Imogen Kwok
HURS CURATOR
IMOGEN KWOK
The chef and artist shares her favorite brands, products and places
Food has always been a conduit of culture and community, and chef and artists Imogen Kwok redefines all that food can be. Through her food still lives, Kwok blurs the line between art, sculpture and the culinary world. While her creations taste as good as they look, it’s about much more than simply satisfying our taste buds for the chef and artist. Playing with all of our senses, Kwok’s work connects with us on the most intimate level, creating experiences that are both beautiful and memorable. Her minimalist sensibility and thoughtful blend of textures have made the London-based chef a sought after collaborator. Even before having worked with some of the most renowned brands including LOEWE, Hermès and Sotheby’s, Kwok proved she’s one of the culinary tastemakers of our time.
THE CULTURAL POWER OF SOLANGE KNOWLES
Founded by Solange Knowles, Saint Heron is a blueprint of what the future of a brand could look like. The creative agency and cultural institution – which was named after her 2013 album – has hosted events, produced a book with some of the most renowned photographers, a t-shirt in collaboration with fashion house Wales Bonner and a limited-edition collection of hand blown ‘Small Matter Art Objects’ designed by Knowles and produced by Jason McDonald, all under the same umbrella. Only few have been able to expand a concept or philosophy across products and disciplines successfully – but Saint Heron struck a chord because everything’s done with purpose. The five-piece ‘Small Matter Art Objects’ collection, sold out rapidly. Imogen especially loved the glassware, but we’ll let her do the talking.
“Sophisticated, elegant and thoughtful in concept, these are beautifully CRAFTED glasses — I love the variety of tube shaping in the stems which are smokey- transparent and onyx coloured— they can stand alone as design pieces on your shelf. You can drink hot or cold drinks out of them which is perfect for a martini at the beginning of the evening or a tea with whiskey before bed.”
“Described as more of a private space/store more than a gallery, every work, object or book seems to be so THOUGHTFULLY chosen—especially adore Marco Cappelletti's show. The images of the space are also so great— the ones taken at night viewing the show through the window always hold my attention.”
DON’T CALL GIORGIO MASTINU’S SPACE A GALLERY
Tucked away between Venetian landmarks Campo Santo Stefano and Palazzo Grassi there’s a tiny space showcasing exquisite art pieces, design objects and books owned by Giorgio Mastinu. Its owner prefers to refer to it as a private space rather than a gallery – who through his carefully curated collection delivers a refreshing perspective on what’s happening across culture rather than focusing on simply one craft. The building is split up in two spaces, which allows Mastinu to create interesting combinations of work and artists whenever he exhibits art or design pieces. With his expertise in Italian Post-War and Modernist art and design, Mastinu always manages to create newly found contexts for the works he presents, including carefully researched works by Enzo Mari, many of which have never been shown outside of the United States.
MOUNTAINEERING NEVER LOOKED THIS GOOD
Designer Andreas Steiner always remained fascinated with mountain essentialism. Growing up in South Tyrol, he was exposed to the contrasts of living in the Italian Alps and ended up creating a collection of garments that’s as fit for city living as it is for the countryside, called Rier. But this wasn’t Steiner’s first stint in fashion. The Paris-based designer spent time working at luxury houses Prada, Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton before going out on his own. Rier’s essentialist approach to dressing makes it both practical and effortlessly easy – while also putting responsibility first through sourcing natural materials in collaboration with local craftsmen. And the fashion has taken note. In 2021 Rier was nominated for the LVMH Prize and since then has accumulated a loyal fan base of tastemakers who are looking for well-designed pieces and comfort.
“I've been recently wearing so much brown, in different shades, layered, anything with nice DEPTH— like an inky black, it just feels quite indulgent and comforting simultaneously. Rier's one is beautifully tailored and will last ages. Super Italian Alpine chic.”
“People always ask me if my STYLE for food presentation extends to my dressing style— this is totally the case and is demonstrated well with this bag. I'm drawn to sharp geometric shapes and clean lines in my dishes and this sweet bag is exactly so. The color brings to mind the skin of a gooseberry meets a creamy, smooth panna cotta.”
UTILITARIAN LUXURY FROM A KOREAN FASHION HOUSE
Seoul-based brand Low Classic has quickly become a go-to for those looking for modern wardrobe staples. Offering pieces that are simple, yet never boring – the kind you can actually live your life in. And that’s something that’s becoming increasingly hard to find in a luxury market that prefers to chase hype, trends and gimmicks. Since its launch in 2009, the brand has continued to bet on its timeless aesthetic expanding beyond just ready-to-wear into bags, shoes and other accessories. Designer Myungshin Lee perfectly merges classics with wit, creating garments that are uncomplicated yet unconventional, simple yet extremely detailed. The brand’s Curve bag follows the same philosophy. Its essentialist design is versatile and minimal, yet interesting due to its slightly curved design and green hue.
A CURATED COLLECTION OF POST-WAR MODERNIST OBJECTS
Born from a photographer’s obsession with Post-war Modernism, London-based art and design dealer Two Poems has grown a large and carefully curated collection of sculptures, ceramics and painting from the period. Founder Toby Ziff initially launched Two Poems as an Instagram account, a showroom in London Fields followed - both to store Ziff’s collection as well as to sell pieces to the public. Since then, Two Poems has relocated to Hampstead and has become somewhat of a hybrid. Ziff’s highly specific curatorial practice - focusing on natural materials and celebrating unusual pieces - merges commerciality with creativity, making him an antique dealer, collector and curator all at once. His approach to not only collecting, but also the image making makes Two Poems just that much more aesthetically pleasing. 95-97 Heath Street, Hampstead, NW3 6SS