Objects of Desire

Notes on our most coveted art & design pieces and collaborations.

Objects Ai Weiwei. The Silk Scarf ‘Haircut’

Inspired by his Papercut Portfolio from 2019, this handwoven and hand-silkscreened scarf references Ai Weiwei’s involvement in documenta XII in Kassel in 2007, when he invited 1001 Chinese compatriots to travel to the German city and participate in one of his artworks. He designed their clothes, suitcases — and as depicted here — also cut their hair.

Created exclusively for Taschen, Ai’s wearable art range also includes the black and white Citizens’ Investigation scarf and a range of laser cut bags adorned with motifs from his Papercut Portfolio. Ai’s limited-edition clothbound artwork pays tribute to the traditional Chinese art of papercutting, whereby coloured, intricately cut papers are used as a storytelling medium. At £35,000, though, it’s a hefty investment. So, look to Ai’s silky scarf instead. With a price tag of just £250, it’s a bargain.

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Objects Annie Leibovitz: Wonderland

‘Leibovitz is nothing less than America’s greatest living photographic portraitist,’ writes Anna Wintour in the foreword of Wonderland, a gorgeous new anthology of Leibovitz images commissioned by Vogue and Vanity Fair. ‘She has changed fashion photography forever.’

Coming to prominence in the 1970s, Leibovitz has captured some of the most famous names of the past five decades, including Michele Obama, Hilary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. Her fashion images, however, are just as beguiling. She’s reimagined Keira Knightley as Dorothy and Natalia Vodianova as Alice in Wonderland. Kate Moss, Kate Winslet and Karl Lagerfeld are among other global A-listers to strike a pose before her lens.

Although Leibovitz never saw herself as a fashion photographer, she acknowledges that her work for Vogue ‘fuelled the fire for a kind of photography that I might not otherwise have explored.’ Wonderland, her first-ever fashion book, includes over 350 extraordinary images, many of which have never been published before. Add it to your wish-list immediately.

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Objects Simon de Pury’s OLT X Picasso Collection

Always dreamt of owning a Picasso? Well, now you can in the form of a hand-embroidered clutch. Art collector, DJ and auctioneer Simon de Pury has teamed up with Olympia Le-Tan to curate a new collection of signature book clutches featuring 10 masterpieces by the much-loved Spanish master. Think such famous paintings as Le rêve, Portrait de Dora Maar and Tête de femme avec un chapeau à pompons (seen here).

Each masterpiece included in the collection will be hand-embroidered into limited editions of 77 book clutches. The first three clutch designs will be released on 7 October with three new styles being released every six months. (Be sure to pre-order via the OLT website to be in with a chance of snapping one up. The waiting list is getting longer by the minute.)

‘The craftsmanship is outstanding,’ says de Pury of OLT’s clutches. ‘Ever since I was a child, I have followed [Picasso’s] work. I chose ten works that I personally love very, very much and that would translate well to a book clutch.’ Picasso’s granddaughter, Diana Picasso, adds: ‘These clutches are the ultimate luxury accessory for any art lover. I want them all!’ And so do we!

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The Wick - Schiaparelli Gaze Pendant Earrings

Objects Schiaparelli gaze pendant earrings

Schiaparelli is renowned for its innovative designs and creativity. Founded by the dazzling Elsa Schiaparelli in 1927, it transforms sportswear, Haute Couture, art, fragrance and jewellery into wearable works of art. From the outset, Elsa surrounded herself with the very best creative talent, collaborating with such iconic artists as Dali, Cocteau, Man Ray and Giacometti. Today, the house cultivates this illustrious heritage, crafting daring, eye-catching pieces that captivate the imagination.

This pair of eye pendant earrings is no exception. Each earring features Cocteau’s surrealist floating eye — a dreamy signature of the Schiaparelli universe — and rhinestone chandelier drops, giving the effect of glittering tears. In our eyes, they’re perfect for party season.

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The Wick - Vera Siemund, untitled, 2018, enamelled, copper, silver, glass

Objects Vera Siemund necklace, Marzee

The themes for Vera Siemund’s work are taken from architecture, historic ornament and classical art and literature. Her hand-pierced enamelled jewels, however, are anything but traditional. Strong yet delicate, they cast a fresh light on classical forms, transforming their wearer into a contemporary walking artwork.

Conceived in 2018, and produced in enamelled copper, silver and glass, this statement necklace is a magnificently crafted masterpiece. Not surprisingly, Siemund’s works are exhibited widely and highly sought after by collectors, from London to New York. Hop to it for a chance to make this exquisite example your own.

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The Wick - Niki de Saint Phalle, Snake Cufflinks, Louise Guiness Gallery

Objects Niki de Saint Phalle, Snake Cufflinks, Louisa Guinness Gallery

The French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle is perhaps best known for her performative modes of production and monumental sculptures of animals, monsters and female figures like her Nanas. She was, however, also an accomplished filmmaker, printmaker and theatre-set and jewellery designer.

Saint Phalle designed her first jewels in 1971 in collaboration with the Italian designer GianCarlo Montebello in Milan. Her enamelled jewelled works from this period often feature the artist’s signature motifs, among them her smiling serpents, found objects and plump, gleeful women.

With its cartoon-like design, this pair of snake cufflinks is a brilliant example of Saint Phalle’s colourful Pop style. Offered by Louisa Guinness Gallery, they are a continuation of the edition started in 1971, completed in 2015. Snap them up while you still can.

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Objects Jean Prouvé Standard Chair

While an original piece of Jean Prouvé might be on the dream list, there’s a neat way of enjoying the designers elegant lines and focus on engineering in the shape of a Standard SP office chair made in robust plastic by Vitra.

It’s a smart design with steel tubing making up the front legs while the voluminous back legs feature hollow sections which effectively support the body and disperse pressure onto the floor. What’s makes this ergonomic design even more inviting is the opportunity to choose the colourways including mint green, Japanese red, ecru and citrine yellow. During the war, due to plastic shortages, Prouve manufactured the model in wood and that model is available too.

Standard in this case, does not have to mean dull. From £479.

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Objects Pentreach & Hall Pen Pot

While children love pencil cases, adults deserve pen pots and top of the range is Bridie Hall’s monogrammed glass tumbler that boasts a glossy finish, a gold tone letter and a bright lacquer interior. Hall’s choice of colourways is inviting and the bold type, charming and rather than any old tumbler, these are handmade.

What you designate your pot for is up to you – pencils and pens? Chopsticks and straws? Brushes? – all look good. In this era of hot desking, this is one easy way of stamping out your territory with a smile. New Zealand born Hall, has always had an eye for decorative crafts and she is also co – owner of Pentreath & Hall on Lambs Conduit Street where you’ll find decoupage trays and much more to delight the eye.

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Objects Back-to-School Blazer

That back to school and back to work moment (yes, the office) is beckoning and there’s nothing like a new piece of clothing to mark the shift in time. White shirts and T’s are always a good bet but go a step further and investment in tailoring in the shape of a streamlined blazer shows commitment.

Since setting up the brand Wardrobe NYC in 2017, Australian designer Josh Goot and stylist, Christine Centenera, have been nailing those seasonal classics offering limited edition mono products that over a period of ‘collecting’ build into a multifunctional wardrobe that has timelessness in mind.

What the pair excel at are high quality pieces that are designed with tiny satisfying details and exacting proportions. The black blazer is one of those jackets to wear over a slip dress, with jeans, tailored pants and for a date, over a cropped top. This version has a relaxed double-breasted cut and is tailored in 100% virgin wool and lined in cupro.

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Objects La Doublej Glasses

Former style journalist, the exuberant JJ Martin, is also known for being an excellent host and she has channelled her knowledge into creating some fine tableware, handmade in her adopted country of Italy. The American born entrepreneur, turned to Salviati, the Murano based glassmaker (founded in 1859) to make brilliant vessels for her lifestyle brand, La Double J. For the first edition, she looked to Salviati’s archive and resurrected the ornate and intricate ‘tipetti’ glasses which became fashionable in the 19th century for ceremonies. The collaboration continues with JJ and Salviati finding a happy balance between functionality (the glasses are dishwasher friendly) and exquisite style. The Rainbow Set features four glasses in yellow, red, pink, and cobalt blue with rippling rigadin surfaces. Each is handblown thus unique and finished with a contrasting colour rim: perfect for a celebratory bellini as the sun sets.

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