Kate Moss by Juergen Teller for Self Service

Two fantastic shots from Self Service #33.

Backstage at Pink Tartan S/S 2013 by Nolan Bryant

Excerpts from a series of beautiful backstage shots captured by Nolan Bryant.

Flavia Lucini photographed by Manolo Campion

Sizziling editorial by New York based photographer Manolo Campion for Elle Mexico. Via fashionography.

Fresh Finds + New Site: Part 2: Maison Desny, Jean Boris-Lacroix, Andre Lamont + more

Part 2 of Fresh Finds, the newest additions to the Modern Love gallery:






An interesting organic modernist table lamp attributed to Jean Boris-Lacroix, featuring a perforated shade and a compass-shaped base of tapered brass legs. This clever design converts to a wall lamp by virtue of a brass loop for hanging.

REFERENCE: See Lot 27 Tajan, Paris, May 15, 2012 for a nearly identical example ascribed to Borix-Lacroix.







A credenza by Ste. Marie + Laurent. Combining fine craftsmanship with exotic hardwoods, this relatively obscure Montreal-based studio produced some of the foremost modernist furniture of the period. This example of designer Andre Laurent's credenza is sheathed in an exceptionally pronounced Brazilian Rosewood veneer. The unit's floating visual effect is achieved through a cantilevered base of mirror-polished chrome.






Named for the contraction of the founders names, M. Desnet and Rene Nauny, La Maison Desny operated on the Champs-Elysees from 1927 until the untimely death of Desnet in 1933. Influenced by Cubism and Modernism, Maison Desny is characterized by radically juxtaposed geometric forms. Though relatively little is known about this short-lived firm, its output is reknowned as some of the finest works of the period, and definitive of French Art Deco.  This rare serving tray features a reverse-painted glass panel over mirror, and would benefit from some restoration.

LITERATURE: A similar model is illustrated in The Art Deco Style, Theodore Metten, pg.140.






A rare Japanese modernist bowl, featuring an unusual form with a raised center. The hand-painted artwork is superb in detail and execution, and appears to have been influenced by the work of Stig Lindberg, who designed graphic wrapping paper for the Japanese department store Seibu during the late 1950s.


All via the new Modern Love.  Don't forget to check out Part 1 of this update, featuring pieces by Warren Platner, Carl Aubock, and Charles + Ray Eames.

Fresh Finds + New Site: Part 1: Warren Platner, Eames, Carl Aubock + more

I've added a fair number of new finds recently added to the gallery, so this week I've split Fresh Finds into 2 parts. You will also notice a total renovation to the site, and I hope you enjoy the new format.


Part 1:






Introduced in 1966, this fine and rare example of Platner's sculptural arm chair dates to the earliest years of production. in 1967 Art Metal, a firm which in 1959 purchased Florence Knoll's interests in Knoll Associates, was sold to Heller. In 1969 Knoll Associates was renamed Knoll International. These two events in Knoll's timeline, and the presence of the Art Metal/Knoll Associates label, help date this chair to the first 2 years of production.

This example features a highly unusual black painted finish, which is believed to be original and identical to Knoll's black Bertoia wire chairs of the same period.







Handcrafted in warm and lustrous brass, this fine Carl Aubock triple candleholder is a rare form.





An exquisite handcrafted box carved from solid rosewood, featuring a series of brass stripes perfectly inlayed to the contour of the lid.   The hollowed interior recalls the oeuvre of Alexandre Noll, who may  have influenced the unknown creator of this work.






Classic Eames sculptural side chairs in creamy white fiberglass. Several available, please inquire if ordering sets. Signed with embossed HERMAN MILLER factory marks, some examples with ink date stamps 1969.




All via the new Modern Love, with many more great finds to come in Part 2.

Listen: Glass Candy: Warm in the Winter (Live for Balenciaga)

From a live performance excerpt from Balenciaga's Fall Winter 2012/2013 show.

Must Watch: The Invisible Bike Helmet

The Invisible Bicycle Helmet | Fredrik Gertten from Focus Forward Films on Vimeo.

Fredrik Gertten profiles two idealistic young female entrepreneurs, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, who created a revolutionary 21st-century design object everyone told them would be impossible to fashion. A must watch!

DIRECTOR: Fredrik Gertten
PRODUCER: Margarete Jangård and Elin Kamlert
ASSISTANT PRODUCER: Lina Bertilsson
CAST: Anna Haupt, Terese Alstin
CAMERA: Marek Wieser
SOUND RECORDIST:Emma Svensson
BOOM OPERATOR: Emma Thorsander
EDITOR: Klaus De León Heinecke
COMPOSER: Chris Maxwell & Philip Hernandez a.k.a Elegant Too
COLORIST: Jörgen Persson
SOUND DESIGN: Tobias Lilja
SUBTITLES: Ingrid Eng
POST PRODUCTION:Emma Svensson
THANKS TO Hövding Rasmus Thaarup
CMP – Copenhagen Malmö Port

Mecia Simson by Fiona Garden for SIX Magazine

An excerpt from Fiona Garden's beautiful editorial for SIX Magazine.  On location at Sprueth Magers Gallery, London.  See the full shoot here.

Photography – Fiona Garden

Styling – Victoria Sekrier

Model – Mecia at Nevs

Stylist’s Assistant – Maximilian Smith

Hair – Michael Jones

Makeup – Natalie Piacun


Via Fiona Garden and the Modern Love Tumblr.

Fresh Finds: Ilmari Tapiovaara, Magda Frank, Russell Woodard, Robert Larin + More

Designed in 1956 and inspired by the traditional Windsor Chair, Ilmari Tapiovaara's Mademoiselle Chair became a definitive example of the Finnish Modern Movement. Surprising comfort is achieved through a carved bevelled edge seat with waterfall front edge, a relaxed seating angle, and 9 tall backrest spindles that cradle the sitters back. The tapered and dramatically splayed dowel legs continue the form developed in his Pirkka series from a year before. Original production by Asko, where Tapiovaara served as designer and artistic director in 1938.






An impressive stone sculpture by acclaimed Argentinian artist Magda Frank. Having studied in Paris under the mentorship of Marcel Gimond, Frank was heavily inspired by Pre-Columbian Art, whose influence can be seen in this work.

Signed with inscription to base: Magda. Approximately 15.75" x 5.5" x 4".








From the studio of Montreal artisan Robert Larin, who despite a relatively brief period of operation (1968 to 1977), created some of Canada's finest modernist jewelry of its time. By utilizing a lost wax process to cast pewter, and using oxidation as an artistic overlay, Laurin created some rather remarkable and exquisite pieces. This present work, featuring a multi-layered criss-crossing brutalist relief set on an asymetrical disk, is an exceptional example of his craft.

Signed to verso: Robert Larin. Approximately 3" x 1.5" x .5".






A fine modernist lamp in the style of Gino Sarfatti, featuring an articulating perforated dome shade mounted to a gracefully arching brass post.

Not marked, manufacturer unknown.








Durable and strong yet visually light, Russell Woodard's highly successful Sculptura series features a sturdy wrought iron frame supporting a single flowing sheet of wire mesh, formed to the contours of the human body.

Mounted on a lounge sized base, this is an uncommon variant of the Sculptura high-back armchair with a lower profile and more relaxed seating angle.







A bent and woven rattan stool styled after the Franco Albini's Margherita series, designed for Vittorio Bonacina.

All via Modern Love, with many more great finds to come.

Watch: Tell Me, Daphne: Simon de Pury + Daphne Guinness Pt. 2

Simon de Pury and Daphne Guinness in Conversation, Part Two

"Lauded patron of the arts and fashion world fixture Daphne Guinness discusses space travel and the transformative power of clothing with celebrated auctioneer Simon de Pury in part two of filmmaker Johnnie Shand Kydd’s double-bill feature. Known for her unrivaled couture sensibilities, Guinness is a recognized presence on the culture circuit. “I’m really a great admirer of Daphne, and even though she is so radical in her look, one forgets what her extraordinary heritage is,” explains Shand Kydd who has known Guinness personally for years. The daughter of brewery heir Jonathan Guinness, the 3rd Baron Moyne, and French artist Suzanne Lisney, Guinness was surrounded by creative talents from an early age. “Daphne’s mother was photographed by Man Ray with octopuses on her breasts, and Cecil Beaton, who photographed her grandmother Diana Mitford’s generation, was a great one for dressing people up in balloons and tinfoil,” says Shand Kydd, “so there’s a tradition of extraordinary outfits, and it comes very naturally to Daphne.” At a Christie’s auction next month, the fashion icon will sell select pieces from her personal wardrobe, including items from Balenciaga, Chanel, Alaïa and Alexander McQueen. All proceeds will go to the Isabella Blow Foundation, which supports young talent in art and fashion."

Part One here.

Via Nowness.

Watch: A Therapy: a Roman Polanski Short for Prada

A beautifully produced short for Prada.  Having acclaimed actors do the acting rather than supermodels was a nice and rewarding choice.

Directed by Roman Polanski
Starring Helena Bonham Carter, Ben Kingsley
Screenplay Roman Polanski and Ronald Harwood
Music Alexandre Desplat
Production Designer Dean Tavoularis
Director of Photography Eduardo Serra
Editor Hervé de Luze
Executive Producer Max Brun
Produced by Hi! Production and R.P. Productions