Buhlaixe x FLW: Architecture-Inspired Scarves
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation | Feb 27, 2020
As part of the Frank Lloyd Wright Store’s Artisan Collaboration series, we’ve collaborated with artist and designer Blaise Danio of Buhlaixe to create a unique line of stylish architecture-inspired scarves.
In a new collaboration as part of the Frank Lloyd Wright Store’s Artisan Collaboration series, we’ve joined forces with Arizona artist and designer Blaise Danio of Buhlaixe to create a unique collection of Taliesin West-inspired scarves. In her accessory line, Ornament + Object, Danio pulls from her background in sculpting, painting, and a variety of other artistic mediums.
Danio was drawn to Frank Lloyd Wright’s work and Taliesin West because much of her work is inspired by architecture and the desert. In this collection of scarves created exclusively for Taliesin West, Danio translated quintessential Wright designs and the architecture of Taliesin West into chic, stylish, modern wearable art. Danio is conscious of the materials she uses in the scarf production, with each design being illustrated digitally and hemmed locally in Phoenix. Here she shares more about the inspiration behind each design.
Taliesin West Stairs
Inspired by the stairs leading to the Drafting Studio at Taliesin West, this design uses bold shapes and a modern take on traditional Southwestern colors to translate this idea. The stairs reach towards the sky, directing attention to the mountains above.
“When I first stood on The Prow, looking toward Taliesin West at the stairs and looking out to the landscape — I was so in love with the way the stairs reflected the mountains in the background. It really felt like it was blending into the landscape’s vantage point.”
City by the Sea
City by The Sea is meant to represent the longing of watching the spectacular, colorful sunsets seen at Taliesin West from inside the Drafting Studio. The scarf’s name is also inspired by a Wright mural seen in the Music Pavilion at Taliesin West.
“With this design I really wanted to get a feel for what it’s like to be inside of the building. With the window frame I was trying to get across the way that everything is constantly intersecting and coming together at Taliesin West.”
Jewelry Shop Window
Loosely based on Frank Lloyd Wright’s drawing Jewelry Shop Window, this design takes into consideration the landscape and tone of the Sonoran desert where Taliesin West is located.
“Wright’s Jewelry Shop Window design is very ornate, so I wanted to really pare it down to be as minimalist as possible, sort of like a new modern.”
March Balloons
Using bold colors and patterns, this design evokes an Art Deco influence while being directly inspired by Wright’s “March Balloons” drawing. In 1926, Wright designed a series of bold, geometric abstractions that were intended to be used as covers for Liberty magazine. Over the years, many of these designs have been reinterpreted by a variety of artists.
“This design is very directly inspired by March Balloons. There have been a number of reinterpretations of this design and so I just felt like it was really appropriate to have my own unique, modern take on it.”
Max Hoffman House Rug
This design is a modern and minimalist interpretation of the rug designed for Wright’s Max Hoffman house, with a subtle incorporation of Taliesin West’s signature whirling arrow symbol.
“I wanted this one to be a very contemporary version of Wright’s rug design. However, when you look at the work Wright was doing during this time period, it was really modern already. He really pushed the envelope and that in itself is such an inspiration to me.”
The full collection of Buhlaixe x Taliesin West scarves are now available exclusively in the Frank Lloyd Wright Store at Taliesin West or the online Store. Call the Store at 480.627.5398 to place an order.
