The best outfits, vintage chairs and homewares I saw at Downtown Modernism

Scene report from LA's best furniture fair

Twice yearly, in the Spring and Fall, vintage design fans like myself assemble in Los Angeles for Downtown Modernism. For one day only, a tightly curated selection of the best dealers in SoCal hawk the finest in 20th Century furniture, art and antiques. I always go if I’m in town and I always find incredible things. Sometimes they come home with me (“yes baby, we really do need those 1940s French fireplace tongs!”) but most of the time I just love to stroll around and look. It’s like the most beautiful and endlessly fascinating museum exhibition of mid-century design only everything is for sale!

It’s also where I tend to see some of the most stylishly dressed people in Los Angeles. Fans of vintage design are often fans of vintage clothing as well and frequently have a cool (or at least interesting) sense of style. Walking around this Spring’s fair, I was as usual, feeling second-hand embarrassment for the fellow members of my sex. I saw so many creatively well-dressed women confidently strolling about - and yet your average male, even in this elevated pool, looked like they just woke up and threw on whatever mismatched athleisure or ill-fitting sweatshop t-shirt was nearest on the floor. That being said, there were a few rays of light.

Here are the best chairs, homewares and outfits I saw at Modernism:

Spotted these lads in line on the way in and appreciated the commitment.

Loved how this was styled

I actually bought one of these chairs recently for my studio. It’s called the Trieste folding chair and was designed by Aldo Jacober for Alberto Bazzani in the 60s. Made in Romania. They’re pretty common and usually relatively cheap. The design is brilliant, they look cool and sculptural and they fold up nicely and can be hidden away when I don’t have guests.

Loved these pants and the cropped jacket was cool too.

60s Italian ceramic container for storing empty escargot snail shells

Here’s what I wore. Dries lounge pants, J.Crew sweatshirt, Saman Amel boat shoes. Not the most exciting fit in the world but it was functional and not schlubby AND I got some compliments from some really cool older ladies.

French illuminated side tables by Guy Bareff. These were contemporary but felt really timeless and so fucking cool.

Again, not super exciting but the combo of the tote bag with the hat and the tied on shirt was nice and felt intentional.

Picasso

Lotus Chair (with ottoman!) designed by Miller Yee Fong 1968. LACMA has one in their permanent collection.

This was my favorite outfit of the day. I loved the layering, color palette and choice of the stripe underneath the solid jacket and pants. It felt elevated but still very appropriate for strolling around a furniture fair.

“Ok, but did you buy anything?”

I didn’t find the breakfast nook mirror I was looking for, but I did come home with a gorgeous umber-toned 1950s Gainey planter and an original Richard Neutra booklet that I’m gonna give to a friend for a birthday gift. I’ll post a pic of the planter when I have a cool plant in it.

P.S. - my jam of the week is “Sweet Talk” by nomi. I bumped this one on the way to the fair and back. I love the Nigerian afrobeat influence and the vocal performance and harmonies.

Peace and love,