Crate & Barrel / Art Direction / Summer Outdoor, 2018

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Photography: Alec Hemer, Art Direction: Marcus Hay for SMH, Inc, Prop Styling by Joe Maer

Last year in Austin, Texas, Marcus had the pleasure of working with the amazing Crate & Barrel team in Austin Texas, where we spent a couple of weeks shooting the Summer Outdoor catalog in some amazing Austin locations.

It was the first time Marcus has worked on the Art Direction of the Crate and Barrel catalog but has had a long history with the company in other roles and brands so it was very exciting to work with the wonderful Photographer Alec Hemer once again and talented Prop Stylist Joe Maer, of who Marcus has known for many years in New York. 

Marcus is looking forward to more Crate and Barrel projects, stay tuned! 

High Society / A Tribute

High Society's main star, Grace Kelly in her last movie role, 1956

Grace Kelly in the famous pool scene

Left: The stars of the movie, Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra, Right: Grace Kelly

Left: Grace Kelly, Right: The color palette in this room is just so inspiring, flesh pink, dusty aqua, tiffany blue, gray concrete and tiny splash of red 

The mix of old and new is apparent in the design of the movie, sports cars and french wallpaper mix together easily

French and Chinoiserie abound, Pale pinks and blue, Lemon yellow, So much detail in one film    

Gold gilding, model boats, gold trim and classical busts, still some of my favorite things  

Growing up as a child one of my favorite movies to watch on a rainy Sunday was High Society. 

I was always fascinated by American 1950’s, The interest grew largely from a friend of my mother's who donated her collection of 1950’s LIFE Magazines to me, thinking I would enjoy them. I’d love to idolize the Coke Ad’s in particular emulating the slicked back hair, stovepipe jeans and converse sneakers in my outfits to school, While most kids (and adults) were watching sports on Sunday, I used to watch hours of old movies, loving Jerry Lewis and Fred Astaire movie in particular. Of course High Society captured my attention with it’s design, color and fun musical numbers, performed by all the stars but the standout is Louis Armstrong who belts out some great tunes.  

The production value is amazing in High Society, Filmed in Technicolor, the attention to color is just spot on, Famed Art Director and Production Designer, Cedric Gibbons designed the look and costumes were designed by Helen Rose. High Society was released in 1956 American, It’s regarded as a musical comedy film directed by Charles Walters and stars Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra. Based on the play The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry, the film is about a successful popular jazz musician who tries to win back the affections of his ex-wife, who is preparing to marry another man. The movie was shot mostly in and around Clarendon Court in Newport, Rhode Island.

I would say this film has hugely influenced my color palette in particular, I have always loved a dusty pastel and this film is full of them, While I feel I am going through a more monochromatic phase currently, the appeal of the pastel still hits me, It's often this combination with contrast hit of bright color or with a metallic crinkly gold that I like best. 

This film featured Kelly's final role before she became Princess of Monaco; it was released three months after her marriage to Prince Rainier III. She is simply beautiful in this movie and remains one of my favorite actress's to this day. 

Garnet Hill/ High Summer, 2016

Photography: Seth Smoot, Styling: Heather Greene, Art Direction: Marcus Hay

Photography: Seth Smoot, Styling: Heather Greene, Art Direction: Marcus Hay

Photography: Seth Smoot, Styling: Heather Greene/ Carin Scheve, Art Direction: Marcus Hay

For Garnet Hill, Marcus was asked once again to Art Direct the catalog for High Summer. Working in New Hampshire, we created many wonderful summer sets inspired by the fashion shoot shot in Mexico on the beach.

The sets were intentionally neutral this time to help allow Garnet Hill's prints to really pop and allow for a light and breezy feel, we even created outdoor porch areas to help bring the outside in.

We loved working with super talented Photographer Seth Smoot again and wonderful Prop Stylist's Heather Greene and Carin Scheve     

We are looking forward to next Garnet Hill project later this year, look out for that one!