The Aesthete: Rodman Primack talks personal taste
The Design Miami Basel executive director is also the founder of New York art and design practice RP Miller
My personal style signifiers are the casual jackets that I wear every day. I like navy ones by Dries Van Noten, or Austrian collarless versions that I have made for me at Hans Frauenschuh, Leder & Tracht. I wear the latter year round – in boiled wool or in linen for summer – and I love their horn buttons and the attention to detail. Because I fly so much, I always wear an I Pezzi Dipinti cashmere scarf, or one of the vintage Japanese handkerchiefs I get at Kapital in Tokyo, which are cowboy style. Dries Van Noten, +323-470 2510; www.driesvannoten.be. Hans Frauenschuh, Leder & Tracht, +43535-664 337; www.hansfrauenschuh.at. I Pezzi Dipinti, +1212-941 9966; www.ipezzidipinti.com. Kapital, +8135-725 3923; www.kapital.jp.
Primack’s Cowhide/Fried Egg painting by Math Bass, from Overduin & Co
The last thing I added to my wardrobe was a Gucci bomber jacket by Alessandro Michele. It reminds me of a traditional US varsity jacket, with blue and red knit cuffs, and it is embroidered with an amazing hornet. I’m planning to wear it all winter. www.gucci.com.
The last thing I bought and loved was an amazing painting by Math Bass from Overduin & Co in LA. It has a deep green background with a simplified, abstract cowhide print and features a fried egg that looks like it is made of stickers. It’s just a fantastic piece. 6693 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (+1323-464 3600; www.overduinandco.com).
Far right: his lamp by Jos Devriendt, from Pierre Marie Giraud Gallery | Image: Courtesy Pierre Marie Giraud Gallery
The best book I’ve read in the past year – and I cannot believe I hadn’t read it sooner – is Josef Albers’ Interaction of Color, which is a masterpiece of colour theory principles. Originally published in 1963, this later edition contains additional colour studies as well as Albers’ text about colour intensity and vibration. www.interactionofcolor.com.
The last meal that truly impressed me was at Nix in New York. The atmosphere is super-inviting: all‑white, organic-feeling Danish modern, with candles and soft lighting. The menus are vegetable-based, and we sampled everything from steamed buns with tempura cauliflower and a spicy vinegar sauce, to an egg salad with shards of potato, mustard seeds and pickles. The tandoor bread with hummus and spiced eggplant dips were excellent as well. This was the most delicious – and calorific – vegetarian meal I’ve ever had. 72 University Place, New York, NY 10003 (+1212-498 9393; www.nixny.com).
Interaction of Color by Josef Albers
The last music I downloaded was Frank Ocean’s long-awaited new album Blonde; the Stranger Things soundtrack by Michael Stein, which features 1980s-style synth music and nostalgic songs; Congolese band Mbongwana Star’s single Malukayi;and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No 5, conducted by Leonard Bernstein.
Nix restaurant in New York | Image: Stephen A Johnson
The best gift I’ve given recently was a black and gold skull ring with diamond eyes by German jeweller Karl Fritsch. I gave this playful piece to my sister for her 45th birthday. £2,900; Ornamentum Gallery, 506 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534 (+1518-671 6770; www.ornamentumgallery.com).
And the best one I’ve received recently was a unique ceramic lamp by Jos Devriendt. It looks like an abstract pink mushroom and graces the hallway in our Greenwich Village home. Pierre Marie Giraud Gallery, 7 Rue de Praetere, Brussels 1050 (+322-503 0351; www.pierremariegiraud.com).
The grooming products I’m never without are shampoos by Italian brand Davines, for their light herb- and spice-infused scents. I stock our homes with their Naturaltech Nourishing, Calming and Well-being Shampoos. I’m also a fan of Crème de la Mer for serious night-time moisturising. Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Gel Cream, $110 for 30ml; www.cremedelamer.co.uk. Davines Naturaltech Shampoos, $26.50 for 250ml; www.davines.com.
My favourite websites are Kayak.com for researching flight options and NYTimes.com for news. I like Artnet.com and Dezeen.com for art and design.