Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico and ballet director Sergei Diaghilev only worked together on one Ballets Russes production, but their union would prove momentous and life-changing for both. Their collaboration was significant for Diaghilev because it was the last production he would produce before his death later that same year. It was also important for…
Ancient Meets Modern: Diaghilev and De Chirico
“The more one digs, the more one finds the solidest [foundation] for you and I to build a life together.” Eero Saarinen Aline and Eero Saarinen are considered titans of the architectural world, each having made vital, long-lasting contributions to the landscape of American modernism. She was the esteemed writer and broadcaster who made architecture…
Russian-French artist Sonia Delaunay was one of the world’s greatest polymaths, spanning a huge range of disciplines from painting to textiles, fashion, costume and set design. Her whirlwind patterns and colours attracted the attention of the great ballet director Sergei Diaghilev in the early 20th century, and it was he who first encouraged her to delve…
Henri Matisse had an enduring obsession with BRIGHT COBALT’s distinctive shade of blue, observing with fascination how it could ignite his paintings, prints and paper cut-outs with the luminescence of the sea and sky. Throughout his long and prolific career Matisse shifted through an array of adventurous styles and subjects, but a burning passion for…
One of America’s most iconic furniture brands, Knoll was founded by the formidable husband and wife team Florence and Hans Knoll. Emerging out of post-war New York, their sleek, polished designs introduced the Bauhaus style into American society, emphasising function, form and simplicity over decoration and ornament. They pioneered the modern, open-plan office, believing furniture…
The AMI Dress was so easy to put together and has such great styling capabilities that I had fun adding some extra elements to it. I knew I wanted to make the dress in this Pattern Collection because of how versatile styling it would be. To me, this doubles up as a perfect basic as…
Sergei Diaghilev and Leon Bakst were two fellow Russians of monumental talent, whose partnership became one of the most radical of the early 20th century. Leon Bakst was the first artist that Diaghilev would work with on his Ballets Russes in Paris, and together they transformed the theatrical stage into a living canvas, revolutionising ballet…
Askeli Gallen-Kallela painted his native Finland as a magical watery paradise, where icy lakes, bruised skies and mounds of snow are dappled with streaks of enigmatic blue shadow. The blue-tinged shade of GREY MIST Linen was one he would return to over and over to convey these darkening areas of cast shadow, invoking the ancient,…
As we welcome warm and sunny days on the farm, my time set aside for personal sewing projects becomes limited in exchange for time outside. This results in simplified projects, dreaming up designs I can complete in a couple hours in the early morning. Just as my lifestyle changes with the seasons, my sewing habits…
The AMI Pattern is my literal favorite right now. I have a mini capsule collection in my closet now thanks to this pattern. The shorts are my second make. I was so intimidated with assembling the pants, now that I have a better idea of the steps, it made sewing the shorts more enjoyable and…
With sparkling Russian skylines and intricately embroidered peasant dresses, Natalia Goncharova’s ballet costumes are an ode to the wonder of her Russian heritage. Better known as the progressive Russian artist who scorched her own path with Rayonism and Neo-Primitivism in the early 20th century, Goncharova also made a significant and long-lasting contribution to the world…
Swiss Symbolist painter Ferdinand Hodler’s art is a homage to the wonders of the Swiss landscape, conveying jagged, snow-peaked mountains and glossy mirrored lakes with flat panels of vivid, jewel-like colour. The indigo of NIGHTSHADOW BLUE Linen was his favourite colour for conveying depth and shadow, which he brought in to describe shadowy mountain ranges…
From architecture to textiles, furniture and interiors, some of the world’s most innovative designs have been produced by what we might call ‘power couples,’ romantic partners sharing an equal drive and ambition to succeed. Rising as a phenomenon from the early 20th century onwards, power couples have taken the design world by storm in the…
Making my first pair of trousers was very intimidating. I’ve made pants before but always with a clean waistband and side zipper. I wanted to challenge myself to make a more tailored pant. When I saw AMI Pattern I wanted both the pants and shorts. I especially love the gathered detail at the waistband, it…
French Surrealist Jean Cocteau led a remarkable life, spanning a huge range of genres including literature, poetry, filmmaking and visual art. From an early age he was fascinated by the ballet, and his long-lasting friendship with Sergei Diaghilev would prove one of the most influential and important aspects of his entire career. From striking poster…
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