the details in the world that catch my eye
I was in the Madrid design studio of Spain’s doyenne d’intérieurs, Isabel López-Quesada, when I spotted the little bronze sculpture on her desk.
I was obsessed.
“Where is it from?” I asked.
Next stop, sculptor José G. Onieva.
Yes, it’s the same palace I snuck into – but I had only been able to see the gardens at that time. The next day I went back to the Royal Alcázar of Seville to see the glorious arched, tiled, filigreed, crenulated, vibrantly colorful interior.
Elegant. Timeless. Classic.
These are the three words that come to mind when describing the fashions of Icelandic brand, Ella. I was drawn into the store in Reykjavik by the refined look, and subtle palette, of the clothing.
I was even more intrigued when I met the owner/creative director of Ella, and learned the story behind the stylish brand.
In 12th century Sevilla, the Moors decorated the walls, ceilings, floors, and facades of their homes and buildings with brightly colored, patterned tile. The tradition has continued to this day, resulting in tile ornamentation almost everywhere you go in the city – it was captivating. Could it get better than this?
Then I looked up.
“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.”
Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) American photographer and photojournalist
There are photographs I’ve taken that I keep going back to, marveling at the captured moment.
Even so, I’ve never framed any of my photographs. When I heard about a new company called Aluminyze, who prints photos on sheets of aluminum, I was intrigued.
There’s nothing better than a family vacation on a tropical island in the dead of winter, especially when it’s just snowed 22 inches in one day. Dominican Republic, here we come!
It didn’t, however, begin well.
Sophisticated, textural, awe-inspiring. These are the adjectives that came to mind when I first saw the clothing designed by Steinunn Sigurðardóttir.
As I found out more about her, and her inspiration for her designs, I became even more intrigued.
I was intrigued by these scarves with their oversized “hands” on each end. A designer with a sense of humor?
Then I saw the wool caps with beards and I had to find out more.
I was cruising along in a Reykjavik taxi when I saw Netagerdin Work & Shop.
“STOP THE CAR!”
When a metal sculptor focuses his talent on fashion and home accessories, you know they’re going to be incredible. While I was in Buenos Aires, I went back to Perez Sanz several times, just to gaze at the gorgeousness.