AT 47, RUE DE SERVAN, IN A SETTING OF 600 M² BATHED IN ZENITHAL LIGHT, ESPACE PARALLÈLE DEPLOYS AS A STRATEGIC CROSSROADS WHERE CRAFT WORK, KNOW-HOW AND CREATIVITY CONVERGE.
ESPACE PARALLÈLE IS A LINK BETWEEN BRANDS AND ARTISANS, A SPACE WHERE IDEAS, DESIGN AND EXECUTION ALIGN ACCURATELY.
IT IS ALSO A PLATFORM FOR DIALOGUE, EXPERIMENTATION AND TRANSMISSION, WHERE CREATION MEETS ITS AUDIENCE AND WHERE CRAFTS ARE CONSTANTLY REINVENTING ITSELF.
WE MET THE FOUNDER RIFET AHMECANOVIC FOR DISCUSSION ITS GENESIS ABD ITS FUTURE, AND FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE RELATED PROJECT CONTRESENS.
Welcome Rifet!
Define your concept of fashion.
I see fashion as a living intersection of craftsmanship, innovation, and cultural dialogue. A collaborative and multidisciplinary language where tradition meets experimentation to create meaningful, adaptable, and context-driven expressions of our time.
Please, define your concept of art also.
For me, art is a meeting place where materials, ideas, and perspectives come together to inspire and connect. It’s not just about the final piece, but about the research, dialogue, and experimentation that shape it. I believe art grows through collaboration and through the stories behind it, acting both as a mirror of the world and a spark for new ways of seeing it.
How can art and fashion meet and merge today?
Art and fashion meet when they share ideas and tell stories. Today, they can mix through materials, techniques, and collaborations that push both forward. When fashion takes on the freedom of art, and art becomes something you can wear, they create a common language.
Can art still be made through fashion?
Yes, art can still be made through fashion. When clothes carry meaning, spark emotions, or start conversations, they go beyond style and become art you can live with every day.
What is your background?
My background is a bit unconventional, I was a professional hip hop dancer for years, but when I made the decision to leave that industry I went back to what I had studied: textile technician.
I worked for many years at at a company called Cotonificio Albini, a textile company specializing in shirting fabrics. There I started as a technician and designer, but later shifted into sales, tapping heavily into the French market.
These experience as a whole have shaped my sensitivity for the industry and the arts, paving the perfect path to lead to Espace Parallèle.
So, you are the founder of Espace Parallèle, a creative hub in the new heart of Paris born last year.
Can you tell us something more about the project?
Espace Parallèle is a project I conceived last year with the vision of creating a place where craftsmanship, innovation, and cultural dialogue could truly meet. Based in Paris, it brings together excellence-driven manufactories like Feel Blue, Initiatives, Tigamaro,Tessilechiti, and Cofil, along with highly skilled technicians, designers, researchers, and creatives.
Together, we develop and strengthen the French fashion market by combining traditional expertise with forward-thinking approaches. In the meantime, I personally host, select, and support exhibitions, brand activations, and material research projects that explore how contemporary design, art, and fashion can interact in new ways.
Espace Parallèle is thought to be more than just a venue, it’s a cultural engine. A place where ideas, materials, and people connect to imagine the future of creative industries.
On the website we can read: “Espace Parallèle emerges as a hub for sharing, sourcing, and extraordinary archives to bridge fostering relationships between brands and suppliers”.
How important and why is it important to create this bridge-link in 2025?
Building a strong connection between brands and suppliers is really important in 2025 because it helps create trust and teamwork in a changing industry. At Espace Parallèle, we bring these groups together, encouraging new ideas while resting on traditional skills and supporting important values like sustainability and fairness.
This connection lets brands find special materials and expert craftsmanship, while suppliers better understand what the market and designers need. It turns business into a real partnership, not just a simple transaction.
Today, customers want honesty and responsibility, so this bridge helps make fashion more open, creative, and in tune with what people care about.
How do fashion, art and design coexist within the space?
Fashion, art, and design all hang out together at Espace Parallèle like old friends at a creative party! They inspire each other, swap ideas, and sometimes even surprise one another.
It’s a space where a bold fashion idea can borrow a little piece of art’s freedom, design keeps things practical, and art gets a chance to dress up and step outside the gallery. The mix keeps things exciting and fresh, and honestly, that’s where the magic happens.
Plus, since the project was born mostly from my desire to have fun doing something new, this playful mix feels just right.
Why the name Espace Parallèle?
The name Espace Parallèle comes from the concept of parallelism, different worlds moving alongside each other, staying parallel and not obstructing one another. The space itself acts like a vessel that brings all these parallel worlds together, converging them toward the same direction.
It’s a place where craftsmanship, innovation, tradition, and modernity coexist side by side, influencing and inspiring each other while keeping their own identity. The name captures this balance between unity and individuality that defines the spirit of the project.
Last June during Fashion Week you hosted the second edition of the pop-up event of Contresens, the international collective created by you and Flora Rabitti.
What is Contresens? Will there be a third edition of the event?
Contresens is more than a showroom it’s a community and a shared approach. It brings together designers and brands who want to explore fashion differently and collaborate.The focus is on thoughtful materials, slow work, and standing away from fast, wasteful fashion. Contresens is about creating new ideas together in a simple, honest way.
We don’t follow trends, we tell our own stories as a group.
Absolutely! The third edition will be happening on September 28, 29, and 30 in Paris. same place, same time, just like always at Espace Parallèle, 47 Rue Servan, Paris 11. Can’t wait to see everyone there!
As a young creative entrepreneur who follows and supports new talents, what advice would you give to young people who are entering the world of work and for whom the road is not always linear?
My advice to young people starting out in the creative world? Stay curious and keep an open mind. The path isn’t always straight, and that’s totally fine: every bump is just part of figuring things out.
Don’t be scared to try new stuff, make mistakes, and ask lots of questions. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and really focus on building genuine connections. Good public relations and real social interactions are super important they help you get noticed and open up new chances.
Most of all, stick to what you love and what drives you. Passion and a bit of grit will help you through the ups and downs. The creative world needs your unique voice, so trust yourself and keep going.
If you had to write a letter to your future self, what would you write?
In the future, I hope I remain curious, passionate, and open to growth, no matter the challenges. I want to remember why I started this journey to create, connect, and make a meaningful impact. It’s important to keep trusting my instincts and stay true to my unique voice, especially during tough times.Continuing to not fear failure is fundamental each setback is a chance to learn and grow. I hope I continue to embrace change, stay open to new ideas, and build strong, genuine relationships. Above all, I want to keep enjoying the process, having fun, and finding joy in what I do, knowing that the best is still ahead.
