The Living Room — an Elizabeth Suzann pop-up shop featuring Elizabeth Pape’s favorite artisans and makers. Photo: Flock South
Consume mindfully and live intentionally. This is the philosophy of Elizabeth Pape, fashion designer and founder of the Nashville-based clothing label Elizabeth Suzann. In a world where fast fashion and mass consumerism are cultural norms, Pape and her company have been advocating customers to buy only good things and buy them less often.
Since the inception of Elizabeth Suzann, I have had a huge design crush on the company. Each garment is designed specifically to inspire you to be your best self, to be comfortable in your own skin and to live your life clutter-free. The ideas behind ES may sound like romantic notions, but don’t be fooled. In a matter of three years, ES has become a nationally recognized design label. Proving those “notions” are exactly what consumers want.
A one-of-a-kind collection, personally sewn by Elizabeth Pape – only available at The Living Room. Photo: Flock South
In November, Pape moved her company from a small studio to a 10,000-square-foot warehouse. The company was growing at a rapid rate, and it was time to take ES to the next level. The new space has plenty of room for lean production areas for their staff of seamstresses, larger cutting and shipping tables, full-scale customer service and media offices, a large design studio just for Pape and a spacious showroom. Just like the clothing label, the warehouse is meticulously curated to be both functional and beautiful.
ES’s latest experiment is The Living Room — a pop-up shop in their showroom featuring local artisans and makers, as well as a collection of Pape’s one-of-a-kind sewn work. The pop-up opened two weeks ago, and will be open to the public on Fridays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. until Sept. 23. I connected with Elizabeth Pape to learn more about this project and her desire to collaborate with the creative community.
Hand-crafted goods created by artisans, both locally and around the world. Photo: Flock South
The Living Room is your latest ES experiment. How did this concept develop? What’s the story?
The concept developed from the convergence of two desires I’d been feeling for a while. One was a desire to stretch my own creative muscles, to make new work that may not be as commercially viable as some of our simpler, staple garments. I was craving an outlet to explore things I might not want to commit to, things I may not understand, things that test my limits of chaos and imperfection.
The second desire was to share things that I love — beyond clothing — with our community. The work of friends, the work of customers and work that inspires me — it is constantly shaping how I see the world and the way I design, and I craved a way to bring those things to light in a public way. Carrying other brands’ products was not a concept we’d explored before, but in this format of intentional, heartfelt curation it felt right.
The combination of these two things felt like such a natural representation of my world — like I am welcoming customers into my own living room.
Hand-crafted mule shoes by Elizabeth Suzann, leather handbags designed by local talent Annie Williams, and ink-splattered ceramic planter holders by Shayna Stevenson. Photo: Flock South
Who are the artists participating in The Living Room? What can customers expect to experience at the pop-up shop?
We have goods from quite a few different artists and brands from all over the world — all of them make things I truly love and use in my own life, and many of them are actually ES customers. Learning about the incredible talented community of our customers has been one of the most rewarding parts of this business.
I will have a collection of one-of-a-kind, personally sewn work. These are pieces that aren’t available anywhere else, and a bit divergent from the rest of our collection.
The Living Room will have work available from Katia Carletti, Emil Erwin, Shayna Stevenson, Annie Williams, Maison Louise Marie, Fiele Fragrances, Emily Leonard, Zachary Gray, Land of Women, Jennifer Jeremias, Mary Mooney, Michelle Armas, Julia Kostreva, Melena Cadiz, Liza Anne, Shop ILA, Little Seed Farm and Fecht Design.
In addition to shopping, I want this to feel like a place customers can inhabit and explore — a place to come to see and experience art, listen to records, take in the incredible mural by Emily Leonard, tour our facility, and have a drink in our courtyard. Intimate and personal, and not at all like traditional retail.
One-of-a-kind collection by Elizabeth Pape, Ink-splattered ceramic mugs by Shayna Stevenson, and hand-crafted bath & body products by local company, Little Seed Farm. Photos: Flock South
Collaborating with local artisans is not a new concept for ES. Local artist Mary Mooney designed the gorgeous ES paper packaging for your shipping boxes. How did this idea unfold? Do you have future plans with other artisans?
Picturing a woman opening up a package from Elizabeth Suzann is something I do often. A package she’s curated with intention, purchasing her favorite pieces, waiting for them to be sewn and shipped — I hope it’s an experience that is anticipated, a moment that is enjoyed and savored. I want the fashion in which our garments arrive to live up to the same standards we hold the products to themselves.
I don’t like tissue-wrapped packages, especially when delivered by mail. The transportation is rough and no matter how carefully it was packed, by the time it arrives it can’t help but look tired. A sturdy, crisp wrapping paper custom-fit to our box sizes was the perfect way to enclose the clothing, but I was unhappy with the idea that so much paper was likely getting thrown out after one use. Particularly for such a specialized part of our packaging, it seemed like it deserved a bit more attention and purpose.
So, we decided to work with Mary to design a custom-painted paper inspired by the color palette of our spring and signature collections. Mary came to the studio to collect fabric swatches and discuss the collection and created an original work in her trademark style of paint on acrylic sheeting.
Beautiful Elizabeth Suzann wrapping paper designed by local artist, Mary Mooney. Photo via Emily Howard and Elizabeth Suzann.
We had the painting scanned here in Nashville and worked with our local printer to create the wrapping paper. Seeing Mary’s abstract interpretation of my work was inspiring and moving on its own, but to know that every customer gets a little piece of art in their box makes me too happy for words.
Art is an integral part of where my inspiration comes from and why I enjoy doing what I do. We are currently working with Nashville-based Emily Leonard to paint a large scale mural on a 12-foot-by-15-foot sliding door in our warehouse. One side faces the showroom and the other side faces our production area. Bringing a beautiful work of art into both of those spaces was so exciting to me (art to benefit both our customers and our employees) — and the door was the perfect canvas. She’ll be working on the mural over the next several weeks, and you’ll be able to see the first side at The Living Room launch!
The Living Room mural (now complete) by Nashville-based artist, Emily Leonard. Photo via Elizabeth Suzann.
Original article via The Tennessean
Share:
Have you bought your tickets to the Sideshow Fringe Festival yet? If not, do it now! It’s this weekend, and the performance DEAR APOCALYPSE is a must-see. My incredibly talented friends have created a stunning production that will knock your socks off.
Dear Apocalypse is an evening-length live theatrical production that is a meditation on traumatic life experiences – our own personal “apocalypses” – which will be presented during the Sideshow Fringe Festival on August 5 & 6 at 7 pm. The show is the result of an eight-month artistic collaboration between Rebekah Hampton Barger, founder & artistic director of contemporary aerial dance company FALL, and Kat Jones of Kat Jones & The Prophets.
Nearly everyone has experienced a personal “end of the world” in some form. The cast will draw from their own experiences as they present Dear Apocalypse, telling the true story that beautiful things can come from ugly experiences through their individual art forms. The heart of this show is a story of survival, discovering hope for the future, and building community in trying times.
Kat Jones & The Prophets will present their forthcoming concept album “I Am Warm Young Blood” which showcases their flamenco-infused punk rock stylings as the musical foundation for the work. The dancers of FALL will provide visual interpretation, with choreography & staging by Rebekah Hampton Barger, alongside original poetry written and performed by Audra Almond-Harvey & Tavius Marshall.
In order to extend this special performance to those in our community who have experienced trauma or who suffer from PTSD, supporters have the opportunity to sponsor tickets for others. Contact katjones@abrasivemedia.org for more information on how one can sponsor a ticket or receive free admission.
FALL has been a featured artist for four of the past five years at the Sideshow Fringe Festival, Nashville’s progressive performing arts event. Kat Jones and Rebekah Hampton Barger are both resident artists of abrasiveMedia, a local nonprofit that exists to help artists grow, connect, produce, and give back to their communities.
And if your still not convinced to go (which, I personally find insane) – watch this badass video.
For more information on the project, visit www.abrasivemedia.org. For tickets to Dear Apocalypse and all of the other festival offerings, visit http://tinyurl.com/FRINGE2016.
Share:
Porter Flea Summer Market July 29 & 30th at Skyway Studios
Nashville’s favorite artisan market is back! The annual Porter Flea Summer Market, a modern handmade pop-up event featuring the region’s most talented artisans and designers, returns at the end of this month, on July 29th and 30th.
This year’s Porter Flea Summer Market will be held in East Nashville at Skyway Studios (3201 Dickerson Pike in Nashville), its largest venue to date. The market will showcase more than 120 vendors (40 of which are new to the market), thousands of handmade wares and 12 of the city’s finest food trucks.
What you won’t find at this event are poor quality goods, cheap knick-knacks or mediocre artwork — no need to worry, this ain’t your granny’s backyard craft fair. If there is one thing Porter Flea does well, it’s that the event’s driving forces are style, innovation and impeccable craftsmanship.
If you have attended any of the Porter Flea events in the past, you understand that they are popular. The kind of popular that results in hourlong lines just to get through the front door. If a long wait is not your idea of a fun weekend, don’t fret. The amazing Porter Flea team now offers two shortcuts: attend the Preview Market on Friday and get an exclusive first look for $25 (plus a few complimentary perks) or pay $15 for a Porter Pass and skip the lines on Saturday.
Melissa Weiss Pottery
Now, on to the fun part — the must-see vendor list. The variety of vendors this year is pretty impressive. There is something for men, women, pets and kiddos. You’ll find items including locally designed apparel, shoes and handbags, beautiful prints and paintings, as well as hand-dyed men’s accessories, hand-crafted leather-rope bike locks and delicate handmade ceramics that will make you dizzy with delight. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I can honestly say that every single vendor attending this year is going to knock your socks off. But! There are a few artisans, 10 actually, that have created wares so delicious, you will be camping days before the market opens just to get your hands on these goodies first.
1. DVRA – Handbags inspired by all things tropical. Favorite item: the black papaya clutch, $68.50.
2. Rise & Ramble – Flowy, modern collections designed from luxurious hand-dyed textiles. Favorite item: the Louna tunic dress in silk noil, $180.
3. Bean and Baily Ceramics – Contemporary slip-cast ceramics designed by a darling Southern duo. Favorite item: skinny hanging crystal planter, $27.
4. Native Bear – Modern bohemian stationary and gifts inspired by the earthiness and magic of the 1970s. Favorite item: orbit prints, $35.
5. Norman Leigh – High-quality reclaimed furniture, décor and accessories. Favorite items: Reclaimed Hexagon Tray $92 and Triangle Mirror $320.
6. Lonesome Traveler – Classically constructed men’s accessories designed in both vintage and new fabrics. Favorite item: Capulet’s Garden cotton necktie, $62.
7. Mary Mooney – Delicate abstract expressionist paintings and jewelry in vibrant hues. Favorite item: Hand-painted necklace pendants, $110-$240.
8. M.I.D. Goods – Nashville-based brand specializing in original hand-crafted ink/paper goods. Favorite item: Botanic colonies of the United States, $50.
9. Hechizo – Exquisite handmade accessories inspired by global traditions and décor, using ceramics, leather and metals. Favorite item: Pamona charm necklace in tumeric, $120.
10. Natalie Joy of Portland – Thoughtfully hand-fabricated jewelry and brass mobiles. Favorite item: Monstera Deliciosa brass mobile, $130.
*Original post featured on the Tennessean “10 Must-See Porter Flea Summer Market Vendors”
Share:
Photos via Designer Pad and Gardenista – Split-Leaf Philodendron and Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Cold? Hot? Warm? Seriously, cold again? Yes, it’s that time of year when the weather won’t make up its mind, and it feels as though spring will never come. It’s called the in-between season, where nothing is consistent and everything feels like it’s in slow-motion.
Many of my clients call toward the end of February panic-stricken with an intense desire to completely re-decorate their home. And when I say re-decorate, I mean they want to strip the house down to the studs immediately.
Sound familiar? Yes, we’ve all been there. The key is not to panic and order the bulldozer. You simply need a refresh, not a new home.
So how do you decorate during the in-between season? The solution is quite simple: greenery.
Indoor plants can give a drab interior instant panache. They bring in an element of surprise, color and even art-like qualities. These greens spruce up a space with little effort and give a lot of bang for your buck. They are also healthy for you! Studies have shown that plant-life in the home creates a happier environment, as well as cleaner air.
What to buy?
The No. 1 question I am asked about indoor plants is “What plant do I buy?” First and foremost, keep it simple. I encourage clients to choose indoor plants that are more sculptural, easy to maintain, and complements their design style. To make things easy, I’ve gathered the top indoor plants trending for 2016.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree: This large, ruffly leaf tree has been making waves in the home décor scene since 2013. Although there are a few contenders to take its place this year, the Fiddle Leaf is not going anywhere anytime soon. Easy to maintain and looks gorgeous against white walls.
Peruvian Cacti: Incredibly tall, prickly, stately and needs little water — this is the perfect plant for a modern space. It’s also great for all you plant killers out there. These guys are strong and can handle poor caretakers. As of late, this plant has been showing up in a lot of home magazines and will likely be one of the most popular plants of the year.
Staghorn Fern: In a pot, on the wall, mounted or hanging, these antler-like ferns are a playful plant that has lots of styling options. They vary in size from 6 inches to 3 feet wide.
Hanging Pitcher Plant: These Old World plants come from the carnivorous plant family. They look delicate, but they are anything but. Let’s just say you wouldn’t want to fall into one of those beautiful cups.
Bird of Paradise and other palms: Elegantly long stems brimmed with beautiful fans, the palm is a décor staple. Whether your décor lends to modern styles or old world antiques, a single palm will elevate your space with a classic, timeless look.
Split-Leaf Philodendron: A little more playful than the Birds of Paradise, with its stems branching in multiple directions. A nice combination of modern and whimsical. Looks best in minimal spaces.
Snake Plant: This plant is as modern as you can get. Sharp, clean-lines and all vertical. Ideal plant for those looking for something more architectural.
ZeeZee Plant: Similar to the Snake Plant, as it is also very sculptural and looks great in a modern space. But it is a little less serious and a bit more playful. Excellent choice for transitional interiors.
Succulents: These tiny plants have been incredibly popular over the years, and their popularity is still going strong. This year you will see them less on their own, and more clustered together in terrariums, mounted on wood, inside various desert wood, and hanging in glass and ceramic planters.
Where to buy?
When you are buying plants of any kind, always buy local. Your local garden stores and nurseries not only carry a wide variety of plants that will grow properly in your area, they also offer care instructions and delivery, and they’ll even pot your plant for you.
My two favorite local garden shops are All Seasons Gardening & Brewing Supply and Gardens of Babylon (all photos were taken at these shops). Not sure what to buy? Afraid you’ll kill again? Don’t fret! Both companies love to share their knowledge, and it’s just as important to them that you keep your darling plants alive.
Share:
Summer is coming to an end, and soon a new season will be upon us. Whether you are in school, or haven’t attended class in thirty years, September evokes memories of freshly sharpened pencils and books waiting to be opened. It’s that time of year when you want to fuel-up on new insights, vivid imagery and explore the unknown. So it’s no surprise that I have books on the brain.
A few months ago, the fall book preview for 2015 was released by all the major publishing companies and I was lucky enough to get a sneak-peek of the coffee-table and culinary books. My personal favorites were from Phaidon – the dreamiest of all publishing companies. Their showroom was a book nerd’s dream, chock-full of over the top vibrancy and curious content. After two days visiting multiple publishers, I knew that I was in trouble – every extra penny earned was going towards the new fall line-up of books. Lots and lots of sexy books.
So without further ado, here is a round-up of the best coffee-table and culinary books for Fall 2015:
ART, FASHION & PHOTOGRAPHY
Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue by Grace Coddington
The biggest book in Fashion and it’s all about the iconic wonder-woman, Grace Coddington. 408 pages showcasing the greatest photographs ever published in British and American Vogue.
Release Date: September 28, 2015
Diana Vreeland: The Modern Woman: The Bazaar Years, 1936-1962 by Alexander Vreeland
A gorgeous book looking back on the legendary fashion editor, Diana Vreeland, and the three decades she spent at Harper Bazaar. Written by her grandson, the book highlights the glory days of fashion and Vreeland’s monumental influence on the industry.
Release Date: October 20, 2015
Fantastic Man: Men of Great Style and Substance by Gert Jonkers and Jop van Beenekom
Who and what defines masculinity in the 21st century? Over the past ten years Fantastic Man magazine has been portraying the stylish modern man through iconic photography and witty editorial. This book celebrates a decade of cool with 69 of the world’s most influential and stylish men.
Release Date: October 26, 2015
Daniel Ost by Paul Geerts
Daniel Ost is a magician in the floral industry. His works are not modest, nor will you find them on traditional tabletops. Ost constructs large-scale floral sculptures for some of the most prestigious residences, temples, exhibitions, and events in the world. The book will simply take your breath away. Comprised of 80 floral designs, paired with a descriptive essay that will take you through the wonderland of Ost’s mind.
Release Date: October 19, 2015
Map: Exploring the World by Phaidon Editors
Created by a panel of academics, curators and collectors from around the world, this book of 300 maps creatively pairs striking imagery, historical facts, culture and tradition. Throughout the book you will experience 5,000 years of cartographic drawings and the many reasons why humanity creates maps.
Release Date: September 28, 2015
LIFESTYLE AND DESIGN
Modern Taste: Art Deco in Paris 1910-1935 by Jose Marinas
Art Deco was the beginning of the modern era. A sharp contrast of previous styles, Art Deco forever changed the landscape of design and culture. This gorgeous book takes readers through a comprehensive journey of art, fashion, film, architecture, and design during one of the greatest artistic movements of our time.
Released: July 28, 2015
Sage Living by Anne Sage
Anne Sage is a profound writer, blogger and stylist. Sage Living is her first book and it is a must-read! Beautiful interiors, intimate stories and a welcomed perspective on design and how it affects our lives. Sage Living is more than a pretty picture book, it’s a guide that “helps readers decorate for the lives they truly want.”
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves by Emily Henderson
Emily Henderson is an interior stylist, TV host, and author based in LA. Known for her darling demeanor and commitment to approachable home design with a vintage kick, Henderson has become quite the style maven. In this book, she shares an easy ten step guide in “styling” any space. Decorating can takes months of planning, but styling only takes a few minutes. Enjoy trade secrets, over a 1,000 design ideas and 75 inspiring interiors.
Release Date: October 13, 2015
CULINARY
Bread and a Dog by Natsuko Kuwahara
“A quirky, photographic exploration of two beloved subjects: breakfast and dogs.” Food stylist, Natsuko Kuwahara, shares delicious breakfast recipes, tips and beautifully designed table arrangements. The catch? The book is 100 pages of beautifully styled food and Kippie…an incredibly well-trained dog that is fascinated with his owners work. A delightful book with a refreshing viewpoint on food and pets.
Release Date: October 5, 2015
Nopi by Yotam Ottolenghi
Another breathtaking, mouthwatering cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi. This time, Ottolenghi joins forces with Chef Ramael Scully and creates a book with an unusual fusion of Asian-inspired and Middle Eastern dishes. Exotic spices and wild pairings, this is definitely a book you want to add to your collection.
Release Date: October 20, 2015
The Nordic Cook Book by Magnus Nilsson
Chef Magnus Nilsson, the man behind the famous restaurant Faviken Magasinet, saw a great need for a geographical cookbook and one that was properly translated. So, he travelled throughout the Nordic region collecting recipes and photographing the magnificent people and landscape of the north. In this book, Nilsson explains (in a way that has never been done) Nordic heritage, ingredients and techniques that allow readers to recreate these recipes with ease. A beautiful combination of rich cuisine and culture featuring 700 recipes from Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenleand, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Release Date: October 12, 2015
Tacopedia by Deborah Holtz and Juan Carlos Mena
Everything you would ever want to know about tacos and more! Known as the ultimate taco guide, Tacopedia is a fun cookbook with 100 authentic Mexican recipes, vibrant photos, interesting stories, interviews, illustrations, maps and quirky infographics. Whether you love beautiful graphics or excellent Mexican food, this book will captivate any audience.
Release Date: September 28, 2015
Toast by Raquel Pelzel
Who doesn’t love toast? Morning, noon, or night, savory or sweet, the possibilities are endless when it comes to toast. Award-winning food writer Raquel Pelzel features a delectable cookbook of 50 fresh-ingredient recipes on how to fix toast. Pelzel explains that toast is so much more than bread and butter, it’s a canvas of culinary opportunity. Toast is the cookbook you’ve likely been dreaming about.
Release Date: September 14, 2015
Share:
