Grace Coddington on Cats, Teacups and her Latest Collaboration
The legendary creative sits down with Liberty to share the story behind her collection with Astier de Villatte
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Grace Coddington on Cats, Teacups and her Latest Collaboration
The legendary creative sits down with Liberty to share the story behind her collection with Astier de Villatte
“When you meet her, you have the feeling of meeting someone from another era,” says Astier de Villatte co-founder Ivan Pericoli of Grace Coddington. “But,” he adds “She’s still so much in her time”.
A former model in the 1960s, and famously the creative director at large of American Vogue: Grace Coddington is a rare example of someone who’s style and taste have, as Pericoli describes it, transcended generations. Known for her distinctive, eclectic and iconoclastic aesthetic – she has recently launched a collaboration with the Parisian ceramics house, Astier de Villatte .
As the collection, which Coddington create with the brand, launches in Liberty, she shared some words of wisdom to give an insight into the collaboration.
Astier de Villatte Blankets Reading Grace Mug, £175
How did this collaboration come about?
I’m always looking for new places for my drawings to live, so I reached out to John Derian. He put me in touch with Astier de Villatte, whose plates and dishes I’d seen and loved at John’s store. They were super receptive to the idea of a collaboration. All their things are lovingly hand made, and I was fascinated when I visited their workshop.
What were some of the inspirations behind the collection?
It’s all my cats living their lives and having fun. The cast features my three Persian cats, and a fictious mouse, Gus. Blondie is my girl Persian, who is a bit of a snob. Blanket is the oldest and wisest of my cats, and Jimi is a typical kid who keeps putting his paw in it.
What are your favourite pieces within the collection?
I love the great big teapot, because it can pour an impossible amount of cups of tea. I love the cup where Blondie is standing on a chair because she’s scared of Gus when she first meets him – but then he falls in love with her. I hope this is just the start of an ongoing collaboration.
Are there any hidden details, or elements to the creation of the collection that are particularly meaningful to you?
In the bottom of every cup is a little mouse, which you don’t discover until you’ve finished your tea or coffee.