Pooky Lighting is entering the U.S. market.
Photo: Pooky Lighting
The Artful Life: 5 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week
From Armani/Casa’s new design gallery in Manhattan to the American debut of British brand Pooky Lighting
1. Maison Perrier-Jouët Launches Exceptional Collaboration with Atelier Montex
Revealed during Paris Fashion Week this month, this unique creation is the result of a collaboration between Maison Perrier-Jouët and the prestigious French embroiderer Atelier Montex. It was inspired by the champagne house’s historic ties with the Art Noveau movement, and in particular, the decorative objects and artworks—the largest private collection of French Art Nouveau in Europe—at the Maison Belle Epoque in Epernay, which was for many years the home of the founding family. To create Libellule, which wraps the champagne bottle in a pair of meticulously embroidered dragonfly wings, artistic director Aska Yamashita of Atelier Montext called on the expertise of Montex partner Studio MTX, which specializes in architectural embroidery, and its own artistic director Mathieu Bassée. It took a full year of research and development to create the 3D-printed effect, galvanized with nickel, plated with 24-carat gold, and finally painted by hand with the green of nature and of Maison Perrier-Jouët. It was then hand-embroidered by a single Atelier Montex artisan. The entire process was said to have taken around 75 hours. Ode à la Nature – Libellule is presented in a limited edition of just ten bottles globally, and there will be one bottle available for purchase in the U.S. in February 2024. —Lucy Rees
Exterior view of the new Armani/Casa showroom in New York. Photo: Courtesy of Armani/Casa
Antoinette vanity table by Armani/Casa. Photo: Courtesy of Armani/Casa
2. Armani/Casa Unveils Design Gallery in New York
Fans of Giorgio Armani’s soigné collection of furniture and home accents now have an equally sophisticated design destination where they can experience the pieces in person. Armani/Casa opened the doors to a dedicated gallery on Park Avenue in Manhattan, where classic pieces and distinct limited editions, such as the Royal bar cabinet, are on display alongside new introductions, including the most recent array that features hypnotic patterns of mother-of-pearl. Here, visitors inspect the dreamy inlays of the Antoinette vanity table, a reimagining of the 2022 design, now enveloped in a mesmerizing shell mosaic; the Art Deco-inspired Camilla writing desk, enhanced with matte black lacquer drawers; or the attention grabbing Sofia dining chair. “These are some of the most precious pieces, re-editions of now iconic furniture, completely covered in mother-of-pearl tiles arranged in a mosaic, the result of admirable craftsmanship,” says Giorgio Armani in a statement. Also installed in the showroom are curated displays of Armani/Casa furniture, textiles, wall coverings, lighting, and tabletop selections, cultivating a tranquil atmosphere that showcases the maison’s dedication to the finest in Italian design. —Jill Sieracki
Corima. Photo: Jovani Demetrie
Beet and Squash Aguachile served at Corima. Photo: Jovani Demetrie
3. New Modern Mexican Restaurant Corima Opens in Manhattan
Chef Fidel Caballero’s recent restaurant opening, Corima, brings a contemporary flair to cuisine inspired by his upbringing in the northern region of Mexico. Boasting an impressive resume (including serving as the sous chef at Michelin-starred Contra), Caballero has just unveiled his eagerly-awaited Chinatown hot spot, where diners will find locally sourced ingredients and dishes such as smoked swordfish tamal and duck enmoladas. For libations, mixologist Sam Gallard has drawn from a wide selection of mezcals and other spirits native to Mexico to help shape an inventive cocktail list. And if the food wasn’t transportive enough, design studio The Cosecha Group incorporated a muted color palette alongside accents of concrete, sandstone, and handmade tiles to create the feel of the Mexican desert, while works by artist Amador Montes and plateware from ceramicist Rufina Ruíz López of Taller Ruíz López provide an even more elevated feel. —Shelby Black
British brand Pooky Lighting is entering the U.S. market. Photo: pooky lighting
4. Pooky Lighting Announces U.S. Debut
Americans who fancy a touch of whimsy will be delighted that U.K.-based lighting brand Pooky is bringing its array of cheerful lamps to the U.S. market with the launch of an e-commerce site. Founded in 2014 by entrepreneur Rohan Blacker, the buzzy brand has become known for its multitude of rechargeable table and floor lamps topped by vibrant, patterned shades that run the color spectrum. While obviously perfect for a country home, Pooky’s lighting solutions—which include lamps, shades, pendants, flush mounts, sconces, and spotlights—are suited for any interior thanks to a variety of base options ranging from classic to ultra-mod and everything in between. Don’t be surprised their eye-pleasing creations start popping up everywhere. —Geoffrey Montes
Installation view, Thomas Ruff, d.o.pe., 2022-2023, featuring a portfolio of four new works. Photo: © Thomas Ruff/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/VG Bild-Kunst, Germany. Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner
5. Utopia Editions Introduces Four New Works by Thomas Ruff
A collection of four prints from German photographer Thomas Ruff’s psychedelic series, “d.o.pe.”(2022), copublished by Utopia Editions and Schellmann Art, is now available through David Zwirner’s fine art print platform. The otherworldly works, related to the pieces shown at the gallery last year, are based off Aldous Huxley’s autobiographical volume The Doors of Perception. Featuring mesmerizing patterns made using a specialized software, Ruff’s images aim to capture the beauty of mathematics. “These works are a reference to the fact that there are no limits to the artistic imagination,” explains Ruff. Each print comes in an edition of 40 with five artist proofs. — Stefanie Li
Cover: Pooky Lighting is entering the U.S. market.
Photo: Pooky Lighting
