We've been Ghosted

I saw the new Gucci collection for Spring 2017, but really did not pay much attention to the "street art" style it took on.  I just assumed Alessandro Michele, the genius creative director of Gucci, who is resurrecting the brand for a new customer, was just busy trying to turn heads (see the story I previously wrote about Gucci here), until I read an article about the inspiration behind the collection.

Trevor "Trouble" Andrew, an artist, ex skater and professional snowboarder was in need of a Halloween costume one year.  Not thinking much of it, Trevor cut eye holes in a Gucci sheet and people began referring to him as Gucci Ghost.  This prompted him to paint the company's logo on just about everything he came in contact with and post it to his Instagram account, #guccighost.  Most companies would have called their legal team to intervene or press charges, but not Gucci.  Instead of getting upset when Alessandro was informed of what was taking place, he summoned Trevor to Milan and told him to "go crazy."  A collaboration as well as a collection was born!

“It’s completely different than the idea of copying. It’s the idea that you try to [take to] the street, through language like graffiti, the symbols of the company.”

ph:Imaxtree

Life is Gucci became "a thing," a reference to life is good.  A reference to consumerism.  People responded.  In Trevor's case the cost of his first Gucci watch he had coveted and eventually bought with his winnings from snowboarding made him feel like the money was well spent.  The value outweighed the cost.  I guess that's what makes all of us spend a lot of money on something.  It intrinsically makes us feel a certain way.  High fashion or street fashion, there is a certain cross over appeal of logos.  Creativity is creativity and is relevant on every level--high, low, vintage, new, repurposed and thus street style becomes status and vice versa.

The power of social media, a mutual friend, and the lack of intimidation and self confidence allowed for this extraordinary thing to happen.  “Alessandro completely works off of love and no fear,” Andrew said.  That's a beautiful thing. 

ph:Boardrap

Could a textile line be far behind?  Life is Gucci for Trevor Andrew!




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High Point Market Design Blogger Tour Fall 2016

I feel so privileged to have been chosen to be part of the High Point Market Design Blogger Tour. Every Spring and Fall the holy grail of trade shows in the interior design industry opens its doors for the trade to view what's new, what's next in the design industry.  High Point Market informs what we will see in the coming months in interiors, much like fashion week informs us via the runway.
Esteem Media has assembled a stellar group of bloggers/designers who will give you an in depth, on line tour of the goings on, trends, wares, events, and parties to keep you "in the know" as well as update you about sponsor news that's noteworthy!  Stay tuned to any of my social media channels as well as #designbloggerstour or any of my colleagues' blogs to keep up with all the action.


Courtney Allison @ French Country Cottage
Catherine Austin @ Bespoke Banter

Arianne Bellizaire @ Inspired to Style

Vicki G. Bolick @ The Ace of Space Blog

Jeanne Chung @ Cozy Stylish Chic

Janet Coon @ Shabbyfufu

Mariella Cruzado @ Splendorsyling

Holly Hollingsworth Phillips @ The English Room

Shannon Smith @ Burlap and Lace

SPONSORS ~

Several of these companies I am very familiar with and order from quite often.  Others less so, but I am excited to learn more and educate myself, then you, on how they can help us beautify and/or simplify our lives.  That's what good design does!  The tour is October 23rd and 24th.  I'll be staying a few extra days for personal projects.  All I need now are great walking shoes.  It's a long couple of days!

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Water ~ Falling

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Wanderlust is setting in again.  I so wish I could see the phenomenal waterfall in the Grand Canal at Versailles installed through the end of October.

Berlin based, Dutch artist Olafur Eliasson created this incredible water installation in the 17th century chateau's gardens.  His intention was to make the impossible possible, to finalize the vision of Andre Le Notre, the original designer of the famous gardens of King Louis XIV.  Andre always planned on a waterfall for the canal, but it was not to be in his lifetime.  Keeping the engineering of the fall open invites the viewer to have an interactive experience with it.

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“The Versailles that I have been dreaming up is a place that empowers everyone. It invites visitors to take control of the authorship of their experience instead of simply consuming and being dazzled by the grandeur. It asks them to exercise their senses, to embrace the unexpected, to drift through the gardens, and to feel the landscape take shape through their movement.”

– Olafur Eliasson

ph:Vincent Laganier

Olafur's work is thought of as a cross between art and architecture.  He recently won a Crystal Award for bettering the state of our world.  He studies and expresses his concern for the world around him.  Global warming, electricity, and clean water are some of the subjects explored.

He also created other site specific works placed throughout the palace questioning spatial relationships.  They are integrated into the architecture of the chateau in very subtle ways using light, space, metal, and mirrors.

One of them is The Gaze of Versailles ~ "The royal court at Versailles was a place of constant observation – of oneself and others; the strict social norms of the time were enforced through a web of gazes” says Eliasson.

* ph: Anders Sune Berg

The intention of the exhibit's totality is to examine impermanence and transformation.  It is interesting to see it thru Olafur's eyes.