Once upon a time
Georg Jensen was known as the ultimate resource for modern contemporary sterling
silver jewelry and home accessories. Into its second century of life, the
company has decided to recapture the luster of what once was with the hiring of
David Chu as CEO and now with the addition of Marcus Teo. The globetrotting Marcus Teo is the subject of today’s meet and
greet and he has been extremely forthcoming via the series of question posed to
him. He tells us of what we can expect from him in the future and some of his
past and some of his private life.
First is the
press release announcing his arrival to the fabled brand which is sort of a mission
statement and then we get to know him in
deeper detail, the slideshow offers a small glimpse in to his past and what makes him tick as a creative force
in fashion.
Please meet
Marcus Teo..
Marcus Teo Joining Georg
Jenson
American Vogue contributing sittings editor and prior editor of W magazine’s men’s portfolio, Marcus Teo will collaborate with David Chu, Georg Jensen’s chief executive officer and chief creative officer, to launch a men’s jewellery and watch collection. He will take on the title of vice president and creative director. “I’ll be working on all aspects of creative,” Teo told press. He will continue in his freelance role at American Vogue, as “it keeps my interest and inspiration going,” he said. The Collaboration is not to only to introduce a men’s collection (not only jewelry but leather goods, accessories etc.) but to shine the spotlight on all Jewelry, Home, Silverware and the hallowed Holloware collection
American Vogue contributing sittings editor and prior editor of W magazine’s men’s portfolio, Marcus Teo will collaborate with David Chu, Georg Jensen’s chief executive officer and chief creative officer, to launch a men’s jewellery and watch collection. He will take on the title of vice president and creative director. “I’ll be working on all aspects of creative,” Teo told press. He will continue in his freelance role at American Vogue, as “it keeps my interest and inspiration going,” he said. The Collaboration is not to only to introduce a men’s collection (not only jewelry but leather goods, accessories etc.) but to shine the spotlight on all Jewelry, Home, Silverware and the hallowed Holloware collection
.
Q-What is your big picture plan for
Georg Jensen? And who are you targeting as your customer?
The House of
Georg Jensen is a House of Art & Design. It is not only a store for
beautiful jewelry, or a purveyor of fine home décor or a gallery of collectible
silver. It is all that as well as an active participant in the vital and
vibrant world of Art and Design. Georg Jensen himself was an artist; a sculptor
who was also a great silversmith. Back in 1904, before artists even thought of
collaborations, Jensen invited his artist friends to design and he turned their
work into masterpieces. It was the beginning of a fruitful practice. This
became the Georg Jensen tradition, working with artists through every Design
Period, from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, through the Danish golden age of design
during the mid-century. All the way through the 70s, 80s and now. The tradition
continues with some of the world’s best Design powerhouses. My big picture is
to continue this tradition of collaboration – to shed light on the rich
heritage and also to create a constant and current dialogue with the Art and
Design world.
The Jensen
customer has always been someone who appreciates art and craft, who values the
beauty of design and creation. Our jewelry customer knows that they are
investing in wearable art and our Home and Silver customers are welcoming art
into their homes. My target is to extend our culture of value in art and design
to the vast demographic that appreciates design. Through social media like
Pinterest and various blogs, the design aficionados have grown in huge numbers.
I want them to be participants in the Georg Jensen culture – as both customers
and collaborators.
Q-Do you believe that Georg Jensen
can be restored to its once reverential status among international luxury
retailers? And why?
A little
dusting can uncover huge treasure troves. Our archives hold some of the giants
in Design and art. We have produced and created some of the most reverential
pieces as well as the most modern objects of their time. Living in an age where
the Design periods co-exist seamlessly, our vast trove of goods have become
modern collector’s gold. My task is to reintroduce these vibrant items of
jewelry and Home design goods as well as our Silver treasures. In addition, we continue
the ongoing conversation as we collaborate with the design powerhouses of now.
In this two prong approach, we speak to international luxury retailers with our
desirable goods as well as create a modern dialogue with a new and growing
luxury-appreciating audience.
Q- What was your most favorite
assignment during your career and why?
There have
been so many! One that had left a lasting impression was my very first shoot as
the Fashion Director of W Magazine’s Men’s portfolio. Dennis Freedman had commissioned
fine art photographer Rodney Smith to shoot for us. I was doing my first
sitting – shooting at Parc de Sceaux a little south of Paris. The handsome
clothes, the great models, the almost mathematical structure of the park – all
came together with precision through Rodney’s lens. The moment when all the
effort and work behind the scenes culminate on one perfect photo, that is the
moment I pine for. When it happens as it did for the first time on this shoot,
everything is as it should be.
Q- What are your current observations
about fashion? men’s .. women’s??
I have
always been interested in Fashion, but by way of Film School. My appreciation
has been for the craft of making clothes and the effect it creates, like what
costume does in movies and theatre. It creates characters. Fashion is
interesting to me because men and women become characters when they put clothes
on. I have been an accidental tourist in the rise of menswear because of W’s Men’s
Portfolio. I was interested in fashion but I was more interested in creating a
general interest book. Art, Design, Sport, the Lives of others – that’s what I
am interested in. Currently in fashion, I applaud the drive that the young
designers still have in making it. The world of fashion has made more friends and
fans in the last 10 years. It used to be so far removed. But, it has also
become ore competitive and big business. For every Nicholas Ghesquiere or
Alexander Wang out there making it, there’s a lot more struggling to get their
amazing collections out. I think I am a fan of the designers. I think it takes
guts to put yourself in this arena. Obviously, there are good collections and
bad ones. There always have been.
It is
comforting to know that Zoran is out there somewhere not giving a hoot about
how commercial he could have been but sticking to his instincts.
Q- Can you explain what a sittings
editor does and as a stylist how much of the finished product are you
responsible for?
I studied
Film. That is a highly collaborative
field. It takes the sum of different parts to make the perfect image. In
portraiture and fashion photography, one is always trying to achieve the
perfect shot. This could be bringing out the personality in portraiture or
creating the Decisive or Indecisive moment. A great sittings editor pulls
together the different elements – the right clothes, the models, the subjects,
the location, the time of day and collaborates closely with the Photographer –
who is the Director and who is the Cinematographer? The roles vary with the
Photographer. I always go in excited to collaborate, to work with a few to
create the image. When it all falls in place, my job as a sittings editor is
done. My role as a stylist uses Fashion and costume to elicit an emotion, to
tell a story. Depending on the day and the photographer, I have been surprised
and moved to tears. On other days, I have to take control of the situation and
act as a director. The point is to stay collaborative. I am Always responsible
for my finished product!
Q-Who are your style icons/idols/inspirations
and why?
On a
personal style level, Bryan Ferry and Michael Chow. Look at Bryan Ferry! Rock
Star with sartorial tendencies. Never the pretty boy but always a chic Man.
Michael Chow is an icon of Food, Art and Design. A quick study into his
esthetic life will reveal the most sublime choices. And Never Boring. Always
keep it interesting. A couple of years ago, I did a Mr. Chow inspired story for
GQ. I had permission and was shooting in his restaurant. He was in the
neigbourhood and decided to drop by. While my model was evocating Chow’s
sharply-dressed persona, the real Mr. Chow showed up in black t-shirt, light
linen shorts, black socks and black canvas sneakers – the antithesis of dressed
up but startlingly perfect.
Q-What advice would you offer to
those who are just starting their career in the fashion business?
Absorb
Culture. Study Sociology. Devour History. Learn about Design. In fact, study
anything but fashion. Unless you are planning to be a designer, then make sure
you learn the craft.
Q- Where is your ideal home and why?
Everywhere I
have lived seems to lead the way to the ideal home. From the Colonial home in
Malaysia to the Corbusier shrine in London to my own undertakings in New York City.
They all contain traces of the past and also elements of where they are. I am
quite adaptable but I cannot wait to adapt to a house near water. The Ocean or
a Lake is what I find rapturous.
Q-what is your most treasured
possession in terms of wardrobe?
A pair of
Helmut Lang jeans that was given to me by Helmut. It has gone through several
Weights of me!
Q-if you could rewrite your own
history, how would you alter it and why?
I wouldn’t.
I have lived in 3 continents and have learnt so much. If I was wiser back then,
I still would have been learning something during that time.
I suppose I
would be a tad taller if I could rewrite something!
