU MODE - A gift from my friends Arthur Mestrot, Arthur Hadade, and Victo Malecot. Julien from Bleu Mode had organized a fantastic exhibition and collaboration with Budweiser, featuring great merchandise items including a cap, a jacket, beer bottles, jerseys, and more. I had the pleasure of participating in the second drop in partnership with my magazine, Sport Étude, co-founded with my friend Julien Soulier.
"BUDWEISER x BLEU MODE - A gift from my friends Arthur Mestrot, Arthur Hadade, and Victo Malecot. Julien from Bleu Mode had organized a fantastic exhibition and collaboration with Budweiser, featuring great merchandise items including a cap, a jacket, beer bottles, jerseys, and more. I had the pleasure of participating in the second drop in partnership with my magazine, Sport Étude, co-founded with my friend Julien Soulier."
The most successful merch in recent years, in your opinion? In sports, Red Star FC. In food, Paperboy in Paris. In media, I'd say Highsnobiety. In cinema, the production and distribution company A24. In art and fashion, Serapis. And in music, Big Love Records.
If you could create your dream merch product, could you describe it for us? Certainly, a keyboard designed by my agency, Super Vision Office, in collaboration with Teenage Engineering. This way, you can easily create sound for any project that comes to mind.
MOĂ‹T & CHANDON x CLAUDE - A very chic gift from the boss Kim Chabaud, who oversees the Hoxton hotel chain across Europe. It was given during a fantastic dinner at the Hoxton in Paris.
Can you wear merch from a place you've never been to? Absolutely.
Your last restaurant meal? Karaage at Haikara Deep Fried in Paris. Long live GIFT SHOP!
ADIDAS x KOLAM Campus Sneakers - A gift from the Kolam team and Hugo Lecot. Thanks again, guys! A pair of sneakers filled with details to celebrate Sri Lankan street food from Kolam. The pair is subtle, soft, with exceptional laces, great colors, and the launch was extraordinary with traditional Sri Lankan dancers. And their dishes are so delicious!
COCA-COLA x COLETTE Bottle - A gift from the great Jay Smith of Black Rainbow after a conversation in his office. It now proudly sits on my desk.
FOLDEROL x STOCKX Wine - This bottle is a creation of my agency to celebrate sneaker and collectibles culture. A memorable evening that included wine and sneaker pairings, ice cream flavors paying homage to Detroit and Paris, great music, and wonderful people. I named the bottle 'FOOLISH LOVE' because that's what 'Folderol' means in Old English.
