As the lines between the worlds of fashion and interiors blur, here's what constitutes good design regardless of the medium you choose.
As the lines between the worlds of fashion and interiors blur, here's what constitutes good design regardless of the medium you choose.
The crossover: I have seen the fashion industry evolving and today the worlds of fashion and interiors overlap.There have always been close linkages between the two and Ralph Lauren and Gianni Versace were amongst the first designers to attempt this crossover.
Today though, almost every fashion designer has extended his design sensibility to the home decor space. Interior design and decor is an appealing universe because it works on a timeline which gives space for creation but also ensures that you can enjoy the product afterwards.
A collection or a new project takes anything between six months and two years to develop and if it is striking, it is likely to resonate with people and stay top of their minds for seasons to come.
This is a break from the world of fashion where creations are often forgotten just weeks after they are showcased. I have been the creative director for the Christian Lacroix Maison brand for six years and during this time I have been working on preserving the brand's DNA in order to keep the spirit and ethos intact but with a totally new iconographic proposal. In my studio, we work a lot on developing new images and new trends based on research.
For example, we have been working on a carpet collection in collaboration with Dutch company MOOOI.
It was amazing to work with designer Marcel Wanders and team. It is also interesting to see that ideas and trends from interior collections are now influencing the fashion sphere. For example in our home decor space, the printed fabric and wallpaper called "Butterfly parade" was launched in 2012. This has now been highly "reworked" by brands like Valentino, Givenchy or even The Koople's in recent times.
Style statement: Christian Lacroix is linked to the tradition of French haute couture and has a chic, bohemian style which is quite eclectic and universal. Now we continue to work with those ideas in mind but in a fresher and modern way in order to attract a younger audience. However my own personal style, however, is quite different. I had a strict Swiss education and this is part of my DNA.
I am more restrained, less colourful but at the same time my work sports a tongue in cheek attitude. It has a cosmopolitan background and is rooted in principles of French style.
Art as muse: I do love art in general, be it antique, modern or contemporary art. I cannot just choose one art piece. From Goya to Picasso or from the ancient Greek sculptors to the plasticians of today, the choices are endless. I must say that art is as vital as the air we breathe and it inspires me greatly in all I do.
In my house you are likely to find a lot of art that is a mix of pieces I have bought or received as gifts throughout the years. I like to mix and match different styles and eras.
Recently, for example, I bought four Italian reliquaries from the 19th century, a unique contemporary design table by Valentin Loellmann, a stunning sculpture by Canadian artist David Altmejd and an amazing embroidered Renault car hood by Lithuanian artist Severija Kriauneviciene. Eclectic indeed but all of it works wonderfully together.
What is good design? Utility and beauty coming together in way which is fresh and unique. I remember a friend telling me once that he was sticking to a classical and easy look to avoid bad taste. Even if he wanted to try something bolder, he is afraid to do so.
This is the case for many people, which is why I am trying to propose singular looks that each one may adapt to his own personal taste. For the Roche Bobois collaboration, I designed something that was bold but smooth.
Keeping the Roche Bobois worldwide international audience in mind, I melded the spirit of each decade of the French Arts Decoratifs of the 20th century to achieve a new fresh and elegant French style likely to please clients from New York to Shanghai to Mumbai and other cities as well.
What next: I would love to design a hotel in India; it would be an amazing experience. I still think about the marvellous journey I undertook through Rajasthan many years ago and would love to visit India again and be inspired by its vibrancy.
Right now, I am working on new signature pieces and have several ideas that should be presented next year by three or four young French design companies. We are likely to see the launch of a range of small furniture accents and decorative pieces.