My good friend Blue Carreon’s book Conversations: Up Close and Personal with Icons of Fashion, Interior Design and Art, has just been published. A bit of a polymath himself, Blue is a style writer, interior designer, boutique owner and blogger, and his series of interviews that featured initially in the Huffington Post and form the basis of the book make for fascinating insights into the minds and processes of some of our leading design talents. I was extremely honored to be asked to write the introduction for it. With contributions from Kelly Wearstler, John Varvatos, Jonathan Adler, Peter Som, Diane von Furstenberg, Paul Smith and so many more it is a treasure trove of takeaway thoughts.
What’s interesting about Blue’s book is that whilst his questionnaire, with it’s prompters such as “Happiness…” and “Women should always…” leaves a blank canvas for his interviewees, there are certain themes that shine through their answers. Botox proves one of the most divisive issues, with answers ranging from the direct, “it’s pretty fabulous,” to the rather more oblique, “it’s optional,” but in other realms there are clear themes that emerge. For several, confidence and the bravery to be exactly who you want to be are the key things a woman should always try to have. “My mother was a holocaust survivor who taught me that fear is not an option. I have never forgotten it. I have lived by it,” says Diane von Fursteberg, whilst Donna Karan encourages women to, “take care of themselves first. It makes you more equipped to take care of others.” Other advice is more prescriptive. We shall be taking away Karolina Kurkova’s tip of a hot water and lemon every morning (if it works for her…) and make a mental note of Ines de la Fressange’s beauty regimen of, “Dior nail cream and Revitalift from L’Oreal. This is a religion.”
What really strikes us most, however, is the hard work and dedication these talented people display – alongside an understanding that you have to make it happen. “Happiness… needs to be lived, as well as remembered and anticipated. Now is what counts,” says David Downton, the fashion illustrator. As inspiration for seizing the moment and indeed making it count, Conversations gives some very good starting points.
Conversations: Up Close and Personal with Icons of Fashion, Interiors, Design and Art is out now: http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Personal-Fashion-Interior-Design/dp/1629145475
Read Blue’s blog at http://www.styleintel.com
