During the holiday season savvy buyers jaunt to Jonathan Adler, knowing Adler is sure to please the most discriminating loved ones on gift lists. And in Dallas, if the occasion benefits a charity like UNICEF, there?s even more reason to shop. And if the ever-so-clever designer is in attendance, well, let?s just say it?s a can?t-miss event.
On November 30, 100-some aesthetes dropped by the McKinney Avenue boutique to meet the entirely approachable Jonathan Adler and purchase his imaginative wares. Guests grappled for Lucite pills, tiger trays, ceramic mud owls, terriers, and perched birds among others. It was a feel-good occasion knowing 20% of the proceeds benefited UNICEF; a humanitarian organization that does whatever it takes to put children first.
Stirred by pop culture, contemporary art and early hip hop bling, Adler began spinning the pottery wheel at age 12 and said it?s the foundation of all his creative pursuits: ?Pottery is not something I even think about, it just is. It?s very innate; it feels like talking or walking.?
The budding designer launched his first ceramic collection in 1993 at Barney?s New York producing everything on his own until teaming up with Aid to Artisans, an organization that pairs designers with low-income craftspeople in emerging markets. ?Peru was my first foray into global craft exploration. It was an incredible step that enabled me to be infinitely more creative,? he enthused. ?Peruvian textiles especially have inspired me.? His time in Peru resulted in a collection of JA pillows, throws and rugs.
During our visit Adler cited the late Romanian sculptor Constantin Br?ncu?i as his great inspiration: ?When I was five my parents took me to a Br?ncu?i exhibition at the Philadelphia Art Museum and I was awed. People probably think I?m a maximalist but I?m actually a complete minimalist I spend all my time trying to strip away gesture so as not to obscure what I?m trying to communicate. Br?ncu?i was the king of that. I look at his stuff and I?m like?that is perfection?stripped down to exactly what it needed to be.?
30 vertical stores later, the Jonathan Adler brand encompasses a complete line of furnishings and accessories with ?Modern American Glamour? sensibilities. ?I spend much of my time zipping around the globe. I feel like I?m in the middle of this fantastic journey. I?m in an incredible zone.?
Joyce Goss, Lynn McBee and Gowri Sharma hosted the Jonathan Adler affair and are the 2017 chairwomen of Children First an Evening with UNICEF taking place Friday, February 24, 2017. Celebrating its 70th year, UNICEF has helped save more children?s live than any other humanitarian organization.
It was a fun event–great for UNICEF and fun to see Jonathan Adler!