Stacey Bewkes, creator and author of Quintessence Blog, recently attended a breakfast with Tania Vartan to see her collection of hand-printed textiles at the John Rosselli & Associates showroom at the DDB. Quintessence is an upscale lifestyle blog presenting daily style inspiration on topics ranging from interiors and fashion to art, architecture, wine and film. Following a 17 year career as an art director at Simon & Schuster, Stacey offers valuable and experience insight on her blog. Stacey gave us the scoop on the fabulous event and the backstory on Tania's vibrant journey through the world of interiors.
By Stacey Bewkes
What a delightful morning! Not only did I get to spend some time with several friends I don’t often see, but Tania’s tale was so inspiring and fascinating that we were all entranced by her incredible talent and creative life!
A southern debutante from Kentucky, Tania’s creative spirit has taken her on an amazing journey of incredible experiences around the world, leading an enviable life that is the stuff of young girls’ dreams. After trying out a variety of art colleges on for size, Tania traveled the globe drinking in life – a year studying in Paris, living on a houseboat in California while making costumes for Rock groups, working in Canadian theater design in Montreal and an impressive stint on Seventh Avenue in New York City, where she founded a small company manufacturing dresses of her own print fabric and design.
But fashion was not ultimately her calling. In 1978, Tania rented an apartment on Park Avenue, which she covered in tromp l’oeil painting and used her dress fabrics to make curtains and upholstery. Mark Hampton, who lived across the street, discovered her talents and a career was launched. From first Hampton client, Lee Radziwill, to the Smithsonian and the White House, Tania’s commissions took her around the country and the globe.
Tania was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute to paint two life size murals of interiors of the White House. The Family Staircase circa 1902 depicts Teddy Roosevelt’s oldest and youngest children and is now on permanent display in the National Museum of American History.
Check back for more from Quintessence Blog about Tania Vartan and where her vast career in fashion and design has landed her these days.
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