Interior Design Chat: Collaborating with Brands

Ronique Gibson and Ronda Carman at Sub-Zero/Wolf from AGP on Vimeo.

This past September, along with fellow blogger Ronique Gibson and several interior/kitchen designers, I had the privilege of being invited to spending three days at Sub-Zero and Wolf in Madison, Wisconsin. I've long been a fan of these two iconic brands, but prior to my visit I did not fully appreciate (nor understand) the extreme care, craftsmanship and level of detail that goes into the manufacturing process and, thus, the finished product.

Not only did I leave with a greater appreciation of the products, I left weighing a pound or two more than when I arrived. Each day started off at the beautiful Bakke Center, a state-of-the-art training facility where you can smell, savor, touch and eat glorious food prepared using Wolf products.

Wolf and Sub-Zero have taken a proactive approach when it comes to social media best practices and the engagement of their target audience. During our visit, Ronique Gibson and I were asked to participate in a video produced by Andy Garcia Productions for Sub Zero/Wolf on the topic of social media.

Following on the now finished video, Interior Design Chat (#IntDesignerChat) will host a Twitter chat on the topic of "Collaborating with Brands In 2011" on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 6pm EST. #IntDesignerChat is weekly chat for Interior Designers, Interior Architects, Decorators, and anyone who is in the Home Decor and Furniture Industry. To learn more about 'how to chat' click here. See you on Twitter!

Closet Couture

The closet of Amy Fine Collins, once muse to the legendary Geoffrey Beene.

Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti's wonderful wardrobe.

The fabulous shoe's of the Duchess of Windsor, most designed by Roger Vivier.

I have long had an obsession with closets and dressing rooms. I think my fascination began around the age of ten. Growing up, the favorite place to hide from my three sisters was my own walk-in closet. I would spend hours daydreaming, reading books and browsing teen magazines—complete luxury.

I am still captivated with closets and I love nothing more than peering into other people's private spaces and dressing rooms. In my opinion, the rooms belonging to Aerin Lauder, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, Amy Fine Collins and Duchess of Windsor rank at the very top.

I now have a new closet to add to my list of favorites—Closet Couture! Closet Couture is a brilliant online fashion network that allows you to connect with like minded individuals, stylists, and designers, in order to share ideas and seek advice.

Anchored around virtual closets, Closet Couture provides an easy way to manage wardrobes, upload photos, sell or swap clothes, hire stylists, shop for the season’s most coveted pieces and share web links.

Closet Couture is the brainchild of Christine Elia. “I could easily go online and find the next big band or up and coming artist. That got me thinking, why isn’t there a similar venue for designers and people in the fashion industry?” In order to help realize her vision, she recruited a sterling team of advisory board members, most notably Eva Jeanbart Lorenzotti, Philippe Soussand and Constance Klein.

It seems my fate to be drawn to the wonderful world of online networks as of late. First it was Facebook, then A Small World and now Closet Couture! Between blogs and social networking there are simply not enough hours in the day!