Interview with Jacqueline Carlisle of Think Magazine

When did you launch Think magazine?

It officially launched in August, 2009 but we tested out material on the blog in 2008.


What was your inspiration?

I was anxious to see design representing the 21st century that not only was beautiful, but represented more than just a chair or a table. I was also flooded with information about the planet being depleted our pollutions issues and over flowing landfills. I had also watched a number of documentaries 3-4yrs ago about what our future could be like if we didn’t take steps to correct the destruction. It was disturbing.


Any hidden agendas?

Yes absolutely, my dream for this magazine is to be able to create an initiative where I can bring designers together to build sustainable housing and schools in third world and/or less developed countries. I think it’s important to give people the tools to better themselves than just throwing money at the problem. I honestly don’t know how those donations are allocated.


How would you define luxury today?

For me luxury is creating a lifestyle that isn’t disposable. I like beautiful things, I like things with providence, good details and interesting lines. Luxury has to and will evolve due to the saturated brand names. It’s quite boring now to be bombarded by brands that once were luxurious but now appear overtly common. I think people will desire a more exclusive shopping experience.


Where do you see fashion moving towards?

I have always been of the believer that you spend more up front for quality and have it for a lifetime than say buy cheaper and throw it out in 3mths to a year. In Europe you own less but you own quality and you may keep it in the family and pass it on to the next generation. I have dresses my Mother had made when we lived in Singapore when I was a baby and they’re still brand new. And I have a pair of handmade shoes that just gave up the ghost, I’ve had them for over 8yrs, it pains me to throw them away. Fashion today is exactly that, creating a quality wardrobe for oneself that is not only beautiful but cost effective in the long term. Investment pieces are the new black.


When can readers go to learn more about Think magazine?

www.thinkmag.net Social media options available on the site too!

Think Magazine : Issue 002 : Back Cover

A BIG 'thank you' to Jacqueline Carlisle over at Think Magazine for the back cover of issue 002. To see the entire issue, click here.

To learn more about Think Magazine, become a fan on Facebook or follow their blog.

New Designs for November!

Steelcut Loveseat (2009)

Clouds Seating Collection (2009)

Rockstar Swivel Lounge Chair

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new designs :)

NY Times: A Bright Way to Sit and Chill

My first feature in The New York Times! The below article, written by Joyce Wadler, was featured in print in the October 1st, 2009 issue of The New York Times (pg. D3, Currents), and can be found online (click here).

A Bright Way to Sit and Chill by Joyce Wadler

One of the more unusual pieces at the World Market Center Las Vegas show in September was the Yenn LED Cube, an acrylic chair that lights up, introduced by the innovative Phillips Collection, based in North Carolina.

But what would one do with such a piece? With a wholesale price of about $400 and an estimated retail price of $1,000, it’s a pretty pricey night light.

It was essential to speak with Jason Phillips, left, the 25-year-old creative director of the company founded by his parents, Mark and Julie Phillips. As it soon became obvious, if you have to ask what to do with a chair that lights up, you shouldn’t have one.

Tell us about the Cube.

It plugs in. This is not my design — my father and I saw it in Thailand. The cube is 16 by 16 by 16 inches, and it works fully outdoors because it is a resin composite. It’s translucent. It uses this beautiful array of LED bulbs. Then, of course, it plugs in.

How can you have it outside if you have to plug it in?

It’s just as beautiful un-illuminated. And somebody spending $1,000 on a stool can probably afford to have it go through underground wiring.

But along comes a June thunderstorm and goodbye.

This is not your standard chair. We would recommend people bring them inside. You could use them as a side table. If you can imagine a grouping of them, you can sit on them or put a drink on them. I see this outside in someone’s driveway, definitely at a club or bar, a public space. It’s one of those special pieces.

If it’s hard enough to support a drink, isn’t it too hard to be comfortable?

In our products, comfort comes second and function comes second. People buy from Phillips because it is an object of art.

Mr. Phillips was unable to explain what the name Yenn meant, but a few days later he forwarded an e-mail message from Janlada Chokchaiyakul, a sales manager at the Thai firm Landscape Design Projects, that said the chair’s designer was Pongrapee Kim Homklinkaew; that “yenn” meant “cool” or “chill” or “freezing”; and that “the designer was inspired by his feeling when sitting on a real ice cube in an ice factory in Thailand.”

This prompted a question for Jason Phillips that only a veteran design reporter, with nerve endings as fine as the eyelashes on a newborn vicuña, would have the acuity to ask.

Why would anyone sit on an ice cube?

I can’t imagine why anyone would be sitting on an ice cube.

Veranda's 'The Art of Design' Award Ceremony

That's me standing at the entrance to the NY Academy of Art, watching the mad dash to get everything ready for Veranda's inaugural The Art of Design award ceremony.

This prestigious award will be given out annually to four professionals across different artistic industries who exemplify the topic for that year. In our case, it was Luxury. I was the winner in the Trade Secrets category and I couldn't be happier (if you couldn't tell in the photo).

More photos can be found here: Flickr

More details and video will be posted soon :)

Hirst, Prince, and Murakami in ARTnews 9/09

If you have been following my blog you know I like to share interesting news clippings, website, etc. Today is no different, although you will have to work for it ;-)

There is an AMAZING article in the Sept. '09 issue of ARTnews titled, "Hirst, Prince, and Murakami" by Milton Esterow. Three of the best known artists of today are interviewed collectively.

I was inspired. Head over to a Barnes & Noble and flip to pg. 104 to see what I'm talking about!

Exhibition at MAD on August 17th, 2009!

The World Market Center - a premier venue of permanent showrooms in Las Vegas - hosted a press unveiling of 15 new collections from the top names in the industry at the Museum of Arts & Design (MAD) in Columbus Circle, NYC. I was honored that my Butterfly Bar Collection was featured amongst such great company! Attached are some photos from the event.