Whatever Kelly Wearstler mentions these days...turns to doctrine. So beware: Ettore Sottsass (9/14/1917 - 12/31/2007), an Austrian born Italian designer is having a major impact on her aesthetic! So what does one do when they hear an unfamiliar name? Aaah, the power of Google and the regressing to an old-fashioned book report study! I won't bore you with the details...however, let me just say that when you begin to see Ms. Wearstler churning out new fabrics/furnishings/accessories that have abandoned her "Hollywood Glamour" reputation that she's created but moved forth from - remember you heard it hear first! She's going mambo-italiano on us, kids....and it's going to be H-O-T! Yes, we know she's into the 80's but her interpretation will be a fresh breath of "3008" inspired by the Memphis Group of "1960-late!" Sottsass was a flamboyant industrial designer/architect who formed the international group (entitled The Memphis Group) of young architects and designers with the notion to revive radical design. This highly original designer drew inspiration from pop-culture, travel experiences and cultures abroad. His vast body of work involves jewelry, furniture, ceramics, glass arts, silver work, lighting and office machine design. He made his name in 1968 when he and Perry King created the tomato red Valentine portable typewriter for Olivetti. Sottsass has also designed other glass objects for Alessi and electronics for Olivetti. Plastic laminate surfaces, bright colors and bold patterns were trademarks of Ettore's design aesthetic and I am sure we'll see them magically re-incarnated in some of Wearstler's future projects! Let's hope!-BH
Ceramic teapot
Carlton Room Divider - Plastic Laminate
Casablanca Sideboard - 1981
Sketch
