Following his stint as artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and the launch of his carpet collection with Tai Ping, he is back in Los Angeles creating installations for celebrity clients. He reveals five of his sources of inspiration.
Jeff Leatham
Gardenias and Magnolias
“I love flowers that have a beautiful scent because that’s where memories come from. Every time we send out an arrangement from my studio in LA, it would have a gardenia, and I always have fresh magnolias in my room.”
The Ivy, Los Angeles
“This is my favourite restaurant in LA and my favourite dish is their cucumber martini. Seriously.”
Tai Ping Bloom Collection
“One of the best things about this collaboration was being able to produce work that lasts more than a week. Monet’s gardens were a big inspiration. I wanted a mix of colours that was a little unexpected, just like it happens in nature.”
Cartier Love Bracelets
“They’re my trademark. I wear about six or seven up my arm in different types of gold and platinum. I can’t dress up too much at work because I get dirty and wet, but I think good jewellery and good shoes [Jeff collects Gucci loafers] are essentials of style.”
Tom Ford
“He’s my favourite designer because to me he embodies luxury, sexiness and glamour. What he’s done in fashion and his attention to detail inspires me. I know him personally but I look up to him, also because he’s a crazy Virgo like me.”