The enemy of minimalism
Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Jonathan Adler
He learnt to make potteries while he was 12, then forgot it, worked in the movies industry, got fired and eventually, at 26, started doing it again.
He run out of money, was broken and the only thing he was able to do was pottery. And he did it, sure he did. He describes himself as a lucky and happy person, even if he went through hard times.
But that time when he called Barneys New York to ask if they were interested in his work and they replied yes, send some, that was the real beginning of his business that now counts 30 flagship stores in the US and developed into textiles and design in general.
He met his husband at Barneys too: Simon Doonan, its creative director.
He speaks about him in a very touching and human way, it’s really lovely.
I’m no fan of his style but I like his thinking and way of life. He’s a little bit too maximalist and too luxurious for me but I do agree with him on that:
- There’s no more any dominant style today. Everything is fine today and that’s good, because it means that there’s room for every kind of creativity.
- His manifesto is damn good and starts with “WE BELIEVE that your home should make you happy”.
- A personal brand must stay human. Being a brand (like himself, even if he doesn’t consider himself like that) should never turn into something impersonal and anonymous.
