Antony Todd

God is in the Detail: Scaling Memory

2011-11-14T12:54:00.002-05:00

It had been five years since my last visit to Berlin and before that, 31 years. That latter visit was so memorable because 1979 were those steely Iron Curtain days when West Berlin was an "island" of the country. A mysterious and surreptitious air surrounded the visit: the gloomy and somewhat uncomfortable Checkpoint Charlie and, although the Unter den Linden was beautifully spruced up to give foreigners the impression that all was well in the East, occasionally, a small black car passed the desolate wide streets. My godmother and I were the only visitors to the Pergamon Museum that day. Our only other companions were the sound of her heels clicking on the marble floors in those giant pantheonic rooms and the tired but nonetheless "at attention" guards, watching over the enormous installations.

My recent visit was a vast contrast to my first. This time it seemed as though all was in technicolor: lines of people buying entrance tickets, bus loads of tourists decamping, headsets, and racks of vibrant postcards. And although part of the museum is under restoration and there were hundreds of people scaling the Pergamon temple and crowding the surrounding rooms, my past memories were wonderfully renewed, and it was nice to relive that cherished and exciting moment from my childhood.

The temple of Pergamon, built in 250 BC as a gift to the gods after
the assassination attempt of King Pergamon failed.

processional gate of Babylon (560BC)...glazed terracotta
tiles cover the entire structure

fragments from colossal emperor statues

A model of the original temple

Thomas Fourgeirol

2011-11-11T12:56:00.003-05:00

Photograph by Matthew Rose

I bought my first Fourgeirol in Paris ten years ago after seeing one of his paintings in the very stylish L'Eclaireur. I made my way to his gallerist who in turn organized a visit with the artist in Irvy sur Seine, on the fringe of Paris. Thomas Fourgeirol still lives there, with his beautiful and talented wife (who's also an artist) and his now grown-up children. I was most impressed wandering through that beautiful compound, a modernist airplane hangar type space, as we spent hours together pulling canvas after canvas, some the size of a bus. His work is mostly about texture and the layering of paints, sometimes initially shocking; however, no matter the subject of his work, they all tend to be very soothing and calm after having studied them. I particularly like that about his work: the relationship that builds from being with the painting. Thomas also has a studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and during my recent stay in New York I visited him to catch up and see some of his new works.

Cutting a Rug

2011-11-09T13:03:00.003-05:00

Probably my favorite place in the world to buy rugs can be found in Manhattan. Double Knot is located at 13 White Street in Tribeca and run by Murat, a Turkish man who is not only very knowledgeable about carpets and rugs but also extremely friendly to work with. I have even bought a few quieter pieces for my home in Istanbul and had them shipped. Murat has an amazing collection of old jute kilims, usually sewn together from the best pieces salvaged from late 19th and early 20th Century carpets. The end result is almost modern in its simplicity. I also enjoy their artisan quality and provincial feel they add to 18th Century or mid-Century modern furniture. The photos I took during a recent trip are bold and striking compared to the softer pieces I have acquired. But placed in the right spot, they can easily liven an entrance or any floor surface for your home. Definitely worth a visit to Double Knot. Murat is tirelessly helpful and honest about what he sells.

Another Wedding in Another Hall

2011-10-17T16:45:00.001-04:00

I must be in a romantic mood! This wedding came to mind after my last posting on Friday. I created this reception for 700 guests at the Four Seasons, outside, along the Bosporus during a late summer evening. The challenge for this affair was keeping the enormous outdoor area from feeling flat. I solved the problem by lightly tenting numerous tables and keeping the theme in black and white: I actually covered the entire floor with 4m squares of black and white carpet rolls and filled the tables with long white orchids and clear Belgian hurricanes.

Love is in the Air

2011-10-14T12:47:00.004-04:00

Most people believe Spring to be the most magical time for romance, and while maybe this is true I always find autumn to be full of romantic possibilities. Perhaps it's that time of year when people begin gearing up for the cold winter months ahead, of staying indoors with that special someone. As the air is getting crisper, I thought of this wedding that took place at Esma Sultan. The couple seemed to be so in love and I found the atmosphere I created to be both ethereal and sexy, all contained inside a fairy tale setting.

The palace was built in the late nineteenth century. Its namesake Esma Sultan was married at the age of fourteen to Mehmed Pasha, a leading statement. He died when she was twenty six and she never remarried. According to legends, she became a maneater, touring up and down the Bosporus in a golden gondola, picking young boys and bringing them back to the palace. After one night with them, she had her staff dispose of the bodies to destroy any evidence of her sexual escapades. There goes the romantic setting I composed. Enjoy these photos and all the best to the fall season!

Stewing Over Okra

2011-10-11T14:55:00.001-04:00

So last week I mentioned my great okra find at the Union Square farmer's market. I promised a recipe, and although I'm a bit late, you'll thank me when craving a warm night "in" this fall and winter. I make the curry paste in a large batch and refrigerate for later but it's very easy to make. For a bigger batch, double the recipe.

Here's what you'll need: 2 tablespoons canola olive oil, three diced Thai chili peppers, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder, 1 1/4 cups coconut milk, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons chopped ginger, 1 tablespoon turmeric, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 medium diced potato.

1. Heat a skillet and once hot, saute the garlic in oil for about three minutes or until golden brown. Add chilis, curry power, ginger, and turmeric and mix for 30 seconds to minute, or until fragrant.

2. Next, mix in the coconut milk, soy sauce, and tomato paste. Stir, and bring to a boil. Then add the diced potatoes and wait for your sauce to thicken.

3. Salt to taste and use immediately or store for later.

Now that the hard part is over, you'll want to dice up some of your favorite vegetables and meat. I like mushrooms, okra, scallions, and cilantro. For protein I generally cut up 4 raw chicken breasts into bite size chunks. And I always make brown rice as a base for the curry stew, and steamed broccoli as a side.

When your curry sauce is hot, add the okra and mushrooms first.

Let that simmer for about 15-20 minutes. After the mixture is nice and hot add the cilantro and chicken, which takes no more than 7 minutes generally to cook through, but you can check by driving a fork through a large piece. If it goes through easily, your stew is ready. Pour into a blow and top the dish with chopped scallions.

I had this meal with a friend a few weeks back. There is nothing like coming home from a long trip and vegging in front of the television with this fantastic stew.

Let me know how yours turns out.

Market Stock: Autumn Harvest

2011-10-05T11:53:00.000-04:00

I love the transition of seasons. Something in the air clicks, and the weather becomes a frenzy of variegation, layers of clothing become necessary, and what better time to visit the farmer's market and become inspired by the fresh seasonal crops. While I have little time to make a butternut squash soup, or a pumpkin pie, I still receive such joy being amongst all the color, texture, tastes, and activity of the market. Plus, you never know what you'll discover: a bunch of flowers for the table, a block of cheese, or simply an apple that you can eat on your way to work. The vibrant okra I found inspired me to make one of my favorite quick and easy stew dishes, which I'll share with you later in the week. For now I hope these photos inspire you to get outside and find a grower's market to visit.

Creating an Ocean Kingdom for Sir McCartney

2011-09-30T16:19:00.000-04:00

I'll leave it to the critics to judge Sir Paul McCartney's new ballet "Ocean's Kingdom", but the dinner that celebrated its world premiere was quite amazing. And I had a great time designing it. Although there were countless inspirations--Paul McCartney's music, Stella McCartney's costumes, Peter Martin's choreography, an ocean theme--the challenge was working with a not-for-profit budget using the fashion tents at Lincoln Center. After imagining what it would be like if The Little Mermaid met Waiting for Godot, a modernist theme developed.

With the entire room awash in an undulating watery filter, I used aqua, sapphire, ice blue, and silver Lucite mirrors; color-blocked tables; a turquoise-mirrored dance floor reflecting trays overhead holding hundreds of small votives; sheer green-blue iridescent fabric panels on the ceiling, which moved so beautifully in the air conditioned space; and pools of water with floating candles (maximizing the sexy lighting effect). The celebs, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Gilles Mendel, Lorne Michaels, Naomi Watts, Alec Baldwin, and Alicia Keys, seemed to enjoy the dinner and atmosphere, but it was the chair woman of the event, who told me that I had taken her breath away, which made me feel the event was a success. Enjoy some of my pre-party photos.

Art and Cartier

2011-09-22T16:29:00.000-04:00

I am back in New York and, although having trouble breaking from my summer routine, have returned to my blog and will try and keep the posts flowing. What made the end of summer easier to endure was my participation in the 2011 Istanbul Biennale. Held in an industrial area of Istanbul along the famous Golden Horn, I designed an event in an enormous vacated textile factory. 300 guests from the international art world and society sat at long gold mirrored tables and black lacquered chairs, all surrounded by beautiful orchids, which seamed to float above the dinner tables. The event, hosted by Cartier and Melkan Tabanlıoğlu, owner of Gallerist (one of the most important galleries of Istanbul), celebrated the unveiling of a new installation by Turkish-born Armenian artist, Sarkis.

Up the Garden Path

2011-08-22T11:47:00.003-04:00

I recently discovered for myself the beautiful town of Ravello while attending my friend Seyhan Ozdemir of Autoban's wedding. Perched above Italy's Amalfi coast, life here is sublime . . . the architecture, the gardens and views, the airy villas and palazzos. I found myself quite happy inside the fairy tale setting. After arriving by boat, I wandered through the town, and was instantly charmed by its subdued glamour. The wedding took place in the gardens of Villa Cimbrone, best known for once being owned by Ernest Beckett, who hosted so many famous guests including T.S. Elliot, Virginia Woolf, Winston Churchill, D.H. Lawrence, Greta Garbo, and Jean Piaget. The elegant wedding and dinner echoed the talents and intrigue of all those visitors past . . . a wonderful summer experience, as the season soon draws to a close . . .

Caffè Break

2011-08-16T12:08:00.002-04:00

A visit to Venice isn't complete without a stop at my favorite cafe, Caffe Florian. Yes, two coffees do cost 30 Euros here, but one willingly pays to be surrounded by beautiful art, super smart waiters in white jackets, live bands, and a pulsing history of famous visitors, including Charles Dickens, Marcel Proust, and Casanova. Opened in 1720, it is a contender for oldest coffee house in continuous operation, and yet still feels fresh and eagerly accepting of new patrons. While the interiors are stunning, when the weather is nice, I like finding a table outside and sitting under the colonnade on St Marco Square, watching the beautiful world pass by. If you haven't experienced the superb service and the tasty coffee and treats you own it to yourself to pay the piper and bask in one of modern Venice's oldest traditions.

God is in the Detail: Hotel Bauer

2011-08-11T12:34:00.003-04:00

I'm raising a glass to my favorite place to rest whilst in Venice, the Hotel Bauer. Its combination of old Venetian palazzo and fantastic Gothic architecture (designed by the 16th Century architect Andrea Palladio), combined with a mixture of opulent details, including eclectic doses of Art Deco, makes for a dazzling spectacle for the eyes.

Sweet Nothing

2011-08-08T11:05:00.005-04:00

I've lost count of how many consecutive summers I've spent in Capri. It remains one of my favorite locations in the world. And a visit is incomplete without multiple reservations at the restaurant and beach club La Fontelina. One can arrive early in the morning and hope to stake a claim to a spot along the rocky beach, but better in high season to call the concierge and book a seaside mattress a couple of days in advance. Fresh mussels, handmade pasta, and house sangria between morning and afternoon swimming and sunning make for an unforgettable authentic Italian experience, la dolce far niente: the sweet of doing nothing. I come for the crystal clear blue water against stunning rock formations, the brilliant colors meshing with subtle earth tones, the impeccable service, the perfect fresh food, and the most beautiful people in the world. I hope you have some time to get away this summer, either to one of your favorite places, or off to explore somewhere entirely new.

Say a Little Prayer

2011-07-15T10:13:00.001-04:00

I love these votive chapels, most tiny, as small as 5m x 3m. There are literally hundreds to be found on any of the Greek islands. One finds them dotting barren hill and mountainsides, along the roads, beside crowded and quiet beaches, and in the village squares. It is said that each local family has built (most in the last two centuries) and continues to maintain a chapel. Some even have a little old lady dressed in black sitting solo, keeping a watchful eye over the church, or you might catch them head down, peacefully asleep. Some churches are private but there are many, especially ones designated as monuments by the Ministry of Culture, that anyone can enter. If one enters, it's best to give an offering to express one's gratitude to the spiritual world. I've seen so many different types of votive offerings, from money, photos, and food to pieces of paper and wood with writings of praise. I find the tradition of these tiny alters quite beautiful, and I hope it continues for a very long time.

God is in the Detail: Grand Entrance

2011-07-06T13:16:00.003-04:00

While there are definitely grand pieces of architecture and cityscape throughout Istanbul, I love stumbling across details that might normally go unrecognized if simply using a tourist guidebook. Recently, on one of my walks through the city I noticed this amazing door on an unassuming Ottoman ministry building. It reminded me a bit of Andre Arbus and those other French designs from the 1930s and 40s employing metal and star bursts. Sometimes a little detail or accessory can make up for what might pass as ordinary.

Market Stock

2011-06-29T17:05:00.008-04:00

The French writer François de La Rochefoucauld said, "To eat is a necessity but to eat intelligently is an art." I think, especially presently, this quotation holds great weight. One doesn't have to be Top Chef to cook fantastic dishes. The most important aspect in cooking is using the freshest ingredients, preferably organic. And there are hundreds of farmers markets across the United States (this website is a great resource for locating one) in which to find those fresh ingredients. One of my favorite New York activities is quite simple . . . go to the Farmer's Market in Union Square, which is close to my office and store, and not only buy the freshest produce, cheese, meat, and bread, but also get inspired by all the wonderful colors, textures, and shapes. Sometimes a stroll through the market makes me quite envious of visual artists. Before coming back to Turkey, I had a day in the market and wanted to share some photos with you. Enjoy them, and then take some time to find a market that supports local farmers. Your body, the environment, and, quite possibly, your creativity with love you for it.

Bathed in Light

2011-06-22T21:44:00.001-04:00

I love being in my apartment during sunset . . . the glow is both dazzling and serene, and the energy of the rooms seems to fluctuate between the two. While awaiting a small group--including my friend Fernanda Killigan, who's on her way via London to Kate Shelter's Tuscan wedding--for drinks, I decided to take a couple of shots of my apartment with my lovely Blackberry camera (still need to take that leap to a new phone). Yes, I'm back in Istanbul and looking forward to showing my friends the town. While I'm a huge fan of entertaining at home, I know visitors want to see the sites and sounds. But looking at these photos really makes me want to stay in tonight.

Sunglasses at Night

2011-06-17T18:40:00.001-04:00

Last night my friend Katrina Pavlos invited me to the opening of the exhibition “Persol Magnificent Obsessions: 30 Stories of Craftsmanship in Film” at Center 548 in New York. Persol is one of my favorite sunglasses brands, so I was super excited about this event. The evening included a beautiful exhibit, rooftop cocktails, music spun by DJ Ryan McGinley, and plenty of celebrities like (and some personal favorites) Sir Ben Kingsley, Terry Gilliam, Mira Nair and Rupert Friend. The exhibition is open to the public all this weekend and celebrates the stories of obsessive craftsmanship behind some of cinema's most iconic on-screen moments. Just as it takes 30 manual steps to create the perfect pair of Persol frames, Persol Magnificent Obsessions showcases how each instance of cinematic perfection takes painstaking research and craftsmanship to develop. Some really fantastic films are featured in the exhibition, including Blue Velvet, Gandhi (model of the palace below), Marie Antoinette (I took shots of the amazing jewelry and accessories), The Darjeeling Limited, and Vertigo. If you’re in New York this weekend go check out this outstanding event at 548 West 22nd Street. Entrance is free.

Inhabited Sculpture

2011-06-14T10:35:00.001-04:00

Since being back in New York after Istancool, I relish being in my store. It's really like coming home after a long journey. We held an event here last Wednesday, and I found myself proud of the objects and furniture meshing with the beautiful crowd, especially Chuck Pryce's sculptures, which people couldn't help but pick up and touch. I'm very lucky to have been introduced by a close friend to Chuck, and since then he and I have become good friends and colleagues (just recently in fact he sent me those amazing eggs from his Hamptons farm). His pieces are sensual yet, because of their weight, masculine and sturdy. One can appreciate the substantial quality of the objects, especially because, I think, they invoke a presence, which seems to vibrate with joy, either when resting or whilst being held My first and favorite that I fell in love with is the wishbone, available in so many sizes and colors, but there are many other shapes to have and hold. I'd love for you to stop by the store and experience the magic of Chuck's sculptures for yourselves.

Being with You

2011-06-07T17:24:00.000-04:00

Earlier I posted some images of Karaköy, where the welcome dinner for Istancool took place. My hope was to share some photos from that night, but because of lack of time that day, I was unable to photograph anything decent to post. Instead, you can visit the Billy Farrell Agency website and see some pics from the dinner, which was super relaxed. We wanted to keep it simple and low key for all the celebrities who would be participating in the weekend's exhilarating activities. It was a perfect spot to eat and relax after a buzzing art opening for the charming and serene Sandro Kopp, who my friend, photographer Daniela Federici, and I had the opportunity to meet. I look forward to seeing more from this very talented man.

Light Ascending a Staircase

2011-06-06T23:45:00.000-04:00

I'm very proud to finally present some photos from the Istancool 2011 gala dinner, which included celebrity guests Kirsten Dunst, Michael Stipe, Stephen Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Tilda Swinton. Cem Hakko, owner of Vakko company was the generous sponsor. The stunning location was chosen a long time ago, so upon seeing it, I knew that I had to bathe the space in candlelight. The mood was quite extraordinary. Held in one of the oldest institutes of higher education in the world, Istanbul University--which has helped shape the cultural landscape of the city--the space, the design, and the event truly meshed well.

Palace is Burning

2011-06-01T18:04:00.000-04:00

One of the best parts about having a home in Istanbul is being the occasional tour guide. The beautiful architecture, paired with a very long and extravagant history can be overwhelming, so when someone visits me, I'm able to slow down and take in a few details. Yesterday I spent some time with a friend and visited the Çırağan Palace and took a few snapshots with my phone camera.

Built between 1863 and 1872, the palace was the last in a long tradition of sultans building their own palace instead of using one of their ancestors. In 1910 a great fire destroyed most of the palace, and it wasn't until 1989 when it was bought by a Japanese company, which restored the structure to its days of glory and added a modern hotel next to it. The scale of the palace is staggering: rooms with 8 meter tall ceilings and 5 meter tall windows. When visiting, one can sense the life of the Sultans who lived here . . . the traffic of the boats on the Bosphorus, the opulant costumes and food, and the lush gardens that once surrounding this beauty of architecture.

Türkiye Dinner

2011-05-31T16:15:00.001-04:00

I am a bit behind on my postings. The idea was to show you before and after pictures of locations I used for some dinners this past weekend for Istancool. Saturday I had the good fortune of recreating the amazing space you'll see in images below for a dinner hosted by Jefferson Hack amongst others. Located in the middle of Istanbul University, this fantastic lofty atrium felt perfect for the dinner I envisioned for the 200 guests: long black lacquered table and chairs, branches from fig trees, hundreds of candles, and dramatic architectural lighting. See what your imaginations come up with before I post the party photos in a few days.

Karakool

2011-05-25T10:28:00.000-04:00

The first dinner I'm designing for Istancool 2011 is in Karaköy, a mostly commercial quarter on the Bosphorus, which was originally the meeting place for banks and insurance companies in the 19th Century, but today is home to mechanical, plumbing, and electronic parts suppliers. The area is gritty but has a beauty and energy to it that is quite intoxicating. In modern Turkish, "kara" means "black" or "dark" and "köy" means village. It's the perfect place to host a dinner with the inimitable Tilda Swinton and her boyfriend Sandro Kopp, who is holding an exhibition of portraits he painted whilst on Skype. The only portrait I've seen so far is the one you'll see below of Tilda herself. The mood, complete with pixelations, I think, meshes well with the location and the atmosphere of the approaching evening. I'm looking forward to Thursday and excited to share "after" photos from the party very soon.

A portrait of Tilda Swinton by Sandro Kopp

Golden Eggs

2011-05-19T22:41:00.000-04:00

photo by Chuck Pryce

Artist Chuck Pryce, a friend and colleague of mine, and his wife Candy recently sent me a lovely gift: a half dozen eggs from his country home where he keeps ten hens. One of the most wonderful details about this story is that each breed of chicken lays a different color egg. Chuck emailed me some sweet commentary describing his brood (I wish I had more photos of these amazing chickens):

Ancona: black and white mottled, lays the smallish white egg.
Araucana: one lavender in color, the other in brown. These girls have huge heads, and for some reason are very friendly. They lay the blug eggs.
Astraloop: black and white iridescent green feathers lay the brown eggs.
La Bresse: skinny white, and nervous. These are the French Hens (good eating, says Chuck) and give white and pale brown eggs
Buff orpington: large blond girls, also very friendly and lay the pink eggs.

Although I found the eggs precious and beautiful, I thought this would be a perfect time to share my very simple egg recipe (and I'm sure those hens wouldn't want all their labor to go to waste). I cracked four to create a simple breakfast for two, a quick bite before heading out on Sunday.

After cracking your eggs in a large enough bowl to allow for some good whisking, take a fork and beat rigorously for about a minute. This will make the eggs fluffy and buttery in the end.

Next, heat up some unsalted butter in a flat pan. I cannot stress the following enough, use unsalted butter. I generally use a European or local butter. Wait until the butter almost stops bubbling completely. You'll also smell the beginning of some caramelization . . . this is when you know it's time to pour in the unseasoned eggs. Just pour the eggs. Never add any seasoning until the eggs are fully cooked.

Now you'll want to let the eggs sit for a minute. Then start pulling up the edges. When the eggs begin to harden more, fold the edge over once. Let the juices around this piece begin to harden, then fold again. Repeat this once or twice more. In the end you should end up with an "almost-omelette" in about three or fours pieces. Please don't over scramble, and whatever you do, don't leave the eggs too long on the heat. Most people overcook their eggs. If you are using organic, free-range chicken eggs, you can ignore the media scares about salmonella poisoning. And if you have an aversion to soft eggs, try it my way once. You'll most likely never want a hard egg again.

Put the eggs on a plate and sprinkle with sea salt. I'm a big fan of Australian Murray River seas crystals. If you can multi-task as I like to do in the kitchen, squeeze some fresh oranges and put a baguette in the oven before beating your eggs. Place the baguette on the dish with the eggs, and set the table or a tray with salt, butter, jam, and your choice of beverages, and you'll have a nice send-off to weekend activities.

Instancool!

2011-05-09T19:55:00.000-04:00

I'm excited to announced that the 2011 Instancool schedule has been released!

After the great success of Istancool 2010 (which celebrated Istanbul's status as the 2010 European Capital of Culture), the global brand Liberatum in association with Istanbul'74 and AnOther Magazine will host the second edition of the prestigious art, design, fashion, film, music, literature and architecture festival from May 27 through 29. Festival founder and artistic director Pablo Ganguli is again collaborating this year with Demet Maftuoglu who is creative head of the festival.

The festival, which features leading cultural personalities from Turkey and other parts of the world, offers a fascinating and unique cultural experience that brings together some of the world's most talented artists to Instanbul. I am honored to be a part of the festivities this year.

Please visit the website for more information.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

Friday 27 May 2011

Vakko Cultural and Fashion Centre

1pm - Cinema in the Age of Marketing

Marco Mueller, Kirsten Dunst and Nurgul Yesilcay

What does Contemporary Cinema Tell Us About The World Today

2pm Murathan Mungan interviewed by Muammer Brav

3pm Io Sono L'Amore - Film Screening

3pm Haider Ackermann Worksho

5pm Q&A - Tilda Swinton and Luca Guadagnino with Serra Yilmaz

Saturday 28 May 2011

Pera Museum

1pm Culture of The Young

Dan Colen and Ryan McGinley

Street Art and Its Effect on Counter Culture

2pm Collapse Into Now

Michael Stipe, Sophie Calle, Sam Taylor-Wood. Chaired by Jefferson Hack

Michael Stipe presents his 'Collapse Into Now' film project - A series of short films made by artists including Sam Taylor Wood and Sophie Calle to accompany each of the songs on R.E.M.'s most recent album.

3pm Fables of Turkey

Murat Daltaban and Hakan Gunday

The Impact of Turkish Literature on Theatre

4pm The English Director

Sam Taylor-Wood presents Play by Samuel Beckett. Directed by Anthony Minghella

Sunday 29 May 2011

Istanbul Modern Museum

1pm Sophie's World

A Talk with Sophie Calle

2pm Love and Revolt

Reha Erdem with Firat Yucel

The Cinema of Reha Erdem

3pm Artists Vs Brands

Courtney Love

The Artist as A Brand

4pm Tuncer Kurtiz - A Special Presentation

5pm Voices of Hope

Amnesty International - Readings

Spring has Sprung!

2011-04-26T19:15:00.000-04:00

I had the fortune of being in the Hamptons over the long Easter weekend, and finally on Sunday, the sun and the warmth blanketed the countryside. That day an acquaintance of mine named Bob Tortora took me to a new project he is developing in Sagaponack, NY--a township close to East Hampton. He has built a house in the style of a barn. I like the fact that it's neither ostentatious nor a cookie cutter McMansion. While I took some photos of the inside of the house--the scale is quite stunning--I want to tease you a bit first with the exterior and the splendor of the beautiful spring day that surrounded the structure. I love how the muted colors of the house and the enveloping nature mesh so well together.

I'll post photos of the interior very soon. In the meantime, check out Tortora's website, which he's in the process of updating. Enjoy!

Is it Spring Yet?

2011-04-22T16:07:00.001-04:00

This has been the coldest spring that I can remember. I can't tell you how eager I am to be able to ride my bike or take in some sun. Until then, it's nice to at least spruce up your home with seasonal treats like these cherry tree branches. While they will not bring about beautiful spring weather, they might brighten up the day for anyone who sees them, and then we can at least be positive that the warm weather will arrive any day.
Photography by Yale Wagner

Secretaire of the Interior

2011-04-20T19:08:00.000-04:00

A quick blog post today . . . I'm in love with this 19th Century English Chinoise secretaire. These pieces are fantastic to color up just about any room. It's stylish and even practical. I love the color, its gilded finials, secret drawers and the patina on the mirrored doors. I've sold many of these over the years and this one currently in my store on E 11th Street is one of my favorites. Stop by and see it some time.
Photography by Yale Wagner

Mad about this Hatter

2011-04-15T15:37:00.000-04:00

"Stephen Jones & the Accent of Fashion" began its world tour yesterday at the Istanbul Vakko Fashion Centre, and I had the lucky opportunity to see the hats at the opening. Jones's designs are presented in a specially constructed pavilion, with a separate exhibition on how Turkey and the Orient have influenced on his work. The extraordinary designer has topped the fashion scene for three decades, collaborating with greats like Dior, John Galliano, Comme des Garçons, Thierry Mugler, and Azzedine Alaïa. Celebrities have also flocked to his millinery: from Boy George and Beyonce to Princess Diana. And his designs are most extraordinary, both architectural and whimsical, so just about anyone can appreciate Jones's rare talent.

My Blackberry photos don't do the hats justice, but you'll see that their personalities shine through anyway.

Doggie Style

2011-04-10T14:41:00.000-04:00

I'm excited to have one of Rory Mackay's dog portraits in my New York store. Here's what Rory says on his art: "My work focuses on the beauty and innocence of raw, animalistic character. I try to capture the grace, energy, curiosity, clumsiness, devotion, naivety, confidence and all manner of other canine/feline/equine qualities commonly attributed to that animal."
Photography by Yale Wagner

Schnabel's West Village Palazzo

2011-04-08T20:20:00.000-04:00

Located at 360 West 11th Street, Palazzo Chupi is a residential building created by artist Julian Schnabel. The lower floors were once a part of a horse stable and after Schnabel bought the building he began building on top of the existing structure. The building now contains five condominium units and Schnabel's studio on the ground floors.

Some regard the building as a piece of art . . . others think it's an extension of Schnabel's ego and completely out of context in the neighborhood. I personally like the building and had an opportunity very recently to design a small private party on one of the terraces. I wanted to take the colors of the building and transfer them to the tented balcony to create a playful youthful environment.

The party was a success and it was definitely a rare treat to finally see inside the infamous building.
Interior photography by Yale Wagner.

Wrist Taking

2011-03-30T16:13:00.000-04:00

In both our New York and Istanbul stores, we are showcasing these very chic, Missoni-inspired bangle bracelets. They are both playful and elegant and the perfect accessory for those flirty flowing outfits that catch the summer breeze. There's nothing like a little spring shopping to inspire the heat to arrive . . . and I'm hoping it will happen very soon!
Photography by Yale Wagner

I Heart Istanbul

2011-03-25T17:44:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share some daytime photos from my new store.

Located in one of the most trendy areas in Istanbul, this quaint boutique is an extension of my New York brand. While you'll find some similar products in both stores, I try to accommodate specific needs akin to each market.

As you'll see from the opening photo, we've come a long way from that empty white space. And although it's a bit smaller than I'm used to, I've grown to love the cozy yet succulent feel of the environment I've created.

Many people have asked why I've established a sister store in Istanbul. Not only is it one of the most beautiful, fashionable, stylish, historical places in the world but also . . . well, I think those are enough reasons for now. Stay tuned and I hope to share a few secrets about this most exciting, romantic city.

Spring Rejuventation

2011-03-21T15:17:00.000-04:00

I've been a naughty boy.

It's been almost a year and a half since last posting! I feel quite embarrassed. But for now, we won't blame the reticence on my technological aversions and simply say that I've been extremely busy building a presence in Istanbul.

Now that I've become a celebrity there . . . kidding . . . I've decided to take this rejuvenating time of year and attempt this medium once again. (I would appreciate any comments and suggestions to help this process along.)

Happy spring, and I look forward to blogging about this most amazing, and we hope, well-lived life.

Burnishing Baubles

2009-09-22T17:01:00.000-04:00

Although I’m not much of a jewelry man, I can still appreciate a good diamond. So when asked to design a party for the launch of Harry Winston’s New York Collection, I must admit feeling honored and slightly buoyant having the opportunity to be around all that bling.

I had the chance to speak to the beautiful Sandrine de Laage (Creative Director of Harry Winston) about the collection. She said New York constantly inspires her designs, and in this collection she wanted to capture the city's energy, movement, and architecture. I think she did a fantastic job.

I must be honest, walking into the Harry Winston store on Fifth Avenue can be intimidating: the army of guards, the sparkling baubles, the elegant and yet quite formal interior designed by Maison Jansen. After performing my initial walk through, I knew that I wanted to enhance the space by making it younger and sexier. While many details went into transforming the environment for the Harry Winston launch, I’d like to speak about three fixes made to improve the space while preserving the Jansen aesthetic.

Immediately I felt the carpet took too much attention away from the vitrines used to showcase the collection, so I covered the floor with 3-foot square lucite tiles, and a twelve inch border of gold lucite. The shimmering floor made the entire room float and the main area for the party fresher and more focused on the jewelry.

Second, by wrapping the chandeliers with black tulling, the atmosphere became less formal and much more fun.

And finally, to create a more salon-like environment, I custom designed a four-sided banquette and plopped it in the middle of the room with a large water pool in the center, fitting well with the Louis 16th style of the store. This way, the room was transformed into a salon, creating more of a sexier lounge atmosphere, for people and jewelry watching.

The party was a great success, and the jewelry, amazing to be around, especially with the company of breathtaking Freida Pinto, adorned with Harry Winston Jewels. The New York Collection is sexy and fresh, especially layered as Sandrine de Laage wore it the night of the party, pared perfectly with her exquisite Miu Miu dress.

Lost and Found

2009-09-15T23:25:00.000-04:00

I love losing myself in a city and finding new treasures. During a recent trip to Paris, I found an amazing map, which you can see in person at my store on East 11th Street.

This is the early 20th Century edition of Michel-Etienne Turgot's monumental 1739 map of Paris. This map of Paris is one of the most ambitious urban mapping ever undertaken. Turgot, who held the mayor-like office of Prévôt des Marchands de Paris, commissioned Louis Bretez and Claude Lucas to produce this map in 1734.

The map, printed on canvas, is oriented to the east, and shows every building, window, tree, shadow and park. It took nearly five years of sketching and surveying to assemble this masterpiece. In order to accomplish this feat, Bretez was issued a permit to enter every building in Paris. Oh the wonders of government.

click on images to view details

Heaven Scent

2009-09-12T23:13:00.000-04:00

I don’t like flowers as big statements. I prefer them to be downplayed. The trumpet lily is one of my favorites. They’re kind of old school, which I like, and at the same time, quite modern. They’re the most heaven-scented kind of lily. Having one or two heads per stem makes for a distinct form, so they look great in a bud vase but also thrown together in a bigger glass vase can be super nice as well.