F5: Jean Lin Shares a Fashion Favorite, a Breathtaking Painting + More – Design Milk

Jean Lin is a New York City-based design entrepreneur. Initially trained as a fashion designer, she has professional experience as a designer, editor, trend forecaster, educator, and curator. Jean is the founder of Colony, a designers’ co-op; the charitable design organization Reclaim NYC; and Tribeca Design District. Jean currently teaches at her alma mater, Parsons School of Design, and has served as a guest lecturer and critic at Rhode Island School of Design, Pratt Institute, and Tama Art University in Tokyo.
Today, Jean is joining us for Friday Five!
Jean Lin

My 15-year-old dog, Bosco, passed away September 12, 2021 and even though I don’t cry every day anymore, I certainly think about and miss him every day. Dogs are the ultimate companion and when you’re lucky enough to find “your dog” it’s a lifetime bond, even after they’re gone.

I visited the monumental art museum Glenstone a couple years ago and could not get over how beautiful and moving the experience was. Landscape and architecture perfectly stage the staggering contemporary art collection of Emily and Mitch Rales, private collectors who have made it their mission to share the power of art, architecture, and nature with the public. The work Water Double, v.3, 2013–2015 by Roni Horn floored me. The piece consists of two giant cast glass cylinders, one clear white and one matte black.

I didn’t know who John Risley was until his sculptural iron furniture started popping up at antique and vintage furniture auctions we frequent at Colony. I love the artful whimsy of his works that read like hand sketches of friends and neighbors of the artist. There’s not much extra space in my home for more furniture, but a John Risley piece is on my shortlist of coveted items.

Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean has been one of my fashion favorites for a couple years now. I love her colorful patterns inspired by traditional African wax print fabric realized in artful, yet wearable silhouettes. She also recently spearheaded a movement that brought issues around racial inequality in fashion to the forefront during Milan Fashion Week.

I bought a gold leaf print of this Barkley Hendricks painting Lawdy Mama and I love it so much. Early on in my time in New York City, I went to a show at The Studio Museum in Harlem and saw this painting in person and it took my breath away. I’ll never forget that show because it was also the first time I saw a Kehinde Wiley piece in person before he exploded into popular culture. I couldn’t believe my eyes and felt so lucky to be in New York City to see and experience so much beauty. Every time I look at my print, it reminds me of the power of that experience.
 




Kelly Beall is senior editor at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and writer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, and enjoys sharing her finds with others. When undistracted by great art and design, she can be found making a mess in the kitchen, consuming as much information as possible, or on the couch with her three pets. Find her @designcrush on social.
You can follow Kelly Beall on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Read all of Kelly Beall’s posts.
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