A room with a view: fashion designers' line of sight
From Manolo Blahnik to Margaret Howell, we've invited fashion designers to document by hand what they can see from their work desk or window, be it a view of a verdant garden landscape, or an urban snapshot of baroque architecture. They might just inspire you to work on a self-isolation sketch of your own.
![painting](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JzoMPwEAu4iRDTgd5GGim7-415-80.jpg)
Over the last month, we’ve transitioned to viewing the world from a smaller viewfinder. As the perspective of our new parameters has shifted, so we’ve found uplift in everyday domestic details or striking beauty in the natural world, now seen largely through our windows. As fashion designers have acclimatised to this new, four wall-defined way of life, from Beijing to Berlin, London to Longiano, we’ve invited those within our creative community to document by hand what they can see from their work desk or window. Here we present our rooms with a view.
Manolo Blahnik, Bath
‘The sky was blue almost Mediterranean,’ says the footwear behemoth of the lush garden view from his bedroom window.
Maria Grazia Chiuri, womenswear artistic director Dior, Rome
A unifying Italian flag hangs from the window of Chiuri's home in Italy's capital.
Michael Halpern, London
Jars of citrus fruits and bowls of fiery chillis sit on the colour-inclined womenswear designer's work desk.
Margaret Howell, Suffolk
‘One drawing is my sheep’s trough with planted tall, reed grass. The other is my hazelnut tree, which planted itself by seed many years ago. I drew this just as it’s new leaves are coming out. At least nature is carrying on as normal' – MH.
Bryan Conway, design director Tiger of Sweden, Stockholm
Titled ‘Spring in Sweden,' Conway's sketch offers a tree-lined street scene in the country's capital.
Marco de Vincenzo, Rome
From his window, the womenswear designer can see the splendid baroque architecture of Rome.
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Massimo Giorgetti, founder MSGM, Milan
Plant-festooned balconies greet Giorgetti as he looks across Milan from his apartment.
Eudon Choi, London
From the view of his kitchen table, the womenswear designer sees a selection of sculptures and stacks of his husband's copies of Wallpaper*.
Karl Templer, artistic director Ports 1961, London
A green garden view greets the artistic director from his work desk in London.
Pierre Hardy, Paris
The window view through the accessories and jewellery aficionados wood panelled apartment reveals the splendour of the River Seine.
Thom Browne, New York
The designer presents an abstract view from his Central Park West location.
Petar Petrov, Vienna
Mannequins and a cutting table make up the designer's view across his mid-century apartment and live-in studio.
Isabel Marant, Paris
Natural beauty greets the progenitor of Parisian chic from her window.
Samuel Ross, founder A-Cold-Wall*, London
The boundary-pushing menswear designer shares a domestic scene from the London-based home he shares with his family.
Maria Skappel-Holzweiler, head of design Holzweiler, Oslo
For the head of design of the family run, Norwegian brand, respite comes in watching her children painting Easter eggs, outside in a pergola.
Sean Suen, Beijing
The menswear designer, who has been on lockdown since late January, shares a domestic scene in pencil and coloured wax crayon.
Lorraine Acornley, creative director Begg & Co, Hertfordshire
Quick daily observational sketches of a plant pot on Acornley's desk, ‘explore line and materials'.
Giuseppe Zanotti, Longiano
The Italian footwear behemoth is currently residing in his home in Longiano, Emilia-Romagna, a short distance from the brand's factory.
Daniel Rosenberry, artistic director Schiaparelli, New York
‘My window, my desk, my things and me' – DR.
Tammy Kane, co-founder and creative director Christopher Kane, London
A view of nature across a conservatory has been imagined using oil on canvas and oil crayon.
Albert Kriemler, creative director Akris, St Gallen
Lines from First Suprematist Standing Poem (1965), by writer, visual artist and gardener Ian Hamilton Finlay, greet Kriemler.
Giuseppe Marretta, menswear design director, Pringle of Scotland, London
Exhibition posters and verdant plant life offer visual distraction for the menswear designer.
MM6 design collective, MM6, Paris
The eclectic collective serve up a symbolic sketch inspired by the inversion of social structures. ‘Even so, we are still singing,' they add.
Cecilie Bahnsen, Copenhagen
A huge Scots pine tree stands outside Bahnsen's window in the Danish capital.
Erdem Moralıoğlu, London
A sketch of rooftops from Moralıoğlu's window sits amongst ready-to-wear illustrations and swatches of fabric.
Alessandro Sartori, artistic director Ermenegildo Zegna, Milan
An abstract artwork, cosy chair and Cire Trudon candles all make up Sartori's domestic set up.
Roksanda Ilinčić, London
Linck Ceramics vases – from a curated Matchesfashion collection with Wallpaper's Picky Nicky – stand next to a window plastered with a community-focused NHS poster.
Molly Molloy, co-founder Colville, Milan
‘I look out on to a courtyard of bright yellow apartments and have a balcony full of tropical plants. When the sun is out I have the windows open, you can hear the clattering of plates at lunch time and the smell of amazing Italian dishes cooking.' – MM
Ramesh Nair, artistic director Moynat, Paris
Stacks of artist monographs and a feline friend sit on Nair's busy work desk.
Feng Chen Wang, Shanghai
Shanghai's built up skyline forms the backdrop to the menswear designer's studio space.
Gherardo Felloni, creative director Roger Vivier, Isola del Giglio
A burnt sun setting over the ocean greets the footwear designer from his island home.
Alexandre Mattiussi, founder AMI, Paris
A window view completely free of buildings offers the natural gift of a clear blue sky.
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
The Mercury Prize nominees for 2024 have been revealed
Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons are amongst this year's nominees
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
‘Constant dialogue and lively exchange’: Akris’ Albert Kriemler on two decades of collaboration with choreographer John Neumeier
Akris’ Albert Kriemler has collaborated with John Neumeier on the costumes for ’Epilogue’, the choreographer’s final ballet as artistic director of Hamburg Ballet. Here, Kriemler tells Wallpaper* about their enduring creative partnership
By Jack Moss Published
-
’It has been a dream’: Lewis Hamilton has guest designed a winter collection for Dior Men
Formula One star Lewis Hamilton is announced today (15 July 2024) as Dior Men’s latest ambassador, while revealing a guest-designed capsule collection which draws on the colours and materials of Africa
By Jack Moss Published
-
‘Things are not what they seem’: Unpacking the S/S 2025 menswear shows
Wallpaper* fashion features editor Jack Moss explores the trends and takeaways from this season’s menswear shows, from an embrace of ‘irrational clothing’ to couture-level craft and eclectic new takes on tailoring
By Jack Moss Published
-
Peter Philips has created the easiest eye make-up routine with these Dior products
Peter Philips, creative and image director for Dior make-up, tells Wallpaper* how to play with the latest Diorshow collection of solo eyeshadows and eyeliners
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Revisiting the showstopping runway sets of men’s fashion week
As Men’s Fashion Week S/S 2025 draws to a close, Wallpaper* picks the season’s most transporting runway sets, from giant cats at Dior Men to a ‘fairytale ravescape’ at Prada
By Jack Moss Published
-
‘I couldn't help but feel the magic’: At Chatsworth, Erdem pays ode to Duchess Deborah Devonshire’s life and style
‘Erdem: Imaginary Conversations’ at Chatsworth sees the London-based fashion designer explore the legacy of Duchess Deborah Devonshire, who inspired his S/S 2024 collection. Wallpaper* travels to the Derbyshire home to find out more
By Zoe Whitfield Published
-
Highlights from Haute Couture Week A/W 2024
Wallpaper* picks the best of Haute Couture Week A/W 2024 in Paris, from Olympics-inspired offerings at Dior and Thom Browne to the first Chanel collection since the departure of Virginie Viard
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Dior Men’s cat-filled set was a collaboration with ceramic artist Hylton Nel
Dior Men’s Kim Jones speaks to Wallpaper* about his collaboration with South African ceramicist Hylton Nel, revealed as part of the designer’s S/S 2025 show today in Paris (21 June 2024)
By Jack Moss Published