Inspired.talk

In Memoriam: Oscar de la Renta

Gentleman, humanitarian, icon. The design world has been forever changed by the contributions of Oscar de la Renta. 

Lee Jofa Announces Second Fabric Collection with Oscar de la Renta

Lee Jofa is proud to announce a new collection from the legendary fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. The collection, which includes fabric and a debut selection of wallpaper, is a follow up to the 2010 debut of Oscar de la Renta Home for Lee Jofa.

The new collection builds upon the most successful elements of the first collection, with new embroideries, saturated ikats and ethnic-inspired patterns, all exhibiting the fine tailoring and detailing that is the Oscar de la Renta signature. From romantic floral chintz to exotic embroidered kuba cloth, one sees the same sensibility he brings to his clothes. The collection features traditional colors and patterns, rendered in a thoroughly modern scale and ideal for upholstery and drapery that adds sophistication and elegance to any space.

"This is a very iconic collection, in the sense that it most reflects Oscar’s lifestyle and sense of refinement, and all that he loves the most: His passion for gardens, his love of romantic chintzes, exotic prints and rich saturated colors," said Carolina Irving, Creative Director of Home. "This is a diverse collection that can live in a country house, a New York apartment or a tropical island, but always with the same connecting thread, Oscar’s sense of elegance."

Oscar de la Renta Home for Lee Jofa is now available in Lee Jofa showrooms throughout North America.

For product IDs, click here.

It Sure is Hot in Little Rock! - Mastermind Group with Tobi Fairley

By Beth Greene

The US may have had a heat wave this week but that didn't stop me from venturing to Little Rock Arkansas to take part in Tobi Fairley's Mastermind Group. I was there to present my experience working on the brand side with designers who are interested in product licensing. While this seasoned traveler had never been to Arkansas and had only read about Tobi's business development groups, I knew that this 24 hour experience was going to be exciting and rewarding. Little Rock and Tobi's team did not let me down.

L-R, Clinton's Oval Office, sax collection, and cabinet room chair (notice the chair back is slightly higher than the others)

The evening began with a private tour of the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library and the Oscar De La Renta exhibition. Can you say fabulous and educational? I stood close to a full size replica of his Oval Office, sat in his cabinet chair, learned that he was inaugurated on my birthday January 20th, 1993 and saw his collection of saxophones. 

And what can you say about Oscar? Ahhhhhh the gowns, the celebrations from all the First Ladies to Taylor Swift, he has dressed them all!

 A selection of Oscar de la Renta gowns worn by famous individuals, from movie stars to singers to First Ladies

On to dinner with some wonderful and entertaining Kravet, Lee Jofa and Brunschwig &Fils customers with our local representation at a fabulous wine bar called So. Not "just so" but great! That dessert was just so decadent!

Clockwise from top right, me and Denise McGaha, Lee Jofa gift bags, me and Tobi Fairley, the presentation room

Tobi's Mastermind Group was a collaborative group of designers from all over the US, all there to learn, share and grow from her years of wisdom and business successes. We chatted, laughed and shared some business ideas and opportunities. My time there was short but I, too was able to develop my own strategies.

A great big thank you to my welcoming hosts and new inspiring design friends. BG

Ask Alice: How is Ikat Fabric Made?

A few years ago, the centuries-old weaving technique called ikat enjoyed a resurgence, and everyone called it a trend. Now, with several years of hindsight we can definitely say ikat is here to stay.  But what separates this ethnic design from the rest? We’re glad you asked. Here, Kravet’s own Alice Guercio tells us how ikats are made, and we’ve put together this video showing the process in action. Let us know what you think in the comments.

-JP

 

One of the most popular trends in interior design today is ikat. The word ikat comes from the Malaysian word ‘mengikat’ or to tie, bind or wrap around. The proper pronunciation of the word has long been debated; however, the correct way to pronounce is ‘ee-kaht’ not ‘eye-cat.’ This ancient style of weaving uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye where the warp and/or the weft yarns are dyed before the fabric is woven on the loom. The result of this process is a motif which is “blurred” in appearance. This ‘cloudy’ look comes from the slight bleeding of the dyes into the resist areas.

Bansuri, a popular ikat from Echo Design, shown here in multiple colorways. Available through Kravet.

Ikat is a universal weaving style common to many world cultures and is likely to be one of the oldest forms of textile decorations now. It is extremely difficult to determine where the technique originated. It probably developed in several different locations independently. For instance, during the 19th century, the Silk Road deserts of Bukhara and Samarkand were famous for their fine silk Uzbek Ikat. India, Japan and many South-East nations such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand have weaving cultures with long histories of ikat production. In addition, these designs were also common in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico.

Thom Filicia for Kravet room setting, featuring his signature Prospect ikat. Available through Kravet.

The ikat design is created by tying areas of the threads into bundles using grasses, wax or even plastic to prevent penetration of the dye. What this means is the weaver needs to figure out where on the loose threads the dye should go in order for it to form the proper pattern when it is woven. For more exact patterning, a weaver will typically use warp ikats, where they can see the pattern on the loom. With a weft ikat, the pattern is less exact because the design is not visible until it is already woven. The most difficult is the double ikat. This is when both the warp and weft are dyed to create the pattern. This form of weaving requires the most skill for precise patterns to be woven and it is considered to be the highest form of ikat. As you add colors, the process becomes more complicated.

Westmount Wall ikat from David Easton, available through Lee Jofa.

Many design motifs may have ethnic, ritual or symbolic meaning. Traditionally, ikats are symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige. Today, ikat has become a generic word used to describe the process, the cloth itself and the type of motif that is created as a result.

Oscar de la Renta's Kublai Kahn ikat (on pillow), available at Lee Jofa.

Alice Guercio, Vice President of Product Coordination and a Kravet veteran for more than 15 years, travels the world to source and develop new product for Kravet. She is one of our top experts on textiles. If you have a question about fabric for Alice, email her at [email protected] and your question may become the subject of a future article.

 

Seeing Green

Green. The color of nature, the color of money, the color of environmental consciousness, the color of luck. Whatever green says when it speaks to you, you cannot deny its appeal. Emerald green is a surprisingly versatile color, and can add sophistication and depth to a variety of color combinations, especially basic black. How do you use green in your home or in your wardrobe? Let us know in the comments!

Design by Summer Thornton, featuring Cole & Son Malachite wallpaper.

Emerald earrings make a major impact.

Design by Miles Redd, featuring Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa fabric, including silk upholstered walls.

Design by Grant K. Gibson.

 
Celine.

Design by Jean Paul Beaujard.

Wizard of Oz editorial for Vogue, photographed by Annie Liebovitz.

Design by Kelly Wearstler.