I'm so excited about the Spring Summer 2018 menswear collections. From Balenciaga to Hermes, to Fendi, Yamamoto, Vuitton and Balmain, each of the runway shows below is more inspiring than the next. When I'm designing an interior, I often look to the world of fashion to spark new ideas. But that does't stop with women's fashion. I love the androgynous forms and color palettes found in all of the men's ensembles hitting the hottest catwalks. Here's a little eye candy to enjoy on this Monday!
Inspire
{I N S P I R E D} Gorgeous Finds at NYCxDESIGN /
Talk about being inspired. The makers who exhibited this year during NYCxDESIGN Week—at ICFF, WantedDesign and Sight Unseen's Offsite—were innovative, fresh and a welcome dose of creative energy. While there were so many spectacular finds, I wanted to share a few that especially stood out and planted seeds for my next interior design projects. Get ready for some design magic!
1/ Pulpites, Dear Human. 2/ Erich Ginder. Photo by Amanda Ringstad. 3/ Fauna Fantasía wallpaper in Habana, Grow House Grow. 4/ Aura Mirror in Fluorite, Another Human via Offsite. 5/ Anna Karlin. 6/ Fold Collection, Uhuru. 7/ Coexist Askew Marble and Brass Side Table, Slash Objects. 8/ Luvere Studio via WantedDesign. 9/ Sass Side Table by MPGMB for Souda Brooklyn. 10/ Black Marble Hex Mason Watch, Analog Watch Co.
{A R T} Organized Chaos /
A few months ago, Beth and I popped into MoMA and of course had to stop into the museum gift store. I was so enamored by the Jackson Pollock Table Textiles—a collection of placemats and runners that feature the master painter's signature splattered look. I just knew that one day I'd have to post a blog about all the things that inspire me to take calculated risks, have fun and let loose.
Below, I've shared a video—"The Anthropologist," directed by Alistair Banks Griffin—that rethinks freestyle painting entirely. It's the work of Etsuko Ichikawa, an artist based in Seattle who uses molten glass to create freeform pyrography. Watching her work is completely entrancing. Take a look and enjoy!
Slideshow image credits: 1/Drip Wallpaper, Jonathan Adler. 2/Yellow Brushstroke Lamp, Jana Bek. 3/The Medium Transport Tote: Splatter Paint Edition, Madewell. 4/Hinson Wallpaper, Photo by Maura McEvoy, House Beautiful. 5/Nesting Bowls, Chris Earl. 6/Hinson Wallpaper, Photo by Maura McEvoy, House Beautiful. 7/Suite One Studio. 8/Drip Wallpaper, Jonathan Adler. 9/Oyster Colored Velvet. 10/Jackson Pollock Table Textiles, Runner, MoMA. 11/Wing Chair painted by Kerry Irvine Fine Art for EKB Interiors.
{F A S H I O N} Taking Flight /
“It’s not enough to have feathers. You must dare to fly!”
Image credit: Balenciaga Fall 2017 / Monica Feudi / Indigital.tv via Vogue
Feathers have been popping up on catwalks, in my favorite boutiques, and just about everywhere you turn nowadays. They're the perfect mix of flashy and fun, and I can't help but find inspiration in them. From feathered fashion accessories to Balenciaga's latest runway show, to Blake Lively’s gold and peacock-hued plumed Versace gown from this year’s Met Gala, these beautiful quills are sure to make your imagination take flight.
Top row: 1/ Heari Feather Bib Necklace via Anthropologie. 2/ Sunrise Feather Hoop Earrings via Anthropologie. 3/ Lisa Blue Bathing Suit, Gasoline Glamour Feather Collar, Glynneth B Necklace. Photo by Ben Cope via Very Very Chic. 4/ Kate Spade Belle Elliana Feather Clutch via Nordstrom. 5/ Prada Slingback Sandals via Barneys New York. 6/ Balenciaga Satin Pumps via Net-A-Porter. 7/ Couture Hat by Arturo Rios via The Feather Girl. 8/ Blake Lively, Atelier Versace, Met Gala 2017. Photo via Harper's Bazaar Singapore.
{I N S P I R E D} Designing Women: Open May 1-26 /
I can't tell you how consistently inspired I am by my creative peers who challenge me to dig deeper and design fearlessly everyday. And the latest collaborative exhibition of all-women design rockstars has me so excited to spread positive vibes and girl pride!
The women of Egg Collective have come together to host a benefit expressing true girl power through the varied works of female artists and designers. The girl trio behind Egg Collective has always been focused on female empowerment, collaboration, and camaraderie. And, in that vein, they had the genius idea of putting together a show that unites the top female designers and artists operating in NYC to support the Girls, INC NYC foundation, which empowers young women to be our future leaders. The show is called Designing Women and is currently on display through May 26th at Egg Collectives Hudson Street Showroom.
Bravo ladies! This is one spectacular show!
{I N S P I R E D} Studio State of Mind /
Martyn Thompson Studio via 1stdibs
Currently in the midst of a big studio revamp, I find myself reflecting on how much time I spend in my atelier. The truth is that studios are truly an extension of our homes—sometimes we even call them home like the lovely and talented NES Creative team or the insanely artistic textile artist Martyn Thompson. I'm happy to report that more and more industries are seeing the value in creating well-designed, positive workspace interiors. I know that I am so much more productive when my own space is happy and bursting with artistic energy.
Here are a few creatively inclined studios that I love and hopefully they will inspire your workflow...
{A R T} The Writing's on the Wall /
Gallery walls are like a visual puzzle that is so much fun to create. What makes them interesting is the scope of the images that you want to showcase. One recipe that I often use is a mix of different mediums, like we did in our Nantucket beach house (above): Line drawings, photography, oil paintings, sculpture, pastels, posters and collages. When I buy art, I buy it because I like it and then somehow make it fit into the tapestry of a collective.
If you’re looking to make your own gallery wall, one common thread could be a similar color or a similar frame. Using various sizes of images make it feel more like that visual puzzle that gets worked and reworked until it fits just right. The advantage of a gallery wall is that you don’t have to commit to one arrangement; you can change your mind and shuffle the art around as you go, and that way there is no stress when putting holes in the walls. Think seasonal or have your own art show in your house! Make the artwork the pattern and color, and keep all the furniture monochromatic.
A well curated collection of an art or gallery wall can consist of art bought at a thrift shop, your child’s first painting and your great uncle’s watercolor masterpiece. The trick is having the confidence to put it all together. Here are a few of my favorite examples, starting with my very own home.
{A R T} April Showers Bring May Flowers /
Spring has me revisiting one of my favorite artists: Meredith Wing of Moo Mooi. She combines two things I really love—fashion and flowers—so her work instantly puts a smile on my face every time I come across it. She's a fashion illustrator who lives in Australia and sketches the most adorable, dainty women in haute little dresses and skirts made from beautiful blooms and sometimes other fun things like produce, or even fringe, which makes me happy as a designer. She's already collaborated with Tory Burch, Rebecca Minkoff and Pantone, so I can't wait to see what's next for her! Follow Meredith and her series #SomeFlowerGirls on Instagram at @moomooi! But first, check out some of her drawings here.
Images via Moo Mooi
1/Bok Choy. 2/Deauville. 3/French Babes. 4/Swing Dress. 5/London Balloons. 6/Mandarin et Cabbage. 7/Marie Antoinette. 8/Magic in the Air. 9/Wildflower Frock.
{I N S P I R E D} Weekend Playlist: Fun Machine /
Image via Only Deco Love
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Here are some fun modern jazz songs to get you in the weekend spirit. I feel like music is my secret weapon when I'm creating—I put on some good tunes in my studio and before I know it my design director Beth and I are in a crazy creative zone. This is exactly what happened when I stumbled upon Lake Street Dive's Fun Machine EP. Crank up the volume and sing along because you will all know these classics, which have been reinterpreted in a really fresh way. Enjoy!
{F A S H I O N} Taking It To The Streets /
“The best fashion show is definitely on the street. Always has been, and always will be.”
Bill Cunningham said it best: "The best fashion show is definitely on the street." I couldn't agree more, and that's why I can't get enough of The Sartorialist and all the fabulous men and women Scott Schuman captures along his travels. I always say that everyone has his or her own unique creative footprint, and the choices you make with your fashion even in your everyday life is such a fun way to express that footprint and leave your mark on a given day. Come people-watch with me on the streets of Paris, New York and Milan. I hope it inspires your individual creative confidence!
Images via The Sartorialist
{I N S P I R E D} Abstract: The Art of Design /
Earlier this month an inspiring new series came out on Netflix that captured the creative worlds of eight visionaries. Covering everything from sneakers and cars to typography and architecture, the series is simply addictive, and I admittedly binge-watched all eight episodes in one day—trust me it's easy to do!
There's something so fascinating about peeking inside the world of a fellow creative and getting an intimate glimpse into the way they process and harness their artistic landscape. I hope there's a season two in the works! Here are a few highlights...
Renowned portrait photographer and photo journalist Platon. Actress Rooney Mara shown above.
A Somerset residence designed by Ilse Crawford, former editor in chief of ELLE Decoration UK
Known for his thought-provoking New Yorker covers, here is illustrator Christoph Niemann
Composition by Christoph Niemann