Thursday, 18 July 2013

RIP David Collins



This may well be the hardest blog post for me to write.

I was sitting on the sofa browsing twitter on my phone last night while my husband washed our after dinner dishes...only to find news of the tragic death of my favorite designer, David Collins. At first I thought I had the name wrong, then that maybe it was a hoax. But no. Unfortunately a link to Vogue with an obituary & tribute confirmed the news. I am devastated.

How does this affect me personally? No, we were not family, or friends. We never met. We did exchange emails however. And I can tell you the day I saw an email in my inbox from David Collins I almost had a heart attack from the palpatations. In a way that having some direct communication from one of your idols can only do. "You know I am your biggest fan" he said about the blog. Those words will stay with me forever.

I think the first time I became aware of his work was when his own apartment was published. I fell quickly and totally in love, and had to know more, and see more. I fet like I'd found a simpatico soul, a kindred spirit, on the other side of the world. I love his aesthetic, and I feel we were inspired by many of the same things. On a personal and very selfish level, I'm so sad that we will not get to see any more of his beautiful work.

My heart goes out to his family, friends, staff, clients and anyone in his life. If nothing else, the tragic circumstances surrounding his death should serve as a reminder to all of us to live each day as if it were your last.

May you rest in peace, Mr Collins.












8 comments:

annemarie said...

oh no! I hadn't picked up on that! I still remember the first time I had drinks in the Blue Bar, I had never seen anyone use colour so daringly. How sad... and as you say such a reminder to enjoy life everyday...

Vay said...

Oh Suzzy! I'm so sad too... You know I started following you because David Collns... You posted some pictures of a man's boutique that he had decorated so georgeous, that I quickly looked up who he was. Many times looking for inspiration I rewied his web once and again.
My warmest hug to his family from Spain.

Anonymous said...

Suzy,

I worked with David for the last three year's and I can truly say he was addicted to the blog. You used to brighten his day when he saw your posts on him.

May he rest in peace

Suzy said...

Anon, you've brightened my day. Thank you.

juliana said...

Suzy,

I saw this sad news on 1st dibs newsletter and couldn't believe.... I had to look all the news in google to believe it. Like you, I was a big fan of his work and I remember when I read a comment he left to you regarding your beautiful collection of lighting....

May he rest in peace.....

Anonymous said...

Hi Suzy

I haven't checked your blog for a couple of weeks so it may be a bit late in the day but I can honestly say that I felt, and still feel, exactly the same about David Collins' untimely and quite shocking death. I came to work last Thursday and as I checked 1st Dibs new listings I saw the announcement. I was actually flying to Bangkok that night and the next day I had a tour of the Mahanakhon Ritz Carlton apartments which he designed; a sombre moment.

Like you, I have no relation or personal familiarity with him whatsoever except being a Londoner working in Singapore, have some colleagues and ex-colleagues who have worked with or known him. But the profound influence he has had and will continue to have on me as a designer, as he has to thousands of others, can not be overstated. It has been a joy to both follow his illustrious career and when the opportunity has arisen, to drink or dine in his beautiful creations.

R.I.P., Sir (in my humble opinion) David Collins.

Suzy said...

Anon, thanks, and I couldn't agree more.

Concrete Jungle said...

Thanks for some more design and inspiration from a fabulous designer!