How do you present yourself when people talk about you in your profession?
people often know me as the journalist that I was for around fifteen years, participating in the creation of magazines like jalouse, optimum, vogue homme, creating the official travel magazine, directing the world's lifestyle supplements, or at the co-production of programs like pink on France 2, my common thread always being the exploration of cultural and creative fields that fascinated me such as music, design, fashion, travel, literature, cinema, photography , the trip..

other people would perhaps talk first about thomas erber's cabinet of curiosities that I launched in 2001 at colette. an event that has become annual since the first one that I took around the world, and which takes place in an exceptional place during which, for a month, I bring together between fifty and one hundred designers, creators, brands who participate in the adventure by each creating a unique or limited edition piece each in their fields while enhancing their know-how. I am also publishing a book for the occasion, also organizing a grand opening, and quite a few other things which revolve around all forms of contemporary creation…

each time it is an opportunity to bring together creators and brands while offering them a new window of international visibility. the 6th “anniversary” edition (2010-2015) was held in Paris, between Colette, Le Molière and Les Bains. this project is constantly evolving, it is currently reaching what I call its "second half", the next stage being a permanent installation in a Parisian palace, then the resumption of its roaming around the world until inauguration in 2020 of a giant cabinet of curiosities in which the hundred most beautiful creators of the decade will be presented first from Paris and then in what we know to be the capitals of the future. all of which should end up as a museum or foundation testifying to the cultural changes of our time.

finally, some would present me as a consultant where I excel in the world of luxury, fashion and creation or even as the co-founder of the clothing brand geym, the gallery, production workshop and residence of artists “relief workshop” and kolkhoze.fr online sales platform for 21st century design collectibles.

What is the one thing said about yourself in all these professions that particularly touches you?
that I am curious, but also that I am loyal. Loyalty is a value in danger of being lost. I would very much like people to also say that I am a visionary, because ultimately the museum must translate a new cultural dimension of our time versus the “fine arts-ian” vision. furniture, fashion, photography, jewelry etc. have become major cultural fields as much as a work by Rodin or a neon sign by Cy Twombly. it is appropriate to look at things at the dawn of the day where we are.

What matters most in your daily work?
wonder, beauty. wonder firstly because it allows us to stay awake. the beautiful which provokes an emotion without thinking, even if it means making people think afterwards. it can be dazzling but also calmer, slower – sometimes better. and of course there is rigor, this discipline which allows us to carry out a project which, in the end, makes sense.

le gramme is a lifestyle brand for men, it offers essential objects, in your world what is the iconic element, the one that symbolizes you?
a grand complication watch... there is in haute horology, a form of art combined with supreme craftsmanship made up of an assembly of incredible know-how and the accumulation of extremely fine and precise, and unique things! this is the very essence of what I like to highlight. and that's why I always try to have a fine watchmaking manufacturer present in every Thomas Erber cabinet of curiosities.

and your object the gram, what is it?
my wife's bracelet that I borrow from her... often... there is also the 21g that Adrien and Erwan gave me in which is engraved a very pretty phrase that I will keep for myself. otherwise I really like the 9g ring of the gram that Adrien gave me. its simplicity is disarming, especially since finding rings for men is not that easy...

how do you wear them?
as an extension of myself. I wear one or the other, sometimes both. I like the possibility of assembling these objects to create a clever customization, in other words a piece of your own. I also like the almost iconic character of these bracelets, it reminds me of pieces from the Ibiza / 70's era which would have become contemporary again.

if the gram were a creator... who would it be?
well it would be a mix between rothko and mondrian. It's a bit pretentious to say that. but I'm pretentious so I assume...

What is the gift you like to give to those you love?
love always.

what is your favorite object? how much does he weigh ?
I have several, firstly a Boucheron ring which is not so far from some of the Le Gram bracelets, then a Montblanc pen which is a reissue of a travel fountain pen from 1906, and finally this famous custom-made bracelet that I asked Adrien and Erwan to set with two precious stones at each end so that only my wife can see them, it weighs 37g, and I often borrow it from him...

what is important in your life?
my children, my wife, my friends.

a favorite place to be at the moment?
pretty much everywhere. At my house. or with the dads, my friends from Deia.

photographer: ©benoit linero