2 minute read
MY ICON: GEMMA GORDON-DUFF
my ICON
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Gordon-Duff & Linton was formed in 2014 after Gary Linton and Gemma Gordon-Duff had collaborated on several successful developments. Gordon-Duff & Linton provide tailored design services for developers, private individuals and commercial clients.
Gary and Gemma create bespoke interiors that are truly tailor-made and individual, which complement and are sympathetic to the fabric of the buildings they work on. Gemma began her career in the film and television industry. Craving a different kind of creativity, she went back to school and retrained at the KLC School of Design.
Gemma, who is your design icon? There are so many designers I admire and each design in very different styles so it’s difficult to select just one so I’ve been greedy and have selected three icons! Jean-Louis Denoit for the way he beautifully mixes the old and new, his interiors always appear effortlessly elegant; Kelly Wearstler for the sheer joy, humour and abundance of her designs: and Christian Liaigre, the pared-back aesthetic and striking use of materials and furniture design is a joy to behold.
What are they each most famous for? Jean-Louis Denoit for his Parisan chic, Kelly Wearstler for her bold use of colour, form (and possibly the Playboy spread) and Christian Liaigre; a byword for understated elegance. All three of these designers have gone on to build global brands encompassing hotels, hospitality, residential, yachts, as well as their own lighting and furniture lines.
How is their work viewed and what kind of impact have they had on the design industry? They are all in the front rank of the best designers in the world, the ‘couture’ of interior design and admired greatly. All three have had an enormous impact on the interior design industry, elevating awareness of impeccable design.
Why have you chosen all three designers as your icons? They have all been massively influential to the design industry and provide an enormous amount of inspiration to designers young and old. Not only do they have successful practices doing incredible work, they also demonstrate that a diverse portfolio, alongside furniture and lighting ranges can lead to business success. They are all the essence of a design icon.
Which projects from your own portfolio demonstrate a nod to your their work? All three of these design icons have influenced me in ways and I love looking at their work for inspiration. In one of my recent projects, the Maple Building, the main reception floor was inspired by one of Kelly Wearstlers’ bathrooms. In a luxury office project in Chelsea we were influenced by Jean-Louise Denoit for the flooring and bespoke stair carpet that runs through all seven floors. Currently we are working on a project in the South of France where I’m being heavily influenced by Christian Liaigre’s amazing laid back, yet totally considered aesthetic.
If you could be remembered for one element of your design, what would it be? Our eclecticism. There is a broad variety of projects that we undertake from hotels to chalets to London houses, even a hair salon and I love that each project is unique to the client.
