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Home , Kelly Wearstler

Interview

made Artistic Director for the French Presidency of the European Union (2008) and Ambassador of Creativity and Innovation (2009). starck.com

Inside knowledge KELLY WEARSTLER From cutting-edge fabric collections to show-stopping hotel suites, interior expert Ellie Tennant explores the work of four multi-faceted at the top of their game Described by Vogue Living as ‘a design phenomenon’, American interior Kelly Wearstler specialises in creating experiential one are the days of interior PHILIPPE STARCK buildings, and even naval residential, commercial and retail designers only ‘doing’ French designer Philippe Starck and spatial creations; spaces as well as designing her Ginteriors. Today’s industry is known for continually pushing he recently designed a habitation own collections of lifestyle products luminaries are multi-talented, the boundaries of design. He has module for private space tourism. such as rugs, lighting, fabrics and flexible creatives, able to turn worked on 10,000 creations to ‘Subversive, ethical, ecological, . Wearstler’s signature their hand to any genre of work, date – from everyday household political, humorous… this is how look juxtaposes the old with the effortlessly moving through the items such as a toothbrush and I see my duty as a designer,’ says new, the architectural with the realms of fashion, décor, fixtures a lemon squeezer, to hotels and Starck, who has championed organic. Her eclectic schemes are and fittings, furniture – even space the notion of ‘democratic design’ highly sought-after and she is the travel. The best interior designers and believes that creation creative force behind some of the working today have strong should improve the lives of most celebrated designer hotel identities that make them stand as many people as possible. interiors, such as San Francisco out from the crowd and their Recent projects include a range Proper Hotel, Four Seasons instantly-recognisable signature of innovative outdoor furniture Anguilla and the Viceroy styles seamlessly flow through all of for B&B Italia, the A.I chair for Hotels and Residences. ➤ their various projects, allowing them Kartell – the first chair created to build up international ‘lifestyle’ with artificial intelligence – and Above: The Parisian restaurant that are world class. the stunning interior of Lily of the La Cuisine designed by Philippe Embracing new technologies and Valley hotel in La Croix-Valmer Starck in Hotel Le Royal trends, but always with an eye on on the Cote d’Azur. Starck has Monceau Raffles Left: the past, this new breed of ‘super’ been honoured with more than The designer himself, designer is always one step ahead. 100 prizes and decorations, was Philippe Starck

January-March 2019 Upward Curve 63 Above: Kelly Wearstler Left: Wearstler’s Evocative Style Below: Kelly Hoppen Bottom: Hoppen’s project in China

She also authors decorating years, she has partnered and age of 21, while attending the so no two schemes are alike. As books to share her vision – her collaborated with brands as diverse prestigious and design well as working on residential and latest coffee table tome is Evocative as Chesneys (fireplaces), Brintons school Ecole Camondo in Paris. He commercial interiors around the Style (published by Rizzoli, Autumn (commercial carpets), Wedgwood started his own company just four globe, Deniot has his own collection 2019), which explores Wearstler’s (china) and Hakwood (wooden years later. Today, his distinctive at Baker Furniture inspired by 20th latest projects from a turn-of-the- tiles). Her attention to minutiae take on classical elegance is Century vintage furnishings and a century Beaus-Arts townhouse in is reflected in her latest venture, renowned worldwide. Deniot’s range at George Smith. He’s based New York City to a Spanish-style a range of luxury light switches interiors are a perfect marriage of in Paris and . California bungalow and her own and sockets for Focus SB, with historical style and contemporary deniot.com ■ home in Beverly Hills. The key to ‘-like details’. In 2009, elegance. He doesn’t favour her success is her instinctive ability she was made an MBE for her or maximalism – he’s to constantly evolve and refresh her services to and is an much more concerned with aesthetic so she’s always relevant ambassador for the Prince’s Trust. achieving a perfect balance. His and in-demand. ‘To my thinking, kellyhoppen.com look is richly layered – a gallimaufry there is no rigidity in design,’ she of textures, patterns and elements says. ‘A constant evolution is JEAN-LOUIS DENIOT from different historical periods, what inspires.’ French designer Jean-Louis Deniot and every interior he is kellywearstler.com started managing renovation and also a response to the building it’s restoration projects at the tender in and its geographical location KELLY HOPPEN With over 40 years at the forefront of the design industry, South African-born British interiors guru Kelly Hoppen is one of the most iconic designers on the planet. Her trademark style hinges on her belief that ‘beige isn’t boring’ and is a beguiling blend of East meets West underpinned by sumptuous opulence, chic neutral tones and clean lines. She works on a plethora of projects at any one time, from yachts and jets to bars, restaurants and apartment block developments. She also has her own e-commerce empire where she sells self-designed home accessories such as bedlinen, candles and cushions. Over the

64 Upward Curve April-June 2020