LUXE FILES

Rug addict Jan Kath’s favourite indulgences.

ARTISTS WHO ARE AN ENDURING INFLUENCE? Leonardo da Vinci [5], Gerhard Richter [1], Christo and Jeanne-claude [7]. CONTEMPORARY ART YOU MOST ADMIRE? Arne Quinze’s work [8] makes a strong impression. His sculptures are breathtaking. DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? I try to live life light, without too much ballast. I live as a modern nomad so it is difficult to physically handle too much stuff. This will change soon, hopefully, as 25 years of travelling are enough. Then I might be able to restart my collection of old and antique textiles and rugs. WHAT ARE YOUR FASHION MUST-HAVES? Lots of sunglasses and I am obsessed with shoes. I own more pairs of shoes than my partner Nairat, which sometimes makes her think I am quite strange. FAVOURITE WATCH? This may sound cheesy and a bit mainstream, but I am in love with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘Milgauss’ [11]. FRAGRANCE OF CHOICE? My choice now is Terre d’hermès [12]. BOOKS – WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW – BOTH FICTION AND ART/ DESIGN? I am reading Das achte Leben MUSIC – WHAT’S ON ROTATION AT OFFICE AND HOME? Random Access Memories by Daft Punk [3]; Four Seasons by Vivaldi; Mozart; Bach; and deep house and electronic dance music. FAVOURITE FLOWERS? Edelweiss. BEST DOWNTIME PURSUIT? Watering our garden. ARE YOU A COFFEE OR TEA MAN? I am definitely a coffee person. But I am also interested in tea. I’d love to learn more about it. DO YOU ENTERTAIN AT HOME AND/OR WHAT IS YOUR RESTAURANT OF CHOICE? At home, I cook mostly quick stuff. I spend a large portion of my life in Asia where eating out is part of the lifestyle. I could die for spicy food but also for carefully prepared Japanese dishes. I eat too much, even though I am a vegetarian. WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED TIPPLE? I am a huge G&T fan [4], more G than T, but I’m trying to reduce my drinking in general. FILMS THAT HAVE INSPIRED YOU? 2001: A Space Odyssey [2], Journey to the Center of the Earth. SHOPS AND ONLINE STORES YOU FREQUENT? I try not to do too much online shopping but I love small, independent labels and stores. I shop for sunglasses at Brillenschneiderei Yves in Berlin. MAGAZINES YOU READ REGULARLY? Wallpaper*, AD, IDEAT. DOES YOUR LOVE OF DESIGN EXTEND TO CARS? Not really. I like iconic vehicles, but I wouldn’t kill for one. Love Porsche! [6] TRAVEL – FAVOURITE REGULAR HAUNTS? I have a love/hate relationship with Kathmandu. This city changed my life and I owe it a lot. I also love Beirut. The diversity there is just incredible. LIST A FEW OBJECTS OF DESIRE THAT YOU WOULD BUY RIGHT NOW? We are in the process of furnishing our new home in a small jungle community in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and we are desperately trying to find a large and very comfy hammock. WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? My focus is always on the next few collections [10]. It can take up to two years until a new line is ready to be published, which is a very exciting process. I am working on less over-designed stuff. Textures and colour transitions will play a major role. jan-kath.de; cadrys.com.au