Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is getting a modern makeover for its reopening in December, with designer furniture and colourful priestly vestments created by a top fashion designer. The 860-year-old cathedral has been undergoing a rapid reconstruction since being ravaged by fire in 2019. It is on track to reopen on December 8, and with less than six months to go, fire-blackened rubble has given way to gleaming stone.
Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich said he wanted to "welcome the whole world" as he revealed details of the new interior designs. Priests, archbishops, bishops and deacons will wear vestments created by aristocratic French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac -- known to his celebrity pals as "JC/DC" -- the man who came up with Madonna's famous coat made of teddy bears. The 74-year-old was inspired by the immense gold cross in the cathedral's choir, which was spared by the flames.
His priestly outfits feature geometric patterns with sharp lines and primary colours reminiscent of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. New massive bronze furniture -- highly stylised and bringing to mind something from "Game of Thrones" -- is being produced in southern France and should be installed in November, including a new baptismal font, altar and tabernacle. Some 1,500 to 2,000 simple but comfortable chairs in light oak have been ordered for the faithful.
The painted decorations of the chapels, seen in part by AFP, have regained their vibrant colours and should match seven new tapestr.