P&C Questionnaire: Victoria Thorne
Monday, August 9, 2010 at 9:37AM I can safely say that this post from designer, blogger, and visionary Victoria Thorne is the very reason why I began the P&C Questionnaire. Her quirky, visual, and often non-sequiteur blog is always an inspiration and delight, but I've often wondered what was going on behind all of that rich aesthetic. Just as I suspected, there is SO much more delight lurking in the thoughts and threads of Ms. Thorne's inspirations than is immediately revealed on her blog.
Thank you Vicki, for raising the bar on the P&C Questionnaire and for delivering a post that is so close to my own heart. I will join you in a dish of heaven anytime and anywhere!!!
What is your occupation and how did you arrive at it?
I'm a design consultant; the occupation seemed to find me. It started with a small stationery business -- I used to draw a lot, and do quite a bit of calligraphy and lettering. Once the stationery was finished, people would ask for flowers. Once the flowers were done, I'd end up setting the table. And, finally, once the parties were over, they started asking for help with their houses.
Name three things that inspired you this week.
My family (always). Today is my father's 75th birthday, and my oldest son's 27th birthday, so it's a special day, exceedingly inspirational. Quite Proustian of you to pick it; thank you!
More inspiration? Ivan Terestchenko's surfers, here, and his photos (all of which I have loved for years and years) of Le Petit Trianon for The World of Interiors. And I've been looking at a lot of flowers, again, lately: I absolutely adore Torryne Choate's art at Birch. We have, fairly soon, two weddings in the family, so I'm over the moon about helping them with flowers and invitations: back to where I started, isn't it? A lovely symmetry.
What is your personal style "uniform"?
Must I admit this? Black flats, black capris, a black gap t-shirt. I'm working on adding more color. If I had my druthers, I'd guess I'd want to dress like Coco during her time with Boy Capel. But who can really look like that? Her style, it seems to me, is simply eternal.
Name one type of clothing, shoes, or accessory that always makes you stop and stare, and explain why.
Always? A heavenly bag. It doesn't matter what it's made of. Could be canvas, could be silk, could be paper. If it's a work of art -- and, therefore, a workable piece of art -- it's the most alluring thing. Timeless. I love timelessness, would rather avoid trends. Lately, I been dreaming of these beauties from Filson. They'd last a lifetime, don't you think?
Do you buy vintage? If so, what piece in your collection is your favorite?
Yes, almost always. It's more fun to find something that's been loved before, and well-taken care of (and a deal). Right now my favorite piece is very simple: a sterling bracelet that I found when shopping with one of my dearest friends. As that good friend said (when we were talking, later) it's as much the experience of finding it, especially with someone that you truly love being with, as it is the wearing or having it.
I've attached the photo an alphabet I came across this week, exquisite work by Julius Hoffmann, found at the Partners and Spade. I just fell in love with the book -- if only as a visitor. And I adore Stanley and Son's bags: what they do with vintage materials is beyond art. So: these are both in my dream collection, if not on my bookshelf and in my closet.
Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong time? If so, what era would you like to have lived in and why?
I used to feel like that. When I was a bit younger. But now I think we are all just lucky to be here, where we are. Other times and places can seem so much more romantic, or simple, or desirable. But, really, are they? When you stack up the odds, isn't it nice to live in this (reasonably) modern era?
We still, in this modern world, have a lot of work to do to make things better. Always a challenge.
What current trend do you like the most?
I love getting to know people, and their art, and what they love, so I suppose it would be this: that we can communicate the way you and I are communicating. It's something of a miracle, considering we could've been in covered wagons (had we been born in a different era).
P. Gaye Tapp has been discussing this trend at Little Augury. She's got it right, and has become, for me (and many others), a lodestar. I love her remarkable style, the way she connects with and includes people, the collaborations she sets forth. She's really covered the topic well, especially this week: here, you can see for yourself. Gaye also has a magnificent eye; I love the Lartigue photo she chose for her sunscreen series.
What current trend (in your opinion) cannot disappear fast enough?
Rudeness (is that trend? I suppose it must be).
What film could you watch over and over and still find something inspiring? Why?
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. For all the obvious reasons. I think it's a life-changing work of art. Everyone should see it. Everyone.
Some other films I have watched over and over, for inspiration, and will continue to do so: The Royal Tennenbaums. Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast. Almost Famous. Gosford Park. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Funny Face. The Dead, John Huston's magnificent film. And Only You, with Robert Downey Jr., which is terrifically light-hearted and just makes me happy: it's silly, but we love it.
If blogging didn't exist, how would you fill your extra time?
I suppose I'd hop in the car and come up to San Francisco and take you to Boulette's Larder for breakfast, so that we could talk over a little dish of heaven.
Maybe I should do that anyway?
Images:
1 - by Victoria Thorne, 2 - World of Interiors, 3 - BirchSF, 4 - image of Coco Chanel provided by Victoria Thorne, 5 - Filson, 6 & 7 - Victoria Thorne, 8 - scan of Lartigue photo, 9 - film still from The Diving Bell & The Butterfly 2007, 10 - film still from La Belle et La Bete 1946, 11 - Boulette's Larder San Francisco
Victoria Thorne, design, film, interiors, style in P&C Questionnaire 
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Catherine