Tory Burch collaborates with Dodie Thayer

Billionaire Tory Burch is continuing her conquest to rule the world, or at least the fashion industry. She will be debuting the brand’s home collection in Europe, and launching the Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch Lettuce Ware Collection during the international furniture and design show, the Salone del Mobile. Burch and Wallpaper Magazine worked with Bethan Laura Wood to create artwork inspired by the Lettuce Ware Collection, and the installation will be revealed this coming Wednesday at the Burch’s new flagship in Milan’s Via della Spiga.

Thayer is a self-taught artist based in Florida. In the sixties, she began selling ceramics in the shape of green lettuce and cabbage leaves. She had a very exclusive list of customers, including the Duchess of Windsor, Brooke Astor, and fashion icon and former FLOTUS, Jacqueline Kennedy. In an article from Women’s Wear Daily, Wood discussed that the “main brief was to create a very celebratory” installation, “colorful, fun and playful. There was a strong connection and great fit.”

The installation is composed of canapé designs that were painted by hand, and also drew some inspiration from Tory Burch’s recent women’s wear lines. Each canapé took three days to paint. The lettuce ware will be displayed in several Tory Burch flagship stores, including Milan, London, and Munich. As Burch continues to try and turn Tory Burch into an entire lifestyle brand, not just a label for designer apparel, the Lettuce Ware Collection and installation were a necessity. As Burch works on evolving her brand to be known for more than designer purses and ready-to-wear.

Burch set to launch home collection

For those of us not lucky enough to live in one of those cities never fear, because they will also be available on toryburch.com, and starting on Tuesday they will also be available on the brand’s e-commerce European channels. Burch has announced that she will be opening a Paris unit this summer. In regards to why she decided to collaborate with Thayer, Burch told Women’s Wear Daily, “I was always drawn to the perfect shade of lettuce green. When we began working on our home collection, one of the things I kept referencing was Dodie’s work. I reached out to her and she was interested in collaborating with us, so I flew down to visit her at her home on the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter, Fla. She is an extraordinary woman and entrepreneur.”

On why she decided to collaborate with Wood, Burch said she, “shares [her] passion for color and pattern. Her work is incredibly diverse — everything from furniture to accessories — so I was interested to see what she would do with our Lettuce Ware Collection.” Burch is well on her way to becoming the next Ralph Lauren with her launch into home goods. The luxury market might be getting tough, but Burch keeps getting tougher.