WSJ Magazine recently took us inside the home of Vogue‘s creative director and everyone’s dream best friend Grace Coddington – and we couldn’t be more excited. A self proclaimed hoarder (or what Lauren likes to call a collector), Grace’s Chelsea apartment is filled with collections of photographs, English ceramics, jugs, folk art and of course anything to do with cats. Expectedly eclectic, surprisingly orderly and wonderfully down to earth . . . just how we imagined Grace to be. And if you missed the video of her cooking steak and potatoes with Elettra Wiedemann last year, it’s a must see!
Spring is in full bloom and my weekends have been spent soaking up the glorious weather, shopping at the farmer’s market, embarking on mini getaways and enjoying picnics in the park. Surely, these outings need a carryall to reflect my chipper state of mind, right? With a bevy of handmade, multicolored tassels, I gave the ubiquitous straw market tote a much needed makeover. The result is a bag that couldn’t look happier if it tried . . .
Artist Thomas Lamadieu is at is again with another brilliant series of illustrations. This time he’s using clear skies, photographed from inside courtyards and between buildings throughout Europe, as blank canvases for his playful illustrations. I can’t get enough of these. More, more!
Designers and twin sisters Tamara and Natasha Surguladze always explore the unexpected with their incredibly bold and eccentric prints. I mean, their fall collection is bonkers – like, out of the world amazing. The influence of Henri Matisse’s paintings, the use of wallpaper, carpet and tile-inspired prints, and the quirky mix of shapes is so fresh. And more importantly, so fun.
I’ve always considered myself environmentally conscious but my awareness has been heightened in the last few years, especially after the birth of my son Quincy. The decisions we make around the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the waste we produce will have a lasting effect on us and many generations to come. So with Earth Day upon us, I love knowing that sustainable designers like John Hardy are working towards a greener future with programs like Wear Bamboo, Plant Bamboo. A portion of proceeds from the Bamboo Collection are used to plant bamboo seedlings in Bali, the same country where the jewelry is handmade by local artisans steeped in a tradition of excellence. And in celebration of Earth month, John Hardy is donating an additional percent of sales to support Trees New York and their mission to plant 100 evergreen trees in New York City by 2015. Now, that’s a mission we stand behind. Happy Earth Day!
