Creative Art at Axelle
Owned by Bertrand Delacroix, Axelle Fine Arts Galerie is a sleek establishment on Magazine Street that’s managed by Beau Martz.
With limited editions, prints and original paintings by contemporary artists, Axelle “represents a prestigious group of international artists,” says Martz. “The driving force behind Axelle is creativity.” Many of the artists hail from France and other parts of Europe; the owner himself is a frequent traveler who’s always seeking out new talent.
The gallery was established in New York in 1989 and opened a location in New Orleans in 2002. “Serious New Orleans collectors would often go to New York to acquire art,” says Martz. “Post-Katrina, there’s strong desire to help the local economy develop, and locals make an effort to buy locally. We bring them the caliber of art they would seek in New York.” The caliber is certainly high, as owner Delacroix’s motto is “If it doesn’t hang in my house, it doesn’t belong in my galleries.”
“We appeal to serious established collectors as well as to the young person starting a collection. We have works priced from $500 to $100,000 and art books for under $50,” says Martz.
Featured this month is the newly released suite of limited edition serigraphs by Michael Delacroix called the “Petite Suite.” Next month, on Oct. 4, the gallery will host a public grand opening reception that will feature a new collection and appearances by some of the artists.
Information, 3926 Magazine St., 899-2688, www.axelle.com.
Ruby on Magazine
“We specialize in making women feel great about how they look,” says Laura Lea Reid, who owns the boutique Ruby on Magazine Street. “I don’t pay much attention to trends,” she admits, “most people have a few styles and shapes that look really great on them; I try to stick with that.” She says the shop focuses largely on denim because the “denim buying experience can be a nightmare for most women. We do quick alterations to actually custom fit jeans.”
The clientele she reaches varies in age from “18 to 60,” she says. “We have young girls who come in with their moms and grandmas to shop. They can all find something to buy. We have low-rise and high rise jeans as well as great cotton basics that anyone would love to wear.” Brands include Joe’s Jeans, William Rast, Michael Stars, Mynk Hateur denim, Billy Reid (Laura’s brother), Lilla P, Honeybee Footware and various others. This month, the shop celebrates its one-year anniversary in New Orleans. (Another location is in Hammond.)
Raised by a mother who also owned a boutique, Reid learned a great deal about customer service. “My mother made phone calls every day to her very loyal customers to let them know what had just come in. She delivered to their work and always kept a list of what they needed when she went to market.” Today, Reid says the level of customer service at her shop is the very “backbone of our success. We love it when customers come in just to talk and have a glass of wine on Friday afternoons. I think that kind of friendship and trust is missing in today’s retail world. We want to bring it back.”
Information, 3932 Magazine St., 899-4940; 111 East Thomas, Hammond, (985) 345-4745; www.shopruby.net.
