Jordan Santos
HURS CURATOR
JORDAN SANTOS
The Seen Library founder shares her favorite brands, products and places
Jordan Santos makes us want to read again. As the founder behind Seen Library, Santos hosts book exchanges, book drives and pop ups in beautifully curated settings. Through creating spaces for book lovers and readers to connect and build relationships IRL, she encourages us to spend less time in the digital sphere. Risa is also the co-editor of ‘How To Be A Woman On The Internet’, a newsletter covering modern Internet culture. Before starting a business of her own, Risa cut her teeth as a social media manager and strategist working with various brands including Rose Inc, MERIT and Emi Jay. In this week’s HUR Five newsletter Jordan Santos shares some of her favorite brands, products and places across fashion, design and art.
A MODERN TAKE ON THE GALLERY EXPERIENCE
Francis Gallery is the brainchild of Cereal co-founder Rosa Park. Through her work at the magazine, Park developed a passion for art. But when she wanted to buy her first art piece, she couldn’t find a gallery that spoke to her on a deeper level and showcased art in a context she related to. Aiming to create a more relaxed setting in which to consume art, Park launched Francis Gallery. The gallery showcases contemporary art against a backdrop that comes off as someone’s well-curated home rather than a gallery. Since then, the gallery has grown to two locations, one in Bath and the other on West Hollywood’s Melrose Avenue.
“Francis Gallery is an Asian and female-founded art gallery with locations in both Los Angeles and Bath, UK. They curate beautiful work of up-and-coming International artists, in settings INSPIRED by Korean design. While I have yet to visit their UK location, the one in Los Angeles is stunning. It has such a serene, calming presence and stunning curation. One of my favorite parts of the gallery is the outside patio with its single tree, concrete steps and one, long wooden bench. I often fantasize hanging out there with a book. Also, the founder, Rosa Park, is just one of the kindest and warmest people I've ever met.”
“This is my GO-TO bag and the one I've found myself running out the door with time and time again, even when I splurged on a newer "it" bag. Having this one has actually made me less tempted to purchase new purses, because I know I'll always go back to it. The dark brown is so chic and the style and shape is so nondescript, subtle and more of a if-you-know-you-know piece. It's so good, I caved and got the cream color, too.”
A BAG THAT MERGES BEAUTY AND FUNCTION
Since establishing The Row in 2006, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen have garnered a loyal following of women who dress for themselves. With their focus on exceptional fabrics and subtle design details, the house creates timeless pieces for those who prefer to be discreet about the brands they wear – while the price tag that comes with it is often anything but low-key. At odds with the brand’s key principles, some of their designs have become cult classics that quickly sell out and aren’t easy to find. One of those is The Row’s Small Everyday Bag.
IN LONDON, A RESTAURANT CELEBRATING TAIWANESE CULTURE
BAO is one of the cult institutions in the London food scene. Founded in 2012 by Erchen Chang, Shing Tat and Wai Ting Chung, with the aim to bring their interpretations of cultures in Taiwan to London. Since then, BAO has expanded to five sites across London – as well as two karaoke rooms – with each location representing a different slice of Taiwanese culture. But BAO is more than great food. Under the creative direction of Erchen Chang, BAO has created an immersive experience around their restaurants through its interiors, graphic design and iconic “Lonely Man” logo.
“Bao is one of my favorite restaurants in London and one I go back to – multiple times –- on every visit. They serve delicious Taiwanese food, but most notably their bao buns, which are so good. It's a fun, CASUAL spot to go on a date night or with friends and I love their sleek minimal interiors.”
“The Korakia in Palm Springs is a hotel my husband and I stay at almost every year. We actually got married there five years ago and since then, have made it a point to CELEBRATE our anniversary there when we can. It's small, quiet, and peaceful and makes you feel like you're in Morocco or the Mediterranean even though you're in the middle of Palm Springs.”
AN INTIMATE RETREAT IN PALM SPRINGS
Located just a few blocks from the center of downtown Palm Springs, Korakia Pensione brings small-scale luxury in a private setting. The resort is split across two different properties: The original 1924 Moroccan-style villa – previously home to a Scottish painter – and two houses next door, a Mediterranean villa and a Spanish-style adobe house. Every room has its own unique character, and many come with its own kitchen making you truly feel at home. The resort’s amenities – a store, salt water pools, wellness treatments and yoga classes as well as nightly vintage movie screenings – all seamlessly fit in with the property’s character and design. Creating a holistic experience and setting to truly relax.
BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE POWER OF BOOKS
SEEN LIBRARY was built with the intention to foster connections through books. As we’re increasingly spending our lives online, SEEN LIBRARY encourages us to return to the impactful stories and new perspectives found in books. Founder Jordan Risa has hosted book exchanges, book drives and pop ups with a curated selection of brands and spaces including Francis Gallery, skincare brand LESSE and womenswear brand Vince. But we’ll let founder Jordan tell you about it.