“High Fashion, High Style” A colorful conversation between ex-decorating magazine editor Marian McEvoy and her stylish friend, Barbara Cirkva, former U.S. division president at the legendary fashion company Chanel.
MM: THE REALMS OF FASHION AND INTERIOR DECORATION HAVE BEEN SYMBIOTIC FOR CENTURIES: SOME (BUT DEFINITELY NOT ALL!) OF THE WORLD’S MOST GIFTED CLOTHING DESIGNERS HAVE ASSEMBLED SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST MEMORABLE ROOMS. YVES SAINT LAURENT, HUBERT de GIVENCHY, HALSTON, FEDERICO FORQUET, KARL LAGERFELD AND DRIES VAN NOTEN COME TO MIND, AND ALSO – SOME WOULD SAY IN THE NUMBER ONE SLOT – IS COCO CHANEL.
FOR OVER THREE DECADES YOU WERE U.S. FASHION DIVISION PRESIDENT OF CHANEL MANAGING EVERY ASPECT OF THE MOST FABLED FASHION EMPIRE KNOWN TO THE MOST STYLISH WOMEN ON THE PLANET. YOU ONCE TOLD ME THAT YOU HAD A SORT OF EPIPHANY WHEN YOU FIRST VISITED COCO CHANEL’S EXTRAORDINARY APARTMENT ON THE RUE CAMBON IN PARIS.
TELL US ABOUT THAT AND WHAT MOVED YOU ABOUT THOSE ROOMS?
BC: I am so delighted to discuss this with you as the link between fashion and interiors has always been a topic of great interest to us both. Yes, the great fashion designers have fueled my imagination about the ability to create magic around an empty space or a nude figure. If you recall, I always encouraged editors from design publications to join us at Chanel in Paris.
My first visit to CC’s apartment was prior to my Chanel years. I was invited to a meeting held at the apartment and I was in awe at the scale of the rooms… Big, bold, opulent pieces stood in relatively small rooms – But it worked ! I am sure that memory has influenced every design project I have engaged in since.
MM: YOU HAVE WORKED WITH STEPHEN SILLS ON ALL OF YOUR RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS. ARE YOU UP TO NUMBER FIVE NOW ? HOW DID YOU FIRST FIND AND CHOOSE HIM? WHEN WAS THAT? WHAT DOES STEPHEN HAVE THAT OTHER DESIGNERS DON’T ? WHAT IS YOUR RAPPORT – WHAT DOES HE BRING TO YOU, AND VICE VERSA?
BC: I first encountered Stephen’s work in an HG feature about his own NYC apartment. I immediately thought, “I want to live like this!” and I called him. Touring my apartment, Stephen had a vision and transformed it to capture more natural light, mixing neoclassical and contemporary styles to accommodate my developing tastes. He shares a great gift with clients; we have travelled together with my husband, John, and have a simpatico taste for shopping and discovering treasures in new places!
MM: YOUR MOUNT KISCO RESIDENCE WAS A PLACE OF SOPHISTICATION AND SURPRISE: A CALM, HANDSOME HAVEN – QUITE THE OPPOSITE OF A CUTE, FRILLY OR DENSELY LAYERED COUNTRY LAIR. YOU CHOOSE FURNITURE AND OBJECTS THAT HAVE BIG PERSONALITY – AND OFTEN BIG SIZE – WITHOUT ANY BIG GLITZ. NOT MAXIMALIST NOR MINIMALIST, YOUR MOUNT KISCO HOUSE WAS A STUDY IN SOLID COMFORT, FINELY CRAFTED DETAILS, AND A HIGH REGARD FOR NATURE. THERE IS A SCULPTURAL QUALITY TO YOUR ROOMS. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU, SILLS, AND THE LATE KARL LAGERFELD, CHANEL’S DESIGNER FOR FORTY YEARS, HAVE HAD IN COMMON?
BC: Working with Stephen is always a great education. He mixes traditional concepts of classical design with ever-changing elements found in nature. We aimed for a relaxed style and were not afraid to take chances or mix periods – A European vibe without the cliché of antlers and edelweiss !
Karl Lagerfeld had the most discerning eye for detail. I was fortunate enough to sit in his studio at Chanel to watch final fittings before a show. I learned how simple details – the placement of a brooch, the drape of a sleeve – can completely change the “message” and mood communicated to an audience.
MM: YOU HAVE EMBRACED UNUSUAL FURNITURE FROM MANY EPOCHS AND COUNTRIES. YOUR DECORS ARE A SORT OF DEFTLY EDITED PERSONAL TRAVELOGUE. EXPLAIN HOW FARAWAY PLACES, AND EXPOSURE TO A MYRIAD OF FOREIGN CULTURES, MAKES A HOUSE A HOME – AND ENRICHES THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE. WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE YOU MOST INSPIRED?
BC: Marian, this is such an interesting question… Initially, I would have said France and Italy are most inspirational, but actually, the more exotic and lesser known destinations stir the most excitement for me. A teapot from the Atlas mountains, copper bowls from a roadside stop in Jaipur, those are the treasures that create long-lasting memories. And, let’s not forget precious jewelry – Emotions come flooding back when I wear a particular piece from Egypt, Africa or Paris !
MM: STEPHEN SILLS IS KNOWN FOR HIS REFINED, INDIVIDUALISTIC EYE FOR CONTEMPORARY AND MODERNIST PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE. HIS CHOICES ARE OFTEN BOLD, AND ALWAYS GRACEFUL. HOW HAS THIS MANIFESTED ITSELF IN YOUR VARIOUS PROJECTS TOGETHER? DO YOU ALWAYS CONSIDER WHAT HANGS ON THE WALLS (OR IS PLACED ATOP PLINTHS OR PEDESTALS) WHEN YOU ARE PLANNING A ROOMSCAPE ?
BC: Stephen has cultivated his amazing, artistic eye for decades. His own Bedford house is always full of surprises and he boldly changes direction and interests; for him it’s a process but John and I are novices in this regard. At Chanel, I appreciated learning from Peter Marino that the placement of a tailored, museum-style white plinth adds a level of sophistication to the simplest of objects.
MM: WITH YOUR CHARMING HUSBAND JOHN, YOU OWNED AND DIRECTED FLEUR, A TASTY, SUCCESSFUL MOUNT KISCO SHOP SELLING PRIMARILY GARDEN FURNITURE AND SCULPTURE. HOW DID YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THE OUTDOORS AFFECT YOUR INTERIOR STYLE? WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO INTEGRATE THE EXTERIOR INSIDE A ROOM?
BC: John is a great partner at Fleur, and on the home front. He has an eye and takes action – No second thoughts ! Our concept at Fleur was based on our own experience at home in the country, namely the challenge we had sourcing unique and interesting objects for the exterior. At the time, we travelled 6-8 times a year to Paris and often explored neighboring Belgium which is famous for its garden sensibilities. Over time, we identified that focusing on nature and design within the realm of decorative pieces and lighting could develop as a Fleur trademark. I also feel that living in a cold climate, it is essential to integrate classic exterior elements into interior spaces.
MM: DESCRIBE YOUR MOUNT KISCO COUNTRY HOUSE IN FIVE WORDS… AND WHAT’S NEXT ?
BC: My five words are: Authentic / Spacious / Verdant / Romantic / Warm
And as to what’s next ? We just spent three days with Stephen in Miami where he is helping us to expand into a second apartment – We are joining our premises with one next door – And we are aiming to create a specific personality in each, yet live in two apartments as one. We also have a new Fleur in town, our 8-month old Standard Poodle. She has inspired me to think of our next step for the Fleur business – A bricks and mortar space to create an Interior/Exterior retail world, “Miami style !”
