At only 26, Ryan Korban has executed numerous covetable commercial and residential projects, including Alexander Wang’s new NYC store. Based in New York City, he has built a fast following with a particular group of creative catalysts downtown. They are drawn to his use of old-world ideals, especially the revival of a lost romance behind each decision, in the recurring urban setting.
What do you consider to be the most significant design innovation of the last 10 years?
I think it has been most interesting to see how mixed styles have become. It used to be that interior design was one look whether it was country, contemporary, or modern. I find that all looks and decades have been mixed together and that traditional rules no longer apply.
What makes a particular design last…what ensures longevity? Examples?
I think sophistication and elegance always last. For me, if I go into a direction that feels sexy or more “trendy” I try and infuse a feeling of sophistication to ensure classic style. For me this achieved through rich fabrics (silk, velvet, cashmere, boucle) great art (usually figurative and abstract paintings) and sculpture.
What do you feel are lasting, timeless palettes that still feel fresh and up-to-the-minute?
In my world I call it a “wash” of color. It’s the same feeling you get when you look at a watercolor. I use tones of gray. Blue grays, purple grays, and brown grays. By staying only one shade apart you create a timeless feeling through color. I think a lasting palette consists of colors you cannot see, but can feel. For me it’s not about bright red or orange and more about the gray tones you can’t really put your finger on. That always feels fresh to me.
Is there a classic—a staple—that is always a part of your design…sort of a signature? What is it and what en-ables it to work in any environment?
FUR. My love of creating environments no matter the location keeps me decorating in all spaces.
How has the onslaught of social media outlets and “design on the web” affected the world of design—for you personally, or in general? Do you see lasting change in design from this movement to new media?
I am not really a modern guy at heart. I consider myself a romantic in every sense of the word. What I think media does is forces me to be modern which at times can be quite helpful. The benefit has been allowing people to see my work in so many different ways. It’s become way more complex than just my portfolio. I like seeing people grab pieces of my work from all over and put together a blog post. Its interesting to watch people edit my work.
How have you observed a particular category, (i.e. traditional or contemporary) evolving over the past 20 years?
Going from more conservative to more risk-taking; from hands-off to kick-back. It was important to me to study history and art in school. This became a large part of my education. So for me I carefully chose what I wanted to know about. Rather than seeing a direct progression of style I have taken what I like from all eras and that has evolved into its own style. I think that’s what has happened. You see things you respond to and begin to mix them up.
Which comes first: lifestyle or product/design? Is it lifestyle that has generated the design changes, or is design the driving force that affects how we live?
Lifestyle has always come first for me. This is because lifestyle has always been abstract. Its touch, scent, taste, all of our senses. Lifestyle really is a feeling and once I have that feeling down then I move into product. An empty room with a particular light coming through the windows is lifestyle to me without product.
How do you perceive design today: as catalyst for lifestyle change or as reaction to it, or both?
Design is amazing today because people are doing what they want. Having said that I think for the interior world specifically we have a lot of growth to do. I think our industry tends to move at a slow pace which is starting to change. I would love to see people really let go of square footage. For small spaces to exist with large ones without turning it into a “small” spaces story. Our obsession with size has always confused. I was always concerned with good taste not size.
Are there any design trends from the past twenty years that came and went, not a moment too soon for you? Any trends developing now that you would like to see dismissed as quickly as possible?
Art nouveau did not last long enough for me. I wish it had continued on. Not to mention that lack of it makes everything you find so damn expensive! But at the same time I love how rare it is.
Is the trend in green design a fad or is it here to stay? Are clients requesting you to utilize eco-friendly or sus-tainable products in your design?
I dont think it’s a trend because it’s meaningful. I would like to hope that when people do something for the better it is a commitment and not a trend. People don’t come to me for green design. I love fur, animal skins and taxidermy. I’m pretty far from the Green look.
How did you become interested in interior design? Who were your mentors in the early days?
I was always interested in the idea of taste. What was in people’s china cabinets. What people’s homes smelled like. That sort of thing moved me even as a child. I think I later realized that creating environments was the culmination of my interests. I wouldn’t say I had a mentor, but did have a lot of peers in fashion and I really looked to them to learn about aesthetics.
How would you describe your design style?
Sex, romance, and fantasy.
What do you do, or where do you go, for inspiration?
Hotels. There goal is to give you the ultimate luxury experience where would more inspiration be?
Who are your 3 favorite fashion designers and why?
Balenciaga and Alaia. Fit, fabric, and portion. All the things that make a perfect garment as well as a perfect room.
7 Comments
Slaughtered animals everywhere!
I agree with Ryan-art nouveau just didn’t last long enough! You can really see it’s influence on his style in the photos, though.
Good Stuff! Your Style is Haute………….. Tons of INspiration
i think your style is amazing ! i am also a designer in miami with a great team of people at my side.. i love the way you mix old and new ..and fur and other textiles .. its wonderful…and i think that the people on here are to forward and angry with the coments they post about the fur and animals… everyone out there needs to know that us designers dont always use real fur. and that our clients sometimes want the real thing.. and most of the time we use vintage fur pieces from animals that were dead years ago anyway!! so dont take it out on Ryan Korban…hes just doing his job…and a great one at that!!
Agreed.
Everything looks beautiful! I love the “return of romance”. I also liked what you said about small spaces and social media.
Your work has CLASS.