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From significant business changes to noteworthy product launches, there’s always something new happening in the world of design. In this weekly roundup, AD PRO has everything you need to know.
In Memoriam
Socialite and Philanthropist Anne Bass Dies After Long Illness
Famed New York socialite and philanthropist Anne Bass passed away at age 78 after battling a long illness. Hamish Bowles wrote in a Vogue.com obituary that Bass had spent four years working with AD100 decorator Mark Hampton on her Fifth Avenue apartment. “The vocabulary is traditional,” Anne once explained of the home’s 1920s architecture, “and it would have been a sin to remove it and make it totally modern.” A Georgian mantelpiece and George II furniture were other notable highlights of the interior.
Photographer George Ross Dies from Coronavirus
Photographer George Ross has died of COVID-19 at just 60 years old. Ross’s work had appeared in previous issues of AD, and most recently, just last week on AD PRO. Interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins posted a tribute on Instagram, writing in part, “Yes, George was a nationally-acclaimed photographer. Yes, he was an artist, a visionary, and the consummate professional. But beyond that, George was a gentle, sage soul. I truly believe he was one of the nicest men I have [ever] met. George would call me for absolutely no reason other than to discuss cool new restaurants he wanted to visit in Detroit. He was always texting ‘to check in’ or sending a handwritten note ‘just because.’”
Business
Donghia Files for Bankruptcy
Weeks following Donghia’s decision to close its showrooms and lay off a majority of its staff, the company has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, according to documents filed in Connecticut District Court on Monday. Founded by Angelo Donghia in 1968 and later sold to the Rubelli Group, Donghia estimates that it is in debt for between $10 million and $50 million to more than 1,000 creditors.
Macy’s Business Suffers Further Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The New York Times reported this week that Macy’s has lost most of its business and furloughed the majority of its employees in the wake of COVID-19. At the end of 2019, the historic department store had 125,000 part-time and full-time employees. In February of this year, the company, which also owns Bloomingdale’s, had already announced plans to close many of its stores.
Coyuchi Gets Comfortable With Recycling
Home textiles brand Coyuchi has an uplifting announcement related to its sustainability goals. The Northern California–based company is on track to achieve circularity—in other words, it will soon be able to make products entirely from its own organic material, which customers return to the company after use through renewal programs. The first result of these efforts will be a recycled blanket, available this holiday season.
Product Launches
Marimekko Launches a Lifestyle Magazine
Looking for more quarantine reading that’s completely unrelated to the current news cycle? Then consider Mari, Marimekko’s new lifestyle magazine. The first issue of the print publication, which Chris Vidal, editor-in-chief of SSAW Magazine, helped create, is slated to debut this Monday, April 6. The theme of the inaugural issue, which will be gifted to shoppers who spend at least $50 with an online purchase, is flowers.
The Inside Announces Its Next Heritage Collaboration
Old World Weavers—known and beloved for its maximalist founder Iris Apfel—and The Inside are teaming up. The new collection will include three of Apfel’s original designs: Tiger, Austin Stripe, and Rosetta, among 16 designs total. It’s the second heritage collection after last year’s Scalamandré line, which featured that brand’s iconic zebra print.
Old World Weavers this year celebrates its 70th anniversary. Says Lorraine Lang, VP of design, “Each of the patterns we are introducing speaks to the design values of Old World Weavers. Three of the designs, Rosetta, Tiger, and Austin Stripe, were developed with our founder, Iris Apfel. For the other patterns, I channeled the brilliance of Apfel’s design aesthetic. Simply put, more is more! And good taste is forever.”
Prints and Plates Debut Across the Board
This week, A–Street Prints and Cristina Buckley both launched wallpapers, while Artistic Tile unveiled its own new ceramic designs. Brunschwig & Fils introduced its Grand Bazaar collection just as Nimerology tableware officially became available in the U.S. Elsewhere, LoveShackFancy’s quilts have arrived just in time for self-isolation, and MZ Wallace released its Duro Olowu collaboration—in support of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Finally, Matilda Goad debuted curated tabletop sets for Matchesfashion.
Good Works
#CaftanChallenge Raises Serious Sum for Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club
After COVID-19 forced the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club to cancel the Kips Bay Decorator Show House and annual President’s Dinner, design strategist Christina Juarez launched the #CaftanChallenge to help raise money for the organization. Design insiders took to Instagram, posting photos of themselves in their favorite caftans, and after 10 days, the campaign had raised $16,360 for Kips Bay.
“The #CaftanChallenge began as a fun little dare to my design friends to get out of their sweatpants, PJs, and yoga clothes; get some giggles; and give back to one of our favorite design charities, Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club,” Juarez tells AD PRO. “I never imagined that this 10-day challenge would bring out the very best of our beautiful design friends and family who came together to raise our collective spirits and dollars.” Participants included design icons like Bunny Williams, John Rosselli, Alexa Hampton, and Alessandra Branca. Though the first iteration of the challenge has ended online, donations are still welcome and appreciated. Those looking to donate in the name of the #CaftanChallenge can contact Nazira Handal at nazira.handal@kipsbay.org.
Crowdfunding Saves Historic Home, With a Little Help From David Hockney
Filmmaker and artist Derek Jarman’s idyllic Kent home and garden has been a place of pilgrimage for fans of Jarman’s work. But Prospect Cottage, as the house is known, was at risk until a successful, multimillion-dollar crowdsourcing campaign was staged. The Guardian reported the news this week, adding that actress Tilda Swinton, a friend of Jarman, started the effort 10 weeks ago. Notably, David Hockney contributed a “substantial personal donation.”
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In the News
The Art World Steps Up Thanks to Two Museums and David Zwirner
This week, the New York Times covered two bits of hopeful news for the hard-hit art community. Established gallerist David Zwirner is sharing his digital platform with smaller galleries, allowing 12 smaller New York organizations to virtually display two of their own works. On the nonprofit front, The Metropolitan Museum of Art surprisingly announced that it will use its endowment to pay its staff until May 2, while The Getty created a $10 million coronavirus relief fund, aimed at helping L.A.-based arts-related organizations.
Fairs
La Biennale Paris Looks to Help Exhibitors
La Biennale Paris is recognizing the longer-term impact that the coronavirus pandemic will likely have on the art and design fair calendar. In light of the current economic climate, the organization is exempting dealers from the usually required advance payment, and is offering to spread participation fees out over four months after La Biennale. State loans available for those affected by COVID-19 will help make this possible. “La Biennale Paris is a fair organized by dealers for dealers," Georges de Jonckheere, president of La Biennale Paris, explains in a statement. “We must participate in the profession’s collective effort by helping those dealers hard-hit by the current health crisis, our objective being to resume activity smoothly once the crisis is over, and to keep alive the passion that we all share.”
