John's Journal

Introducing John Robshaw for Crate & Kids, a collection for babies and kids inspired by John’s travels, exclusively sold at Crate & Barrel. Shop the collection online and in select Crate & Barrel stores. SHOP NOW

Nantucket is one of my favorite places to visit in the US. The island is littered with my cousins. I love to go up to sail, but also to shop the sophisticated stores along the main drag. They have everything from woven sandals from Morocco to blankets from Maine. The shop Bodega does a fantastic job with our prints. My favorite hotel there is Greydon House, a lovely 20 room boutique hotel. Designed by Roman and Williams, Greydon House features our bedding in every room. As Nantucket is known for the nautical blue and white color combination, we thought it would be fun to create a blue and white room using our spring collection. Everything from the bedding to the pillows to the art to the robe is part of our new line.  See below for more about the room, Greydon House, and a cheat sheet of all my favorite spots. Hope you all can get out to this very special space soon! John Robshaw Spring 22 collection featured at Greydon House includes Aasira Duvet, Kesar Indigo Sheets, Layla Indigo Quilt, Edo Decorative Euros and Haseen Decorative Pillow on bed, Vintage Stripe Rug on Floor. Photo: Daniel Schwartz Cyanotypes made by John and Rachel on the walls and Isbah Decorative Pillow on side chair. Blue & White Salina Robe STAY: Greydon House My favorite hotel on the island. Stylishly classic, centrally located, wonderful art & gardens. And only 2 mins from the ferry. 17 Broad Street, (508) 228-2468, greydonhouse.com EAT/DRINK: Sushi Sean’s Shop for tuna nachos A graduate of the Tokyo Sushi Academy in Tsukiji, Tokyo, Japan, the eponymous Sean has been serving his signature selection on Nantucket for nine years. Don't skip the tuna nachos! 21 S Water St, (508) 901-5871, sushisean1111.com Chanticleer This elegant restaurant in dreamy Sconset is a favorite. Request a table in their pub room if it's chilly or in the rose garden on a warm summer night. 9 New St, Siaconset, (508) 257-4499, chanticleernantucket.com Roastd General Store for matcha Nantucket's premier spot for wellness and specialty food also has an extensive and creative coffee offering. I get my matcha here. They roast their own milk. 159 Orange St, (508) 228-8400, roastdgeneralstore.com  GO: Whaling Museum for culture and history "Nantucket has a fascinating history, which many people don't know about," says John. He recommends starting at the Whaling Museum, located one block from Greydon House. Discover over 1,000 works of art, a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, a massive Fresnel lens, and a restored 1847 candle factory across nine galleries that offer a glimpse into Nantucket's past. 13 Broad Street, (508) 228-1894, nha.org Linda Loring Nature Center for Nantucket’s wild side Several organizations ensure the preservation of Nantucket, and nearly half of the island is open space. John recommends visiting the Linda Loring Nature Center, which conducts research, education, and stewardship of 275 acres. "I love to take my daughter, Regina, on the Story Walk." 110 Eel Point Rd, (508) 325-0873, llnf.org

John with Meganne Wecker of Cloth & Company. Years ago, I met Meganne Wecker, Founder of Cloth & Company, when we were working on a collaboration for furniture for Bloomingdale’s. When she let me know her dad always wanted to go to India, I set him out on an itinerary and Meganne and I became family friends for life. She is always on the cutting edge, both in creating bespoke collections as well pushing the envelope by embracing 3D technologies with All3D. Together we built a virtual dream loft featuring our collection pieces. I thought I’d talk to Meganne about the launch of our furniture collaboration and why she started Cloth & Company. I hope you enjoy the discussion. And be sure to check out the collection, 14 different styles in 11 different prints and solids. The John Robshaw x Cloth & Company Collection. From left to right: Shiza Ottoman in Issa Light Indigo, Tarifa Daybed in Poppy Lotus Indigo, Esra Ottoman in Poppy Indigo Linen, Zoha Dining Chair in Bamana Lapis Linen, Sadia Slipcover Chair in Mudetti Indigo Linen, Liba Ottoman in Fergana Clay Linen, Kinza Screen in Poppy Lotus Linen. Photo by Rachel Robshaw.   Tell us about Cloth & Co. and why you started it. Cloth & Company aims to celebrate design by fusing art, technology, and a tradition of craftsmanship. We have an innovative design process that gives us the freedom to work with artists and collaborators that inspire us. Left: Sadia Slipcover Chair in Mudetti Indigo Linen, Esra Ottoman in Poppy Indigo Linen. Zoha Dining Chair in Bamana Lapis Linen. Right: Kinza Screen in Poppy Lotus Linen, Tarifa Daybed in Poppy Lotus Indigo, Shiza Ottoman in Issa Light Indigo. Photos by Rachel Robshaw. Our collections are bespoke, made-to-order, eco-conscious, and produced in Chicago so they ship to the customer in weeks. I have always admired John's aesthetic and his appreciation for the process and craftsmanship within our industry both here in the US and internationally. Left: Kashida Swivel Chair in Madura Vista Linen, Shiza Ottoman in Issa Light Indigo. Right: Liba Ottoman in Fergana Clay Linen. Photos by Rachel Robshaw. Tell us about your partnership with All3D and why you chose to invest in the partnership. We are always looking to the future and employing innovation to improve our product offerings. We‘ve aligned closely with ALL3D and Amra Tareen because she is a true trailblazer in the industry. We are very familiar with AR/VR and 3D rendering, but our partnership with ALL3D takes our visualization technology to the next level.   From left to right: Esra Ottoman in Taupe Performance Tweed, Kashida Swivel Chair in Mudetti Indigo Linen, Kinza Screen in Madura Vista Linen, Tarifa Daybed in Bamana Lapis Linen, Liba Ottoman in Madura Vista Linen. 3D Render by All3D. From left to right: Esra Ottoman in Taupe Performance Tweed, Kashida Swivel Chair in Mudetti Indigo Linen, Kinza Screen in Madura Vista Linen, Tarifa Daybed in Bamana Lapis Linen, Liba Ottoman in Madura Vista Linen. 3D Render by All3D.   At a time when Covid has forced us to rethink our market strategies, ALL3D allowed us to pivot seamlessly and imagine new ways of showcasing our collection at a fraction of the cost. We are so impressed by ALL3D capabilities, it now is an ongoing part of our marketing strategy. Hiba Wingback Bed in Fergana Clay. Walls are covered in Suka Moss Wallpaper. 3D Render by All3D. Kashida Swivel Chair in Poppy Lotus Linen. Walls are covered in Suka Moss Wallpaper. 3D Render by All3D.

Limited Edition Fashion Collaboration  The incredibly talented fashion designer Lan Jaenicke took our prints and created this beautiful collection. Go behind the scenes and learn more about our collaboration below. Tell us about your career path. I knew I would end up as a designer, but went some other directions first to see the world. After all, design comes from experience! After receiving a degree in mathematics in London, I worked in advertising in New York and Hong Kong.  A few years later, I moved to San Francisco, then went back to school for a MFA in fashion, which involved an intense technical training and allowed me to put my visions into form. I’ve always been acutely aware that design and material cannot be separated. The inherent intelligence of cashmere fascinated me - it became the defining material of my brand. I sewed several individual pieces, which organically grew into a collection: Lan Jaenicke was soon launched as a small series of 100% woven cashmere coats and jackets. That was 12 years ago, and all of those original designs are still a part of the signature collection to this day.    When did you know what you wanted to do? My mother was a dancer turned designer, and my father is a writer. Creation is part of my DNA. I've always wanted to make beautiful things and spaces. Actually, growing up in such an artistic world, and being a bit of a rebel, I ran the other way and became a math major. It seemed like a divergence at the time, but studying math has philosophically informed my design process.  How did you meet John? John and I were on a panel together, as both our homes were featured in Travel Home, a book by Caitlin Flemming and Julie Goebel. The book portrays home interiors of designers who are particularly inspired by travel. So we obviously shared a similar spirit and love of exploring. I was soon to open a pop-up boutique in Soho, NY and needed to furnish the empty space quickly. After the panel, John introduced me to Richard Wrightman and his magnificent furniture collection. I was so touched by John's warmth and generosity - both he and Richard became friends of mine immediately. What inspired you to collaborate using John Robshaw Textiles? I'm increasingly focused on sustainability in my design, on using what we already have and seeing it with new eyes. I've always worked with pure cashmere and silk.  I wanted to experiment with linens, cottons, and prints, but only with pure natural materials, no synthetics. Rather than producing more material, saddling the world with more stuff, I sought a source for pre-existing textiles. Of course John is the Prince of Prints, so I immediately thought of him and reappropriated material from his previous collections. I love the craftsmanship and hand-done quality of John Robshaw Textiles, be it for his vibrant block prints, or padded quilts. My collections tend to feature solids, so integrating his patterns has been a thrill to behold. Tell us about this collection. Coincidentally, the last place John and I had both visited was Kyoto. That somehow became a guiding light in creating this collection. A kimono is created from a single swath of fabric - the print is uninterrupted. This struck me not only for its physical beauty, but for its timeless, efficiency of design - nothing is wasted.  This collection embodies a practice of zero-waste, size-free, and some gender-free designs. In my mind, John’s prints integrated so beautifully into this vision - the wrap-skirts, kimono tops and dresses made from his textiles became a perfect fit. My signature black silk grosgrain ribbon delineates his fabrics and gives them structure. I also transformed a quilt of his into a vest and a jacket. Touches of black cashmere add stylistic flair to the overall design, and serve as a signature, as cashmere is the material that defines me. All the pieces in this collection were conceived and created by hand in my atelier in San Francisco. Each piece is one of a kind. Where can  people buy Lan Jaenicke x John Robshaw collection? The collection is available at Atelier Lan Jaenicke, in the Jackson Square historic district of San Francisco. The pieces are one size fits all, but we do offer custom tailoring on site. The collection can also be found on our website: lanjaenicke.com. What’s something not many people know about you? I study martial arts and am captivated by the practice of connecting one's internal energy with external energy. Cultivating your internal balance and embracing change creates strength of character and flexibility, both physical and mental. Any advice for someone looking to do what you’re doing? Just start by doing, without overthinking. The creative process is a journey, a self-discovery. You evolve and grow by actively engaging with your materials.  By persisting, your true vision comes into focus. By pursuing this vision with honesty and humility, you hit the bedrock of authenticity. And of course it’s essential that it be something you love. Shop Lan Jaenicke x John Robshaw

Limited Edition Candles and Reed Diffusers 20 Years of Travel, Friendship & Business John Robshaw and Therese Gibbons met 20 years ago when they were both launching their companies. John was starting John Robshaw Textiles, global bedding and textiles, inspired by India artisans, and Therese was beginning Alora Ambiance, the first reed diffuser in America, brought from Italy. They've come together 20 years later to launch this collection of reed diffusers and candles using Alora's most popular signature scents wrapped in John's notable prints and patterns. We asked Therese Gibbons, the founder of Alora Ambiance, a few questions below. How did you and John meet? Well, 20 years ago magazines still ruled when it came to discovering new products and stores - no Instagram, and people were still scared to enter their credit cards online (imagine!). And, combing through a mag, I happened to see John’s bedding in a “best of” section and loved it, telling my sister that we had to visit the “John Robshaw store” on our next NYC trip. Of course when we cabbed down to his Chelsea showroom we realized pretty quickly that it wasn’t a store, but John happened to be there and we gushed to him how much we loved his textiles and our friendship was born. How did you start Alora? My sis and I started Alora in 2000 after spending two years living together in Italy. We lived in a 150-year old villa overlooking Lake Como and were constantly inspired by the beauty surrounding us. Feeling the pull of home, we committed to starting our own business together, and began with bringing our own version of the “reed” diffuser to America. In 2000, we moved home to our family farm in Southern Minnesota and developed a trio of signature scents and introduced the US to a brand new home fragrance category. By the end of 2000 we’d hand assembled 8000 diffusers and landed Alora in 12 boutiques across the country. How did you know when you made it and that this was going to be a real business? Easy. The minute we got the call telling us Barneys New York added our diffusers to their apothecary, we were off to the races. We’d hand-selected some great retailers across the country but landing a spot in Barneys truly was a  stamp of approval. We’d have buyers call from stores across the country saying “they’d seen our product in Barneys and would like to write an order immediately”.  Eventually Alora was in all the flagship and co-op locations and had great success there for 11 years.  Being on Oprah’s O List that same year was a pretty big deal too, people still call today asking what Oprah’s favorite scent is!   What have been some of the ups and downs of Alora over the years? Gratefully, we’ve had way more ups than downs, with the greatest “up” the fact we’re a 20-year old business that people are still excited about and devoted fans of. Nothing better.  And we’ve had our share of downs. When the first knockoffs appeared it was hard, and vendor issues and the economy have kept us humble. But the biggest struggle remains the daily juggling of managing a business with the demands of motherhood. I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t do anything differently, but endlessly proud that, so far, I’ve kept all the balls in the air!   Favorite JRT product? Impossible to pick one. I’ve been filling my home with his beautiful things since that day we met in his showroom! I recently recovered a vintage side chair with his Kukkuta Teak Fabric and it’s gorgeous - like a piece of art. What's your favorite part of running Alora? Hearing from our loyal fans, no doubt. Nothing makes me happier than an Alora devotee telling me they’ve tried the “others” and that Alora is hands down the best – that’s as good as it gets.   Any advice you have for someone who wants to start their own business? Be open and trust your gut.  Ann and I made an agreement from the beginning to always be open to ideas from others: whether it was entertaining a new vendor, a new product idea, changes to our website  – we were humble and recognized that we were not experts in everything. That said, we’ve trusted our instincts since day one – from what to make, with whom to partner and where to invest. Definitely not always easy but it’s been the secret to our success.   Favorite places to go/stay in Italy? If I had to pick one, it’d be Bolzano in Northern Italy at the foothills of the Dolomites. It’s surrounded by small mountain villages and has the most unforgettable views in all of Italy, which is saying something. We’d visit their Christmas Market to take in the amazing alpine decorations and stuff ourselves with the hearty Austrian-influenced food before a weekend skiing. A unique and tourism-proof gem and effortlessly charming.

Q&A with Sara Bengur & John Robshaw, the duo that teamed up together to create a colorful and global tea-room-inspired masterpiece at the 2019 Hampton Designer Showhouse. It’s a jungle in here!   How did you get into each of your fields? SB: I actually majored in Economics in college and worked in finance for a couple of years both in London and New York.  I remember an interior design firm next to my office in London, and how I peered into their windows every day when I walked by. I decided then interior design is what I really wanted to do.  After transitioning fields by managing an architecture firm in Soho, I went back to school and studied interior design at Parsons.  The last person I worked for before going off on my own was Stephen Sills, with whom I learned the skills needed to create a custom interior, and how to combine textiles and color. JR: Travel kick-started my company many years ago when I was a sequin mule, picking up sequins in Paris, dropping them in Mumbai and waiting for completed dresses to smuggle out back to NYC.   How would you describe your design style? SB: My personal design style is quite eclectic.  I love to include objects and textiles I have purchased during my travels.  My upbringing in Istanbul and in Europe, inspired my love of color and layering with unusual patterns, while always keeping it fresh and updated so its never a cliché.  When I design for a client I spend a lot of time getting to know their likes and dislikes, before making suggestions.  I feel that the design of a home should reflect the personality and lifestyle of the person living in it, so I embark on a creative journey with each client to manifest this.  I think one of the keys to interior design is combining periods, styles and patterns in an unexpected way — that is what gives an interior lasting value.   JR:  The exoticism of bringing my love of travel, color, and texture all together.   Can you tell us about your inspiration for your room in the Hampton Designer Show House? SB: As John and I were throwing around ideas for the showhouse, we started discussing the walls as a starting point.  We both zeroed in on a hand painted pillow with a jungle scene he carries.  I had just come back from the furniture fair in Milan and was inspired by the grand gestures in their installations, so I suggested we take his design and blow it up to life size to make a whimsical statement!  JR: The room was inspired by a Syrian tea room- I went to Damascus before the war and hung out for days in murky tea rooms but wanted to brighten it up here.  It also started with a hand painted mural of some Indian folk art and then of course we kept adding old pals, like Harry Allen, who is an amazing industrial designer, who also happened to be my roommate at Pratt.  And Alexander Gorlizki, who I met at a run down palace hotel in Jaipur years ago as he started working with a Indian miniature painter, installed an art installation in the closet.  Dana of DBO Home is my pal from Connecticut who makes hand made porcelain so we made these Chinese-landscape-painting-inspired lamps with vintage turban shades.     How did you begin this project?  Can you walk us through the various phases of your design journey?  SB: John and I went to visit our front bedroom at the showhouse to brainstorm and come up with ideas.  We agreed that rather than doing a traditional bedroom it would be more fun to design an exotic sitting room with low banquettes- and that’s how the process started...Once we decided on the walls which Twenty2 Wallpaper was skillfully making for us, we started selecting inspirations for color and the textiles from fabrics and pillows in his showroom.  The seat and back cushions are our custom design and were made for us in India.  John pulled all his strings to get them done in time!  We then supplemented the seating with John’s collection of new and antique pillows.  Our next step was to call on all our designer friends to complete the room, Harry Allen for lighting, Tucker Robbins and Ercole Home for tables and accessories, Veronique Gambier for the oil painting, DBO home for the lamps and the amazing Alexander Gorlizki for our art installation in the closet.     What was the biggest challenge in designing this room? SB: We were not allowed to paint the trim in the room and this was the biggest challenge for me.  When having the wall mural made, we needed to make the necessary accommodations to create the white background of the paper so the white trim of the room looked intentional. JR: There were slanted ceilings in the room which were painted orange to give the room continuity.     Was there anything you had opposing views on while designing the room?  How did you reach a resolution?  SB: At the beginning, John really wanted to create a bedroom since he designs bedding!  But I felt it would be so much more interesting and unexpected if we used his fabrics in a way that many people were not accustomed to seeing.  After a few matcha lattes he eventually came around and we started on our jungle journey.  JR: I think more is just right and I love adding and discovering connections, and Sara is just the right amount of tough to cut things out and keep me in line.    

“If you’re into authentic tradition, there’s nowhere better than Uzbekistan.” ~ John Robshaw In September, John Robshaw will host Indagare's very first Insider Journey to Uzbekistan, opening doors to private homes and artisan workshops for an immersive look at the country’s unique crafts and history. Click here to learn more about the trip and book your spot now. John Robshaw: Even though Europeans have always been traveling there, Uzbekistan wasn’t on the American radar when I first went—which was partially due to the fact that, until very recently, it was difficult to get a visa. Travel trends tend to filter west through Europe, so now, Uzbekistan is becoming popular like Morocco or India—though perhaps a bit scruffier—and Americans are starting to go. What are your favorite aspects of Uzbek design? JR: The silk ikat tradition, which originates in Uzbekistan. What many people don’t know is that most of the silk ikat textiles that are so coveted in places like India and Istanbul are in fact made in Uzbekistan. Russia granted the country independence in 1991, but before that, the economy was closed, so merchants smuggled the Uzbek textiles into India and Turkey, where they could be sold. The iconic Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. From a design perspective, what is unique about Uzbekistan? JR: Uzbekistan still has a thriving domestic market for design. I love India, but shopping there is a total hodgepodge, with foreign-made items mixed in. Uzbekistan is a smaller, more isolated country, so the traditional textiles have stayed largely intact, with many locals still wearing them. Everything from the textures to the colors is truly authentic to the area. You know when you’re in an Uzbek shop—it’s the real deal. What are some things about traveling to Uzbekistan that most Westerners would not know? JR: Being at the crossroads of central Asia—with a long history of invasions—the Uzbek people are very different and visiting the country is full of surprises. The food is amazing, and the landscapes are all rolling hills and mountains punctuated by small market towns, meadows, forests of poplars and great fruit orchards. It’s also very sleepy because of its history under Russian control, which kept it from developing for so long. There are these funny moments where you feel like you’ve gone back in time: you’ll be in a jazz bar that feels like it’s straight out of the 1950s, complete with a Russian guy playing the piano. Uzbekistan is a niche destination, and it’s remained isolated. John Robshaw on the road. What are some hidden gems of Uzbekistan that will be especially appealing to design lovers? JR: The old flea markets, which we’ll visit on our September tour, are amazing. They’re the sort of places where you don’t know any names, but you know where they are; I love the Soviet Market in Tashkent, the weekend market outside of Samarkand and the spots near the hammam in Bukhara. It’s the type of shopping that requires some walking and exploration—but it’s so rewarding. How does travel inform your work as a designer? JR: For me it directly relates to textiles. Seeing different techniques, colors and traditions—from the bazaars to the mosques— is all inspiration for me, and when I go to a new place, it wakes me up. I take photos, draw sketches, buy things and fill up suitcases to use in my next collection. You see all of these different ways that people are working, and it enlightens you; it shakes you up. The picture-perfect Gur-e-Amir mausoleum in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Top activities not to miss in Uzbekistan? JR: Visit the Fergana Valley for silks, the Bolo Haouz Mosque in Bukhara, the Museum of Applied Arts in Tashkent, the hammam in Bukhara and the wholesale markets. John Robshaw bed linens inspired by his travels. Most important thing in your carry-on JR: A shawl for the plane, a sketchbook and Muji pens, and of course my phone. Best mementos to bring back? JR: Silk ikat scarf and a rug if you can carry it. You can follow John’s travels on Instagram @johnrobshaw. – Elizabeth Harvey on May 8, 2019

Makki Indigo Duvet I met Jami at her parent’s house in La where I sometimes crash in their lovely guest villa. I of course would bring (or rather ship) hostess gifts to thank the Belushis, and over time I slowly took over bedrooms with my bedding!Initials and Lights are Jami's Own Himpata Bolster - Sold Out Jami got the bedding and the look right away as a fashionable LA lady. I was happy to help out with her cool dorm room when she went to school in NYC, which, as I recall, looks much better than my cinder block/ bunk bedded dorm room! Vara Euro, Ibal Dark Stripe Dhurrie - Sold out (all dhurries available here), Fuzzy chair and pillow are Jami's own Konkan Decorative Pillow Keep on trucking Jamie. Custom Pouf - Lanka Oyster Available Here