Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/78062
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL BENJAMIN (PATCH); D. DIPASUPIL/FILM MAGIC (CHRISTENSEN) Geometric Pendant necklace from Miriam Haskell. Ross and Carney formed Patch NYC after meeting nearly two decades ago at an East Village club; the company name references the anything-goes nature of a patchwork quilt. "We've always liked combining unexpected elements," says Carney, themselves included. "If it's brown and plaid, John loves it," says Carney, who skews towards the less restrained. "Just add a crystal, I like to say," he jokes. Together though, their inspirations have remained consistent from the early days of Patch. "Creepy woodland," says Carney. They design as a team, passing drawings and pieces of jewelry to one another for refinement. Evidence of their collaborative nature has emerged in other ways as well. They've had numerous successful partnerships cre- ating work for brands like Barnes & Noble, West Elm, and stationers Bell'Invito. "Most of our collaborations have come through people we've met over the years at trade shows, or cus- tomers and longtime fans of our work," like West Elm, which commissioned a collection of silkscreen pillows, framed prints, totes, and tableware from Patch. For Anthropologie, which also approached them, Ross trans- formed Carney's original ink drawings of bugs, birds, and bunnies into repeat patterns for wallpaper and leather-bound journals. It was all enough to eventually attract the attention of Target, which last spring recruited the pair to design a collection as part of the store's second round of The Shops at Target. The 50-piece collection, created exclusively for Target and in stores this month, includes nature-inspired bedding, decorative pil- lows, serving bowls, coasters, animal lamps, and more. "It's dark," says Ross with some excitement. This fall, they'll also debut a line of printed tableware for Paris-based high-end porcelain makers Astier de Villatte, an assortment of scented candles for New York's The Soap & Paper Factory, and a collection of vintage-inspired jewelry made of jet beads and found objects for Beacon Hill shop Good. Carney also sidelines as a contributing designer for Miriam Haskell and will soon introduce bold state- ment pieces made of pearls, rhinestones, and ribbon in the shop. "I wanted something that was totally different," he says. Indeed, customers have come to expect certain things from Carney and Ross, as have the guys them- selves. "We'll go shopping, and I'll say, 'This is very Patch,'" Ross notes. Carney adds, "We learned it's best to do what you do best. Some seasons you're going to be right on target and others you won't. I think that's okay. That's how you develop your identity. You don't really plan it, you just do what you like." The Courtyard at 46 Waltham St., 617-426-0592; patchnyc.com BC BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 87 INSIGHT Style icons: Tony Duquette and Dries Van Noten Most admire: "Our moms, because they've helped us with our business for 15 years." Mantra: Trust your creative instincts. Indulgence: Traveling for inspiration. Best investment: "Our shop in the South End." Advice: "If you have an idea to design something, research and make sure it's unique and original." What next: "It would be great to bring the Patch NYC aesthetic to a boutique hotel or restaurant." Paintings and jewelry by Patch NYC. Helena Christensen Sketches that inspire the jewelry.