‘We’ve spent our lives as Santa’s elves,’ laughs Jonathan, ‘Simon as a window dresser, me as a designer and maker of gifts, but we’re not the giftiest people; it’s like coals to Newcastle for us.’ That said, the couple do delight in finding special things for each other.
In Simon’s case, that’s Frederic Malle fragrances selected by Jonathan. ‘Jonny’s very particular about scent and I’m very common!’ admits Simon. ‘I tend to slosh it on a bit, so when we began our relationship he took charge! In my work at Barneys I was fortunate to work with Frederick Malle and am a huge fan, so we narrowed it down to two: ‘Angeliques Sous La Pluie’ and ‘Geranium Pour Monsieur’ – I’m the monsieur!’
Returning the favour, Simon is responsible for the sweaters that make up Jonathan’s ‘uniform’ along with white jeans. ‘He’s presiding over a global design empire, so he has to look pulled together’ explains Simon. ‘The fit is critical!’
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That gift may shape Jonathan’s look, but it’s another that inspired his work; and this is one that the designer especially treasures. ‘Simon knows I am a huge fan of America’s founding father George Washington. He got this fabulous engraving of G-dubs and completely defaced it. I think the pièce de résistance is the Prince icon necklace that’s emblematic of who Simon is: annoyingly, endlessly creative and always surprising. After he gave me that I thought, “I mustn’t revere anything, I should deface the muse”, so I added all these gold icons and symbols to my porcelain “Muse” designs and it became a new lease of life for the collection.’ jonathanadler.com
