La Cienega Design Quarter Legends 2019
LCDQ refers to the Legends event of the of La Cienega Design Quarter, and takes place every May on La Cienega and Melrose, close to the Pacific Design Center. LA has really had a cultural resurgence and it is quite the design hot spot. I have designer friends that come from Texas, New York, Washington DC, and Seattle to attend because there is no other designer-centric event quite like it.
It was a relief not to be doing a window this year and to just enjoy the activities and see designer friends. After the opening Gala, Kravet invited me to a dinner where I met new design friends and rubbed shoulders with the likes of celebrity designers Tom Filicia and Barcay Buterra.
One panel I enjoyed (photo above) was “Why It’s Worth It” with Jamie Bush, Veere Brenney and Nate Berkus, moderated by Anthony Barzilay Freund of 1st Dibs. The talk centered on how great collections and special pieces can enhance the best interior design. Anthony was a master moderator, which helped to deepen the conversation. I was not familiar with Jamie Bush’s work, and now have new admiration for another designer and a new person to follow on Instagram. He was also a contestant on the “Designer Dating Game”. The skit had one designer on the right side of a curtain asking questions of three designers on the other side to determine which one he would hire. Of course, the questions and answers were a bit racy and the result was entirely hilarious.
Overall, being a design event, the people walking to and from the shops and events were a well-dressed lot. This pretty lady took the cake, though. Her name is Valerie and she is an artist. She put great care into her outfits each day. I could not resist taking her photo. Here she is with Thomas Lavin on the left and with Carlton Teabout of Tufenkian Rugs on the right. I think she needs to be in a Tufenkian Ad.
The event honored two design legends – Bunny Williams and Suzanne Rheinstein. Suzanne had a shop on La Cienega for years, named Hollyhock. I miss going there but it was so nice to hear her speak about her new book and to have her sign it for me. I think she is feeling some freedom in working with some cherished clients without the responsibility of the shop. Another interesting panel was Martin Lawrence Bullard with Penny Drue Baird and Collette van den Thilart about legendary travel destinations and how in such places they find inspiration and then bring it to their work. It made me think I really do need to get out more – it could only be a good thing for my clients. Not sure if I will be going to Marrakesh soon but I’m feeling Japan…..