Andrew Bolton’s perfect weekend in New York

The curator of The Met’s Costume Institute oversaw blockbuster shows such as Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty and Manus X Machina. His latest, Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons, is open now

“Saturday begins at 7 or 8am with several cups of English breakfast tea, while I watch CNN for the latest world news. It’s difficult to turn it off these days. I’ll catch up on emails that I’ve let slide during the week, then try to keep the rest of the day clear of work-related matters. 

One of my favourite rituals is getting coffee and doughnuts from Nougatine, just down the street from where my partner Thom Browne and I live. Depending on the weather, we’ll take our breakfast over to the plaza at Lincoln Center and eat by the Henry Moore sculpture, or bring it home and sit out on our terrace overlooking Central Park.

Whatever I do, the day revolves around Hector, our miniature dachshund, who rules the roost. I take him for long walks in the park, designed to tire him out. We like to stop off at Le Pain Quotidien, just across from Sheep Meadow, where they provide water and treats for him. 

At lunchtime, we are again thinking of Hector. We might go to Lincoln Ristorante, a modernist Italian spot with outdoor seating – they know us and always have a bowl of water waiting. Or we’ll walk along the High Line – the old rail track that’s been transformed into a lovely urban path along the Hudson – and have lunch at Cookshop in Chelsea, which serves an excellent chicken salad – good after my decadent breakfast. 

In the afternoon I like to visit other museums, such as the Guggenheim or MoMA, and particularly love the Frick Collection for its opulent rooms full of Old Masters and sculpture – I always go to see Whistler’s Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac. If I’m working at The Met – which was all the time while we were installing the Rei Kawakubo show – I often escape to the garden at the Cooper Hewitt, a design museum a short walk up Fifth Avenue. I love this quiet oasis for a cup of tea and a slice of cake. 

As our week is so hectic, Saturday nights tend to be just for Thom and me, or we might meet a small group of friends at a restaurant downtown. I Sodi is a must for the cacio e pepe [pasta with cheese and pepper] and baked branzino [seabass], and I love the warm, rustic atmosphere at Morandi in the West Village. The place I’ve been going to forever, though, is The Waverly Inn for its old-English pub ambience and crab cakes. In any case, I am home and in bed by about 11pm.

Sundays begin in much the same way, with tea and maybe a cinnamon roll from the new Breads Bakery, and lots of reading. As well as The New York Times, I like to catch up on back issues of The New Yorker, visit Vogue.com and do a bit of online shopping at Mr Porter.

After a walk with Hector, I’ll go to the Yogaworks gym early so that we can have a long, leisurely lunch at home around 2pm. We don’t cook, so Epicerie Boulud is our go-to for provisions such as Niçoise salads, quiches and excellent chilli. I am not a huge clothes shopper – Thom tends to provide them – but I try to get over to Dover Street Market for unusual pieces. My passion is bookstores, and I especially love 192 on 10th Avenue for its vast selection of art and history books. It’s a wonderful place to browse and learn.

We’ll spend the evening at home, maybe watching a TV series such as The Crown or Victoria. Then we’ll get a takeaway from Shun Lee, which does outstanding shrimp dumplings and chicken fried rice, or indulge in a delivery from Morandi. They will bring our meatballs, Brussels sprouts salad, fried olives and steak by car.

Weekends are a time to decompress. By Sunday night I’ve had a chance to reflect on the past week and look forward to the next, which might involve anything from cataloguing to a trip to Europe or Tokyo for the collections.”

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.

Peter Marino’s perfect weekend in the Hamptons

The architect and designer counts Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Ermenegildo Zegna and London’s forthcoming Peninsula Hotel among his clients. He also designs private residences

Perfect weekends begin with a solo ride out to my home in Southampton, Long Island, on one of my bikes – a KTM 1290 Super Duke R or my Triumph Speed Triple. It all depends on how sporty I am feeling.

Saturday morning opens with three cups of strong black coffee, before 9am, followed by a trip to Marders nursery to meet with garden designer Charlie Marder. He’s been running this institution since the 1970s and knows so much. They have all sorts of flowering fruit trees and a greenhouse shop too. Then I’ll typically spend two hours in my garden. We have a different flower for each month: forsythia, hydrangea, rhododendron, apple blossom. I’ll also tend to my five beehives – if you have more than 10 acres in Southampton you’re encouraged to keep bees because so many have been affected by mites.

Exercise is an important part of my weekend routine and Kip, my trainer, comes to work out with me for an hour before lunch. I was a gymnast in high school so I like the rings and parallel bars. Lunch is almost always a tuna melt from Sip ’n Soda, a classic 1950s diner, I might have two if I’ve worked out a lot.

Afternoons often involve picking vegetables from our garden for the meal Giangi, our property manager, will grill for dinner. I try to eat clean and we grow our own tomatoes, cucumbers, kale and celery. We’ll buy meat or locally caught tuna from gourmet market Citarella and swordfish from seafood specialist Clamman.

Every weekend includes tennis – at my home or the Bath & Tennis Club, where I like the low-key atmosphere. It’s just six clay courts and perfect for round robins. I always make our house guests play; it’s like Mao’s Long March. But it’s usually followed by a refreshing swim and massages by Kip for whoever wants one.

I don’t like to shop very much, but two exceptions are Tennis East – to get my rackets restrung and buy my tennis whites – and Book Hampton, a truly old‑fashioned bookstore. Late in the day, after the crowds have gone, I might go to Halsey Neck Lane Beach, primarily for my European guests who come to the Hamptons and want to see the ocean.

On Saturday night my wife Jane and I will host dinner for friends, as well as our nieces and nephews who come out from the city. It might be grilled lamb chops and lasagne prepared by Heidi, our chef, paired with wines chosen by my daughter, Isabelle. She is a sommelier and will select a bordeaux – from our wine cellar or from Domaine Franey, a first-class wine shop in East Hampton that specialises in French reds. Afterwards, we like to watch movies in our screening room – preferably happy ones that are an antidote to the rest of the crazy week. I’m a bit of a night owl, so I’m in bed anywhere between 12am and 2am.

Sundays start with the New York Post – I like the difficult 12-box sudoku and time myself. Then we might ride to Montauk with friends. We’ll stop at Gosman’s Dock, the famous fish place on the water with views of the boats in the harbour – I love the tuna tartare cones – before returning to Southampton for more tennis, swimming and apple-picking.

Weekends are for relaxing, so I don’t look at email or social media. The air on Long Island is so oxygenated I sleep well and get re-energised for the coming week. I’ll head back to the city on my bike about 3pm. My wife and daughter go by car and we’ll meet for dinner at Mr Chow; we have a special table as it’s been a family favourite for 25 years – we’ll share their speciality, Beijing duck. Or we’ll go to Sette Mezzo, a simple Upper East Side Italian with a lively atmosphere. I travel from 12 to 15 days a month, so Sunday nights are family time.

Rosetta Getty talks personal taste

Rosetta Getty is the founder of her eponymous womenswear brand, known for its minimal, elegant pieces with sophisticated silhouettes

My personal style signifiers are vintage Levi’s 501 jeans, white or black T-shirts, and button-down shirts of my own design. I like a uniform that is clean, classic and a bit predictable but that also has a slightly quirky edge. I wear these staple pieces with my new favourite running shoes – in either black or white – by Athletic Propulsion Labs. My clothes are all about comfort and moving from the school run to work to a business lunch and then out to dinner. $165;www.athleticpropulsionlabs.com. www.levi.com.

Mussel Shell sculpture by Carol Bove, price on request

The last thing I bought and loved was a simple Jil Sander Panama-style straw hat that I have been living in. I often wear hats, but have never loved one this much. It’s a bit precious so I have to put it in a box when I travel. And I recently added a pair of ultra-thin, delicate hoop earrings in 14ct gold by LA-based designer Kathleen Whitaker to my jewellery collection, along with a pair of dangly gold earrings that I found in the Céline boutique in Florence; they look beautiful with casual or dressy clothes. £310; www.celine.com. $145 per earring; www.kathleenwhitaker.com.

And the thing I’m eyeing next is a sculpture by New York-based artist Carol Bove. I am a fan of sculpture generally, but I particularly love her use of natural materials and organic shapes. She employs lines in her assemblages I am drawn toward. www.davidzwirner.com.

Café Gratitude almond I Am Joy chocolates, $3 each

A recent “find” is Ceri Vintage & Factory, an amazing, under-the-radar vintage store in Florence. It specialises in workwear from the 1920s to the 1970s, and I found leather jackets, wide-legged trousers and the most amazing vintage Levi’s there. Two of my daughters are now wearing all of my clothes, so I am trying to fill in the wardrobe gaps – this boutique was a huge help. Via de’ Serragli 26/R, 50124 Florence (+39335-839 0356).

Getty’s Jil Sander straw hat | Image: Patrick Fraser

The item in my wardrobe that I’ll keep to pass on is my entire vintage collection – hopefully to my girls one day. Though if I had to pick one piece, it would at the moment be a black wool stretch dress by Comme des Garçons from one of Rei Kawakubo’s first collections. www.comme-des-garcons.com.

Her Céline gold earrings, £310, Cartier diamond ring and Kathleen Whitaker gold hoop earrings, $145 each | Image: Patrick Fraser

The last meal that truly impressed me was at Defune in Marylebone. I have been going there for 15 years but recently rediscovered it with my children when we were staying at Chiltern Firehouse just around the corner. The space is tiny – like a Japanese café – but for an elevated dining experience you can opt for the more formal downstairs area. We loved the casual family feel upstairs, as well as the fresh sashimi and creative maki sushi rolls. The whole experience felt entirely authentic. 34 George St, London W1 (020‑7935 8311; www.defune.co.uk).

The best souvenirs I’ve brought home are exquisitely embroidered cushions from Emporio Le Sirenuse, Carla Sersale’s shop at Le Sirenuse Hotel in Positano. We visit the area every year, and her beautiful things make the best mementoes. These particular cushions are in neutral tones, but she has brighter versions as well. I always bring back her simple, soft cotton loungewear as well – I wear these pieces as pyjamas. From £164; Via Cristoforo Colombo 103, Positano (+39089-811 468; www.emporiosirenuse.com).

An indulgence I would never forgo is almond I Am Joy chocolates from Café Gratitude in Los Angeles. They’re delicious and deceptively healthy, made of shredded coconut, almonds and a hard chocolate shell, with no added sugar. $3 each; 639 N Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (+1323-580 6383; www.cafegratitude.com).

The best gift I’ve received recently was a square Cartier diamond solitaire, c1930 – from my husband [Balthazar Getty] on our 15th wedding anniversary. I’m not typically a diamond person, but this one is so unusual. It’s very masculine, which I love, and it’s just perfect for me. www.cartier.co.uk.

The Nordic Approach of Index

Kigge Hvid, CEO of Index, promotes sustainable solutions to global challenges.

You’re the head of “Index: Design to Improve Life.” How has it changed since its founding in 2002?
Index set out to be a big award for traditional design, but that wasn’t going to happen with me in the lead. We’ve grown organically and shifted the focus away from aesthetics and toward making life better for people all over the world. We began with the design award and have grown to include education programs for teachers, decision makers, and kids. We are now raising the world’s first venture capital fund to invest in Design to Improve Life. The initiatives were just formed in partnership with the Dansk OTC. Together we’ll identify designers and entrepreneurs who need access to capital and we’ll accelerate their great ideas.

After high school you worked as a visual artist before working in arts and culture. How did your background prepare you for the world of sustainable design?
I believe everything is possible and that you make your opportunities—formal education or not. I worked from a very young age—18 years—and it meant that I could do a  lot of things that my peers couldn’t. I learned by doing, but sometimes I miss that university degree.

What do you look for in an award recipient, besides a great idea?
In the beginning we were looking at form, material, and color, but now impact is the single-biggest factor: How many people will be helped by this product or design? The new venture capital arm is different in that we’ll focus on proof of concept, the management team, and scalability. These awards and investments will be two independent processes.

You spend a lot of time traveling and lecturing around the world, whether as part of the Global Agenda Council for World Economic Forum, where you were a founding member, or keynoting the Service Design Global Conference in Sweden. How important are these engagements to spreading the Index message?
We all spend at least three months talking to other people, whether it be by Skype, at conferences around the world, or at universities. We need to understand what is happening around us, and this is the most effective way to do that.

Where do you see the greatest area of need right now?
We really need law enforcement across the world in places like West Africa, much of South America, and Asia, where people can be raped, murdered, or assaulted and there is no recourse. The refugee situation is also critical now: People are fleeing a life where nothing is good, and it would be amazing to form a think tank to solve the root of this problem. I also think big pharma needs to be rethought now. Often the person who needs the drugs can’t get them due to cost. All of these problems are about inequality.

If you were to host a dinner party with any product designers, artists, scientists, or innovators, living or dead, who would they be?
I’d love to chat with Beryl Markham, the first female to pilot a plane over Africa. I’d also invite architects, entrepreneurs, and artists including Daan Roosegaarde—an Index Award recipient and current jury member—and the curator of design and architecture at MoMA, Paola Antonelli, who is also on the jury. I’d include Reif Larsen, the author of The Selected Works of T.S. Pivet, which is about the adventures of a 12-year-old mapmaker, as well as behavioral economist, Dan Ariely.

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
Do not sue! Early in my career we had a business conflict with a sponsor, and my attorney said, “Sit down and find a solution.” We did just that, and I have a great relationship with those people to this day.

How would you describe your management style?
In the beginning, I was quite controlling, but now I try to lead by example, and I also empower people to do things the way they feel is best. My approach is very Scandinavian: There is no discussion of wages, overtime, or holidays, and people take time off when it works for them.

Is there a part of the world or a specific design community that is producing particularly exciting, game-changing products that will improve people’s lives?
Design-savvy Nordic countries continue to lead, and places like Holland and the U.S. are also very interesting in terms of sustainable innovation. In Norway, we’ve seen service innovation at the main Oslo hospital where the diagnostics of breast cancer have been cut from 12 weeks to just four days. Boston, Silicon Valley, and Denver—particularly the University of Colorado’s College of Arts & Media—are doing fascinating work.

You work with CEOs, academics, and innovators. Who is really moving the ball forward right now?
There are companies such as Airbnb that are helping to create a sharing, sustainable economy. This is a great equalizer and very inclusive. I’m finding that the people educated at design schools have been driving the development of the sharing economy; Pinterest and Kickstarter are great examples of this.

You’ve bestowed awards for clean drinking straws, affordable laptops, vertical farming systems, and fetal heart rate monitors. What are the impactful designs and products that really stand out for you?
We now have an archive of 5,000 sustainable designs, and I see exciting new concepts every day, so it’s hard to choose standouts. That said, the development in electrical cars and sustainable transportation as seen in the Tesla Roadster, as well as advances in smart highways, and advances in maternal and children’s health—from apps to educational programs—are all incredible.

Awards are given by category: body, home, work, play, community, and people’s choice. Is there one area that’s most popular now?
Lately we’ve seen an explosion in the play category with games for learning on the rise.

The Ascendance of Joseph Altuzarra

Exquisite tailoring and embellishment are the hallmarks of the young designer's ever-evolving aesthetic.

An acute eye for detail, texture, and color place Joseph Altuzarra in a league of his own. With ready-to-wear collections inspired by everything from 18th-century dandies, to Truman Capote’s stylish “swans,” to circa 1950 American railroad workers, New York–based Altuzarra is the thinking woman’s designer. His refined pieces—in a wide range of fabrics and finishes, including linen, leather, burlap, and velvet—all tell a visual story, and often incorporate parts of the designer’s Franco-American background, as well as his love of literature, film, and dance.

Raised in Paris by a Chinese-American mother and a French father, Altuzarra studied ballet before heading to the U.S. to pursue a degree in art history at Swarthmore College. It was through these studies that his eyes were opened to the world of fashion, one that he went on to learn about from the ground up, working at maisons on both sides of the Atlantic. With early experiences at Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler in New York, followed by an apprenticeship with patternmaker and former Rochas head Nicolas Caito, and after a role as first assistant to Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy, Altuzarra launched his eponymous line in 2008.

In just eight years the brand has become synonymous with feminine tailoring and a sophisticated-yet-playful aesthetic, with expansion continuing beyond the designer’s signature thigh-high slit skirts, vibrant silk blouses, flowy dresses, and fitted jackets. A minority investment by Kering in 2013 helped fuel the addition of a handbag line that includes a mix of casually structured shapes in everything from smooth calf to Sfumato leather to luxurious crocodile. It all culminated in 2014, when he was awarded the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s prestigious Womenswear Designer of the Year award.

Altuzarra’s spring/summer 2016 collection marks the next chapter in the designer’s multicultural, artistic exploration. It was the discovery of a book, Wilder Mann by Charles Fréger, featuring photographs of pagan rituals from the Basque region of France, that spurred the creation of this latest assortment of effortless, dip-dyed linen dresses and coats—as well as the exquisite mother of pearl and broderie anglaise embellishments that adorn them. Surface recently met with Altuzarra at his Soho atelier to discuss the influence of his banker parents, whom he credits with his pragmatism; his favorite campy films; and the role his husband, Seth Weissman, as well as friends including Alexander Wang and Vanessa Traina, play in his creative process.

You were born to a Chinese-American mother and French-Basque father. How does your background inform your design aesthetic?

It’s central to how I think about fashion and clothes and also my process. There is a duality between my French and American sides: I grew up in Paris surrounded by film and dance, so I have that French sensibility. On the other side, I’ve always been fascinated by American culture and the pragmatism, ease, and comfort it embodies. The marriage of these two sides of my personality is the Altuzarra brand.

I’ve read that you love film. Are there any movies that have been particularly impactful for you?

My parents love movies, and I grew up surrounded by all genres. One film that was particularly important was Si Versailles m’était conté [Royal Affairs in Versailles (1957)]. I watched this sprawling epic about life at Versailles over and over again, and the campy evolution of the costumes fascinated me. I also loved anything with Audrey Hepburn—Sabrina (1954) was a favorite—and tended toward less mainstream films as a teenager. Orlando (1992) had a huge effect on me because it was more ambiguous in its narrative.

Why did you choose to study at Swarthmore, and why art history?

Growing up bilingual with a Chinese-American mother, I always knew I wanted to study in the U.S. None of my classmates were going abroad for university at that time, and there were no SAT prep classes. I happened to see the film Ten Things I Hate About You (1999) in which the star ends up at Sarah Lawrence College. I looked it up online, and a box popped up saying, “If you like this school, you’ll also like Swarthmore, Amherst, Williams, Brown, and Haverford.” I applied to many of them, and one of my father’s colleagues suggested I go to Swarthmore. It was an incredible experience, as it was the first time I found my community—I was always nerdy in high school, and I finally felt free and surrounded by people like me. I loved studying art history: the analytical side of it, and the subjective way of looking at the world. I wrote an essay linking fashion advertising to classical art iconography, specifically about the influence of Toulouse-Lautrec on the Yves Saint Laurent Opium perfume advertisement with a naked Sophie Dahl. Art history spurred my love for fashion.

You had a very impressive CV prior to starting your own company. Did those experiences have an effect on the way you run your label?

When I worked at Proenza Schouler, there were just six people there, and I had no formal training or technical skills. I also apprenticed at Marc Jacobs just out of college, where I was lucky to be a part of that busy process. I went on to apprentice for Nicolas Caito at Rochas, where I learned the technical side of fashion design—pattern-making, draping—and this boosted my confidence greatly. Nicolas encouraged me to go back to Paris, where I met Riccardo [Tisci, creative director of Givenchy] and became his assistant for two years. I was so young and under-qualified, and he believed in me. He was a great mentor. I’m still incredibly grateful to him.

Your parents were both bankers and have been your biggest supporters. How did their business acumen help to launch the Altuzarra brand?

They made me a business-minded person, and I have always loved that side of the Altuzarra brand. My goal is success in design, but I always strive for financial success as well. Their involvement from the beginning—in the recession of 2008, no less—created a culture of frugality and an awareness of what we were spending. My mother, Karen, was the CEO of the brand for the first four years, before transitioning to our current CEO, Karis Durmer. My mom is still the chairman of the board and is actively involved in all aspects of the brand.

What was the inspiration for your first collection? Did you see a void in the market?

My first collection [spring/summer 2009] was born out of my wanting to create clothes that were sophisticated yet sexy, for a changing consumer. I was seeing women who were aging differently—through different nutrition and exercise—who wanted to be seductive and strong, but in an adult way. I saw women identifying with Meryl Streep, for example, who wanted to be the romantic lead in their own lives. That thought process has been the through-line for every collection since. Bottom line: Women want to be beautiful, not frumpy.

You create sophisticated, sexy clothes that combine a French and American sensibility. Is there a core customer? A muse?

[Stylists] Vanessa Traina and Melanie Huynh have been supporters since the very first season and represent the Altuzarra woman to me. These are women in their 30s, balancing full lives, who have an exacting, sophisticated sensibility. These women continue to inspire me, as do women like Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman, who possess inherent style and self-confidence.

Who were your earliest champions?

Carine Roitfeld [former editor of Vogue Paris] has been an incredible mentor from the very beginning, even before my first collection. Mark Holgate is a great mentor and friend who set up my first meeting with Anna Wintour [editor of Vogue]. Funny story about my initial meeting with Anna: I was supposed to meet and present my collection to her the day after flying from Paris to New York, but the airline lost everything. She was gracious about rescheduling and has been an incredible supporter ever since. She called and got us into places like Barneys and Dover Street Market and really helped to launch the Altuzarra brand.

You’ve been the recipient of numerous awards: the CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear Design in 2012, the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund Award in 2011, the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award in 2014. Which one has been the most meaningful?

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award in 2011 was a huge moment for me because it was a competition: months of work and dedication went into the process, and ultimately, it put us on the map.

You’ve designed costumes for the New York City Ballet. Would you like to do more theatrical design?

That collaboration came about through a summer share in Fire Island several years ago. My husband and I were in a house with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, who was working with the New York City Ballet at the time. I’ve always loved ballet and studied dance throughout my childhood, so when he asked if I might be interested in designing costumes I jumped at the chance. I went to all of the rehearsals and saw the choreography in progress, and we came up with a very American, casual look for this piece, one that was all about light, flirty garments that would highlight the movement of the dancers.

You’ve collaborated with Target and J. Crew, among other brands. What makes such projects interesting?

As the winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award, I was invited to collaborate with J. Crew on a collection of six pieces—a dress, shirts, sweaters, shoes—that were inspired by a preppy American aesthetic, but also by Breton stripes and French gingham. I wanted to play with the codes of prep, and also introduce Brigitte Bardot shapes and 1950s styling to a wider audience.

What made the sale of a minority stake to Kering particularly interesting to you?

I was approached by [Kering CEO François Henri] Pinault, who is a wonderful person and has respect for designers and their process. I felt that he loved our brand and could add value, and the partnership has been hugely beneficial to us. From the logistics of production teams in Italy, to helping with the development of our handbags, to expertise in margins and world geographies, we’re always learning from Kering.

Last fall saw the launch of your first collection of handbags, inspired by bull riding whips from the American Southwest. What do you love about their hand-woven details?

It was our first product extension, so it had to embody the core values of Altuzarra. I wanted the bags to have a French/American duality, and also to be sexy with an easy sensibility. I didn’t want them to be hard or structured, and I was focused on incorporating folkloric craft. I found the braided whips while researching online and fell in love with the handcrafted aesthetic, as well as their sturdiness and practicality.

What was the inspiration for the hardware and the handles? Do these elements fuse your love of things both French and American?

The ends of cigarette lighters were the inspiration for the gold hardware on the bags, and this is definitely the French influence. The closures and handles were inspired by equestrian life, specifically American horse culture. I have incorporated elements of the New Mexican riding whips into everything from hobo bags to cross-body versions.

With a bag, form follows function—what makes your elegant yet utilitarian bags work?

I wanted the bags to be beautiful, but ultimately they have to work for today’s busy, professional, stylish woman. The braiding of the straps needs to be soft and malleable, handles need to fit over bulky coats, and they often need to hold heavy things like laptops, so they need to be sturdy. And I was adamant about them being easy to open and close with one hand. The bags feature inside/outside zips, light linen insides so that finding keys is easy, and covered magnet closures that actually work but also look good.

What bag shapes will we see next and in what leathers?

The first bags were less structured, more casual, while the next version will be a more formal shoulder bag in smooth calf.

What has been the most challenging part of handbag design? Was there something you didn’t know going in?

When designing clothes, you aren’t always thinking about functionality first. With handbags, however, you can’t design unless you know how the person will use it. Will it hold an iPhone? A computer? Papers? I also didn’t know much about attaching handles and the importance of a swivel feature.

Your husband works in property development in New York. How did you meet?

We met 10 years ago, were friends for five years, and we married in 2014. One anecdote that gives insight into his personality is the story of our engagement. Every Saturday morning we walk our dog, Bean, and one of us goes for coffee and the newspapers. On this particular Saturday, Seth went out, changed into a tuxedo, and put a “Will you marry me?” collar on the dog. I said yes, of course, and was greeted by the Swarthmore a cappella group singing “A Whole New World.” From there we went to Soho House for a surprise engagement brunch for 100 friends. The entire day was spectacular.

While you aren’t particularly part of a flashy fashion party set, many of your friends—Alexander Wang, Christopher Turnier, Vanessa Traina—are involved in that world. How were these friendships formed, and why do you choose to lay low?

Part of it comes from knowing that the fashion world is fickle. I want my happiness to be predicated on things outside of the industry. I think it’s important to have deep, real, long-lasting friendships that I don’t have to put on Instagram. I’m lucky to have friends who are true and constant.

If you had to pick three items you would never part with, what would they be?

My platinum engagement ring by James de Givenchy engraved with the lyrics to “Come Rain or Come Shine,” which was our wedding song. Another precious object is a Hermès diary given to me by mother when I was 18. It’s embossed with my initials and is now full of sketches. The last thing isn’t an item or an object, but is Bean, our almost-8-year-old mini-schnauzer.

What’s next for you?

I’m a slow and steady person. I believe you have to be careful and deliberate about what you put out there. That said, our next area of focus would likely be shoes, where I’d like to expand dramatically.

Arne Sorenson’s dining boltholes

The president and CEO of Marriott International oversees a portfolio that includes The Ritz-Carlton, Edition and Bulgari hotels and last year reported revenues of nearly $14bn

“I try to avoid fancy restaurants when entertaining clients. I prefer places with authentic food and a casual atmosphere. That’s either Mon Ami Gabi near our HQ in Bethesda, Maryland, or Le Diplomate in Washington DC – two classic French bistros with excellent steak-frites and big sharing plateaux de fruits de mer.

I grew up in Japan so sushi and sashimi are comfort food for me. Makoto in Washington DC’s attractive Palisades neighbourhood is a 20-seat hidden gem with a traditional yet sleek feel and an outstanding omakase menu. Pearl Dive Oyster Palace in the 14th Street corridor is less formal. I actually like a bit of noise during a work meal – not a pounding soundtrack, but the energy of the people in the room – as it intensifies our discussions. This vibrant area is important historically too: it was burned down in 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King and has been revitalised with new restaurants and brew pubs that bring real colour to the capital.

I find partners and investors visiting from outside the US want meals to be just so – Michelin stars and impressive settings. For these occasions I’ll travel an hour outside the capital to The Inn at Little Washington, where chef Patrick O’Connell prepares delicious multicourse meals that might include soft-shell crab tempura or Peking duck with sour cherries. I shared one particularly memorable evening here with Tom Hutchison, then CEO of CNL, the real-estate investment trust that was acquiring some of our property.  

Much of the negotiating with Ian Schrager regarding the formation of our Edition hotels took place at the Four Seasons in New York. Something about the place just says “let’s resolve this”. We had many intense one-to-ones over lunch – often in 45-60 minutes.

I do a lot of business over breakfast and one of our most important deals – with South Africa’s Protea Hospitality Holdings – was established over strong cappuccinos at New York’s Essex House. CEO Arthur Gillis and I sat at a corner table and really got to know one another. We just hit it off. This was the first step in a long collaboration that ultimately led to term sheets and acquisitions.

In London I like the buzz at The Wolseley. If I’m seeking to make a more personal connection I’ll head to The River Café for its unmatched Italian food and light-filled space. As we are a big operator in sub-Saharan Africa I also spend a lot of time in Cape Town, where the avant-garde Test Kitchen is excellent for fun group dinners. We might start with oysters then follow the chef’s experimental tasting menu, which always sparks lively conversation. I love the mix of high-end cuisine and casual warehouse setting.

In Asia there is a ritual to business dinners and the best deal-making restaurants tend to be in hotels. I have shared countless meals with prospective investors and partners in the private rooms at Tin Lung Heen in The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. My guests always respond well to the traditional Cantonese cuisine and incredible harbour views. In Japan, however, my host will often take care of the evening’s arrangements – right down to the karaoke. Inagaki in Tokyo is a tiny, convivial spot favoured for bowls of oden, while Tofuya-Ukai serves wonderfully authentic tofu in a lovely garden.

Meals aren’t a soft excuse for splurging and they can be everything from intense to celebratory, but they are a huge part of the way I do business.”

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Westchester County

The vibe of New York can be draining, so my weekends in Westchester are a restorative necessity. This is where I step away, spend time with family and friends and recharge my batteries. Our home is just an hour outside the city, so weekend escapes are very easy.

Saturday is my day to sleep in – a thing I never do during the week. After starting the day with a matcha green-tea latte and seven-grain toast topped with smoked salmon and avocado, I’ll head to the John Jay Homestead farm market in Katonah to stock up on provisions for the meals I like to cook over the weekend. I am always inspired by what is fresh and I’ll buy whatever vegetables, berries, cheeses and country breads look appealing.  

Our days are centred around being outside, so after a full shop I’ll take my daughter Chloe [15] to Echo Farm, where I’ll ride while she has a lesson. Or we’ll go canoeing on Lake Waccabuc [pictured]; it’s very peaceful and the perfect antidote to the city. Back home, I like to walk in the woods, foraging for wild berries and mushrooms to use in various dishes later.

We’ll have a casual lunch at the house – a roast chicken with simple mixed greens, a tomato salad and sautéed corn. The afternoon is then spent visiting Gossett Brothers Nursery, where I like buying plants and flowers for the house and garden, particularly roses and peonies.

Evenings are our time for trying the great – and varied – cuisine the area has to offer. Blue Hill at Stone Barns is always an incredible experience, with visits to the on-site greenhouse making it even more special. Chef Dan Barber’s signature “vegetables on a fence” features the freshest, simplest ingredients – baby carrots, fennel, tiny radishes – and I know I’m eating food straight from the field. If we feel like seafood, Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish is the place to go, while the relaxed 121 in North Salem serves the best goat’s cheese and caramelised-onion pizza.

For a fun night with friends, we’ll head to Truck for creative New Mexican food and margaritas, or to Campagna at the Bedford Post Inn, where chef Michael White of Marea serves amazing branzino and fusilli with pork ragù. The evening often ends with a nightcap – Hudson Valley whiskey, tequila or a good cold beer – enjoyed next to our outdoor firepit.

I’m always first up on Sunday so I’ll walk the dogs and prepare a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon and fruit for my family. I use this quiet time to check emails from my restaurants. Saturday nights are key in my business and I like to know how my chefs are doing. We’ll then visit the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, which has 25 endangered red and grey wolves and all sorts of interesting workshops and guided walks – as well as “evening howls”.

Lunch is always a huge spread, with ribs, fish, chicken and vegetables, all cooked on our custom-made stone grill. My wife Marja might make a Korean dish too. Our friends and family – often 12 or more people – like coming over because they’re sure the food will be good and the atmosphere low-key. After that, we’ll do more hiking or canoeing before heading back to the city for an early dinner.

Sunday nights are spent with the whole family, including my two older children – Cedric, the chef at Perry Street, and Louise, the creative force at Chefs Club – and our two grandchildren. By this point, we’re all ready for great sushi, so we’ll go to the sleek EN Japanese Brasserie in West Village or Nobu in Tribeca. My Sundays typically end early – I’m in bed by 9pm – so that I’m rested for the busy week ahead in my kitchens.

Barry Sternlicht’s dining boltholes

The chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group oversees $42bn in assets under management and a property portfolio that includes 1 Hotels and Baccarat Hotels & Resorts

Barry Sternlicht at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Westchester County, New York | Image: Weston Wells

Sharing a meal tells you a lot about a person – their taste, their manners – and I often interview people at the table because everyone lets their guard down. Restaurants and clubs are also key to getting deals done because the setting takes the edge off: the meal serves as a kind of romantic seduction. Instead of gladiators sizing each other up in the boardroom, a rapport-building lunch or dinner in a disarming setting leads to a broader conversation.

A perfect example of this was our acquisition of Baccarat from Société du Louvre. That deal started with a four-hour dinner in Paris between chairwoman Anne-Claire Taittinger and myself. The company wasn’t for sale then, but when it did come onto the market, the bank involved, Rothschild, came to us because we had established a trust over that meal. Anne-Claire recognised that we weren’t just another private equity firm and that we had a people-focused approach.

Choice of venue is key and I always research what my clients like. If I’m trying to impress offshore bankers or real-estate investors, I’ll book a formal restaurant like New York’s Marea for its quiet atmosphere. I’ll take architects and designers to fun, less serious places like Barbuto or The Little Owl, which have a stylish, downtown vibe.

I find breakfast meetings tough because no one really eats and they are not that much fun. Lunches work well, as do celebratory dinners. For special occasions or dinners with spouses, I’ll opt for Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Westchester County, near our Connecticut offices. The farm-to-table menu is excellent, and we looked to them for inspiration in the restaurant design at our new 1 Hotels group. I like to eat well and stay in shape, so this is also a perfect choice for like-minded, health-conscious clients.

In Asia, I’m usually the one being wined and dined so I follow my host’s lead. But if I’m choosing, like when I’m meeting our client Jin Jiang, I’ll opt for the buzzy Café Gray Deluxe in Hong Kong’s The Upper House, which has views of the harbour. In Seoul, drinking is a big part of doing deals and we tend to establish a friendly rapport over the course of the evening. Shuchiku is a Japanese place in Building 63 – one of the city’s tallest, landmarked buildings – with incredible views and great sake.

I spend a lot of time in Miami and love Casa Tua’s spectacular food and outdoor setting, which is great for meeting with real-estate partners. For more boisterous evenings, when privacy isn’t a prerequisite, both Zuma and Prime 112 work well. Clubs are also great places for conversation and in London I like to entertain at 5 Hertford Street and The Arts Club. The former feels warm and cosy and has great acoustics, as well as nooks and crannies that allow for private negotiations, while The Arts Club has energy and caters to a more international, creative clientele.

For confidential deals, I’ll book a restaurant’s private dining room; in New York that might be at midtown’s The Core Club, which is convenient for meetings with bankers and lawyers, or at Casa Lever or Eleven Madison Park. This is down to an important lesson I learnt early in my career, when I was working in Chicago. I had a business dinner at Spiaggia with representatives from a company we were trying to acquire. At some point I went to the bathroom and overheard two of them talking about how they were going to negotiate and the price they were ultimately seeking. You definitely have a leg up when you know what figure will get a deal done. In a public restaurant, you never know who is sitting next to you.

WHERE TO FIND

5 Hertford Street, 2-5 Hertford St, London W1 (020-7408 2100; www.5hertfordstreet.co.uk). The Arts Club, 40 Dover St, London W1 (020-7499 8581; www.theartsclub.co.uk). Barbuto, 775 Washington St, New York, NY 10014 (+1212-924 9700; www.barbutonyc.com). Blue Hill at Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Rd, Pocantico Hills, New York, NY 10591 (+1914-366 9600; www.bluehillfarm.com). Café Gray Deluxe, The Upper House, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong (+852-3968 1106; www.cafegreyko.com). Casa Lever, 390 Park Ave, New York, NY 10022 (+1212-888 2700; www.casalever.com). Casa Tua, 1700 James Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (+1305-673 1010; www.casatualifestyle.com/miami). The Core Club, 66 East 55th St, New York, NY 10022 (+1212-486 6600, www.thecoreclub.com). Eleven Madison Park, 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010 (+1212-889 0905; www.elevenmadisonpark.com). The Little Owl, 90 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014 (+1212-741 4695; www.thelittleowlnyc.com). Marea, 240 Central Park Sth, New York, NY 10019 (+1212-582 5100; www.marea-nyc.com). Prime 112, Browns Hotel, 112 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (+1305-532 8112; www.mylesrestaurantgroup.com). Shuchiku, 60 Yeoeuido-dong, Seoul (+822-789 5751; www.63restaurant.co.kr). Spiaggia, 980 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (+1312-280 2750; www.spiaggiarestaurant.com). Zuma, 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL 33131 (+1305-577 0277; www.zumarestaurant.com).

Antonio Citterio’s perfect weekend in Milan

The architect and industrial designer explores the city’s paintings, porticos and botanical gardens and Brera backstreets

“Saturday mornings start at my local newsstand, Reno Giornalaio, at the end of Via Brera. I love the ritual of walking and getting the papers – everything from Corriere della Sera to the FT and The New York Times for my wife [American architect and interior designer, Terry Dwan] – and then settling into one of the local bars, Caffè Fernanda, inside the Pinacoteca di Brera, for coffee and brioche. The sense of community in these places is wonderful, but I also like that there’s no pressure to talk to anyone.

After a long while spent reading, I might go to any number of galleries and museums. I’m an art collector, and I find inspiration at places such as Gallery Massimo di Carlo; it’s a fantastically inspiring space by Piero Portaluppi who also designed the famous Villa Necchi. I’m drawn to the Palazzo Reale, especially during Salone del Mobile, and the Brera Museum, which has one of the best collections of Italian Renaissance paintings and an exemplary Lombard baroque courtyard – its portico has an unrivalled collection of full-size casts of monumental classical sculptures, and real 19th-century marble sculptures.

I’m a member of the advisory committee of the Museo del Design Italiano on the ground floor of the Triennale. The centre has constantly changing architecture exhibitions – our practice has designed installations here – and is a source not only of inspiration but also debate. There’s also a nice design café, where I’ll sit outside and have seabass carpaccio and salad for lunch. 

The Triennale has constantly changing architecture exhibitions and a design café | Image: Stefan Giffthaler

People come to Milan for the creative energy, the food and the fashion – and there is no better time to watch this all unfold than at the weekends. I’m not a trendy guy, but I am also not above taking a touristy stroll past La Scala, through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and on to the Duomo, before heading to quieter stretches such as Via Mozza and Via della Passione, which have a truly Milanese spirit. 

Quadrilatero – or the Golden Triangle – is lovely, too, for window shopping. The thing that most sparks my curiosity is the constant change of storefronts and tenants, a never-ending cycle of activity bringing new brands and installations. I walk through this area at the end of every work day, so sometimes at the weekend I prefer to explore the calmer neighbourhood streets. There is so much to explore near my house in Brera, including one of the city’s most beautiful churches, the neo-gothic Santa Maria del Carmine, with its terracotta façade. And the nearby Botanical Garden is one of my favourite escapes. After a period of neglect, this place, which was created at the behest of Maria Theresa of Austria, has now been restored. Today, passing through an area of monumental buildings, you suddenly enter a peaceful oasis full of nature and history.

The highlight of any day is aperitivo and I always go to the bar at the Bulgari Hotel Milano. They make me a special margarita il solito just the way I like it, with reposado [aged in oak barrels] tequila, and Niko Romito’s finger food is excellent. I might meet a friend here to discuss art and design and I feel it’s an important, enjoyable conclusion to the day, but one drink is always enough. 

I’ll meet Terry for dinner at Torre di Pisa, a classic place that was once a favourite with Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis group, as well as fashion designers and journalists. It still feels very ’60s and the simple dishes of spaghetti alla puttanesca and ribollita go well with a glass of Tuscan red. They make a special insalata mista for Terry: I like it when a restaurant feels like your own private kitchen.

Sunday mornings start with a walk in Sempione Park and on to the Castello Sforza – I enjoy the wide-open spaces. For lunch, we might go to L’Arabesque, a design store with a café that serves excellent risottos and grilled fish, or to the Mudec Museum, a contemporary art collection that does a nice Sunday brunch. On the rare Sunday night that we don’t eat at home, we’ll go to Langosteria, which has the best seafood tartares, or maybe to Nobu, near our house. I like the cleanliness and fresh taste of Japanese food, and it can be a nice change at the end of a weekend with a typically Milanese flavour.”

Tara Bernerd talks personal taste: Part One

Interior designer Tara Bernerd is chairman of her eponymous design company. Her latest project is a 47m Turkish superyacht.

Tara Bernerd in her Knightsbridge office. | Image: Jude Edginton

My personal style signifier is a large three-part “Bondage” ring by Loree Rodkin that I wear every day. It has lots of attitude to it. Loree came to my house in London several years ago, emptied her Kelly bag full of jewellery on my bed, and I selected it from the wonderful pile. It isn’t very conventional, but neither am I. Browns, 24-27 South Molton Street, London W1 (020-7514 0016; brownsfashion.com). www.loreerodkin.com and see Browns.

The last thing I bought and loved was a lens table by B&B Italia. I recently moved and had very little furniture, so I needed a dining and work table quickly. I wandered into the Brompton Road showroom and they had the table on hand and let me take it right off the floor. My white and glass version serves as the centrepiece in my new home. From £438; 250 Brompton Rd, London SW3 (020-7591 8111; www.bebitalia.it).

A Murano-glass vase from Talisman, £345.

And the thing I’m eyeing next is a 1940s or 1950s Murano-glass ashtray or vase from Talisman. I collect these chunky, sculptural pieces and I follow the inventory to see what has come up. Ashtrays, from £260; vases, from £345; 79-91 New King’s Road, London SW6 (020-7731 4686; www.talismanlondon.com).

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the last year is Göcek in southern Turkey. I sailed with a group of friends on a gulet called Cobra King through stunningly beautiful turquoise waters. This part of Turkey is truly untouched and magical; our chef cooked wonderful local delicacies such as menemen, a scrambled egg dish with tomatoes. The whole scene was like an opulent Dutch painting, complete with terracotta scenery and the scent of sweet pine. From €21,000 a week through Inter Yacht Charter (020-8099 5941; www.interyachtcharter.com).

The beauty staple I’m never without is Yves Saint Laurent lipstick Rouge Volupté #2, a creamy-beige hue that is increasingly difficult to find. The other is Boudoir by Vivienne Westwood, a perfume that was given to me by a friend when I was 19 years old, and that I’ve worn ever since. £50 for 50ml; www.viviennewestwood.co.uk. £23.50; www.yslbeauty.co.uk.

The last item of clothing I added to my wardrobe was a white Alexander McQueen smoking-type jacket. I will wear it for evening this summer – it will look perfect paired with Rick Owens jeans and a James Perse T-shirt. 4-5 Old Bond Street, London W1 (020-7355 0088; www.alexandermcqueen.com).

A bay off Göcek, Fethiye, Turkey. | Image: Alamy

A recent “find” is the restaurant La Bodega Negra. The whole thing is clever, from the hidden entrance via a “sex shop” to the authentic, old-school Mexican feel of the space. It is edgy yet intimate – and feels like an escape to New York City really, due to its lack of formality and interesting clientele. The margaritas and roast chicken are fantastic. 9 Old Compton Street, London W1 (020-7758 4100; labodeganegra.com).

The last music I downloaded was Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. I Shazamed it from TV; I thought it was a pensive song and I like listening to it in quieter moments. www.shazam.com.

Lens tables by B&B Italia, from £438.

The books on my bedside table are varied, and are usually historical, or fiction. I am currently reading The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, which I love for its look into society. Atlas Shrugged is always on my bedside table in Switzerland; I love Dagny’s quote about the “exhilaration of action”, which I can relate to.

In my fridge you’ll always find… not very much! Not even water, as I prefer it at room temperature. You might find Diet Coke, or fennel, which I like raw with olive oil and a bit of salt. On occasion there will also be salad greens and fresh parmesan cheese.

Boudoir by Vivienne Westwood, £50 for 50ml.

The best gift I’ve received recently is a pair of Troy Lee-designed Rossignol skis. I am an avid skier and getting these fluorescent-pink carving beauties made me feel like I was 12 years old again. www.rossignol.com.

My favourite websites are 1st Dibs, for the mix of antiques from both the UK and the US; Stylepark, a search engine for design; and MyDeco, full of home things from my good friend Brent Hoberman. I also love his site Made.com, for great deals in design. www.1stdibs.com. www.made.com. www.mydeco.com. www.stylepark.com.