SETSUKO (& Astier de Villatte)

There's something captivating about

Setsuko Klossowska de Rola,

Japanese painter, writer & widow 

of French artist Balthus. 

Here she is pictured with Kate Moss

in a shoot by Tim Walker for Italian Vogue.
(She was also photographed wonderfully by Julia Hetta,
you'll find the images when you click through her portraits.)

Setsuko also collaborates with Astier de Villatte 

(and apparently her late husband Balthus

has been a strong source of inspiration for the label.

And right now I'm hesitating in calling it that, a label,

as in my mind it's so much more...)

This gorgeous little video

takes you behind the scenes,

also showing her putting in her magic.

The combination of artisanal skills, 

the ambient rue Saint Honoré shop

with its timeworn interior,
marriage of ancient cultures & techniques,

Paris rooftops & streetlife,
fragrance of lime trees,
mastery of traditional printmaking,

joy of creating,

treading a unique path,

adding beauty to this world,

respecting the neglected & forgotten,
creating something exquisite from imperfection

- it all just works wonders... 

And right now I'm hearing Paris calling my name.

x

Images via

CREATIVE AMBIANCE

A Stockholm apartment 

with a touch of 

creative ambience

via Fantastic Frank. 

MASTER POTTER

We were on our way to my brother's wedding

on a field in the North of England

& staying en-route,

when we had a morning to spare

only to realise we were staying 

right close to the Wedgwood factory. 

In addition to the Wedgwood Museum,

we had a little factory tour thrown in.

Best of all,

we jumped at the chance

of our kids having a go on the pottery wheel

at the factory's Master Craft Studio,

under guidance by

master potters themselves.

These older masters with their assuring, strong arms

led the way 

until the kids were able to fly free,

adding their own finishing touches 

with fingers crossed in the shape of a butterfly. 

Watching it all brought a lump to my throat.

And then, a couple of weeks ago,

the kids were in for a nice surprise,

when their finished and dried creations

arrived in the post. 

MAKERS OF OLD

Some moods from the

wonderful Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum.

Paloja ihastuttavasta

Luostarinmäen käsityöläismuseosta.