CULTURE

In the Mood for… Paradoxes


Balenciaga quilted lamé tunic and fur pants from 1967

“I’m drawn to objects that juxtapose seemingly contradictory ideas,” says Alexander Wang, Balenciaga’s creative director. “It’s arresting when something mundane is done in an über-luxurious way. That has become a through line for how I approach design—I love a good surprise.”

1

A foosball table from Teckell Collection by Adriano Design for B.lab Italia, 2012. Courtesy of Adriano Design.

2

A Balenciaga quilted lamé tunic and fur pants from 1967. Courtesy of Balenciaga Archives Paris.

3

Meret Oppenheim’s surrealist teacup set, 1936. Courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art/ Art Resource, NY.

4

Balenciaga spring 2015 sunglasses with embroidered Croakie strap. Courtesy of the Balenciaga.

5

A Karl Springer console, 1983. Courtesy of Wright.

6

A white marble iPhone back plate, 2014. Photograph by Matt Marrocco.

7

Mathieu Lehanneur’s Chester Club punching bag for Poltrona Frau, 2009. Photograph by Fabien Thouvenin.