Shop Styles: Fitzgerald Dragon, Espey Red, La Cage Aux Folles Purple

Coined as a term in the 19^th Century, ‘Chinoiserie’ literally translates as ‘Chinese-esque’ in French. Born of a time when the silk, porcelain and lacquer ware imported from China to Europe and America became extremely fashionable, it describes an era in the history of design during which European and American designers and craftsmen took inspiration from the East and applied it to their own work in the West. As seen in the hand painted wallpapers and Pagoda style beds, bamboo-like chairs and lacquer furniture of the time, the landscape of design back home was changed forever. It has also never looked back. Here, we take a look at some of our favorite pieces of Chinoiserie on the Kotur Moodboard. Different interpretations through the ages, each as glamorous as the next be they found in interiors, jewelry or furniture design, they are proof, if it was needed, that beautiful design absolutely does not date.

The Chinese Room at Claydon House

At the very height of its fashionability, it became the done thing in some of the grandest houses to decorate an entire room in Chinese inspired design. The Chinese Room at Claydon House designed by Luke Lightfoot in the 1760’s shows carved pagodas, temples and scrolls, culminating in a full sized canopy that would have once housed a bed. The more is more approach, if you like!

 The Chinese Room at Claydon House

Cartier’s Chinoise Tank

Created in 1922, this version of Cartier’s Tank watch was designed with Chinese architecture in mind. Still found today on belts and cufflinks as well as in their iconic watch, it has become a Cartier classic. The French house also created jewelry heavily inspired by Chinese design, most notably during the Art Deco era. For us, their Dragon Bracelet stands out as one of their most spectacular pieces.

Left: Cartier Chinoise Tank
Right: Coral and Jade Dragon Bracelet by Cartier, 1928

The Badminton Bed

Designed by father and son William and John Linnell in 1754, The Badminton Bed at Badminton House in England was commissioned by the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and still stands as a pinnacle of 18^th Century Chinoiserie furniture design. With its Pagoda inspired canopy, dragon motifs and raised platform, it is covered in latticework and lacquer, a slice of exoticism to be found in the rolling hills of the English countryside.

The Badminton Bed

 Chinese Chippendale Chair

Named after Thomas Chippendale, one of the most famous cabinetmakers of the 18^th Century, Chinese Chippendale has now come to encompass a particular style of furniture and motif seen in homes all over the world. Initially laid out in Chippendale’s own book of designs, The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director, his bamboo inspired chairs are a still a regular feature in interiors today.

Image from Thomas Chippendale’s The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director, 1754

Kelly Wearstler Dining room

Chinese Silk Wallpaper

Described as one of our earliest global luxury products, silk Chinese wallpaper was as big a deal in the 18^th Century as it is now. Originally found on the walls of some of the grandest houses in the world (see this picture here of the of a bedroom at Houghton Hall in the UK,) now it is most famous via de Gournay, the design house responsible for the beautiful wallpapers seen in countless immaculate homes. Across the centuries, little has changed in the designs, often found depicting birds, blossoms and trees. Neither has much changed in their appeal, existing still, as they do, as a marker of luxury and chic.

The Chinese Room at Houghton Hall

Aerin Lauder’s Hamptons dressing room

Phlippe Starck’s Mi Ming Chair

In one of the most modern iterations of Chinese design, Philippe Starck’s Mi Ming chair just goes to show how unmistakable the genre is. Formed out of his signature polycarbonate as seen in his famous Ghost chair, yet along the horseshoe like lines of a traditional Ming era shape, it has been described as ‘five thousand years of design mixed with tomorrow’s technology.”

Philippe Starck Mi Ming Chair 

Tony Duquette’s Chinoiserie Interiors

The costume, furniture, jewelry and interior designer Tony Duquette is one our very favorite creatives of the 20^th Century. In his work, whether conceiving sets for Fred Astaire musicals, jewelry for Gucci in the Tom Ford era, interiors for Italian Palazzos or a castle in Ireland for Elizabeth Arden, he drew inspiration from all over the world. But it his Chinese inspired interiors stand out for us in his body of work. One look at his own residences often decorated in collaboration with his business partner Hutton Wilkinson shows the drama and glamour of chinoiserie when applied with such a fabulously maximalist approach.

Tony and Elizabeth Duquette’s own bedroom at their house Dawnridge, decorated in the 1980s

Right: The terrace at Dawnridge, 1980’s
Left: Tony Duquette’s Dressing Room at Cow Hollow

Photo Courtesy of www.tonyduquette.com, www.designboom.com, Elle Décor, onekingslane.com, Victoria and Albert Museum , pinterest

Shop some of our Chinese inspired bags here:
Fitzgerald Dragon
Fino Beading
La Cage Aux Folles
Margo Printed Snake

1. Sultry Chic – As inspired by Saint Laurent, and particularly fitting for this year’s ‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’ exhibit, coming over all moody on the red carpet could be quite the way to make a statement (not to mention incredibly Spring Summer 2013…) Pictures: Catwalk, Saint Laurent SS13, Rochas bustier red and black dress, Alexander McQueen corseted dress and embellished prom style black dress by Jason Wu all from www.matchesfashion.com, red and black printed chiffon dress by Saint Laurent, leather bodiced and tulle gown from Valentino and Loree Rodkin earrings all from www.net-a-porter.com, gold belted gown by Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent sandals and Kotur Pearce clutch available here.

2. Fashion Forward: Make a statement with the it crowd wearing this seasons’s hottest designers and statement making looks – no wallflowers need apply here… Pictures: Catwalk, Jason Wu SS13, Roksanda Illincic pink and black gown and Christopher Kane printed chiffon dress from www.net-a-porter.com, Marios Schwab crystal embellished gown, Tom Binns earrings, Alexander McQueen choker and Alaia nude sandals all from www.matchesfashion.com, Kotur Espey in sand available here.

3. Perfectly Pretty: Nothing says gala quite like a pretty gown. Here’s our pick of the season’s best. Pictures: Catwalk Oscar De La Renta SS13, pink strapless lace dress from Jason Wu at www.matchesfashion.com, pale pink Nina Ricci gown, strapless Roland Mouret magenta gown and asymmetric ruffled dress by Gucci from www.net-a-porter.com, gold sandals by Jimmy Choo and Kotur clutch for Operation Smile available here.