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Over a career that spans more than 40 years, Isabelle de Borchgrave pronounced(de bor-grav) is responsible for creating works on paper for various forms of display and reproduction: from wall paper and textiles to fine china and stationary. Isabelle’s flowers and garden designs are even seen in vintage pieces of hand painted furniture. In the middle of a torrent of creativity, she’s published four books and her work is the subject of more than 18 museum exhibitions beginning in 1999. When we visited Isabelle’s atelier in central Brussels it was nearly impossible to focus one’s gaze on a single element or work of art. We were surrounded by an astounding array of her creative energy, it not only hung from the ceilings and the walls, but laid on the floor and perched on shelves and dangled from eves! Naturally, the famed paper creations of historical costumes from the Papiers a la Mode exhibits tended to be the standouts…literally. At each of the three levels of  her studio, there stood life sized paper models. Each mannequin displaying the glorious formal attire of the Medici, the splendor of the Venetian aristocracy as seen through the designs of Mariano Fortuny and the pomp of Diaghilev and Leon Bakst from the Ballet Russes.

The backdrop for a collection is set. The costumes cast an overarching point of view into all the work in Isabelle’s studio, although costumes or their designs will not play a part in any future collection for SoicherMarin, they are in a way, the frame of reference which we will use to infuse the work. So then, what does an Isabelle collection for SoicherMarin look like? All we will divulge for now is that we have two year’s worth of art in progress. The net effect will be a measured unveiling of Isabelle’s art (300 images) over four Markets. Our first collection this fall will be 90 pieces: each piece unique. Each a very personal connection to an artist with whom we are sure our customers will embrace as quickly as we here have been embraced by the radiance of her work.

The following is a series of showroom photos followed by our top performers during the week in High Point this Spring.

Soicher Marin Showroom

Monotypes by Brooke

Russian Mongol Paintings, circa 1815

Dressage Drawings by Matteo

Lillian August Ikat Painting, LA-070B

Russian Landscape Painting on Canvas, P-6116

Betty's Still Life, Mad Men and their women P-6197A

Kenzo, Spring 2012

The last week in February is my favorite time to go on my annual buying trip to Paris. I choose February as much for the uncluttered beauty of the city and easy access to my favorite eateries, than for the fact that it coincides with Fashion Week, where the giants of haute couture parade their latest collections on runways. I also get a chance to break out sweaters, jackets, and gloves from cedar chips and wear winter clothes that our balmy Florida climate does not ever seem to allow.

Although the collections on the runways are fall 2012, the windows on the streets in all the boutiques are dressed out for spring and this season it was blooming with incredible splashes of vibrant color. It’s as if a veil of gauze has been removed from a bouquet of fresh picked wildflowers. Gone is the cloud-gray blanket that has hovered over home fashion and ready to wear for years, as an explosion of pinks, emerald, tangerine, lemon, and lime is unleashed. Thank goodness: COLOR IS BACK.

It seems like an eternity since tasteful beige took over our world. The trend in Europe is back to unabashed and unapologetic optimism; both in Home and Couture . At least that’s my take on this return to a commitment in bright shades. Although, our team has been working for months on the Spring Collection for SoicherMarin, it’s as if  the ether moves trend in the jet stream. Our line for High Point Market too is an unabashed and unapologetic return to brighter days. Color, color, and then more color is “it” for Spring. The following pages are a sneak peek into what our creative team has been up to for the last year. —Ed Marin

For a peek at our new collection, follow this link: High Point Preview

“SUMMER CLOSEOUT SPECIAL” : 10 ORIGINAL RUSSIAN PAINTINGS

For avalibility contact Jennifer Balest @ jbalest@smfloida.com

Well I think that’s all I can ramble on for the moment. I should probably get back to work, but I think I will be posting my artwork up so you can see what I do. =)

In the visual world of art, unlike musical arts, the parameters of what makes art “art” seem much less stringent. For instance, if Jackson Pollack had been a composer rather than a painter, how many recordings would he have sold? If the chords struck by his orchestra were streaked, dissonant sounds booming across a vast hall, piercing wails and shrieking violins assailing the masses seated: how long would concert goers sit for a recital before the dissonance overwhelmed them? Yet, Pollack’s truly original, dissonant, screaming paintings created their own movement and disciples. These disciples whether real or affecting understanding revered him as a demigod. His bar, compared to that of a musician seems in hindsight, quite low. His contemporaries had no such forgiveness. Even the modernists in music corralled themselves into something that had a lyrical, traditional western nature. Pollack may have offended some, but others embraced him. Pollack the musical genius might easily have offended all.  So it is that we risk to create new ideas and make them ours knowing that it’s probably been done before. To be truly original may be impossible this late in the game. There are those that are satisfied to be too literal and hope not to get caught. Speech writers and politicians are notable examples. Between the literal plagiarist and the inspired “borrower”, lies the true genius. He is the ultimate recycler. The recycler of beauty, with his own unique point of view. He creates magic in new worlds for fresh, hungry eyes. -EM

It’s not often one has the privilege of watching the creative process in action. Artists demur when his dealer or patron want to experience the master at his easel (as if the voyeuristic experience would give any real insight as to what might being going on)…it does not.

So it was when I had the opportunity to step into the world of one of America’s most sought after Interior Designers. Over the course of meetings and sharing ideas, he displays an uncanny understanding of where he wants to end up, if not exactly sure how to get there…at first. His process, like so many others is rooted in a keen curiosity into how things work, mix, blend or might otherwise conform to fit his aesthetic. He’s a compulsive photographer much like Warhol or perhaps more aptly, Bressai. A chronicler of things: time and space more so than “events or people”. He wants to freeze that thing of beauty or odd shape or interesting spindle so that at some future date, it will avail itself for an alternate purpose. The collection of art we created together is my collaboration with that curious mind at work. We shaped his ideas and images into layers of framing and matting. His approach on this project was the ultimate re-purposing of things that a mind conjures. The result is an original aesthetic in decorative art. The Richard Mishaan collection of art is a cross section of modes: Asian, Belle Epoque France, Classical Roman, American Architecture, Organic Industrial, Pop and Post Modern; they connect to make up this intimate look into the curious mind of an American Icon.

-EM

nature but world class in quality. Until then. EM

Paris Door

Fence

Awning Standard

Floor at Kenzo

Floor at Kenzo II