JOHN PATRICK, ORGANIC BY JOHN PATRICK

AS A PIONEER OF GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE FASHION, ART MUST IMITATE LIFE. HAVE THESE ETHICS ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF YOUR LIFE AND WAS THERE A PARTICULAR MOMENT THAT LED YOU TO FOCUS YOUR WORK SOLELY ON RESPONSIBLY-MADE, ORGANIC CLOTHING?
My mother and father influenced the way I evolved because they allowed me to do whatever I wanted from a very young age – I’m talking 10 years old – I went to what was commonly known as a “free school” in the 1970s. So NOTHING shocks me – I have pretty much either seen or heard or read about every concept, food movement, political shift of the past 200 years if not more.

Posterity and the cycle of time is of great interest to me. I bought my farm in 1987 after that crash – I’d done the 80s and saw the results – dark streets – failed businesses – very few people who were 25 years old were moving to upstate New York – most people were leaving – so I’m a bit of a contrarian in that way – now they call us the early adapters. I call it seeing the writing on the wall. Abandoned buildings, old unused farms were my catnip and also a huge fashion inspiration – so when I voiced the American Gothic collection September 2008 and said the crash was here, people thought I was nuts as I was planning that – and 2 weeks later all hell broke loose. If people carefully look at each season the message and the intent is clear and obvious. 

When the world shifted from 20th century to 21st century and I was at a loss to really comprehend how I could be relevant, I was inspired and directed by a higher power to do what it believed in – and throw caution and planning to the wind. 
I also knew exactly what I wanted as I slowly thought about the work and designed only what I absolutely believed in. 

YOU HAVE RECENTLY BEGUN TO OFFER BEAUTIFUL PIECES FOR THE HOME THAT VERY CLEARLY REFLECT THE SENSIBILITIES OF ORGANIC, EACH DESIGNED, MADE AND SELECTED WITH GREAT INTEGRITY. WHAT’S NEXT FOR JOHN PATRICK AND ORGANIC BY JOHN PATRICK?
I think that we are focusing on talking directly to our community and people who share our values and understand the inherent value of a very plain New York State handmade box that took me half a year to develop – my work tends to be invisible because I am very very stubborn and have a hard time with anything that’s flashy. 
WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST RIGHT NOW?
I am inspired by people who do what they believe in well.

WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Sometimes sadness brings me joy – fleeting memories of simple conversations. And my partner of 30 plus years Walter and our border collie Kip bring me the greatest joy of all – just being together at home – Kip is getting goats in the spring!!!

COMB OR BRUSH?
Both of course.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
I am thankful that I actually was given a name!

FINISH THIS SENTENCE. MY AGE IS…………….
Irrelevant.
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
Depends what the fish of the day is down in Pescadero, Baja Sur where I am going today to catch the waves – “Fish taco”!!! 🙂

www.organicbyjohnpatrick.com

HELLO MONDAY!

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum reopens this Friday, December 12 after a major renovation that includes a significant expansion of exhibition space and the creation of some fantastic interactive visitor experiences. One of my favorite places in the city. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 East 91st Street, NYC. Image of The Mansion Model www.cooperhewitt.org 

THE INSPIRED HOME: NESTS OF CREATIVES

The Inspired Home: Nests of Creatives is easily one of my favorite design books of the year. Gorgeously photographed and keenly curated, it presents some very cool spaces of some very cool creators. Standouts for me include all of the inherently modern Danish residences, and the homes of Rogan Gregory and Moby. Such an inspired book, very much befitting its title.  

The Inspired Home: Nests of Creatives by Kim Ficaro and Todd Nickey with photography by Ditte Isager (Rizzoli, 2014)

PICASSO AND THE CAMERA

PABLO PICASSO © David Douglas Duncan, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, The University of Austin www.gagosian.com
I am a very devoted fan of Pablo Picasso and John Richardson and the series of exhibitions that Richardson has curated at Gagosian Gallery, in association with Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, since 2009. Picasso and the Camera is the fifth in this series, following the brilliant Picasso and Françoise Gilot: Paris-Vallauris 1943–1953 presented two years ago. Richardson has curated each of these shows in a distinctly museum-like manner, precisely what makes them so compelling. Picasso and the Camera is no exception, the works were superbly chosen. I was especially drawn to the many personal photographs of the artist himself and those with his family and friends. A most amazing window.

Picasso and the Camera is on view through January 3, 2015 at Gagosian Gallery, 522 West 21st Street, NYC

www.gagosian.com

DOWNHILL RACER

Inspired by the glorious snow last week, I watched Downhill Racer for the very first time. Filmed entirely in Switzerland, France and Austria, it is so stylish, so raw and so completely of the moment — 1969. And young Robert Redford in the Alps… I loved it.    

FALKSALT

One of our Thanksgiving guests very kindly brought a jar of Wild Mushroom Falksalt, a brand totally new to us. This lovely Swedish salt has a truly exquisite flavor and great packaging too, a perfect gift. There are nine flavors of Falksalt, plus some seasonal varieties as well. We personally can’t wait to try Wild Garlic, Chipotle and Citron — yum! 

www.falksalt.com  

HELLO MONDAY!

This year’s Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows were inspired by and thus celebrate The Arts including Literature, Music, Sculpture, Painting, Architecture, Theater, Film and Dance. Stunning as always.

MONK WITH A CAMERA

Monk with a Camera: The Life and Journey of Nicholas Vreeland opens today at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. This fascinating-looking documentary is about Nicholas Vreeland, grandson of Diana Vreeland, who eschewed a life of privilege and glamour in favor of a life of service as a Tibetan Buddhist monk. An Irving Penn-trained photographer, Vreeland’s sublime images of monastic life and life in India preserve, both financially and culturally, the monastery where he lives and studies and the Tibetan community at large. I’m definitely heading to Lincoln Center this weekend.

www.monkwithacameradoc.com  www.filmlinc.com    

KOBO + LOTTA JANSDOTTER

We are swooning over the newest collection from KOBO Candles — Lotta Jansdotter for KOBO. This very inspired collaboration features eight gorgeous scents such as Citrus Quince and Alpine Fern in equally gorgeous reusable vessels. And the pièce de résistance, the packaging breaks down into a set of postcards created by Brooklyn-based Swedish designer, Lotta Jansdotter. A perfect fusion of Japanese and Swedish modern, function and cool.   

www.kobocandles.com  www.jansdotter.com

HELLO MONDAY!

Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage at the New-York Historical Society will feature 70 photographs of landscapes, interiors and objects taken by Leibovitz between April 2009 and May 2011. The exhibition will be on view from November 21, 2014 – February 22, 2015. Annie Leibovitz, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, 2009, © Annie Leibovitz. From Pilgrimage (Random House, 2011) www.nyhistory.org