Seeking inspiration for a recent trip, I interviewed Paris transplant and Ireland-native Mark Kenny, founder and creative director of brand Salt Murphy–a social media-favorite fashion label helping reshape the definition of contemporary “menswear.”. With timeless yet sleekly modern silhouettes, the clothes transcend the traditional limitations of "menswear," fitting into any wardrobe across the gender spectrum. Founding Salt Murphy in Australia in 2020, Kenny aimed to create an internet-first brand that offers unique design and interesting fabrics at accessible price points. Four years later, Kenny moved to Paris, drawn to the energy and international spirit of the city. I spoke with him about his move, the brand, his creative process, and one of his favorite Parisian discoveries.
If you’re dreaming of visiting the City of Lights in 2024, I invite you to get to know one of the city’s most interesting recent transplants, as well as a collection of my favorite recommendations–some exciting and new, and some tried and true.
Anthony Berklich: What was the impetus for the beginning of Salt Murphy?
Mark Kenny: “It was something that had been brewing for at least five years prior to launching, so the momentum had been building for some time. Eventually, I took the leap with a gut feeling and hope as I told myself I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't try.”
AB: Where do you get your inspiration as an artist, and how do you work that inspiration into a wearable garment?
MK: “It's never one place, and collections are always building simultaneously in my mind. It can start from a silhouette I'm feeling, a fabric, color palette, or muse. As they build in my mind, the overarching components become obvious and then I continue to build and refine it with those key pillars at the core.”
AB: Your clothing could be described as unisex and really can be worn by anyone, what made you decide to choose this lane for the label?
MK: “The intention wasn't to create a unisex brand, it was really just about creating what I wanted to wear and what I believed wasn't in the marketplace. I felt me, and my potential customer, were being underserved and I wanted to fill that gap in a way that made people feel a more elevated version of themselves.”
AB: You recently relocated the brand from Australia to Paris. What led to this decision?
MK: “I'm Irish, so the intention was always to move back to Europe at some point. After a couple of years in business, there was a more natural pull towards Europe so the decision was gradual. Paris is an exciting place to be at the moment, it's become so much more international, and there is a great energy here that just felt right. Ultimately, there are more options there.”
AB: Since you’ve moved to Paris, what is your one favorite “insider” place you enjoy that you can share with our readers?
MK: “I live in Bastille near the Marais. I stumbled across a beautiful boutique hotel that the public can use on Monday and Tuesday. It's called Le Pavillon de la Reine. I find it a great place to do some creative work for a few hours or take someone visiting for lunch. In winter, the fire is lit, and in summer, there is a beautiful garden. I've met some interesting people there.”
AB: What are your dreams for Salt Murphy? Where would you like to see the brand grow and evolve?
MK: “I try to take it year by year, but I also have the intention of building a legacy brand. I think a natural step towards that will be a focus on creating an offline presence in the near future. I think it will further legitimize the brand and it will be amazing to be face to face with our customer. We will begin with pop-ups and activations, but stores will also be a reality. I already have a vision for the store aesthetic.”
Anthony Berklich's Paris Recommendations
The Bulgari Hotel Paris
From $1,872 per night
Courtesy of The Bulgari Hotel Paris
Located on the ever-so-beautiful Avenue George V, The Bulgari Hotel is a newer addition to the Paris hotel scene; a little slice of Italy with a Parisian twist. The hotel is saturated with the most luxurious Italian fabrics and accessories and boasts a fabulous lounge and restaurant, Niko. Rooms offer butler service, touchscreen ordering 24-hours a day, sumptuous marble bathrooms with heated floors, and impeccable service. Don’t miss the gym and pool on the lower level, as well as the complimentary garment pressing service.
Hotel Le Grand Mazarin
From $502 per night
Courtesy of Hotel Le Grand Mazarin
A new addition to the historic and delightful LGBTQ+-friendly Marais neighborhood, Hotel Le Grand Mazarin is an absolute charmer. Designed by legendary Swedish designer and architect Martin Brudnizki, the atmosphere is colorful, joyful, playful, and flamboyant with elegant interiors that captivate as soon as you step in off the street. The staff are welcoming, and each of the 50 rooms and 11 suites make you feel at home. On the lower level of the hotel, there is a lovely pool and hammam and an outpost of famed Parisian physiotherapist Anne Cali who is known for phenomenal massage technique. The restaurant, Boubalé, is led by Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit, an innovator offering dishes sourced from the Jewish cultures of Eastern Europe, North Africa, and Israel.
The Kimpton St. Honoré Paris
From $461 per night
The Kimpton St. Honoré is located in one of the finest arrondissements of Paris, a hop and a skip away from the Place Vendôme. The energy here is youthful and sophisticated, and the 149 rooms are elegant, many featuring arched windows, views of the Eiffel Tower, large bathrooms with oversized bathroom amenities, and rain showers. Cozy beds fully dressed in white linens with sitting areas featuring petits chaises and armchairs are standard. Breakfast can be had at Montecito, just off the lobby, a restaurant inspired by California’s Pacific Coast.
Norman Hotel and Spa
From $396 per night
This little gem sits just off the Avenue Champs-Élysées, steps from the Arc de Triomphe on Rue Balzac. It’s named after Norman Ives, the acclaimed artist and graphic designer. The hotel’s architect and designer, Thomas Vidalenc, has created a modern oasis full of warm elegance that feels more like a private club with residences than a traditional hotel. Guest rooms at The Norman are spacious and can connect to make one-, two-, and even three-bedroom suites. My suite had an incredibly large semi-circular terrace filled with plants, a seating area, and wooden all-weather flooring. On the ground level, you’ll find the hotel’s primary restaurant, Thiou au Norman, the nickname of famed Parisian chef, Apiradee Thirakomen. Chef Thiou focuses primarily on Thai essentials made with superlative French ingredients. The menu offers a wide variety of options, including langoustine spring rolls, shrimp dumplings, red curry with chicken and vegetables, roasted sea bass filet with ginger and onion, and so much more. (In fact, there are so many fantastic options that it may be hard to choose.)
Chef Héléne Darroze is known for aspirational haute gastronomie, however, Jòia offers a different take on her culinary excellence. Jòia is pure happiness; a bright, warm hug spread across two floors in the 2nd Arrondissement. Here, Darroze’s style is more casual, featuring her grandmother’s recipes with a mix of French, American, and Italian inspirations. The food is comforting and satisfying, yet executed with the highest levels of culinary excellence. On the menu, you will find Brittany scallops paired with lemon caviar, Landes yellow chicken brioche with foie gras under the skin, confit beef ribs under barbeque sauce, and other filling options. For dessert, I’d recommend the delicious baba au rhum, a traditional French yeast cake saturated with rum and topped with heavy whipped cream.
This restaurant is located in the lobby of the gorgeous Peninsula Hotel. If you’ve been dreaming of a memorable meal, and an insanely delicious pain perdu, look no further. A classically French gilded ceiling arches over tables draped in white tablecloths where you can choose from offerings like turbot in fermented milk, juicy beef from France’s Southern coast, and for dessert, the aforementioned iconic pain perdu. It’s the most delicately flavored, crispy, soft, yet pudding-like French toast, paired with little hazelnut chocolate shavings.
Tucked deep within the beautiful Rosewood Hôtel de Crillon on Place du Concorde is Nonos, a grill by Chef Paul Pairet. This restaurant is casual, offering hearty and delicious French fare that leans meat-forward. You’ll find tuna and beef tartares, as well as a raw oyster bar for starters. Classic options like the delectable club sandwich and lobster roll are very satisfying. For those craving red meat, I recommend the beef trolly, which features a cut-of-the-day that is not to be missed.
Courtesy of Brasserie Fouquet’s
On a busy stretch of the Champs-Élysées sits a well-known brasserie that has withstood the test of time. Stepping into Brasserie Fouquet’s immerses you in deliciously elegant wood paneling and surrounds you with patrons who come equally for the classic French cuisine and ambiance. Located on the street level of the namesake Hotel Fouquet’s, this restaurant has been serving dishes like escargot, sole meunière, and veal stew since 1899. If phenomenal service, old-world charm, and the best millefeuille in town are what you’re seeking, you’ll find them all here.
Courtesy of Hôtel d’Aubusson
During warmer months, this boutique hotel in Paris’ 6th Arrondissement, housed in a 17th-century mansion, opens its garden, an elegant and tucked-away locale for a cocktail or glass of wine. Make a pit stop in the lobby (also cozy during the cooler months!) and sip Sancerre while listening to music.
Laurence and Denis Vauclair founded a unique antique gallery in the 7th arrondissement that offers a curated collection of items from the 19th and 20th centuries. Here you will find incredible pieces of hard-to-find furniture, one-of-a-kind ceramics, and objets d’art that you will be hard-pressed not to take home.
Biologique Recherche is an iconic French skincare brand with precisely formulated products that have a cult-like following. While the company has locations in partner spas and hotels around the world, visiting its headquarters, known as the Ambassade, on the Champs-Élysées offers a unique experience. The place is a haven of serenity and beauty usually booked with back-to-back appointments, and each of the iconic facials is customized to individual clients' needs. The highlight is the manual “lifting techniques” that the Biologique Recherche estheticians have perfected. Sculpting movements along your cheekbones and facial muscles will have you looking and feeling tightened and toned. If you want an extra boost, opt for the microcurrent machine, which sends electrical pulses through your facial and neck muscles. You won’t regret it.