A recent fascination (borderline obsession) with Mary Kate has lead on a trail, still inline with the previous posts, imaging a world where things are a little bleak, but rather than trying to produce an air of strict elegance, or defending yourself from the elements, what if you embraced the fact that things are falling apart a little, embrace the glamorous bag lady that is wheeling the stolen trolley around in your heart?
Mary Kate is exemplary of this disheveled elegance.
Layer upon layer of fabric and knitwear providing an outift that is very much adjustable through out the day and day to day as well as providing an interesting, distorted silhouette, all bits of fabric of different lengths hanging about and a padded top half that is rounded due to the immense layering.
But where does such a person belong?What kind of environment would be a reflection of their personal style?
There is no correct answer.
While it is easiest to suggest a space that bears a similar acceptance and elevation of a grungy, yet controlled environment, like a warehouse converted into a chic pad, the same sense of nihilism is found in the minimalist interiors that leave me in awe, of many of the world's finest boutiques.
One designer testing the abandoned warehouse look is Christian Weinecke, a young Polish architect, responsible for the Comme Des Garcons Guerilla stores perfectly creates this mood, utilizing found objects on site, the starckness of the spaces he is presented with and the materials available to him through his immediate environment, he transcends borders to create spaces that are truly unique and exciting, while not overlooking the need for functionality (it is still a store). His work often borders on site specific art, of the good variety, the type that draws the viewer in and encourages interaction.
On the other side of the spectrum, the eternally chic Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA create spaces that are often quite starck, but with playful layering and spatial composition give them a unique depth and desirability.
Rick Owens's post-apocalyptic beings impress everytime they emerge onto catwalks each season, all smoke and nuns. His art works and installations fit perfectly in with his the dark, draped monochromania of his aesthetic. (pretty sure Mary kate's been spotted out and about in some of his pieces too)
Maison Martin Margiela's interiors have an extrmemely lost and found/lofty feel, that i'm really loving. A few were on show at the recent Milan Design week, informing attendees, that should they have some spare cash lying around, they could have a MMM interior of their own. The innovative use of found materials and monochromatic nature give some of the interirors feel as though your squatting in some upper east side appartment, while the painters are at work and the family's in the Hampdens for the summer. I particularly enjoy the use of magazines as coffee table supports. When the world ends, and you need new furniture, that pile of old i-Ds on our bookshelf will have yet another use!
"The only chic thing is to have nothing." ~ Andy Warhol
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