Journal
HAVEN 2025 Paris Field Tester
Pursuing excellence in the community.
To coincide with the launch of our Summer 2025 collection, we connected with members of Paris’ creative community. These are individuals who bring a distinct perspective to their craft, shaping culture through thoughtful work that moves beyond category or convention. Their considered approach aligns with our own, shaped by intention and long-term perspective.
Name: Yuichiro Sugiyama
Profession: Co-founder, Dreamin' Man
Location: Paris, France
What drew you to coffee?
I like coffee, but the real draw comes mostly from the idea of a community space. Especially now, with the way people tend to live inside their phones. They need a physical space. Everyday, I see friends meeting up, spending quality time. They greet each other with a hug. I see parents sharing cake with their kids. I find all of it beautiful. We shouldn’t forget our need for basic human connection.
How did the idea for Dreamin’ Man come to life?
Dreamin’ Man started as a small and uncomfortable space. Our Amelot shop is still this way. Ultimately, I just wanted to make coffee and pastries for my friends. Comfortable doesn’t necessarily mean happy. If you take a large chain coffee shop, for example, no one is talking to the person at the table next to them. There’s a completely different vibe. Little details matter—like good coffee!
Are there any rituals or routines that help ground your day?
I spend so much of my day surrounded by people. Talking and interacting with them. I try to find some alone time, even if it’s thirty minutes, and just cut everything out.
What role does Paris play in shaping the identity of the café?
In Paris, people take their time. There isn’t so much a take-away culture here. Parisians aren’t just buying a product and leaving, they want a conversation. They’ll order their coffee, sit and stay a while.
How important is functionality in the way you approach your personal style?
In terms of functionality, comfort and adaptability are most important to me. I want to be able to go from the cafe to a meeting without having to change.
Name: Emmanuel Peña
Profession: Owner & Chef, Tarantula
Location: Paris, France
What drew you to cooking?
Since I was a child, I always had my mother and grandmother who cooked for me. We always had good ingredients at home, and always liked being with them in the kitchen, helping and learning. I never went to culinary school; I studied law. Right after graduating from law school, I decided to move to Paris to work and learn more in a restaurant kitchen.
Where do you draw inspiration for your food?
I really like finding inspiration in books and old Mexican recipes. I also really enjoy traveling to learn about new techniques and food that I have never had before. But above all, I love exploring new restaurants in Paris and Mexico to get inspired and keep creating new recipes.
What does seasonality mean to you?
The variation of products depending on the season. In my case, it is very important, we need to use high-quality seasonal products in order to make our dishes taste better.
What role does Paris play in shaping the identity of Tarantula?
Tarántula is culture, food quality, good music, great atmosphere–a place where people who enjoy good food and fashion come together. All this couldn’t have happened without the 15 years of experience Paris gave me.
How important is functionality in the way you approach your personal style?
I like to feel comfortable and confident in what I wear. I think that is the most important thing for me. I search for pieces that allow me to move freely but still reflect my personal aesthetic. I also search for high-quality basic pieces that allow me to use them with many others, which helps me not to buy too many clothes.
Name: Frédéric Pellenq
Profession: Architect
Location: Paris, France
What drew you to architecture?
I grew up in a family of architects, which—ironically—wasn’t the best advertisement for the profession. I witnessed all its aspects, both the rewarding and the many challenging ones. That said, it definitely shaped my awareness and sensitivity early on—towards materials, light, space, and so on. Over time, I realized that what I was most drawn to were furniture pieces. I started working with my hands quite young and approached architecture studies with that in mind. The scale of furniture really resonates with me—I love its immediacy compared to architecture, and the intimacy of its scale. I used to love making models as a kid and student, and I see my furniture practice as an extension of that.
How did you develop your artistic style?
It’s definitely been—and still is—a journey. When I started my studio back in 2016, I felt completely free to explore and simply followed what felt natural. When you allow yourself that kind of openness, your vision starts to emerge intuitively. To be honest, I’ve sometimes felt torn, because my references can be wildly different. I’m drawn to modernist and timeless pieces as well as more experimental projects. Over time, I’ve found it interesting to explore how these seemingly opposite influences can coexist in my work—without feeling like I have to compromise. That’s also why I’ve recently started creating more bridges between my architecture studio and Curation Technique—it all naturally fits together.
Do you have a particular process when approaching a new project?
Not really—I approach each project differently, because they’re all so varied. I work on everything from high-end collectible furniture for art galleries—often in collaboration with highly skilled craftsmen—to more experimental, hands-on pieces I create myself in my studio, as well as scenography projects and even artistic direction. It all depends on the context and the client, and I really enjoy the variety. It allows me to explore different atmospheres and ways of working.
What role does Paris play in shaping the identity of your work?
Paris was a real turning point for me. It’s where I first studied something I was truly passionate about, and where I experienced huge personal and creative growth. It keeps me connected to the energy of contemporary culture and creativity. That said, I enjoy it even more now that I’ve moved my studio outside the city and only spend part of the week there. That bit of distance has helped me fall in love with Paris all over again.
How important is functionality in the way you approach your personal style?
Functionality is the architecture behind my personal style—it naturally informs how I choose what to wear, depending on the occasion or the weather. It’s about feeling comfortable and efficient. I’ve been getting around exclusively by bike for over 10 years, and before that, I lived in the mountains, where the climate really dictates what’s practical to wear. To me, it’s simple: you wear a swimsuit and flip-flops to the beach because that’s what makes sense for what you’re going to do and how you want to feel. Everything else follows that same logic.
Photography: Celia Spenard-Ko
Brand Manager: Nick Roethel | Director: Norihisa Hayashi
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