Profile: Vicente Wolf

I am fairly certain that I am not alone in my admiration of designer Vicente Wolf. Once described as part tastemaker, part interior decorator, he is undeniably a long established and well-respected figure among the design elite.

Characterized by classical lines, contemporary design and unique decorative objects, Vicente’ rooms are always sublime and never austere.

In addition to design, Vicente is an accomplished photographer and author of two books, Learning to See and Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design. He is currently planning his third book for launch in 2009.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Vicente most recently tossed his hat into the blogging ring. Last month I had the chance to speak with Susan Moolman, Director of Public Relations for Vicente Wolf Associates, at the blogger panel in NYC. After the panel we spent time chatting about the merits, conception and the benefits of blogging. Vicente’s new blog is now live, and, as one might expect, is both informative and beautiful.


What is your most prized possession?
My Maine Coon Cat, Nene. He is my bed companion, my wake-up alarm, my napkin when I don’t have one and a welcome ‘miaooow’ when I get home.

Who are your style icons?
Gene Kelly for his athleticism and for always putting himself together with true American style.

Photographer Richard Avedon for his greatest quality - that casual self-assurance that only a great master can have.

Karl Lagerfeld for his great style and for being able to travel different roads while always staying true to his point of view.


What books are currently on your bedside table?
Auction catalogs from Sotheby’s and Christie’s of photography auctions in the UK, France and the US.

The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How The War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals by Jane Mayer

New York Interior Design 1935 – 1985, Masters of Modernism by Judith Gura.
I am so proud to be included in this beautiful book.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Flying Emirates First Class, just because I can.

What is the only other occupation you would consider?
I would definitely be a full time photographer.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Bill Gates. He is someone who is so capable of looking within to have created Microsoft, yet still be expansive enough to care about the world would be a wonderful person to collaborate with.


Past or present what designers have influenced you most?
David Hicks. His blending of contemporary and traditional always feels very present. I find the past leaves me more for the future than the present does.

How would you describe your personal style?
I am a combination of sarcastic and sweet, funny and dead-pan, hard-working yet an escapist, political and unconscious, politically incorrect and concerned all mixed into a Latino interior and covered in a shell of New York (sophistication?). While I’m fully committed when I commit, I don’t like to be nailed down to one thing.

For the past 35 years I’ve seen myself as a modern designer with a strong reference to the past and, when I’m not designing, I take photographs and travel the world.

How has the Internet changed the business of interior design?
It may make it more commercial and more communal, but the human connection and the creative eye still rules.