At Shoppe Object Paris, we spoke with Sharif about the pleasure of finding something unexpected, why London feels truly global, his favourite Paris rituals and the brands that stood out to him at the Salon.
Tell us about your store and what makes it unique.
We’re a lifestyle and gifting store founded in 2015, and we focus on independent brands sourced from around the world. We try to have a finer eye and a more personal choice rather than an endless catalogue of things. It’s basically about choosing things that we would love in our own lives and bringing that to our audience.
We also work across different categories, from food and household to beauty and things you use in your personal life. People seem to respond to that approach. It’s almost like we’re doing some of the choosing for them and offering a more deliberate choice of items.
How would you describe the personality of your city?
If I had to distill it into one word, I’d say global. London is a very international city. You can see influences from everywhere, from Australia and Central Asia to Latin America, Africa and India. It’s not unusual to see an Uzbekistani restaurant, for example. I love that it’s not just certain people from different parts of the world. It’s really global.
What’s your favourite place to go when you come to Paris?
I love the Marais, obviously. I also really like the traditional Parisian things, like the Eiffel Tower. I’m not one of those people who turns their nose up at the cliché districts. I enjoy walking along the Champs Élysées and taking in the sights. I also enjoy finding a good pâtisserie and going for a coffee. And I’m always up for a nice hotel or somewhere to go for a drink.
What caught your eye at Shoppe Object Paris?
I really loved the fun soaps from Cavancha and Moglea’s colourful, hand painted paper goods. Those two really stood out to me because they fit our sweet spot of design and price point. The Parisian playing cards from Grimaud also caught my eye. They’ve been making them for over 175 years. They’re beautiful and really unique. The South African collective of 10 brands was another highlight. It’s great to see Shoppe Object spreading its net so wide.
What would bring you back to Shoppe Object Paris?
Shoppe Object is exceptionally curated and well organised, and it fills a gap in the market for independent retail stores like mine. I love the personal touch and the way you cast a wide net, bringing together unique brands from all over the world. The international crowd is also a big part of the appeal. I look forward to coming back and seeing how the event grows.