OBJECTS AS MEMORIES WITH ALEXIS BADIYI
I HAVE FOLLOWED ALEXIS ONLINE FOR SOME TIME NOW, INITIALLY DRAWN TO HER AESTHETIC AND impeccably CHIC STYLE THAT SEEMS TO COME SO EFFORTLESSLY. RECENTLY AFTER THE PASSING OF HER GRANDMOTHER, OR BABI, ALEXIS SO VULNERABLY SHARED A SELECTION OF PHOTOS AND OBJECTS WHILST SORTING THROUGH HER grandmothers APARTMENT. I WAS SO MOVED BY THE STORIES THESE PIECES TOLD AND THE BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE OF HER BABI. THIS STRUCK A CORD WITH ME ON A PERSONAL LEVEL AS MY OWN GRANDMA IS CURRENTLY ON END OF LIFE CARE. SINCE A CHILD I HAD ALWAYS ENJOYED VISITING MY GRANDMAS HOME AND GOING THROUGH HER TRINKETS AND JEWELLERY BOXES. SHE HAD ONE PARTICULAR CABINET FILLED WITH SMALL ORNAMENTS SHE’D COLLECTED OVER THE YEARS, AND PROBABLY FIVE OR SO NESTS OF SUGARED ALMONDS FROM MANY ITALIAN FAMILY WEDDINGS.
SEEING ALEXIS SHARE THIS INSIGHT INTO HER BABI’S LIFE STORY AND BELONGINGS DURING SUCH A VULNERABLE TIME FELT LIKE A VERY GRACIOUS AND CATHARTIC WAY TO grieve, WHILST ALSO CELEBRATING ALL THE BEAUTY OF HER BABI’S LIFETIME. I ASKED ALEXIS TO SHARE HER MOST TREASURED AND SENTIMENTAL OBJECTS WITHIN HER HOME IN BROOKLYN, EACH WITH A STORY TO TELL, NOW HANDED OVER FOR MANY MORE MEMORIES TO BE IMBUED UPON THEM.
THE GATHERING AND PASSING ALONG OF SENTIMENTAL OBJECTS HOLDS SUCH A SPECIAL ENERGY, TO HAVE THESE PIECES IN OUR HOMES AS A liveable TIME CAPSULE, OFFERING THE ABILITY TO REFLECT BACK ON A PARTICULAR PERSON OR MOMENT IN TIME JUST BY GLANCING AT AN OBJECT ACROSS THE ROOM. I’M SO GRATEFUL TO SHARE THE STORY OF THESE PIECES FROM ALEXIS, AND HOPE YOU ENJOY READING ABOUT THEM AS MUCH AS I DID…
CREDENZA
This credenza originally lived in her Manhattan apartment. After spending many years on the North Fork, It feels so fitting that it is now in my entryway. She had a tradition of lining the drawers in red flocked velvet. Upon moving it in, I replaced all of the red velvet in her honor for a fresh start back in NYC.
ROD IRON CHANDELIER
This chandelier was originally a gift to my grandmother from her nephew, who was like a son to her. It was the centerpiece of her dining room at the beach on the North Fork. One year she strung it up in the woods outside her home for a dramatic alfresco dinner celebrating my sister’s birthday. It now resides in my living room, a gift from her a few years ago. It brought us both so much joy to see my home transform upon its arrival.
ANCIENT DOOR
This incredible piece felt like a magical portal growing up. It originally lived in the same room as the chandelier, I feel they are dear old friends reunited in Brooklyn. In its first placement, it held my grandmother's music; her records, sound system, speakers and record player. It was the main corner of the home. I remember as she would walk towards it I could already hear Edith Piaf bursting through the cottage.
In its next placement, once she moved, it transformed into a bit of a glass menagerie. It held all of her delicate glassware, ceramics, and silver. She installed lighting that would illuminate the contents upon opening. It really felt like this special treasure chest that would transport upon opening it.
I truly wish she was here to see it now, in my home. In an homage to her, I've filled it with some of those very special original delicate pieces. I know she is with me, especially when I select special items out of this magical door to host intimate dinners, in the style she taught me.
DINING ROOM TABLE
This table held so many celebratory dinners, birthdays and holidays. It has two extra leaves that extend beyond my current apartment’s capacity. There is something about furniture, and how it holds memories. I love feeling all of them when I dine here, especially when I host and continue to fill it with more memorable evenings.
MUSIC BOX
My grandparents had a packaging and graphic design company called House of Harley. They made quite the splash on the Manhattan and Paris beauty, fashion and art scene. They were incredibly talented, creative and stylish. One year, for their client's holiday gifts, they created this music box. Everything from the song, to the hand painted scenes, to the choreography was created with such care. She continued to gift them throughout the years to close friends and family. I simply treasure them.
PAINTING
In addition to being an incredible designer and creative mind, she had a beautifully talented hand in painting. She taught me how to work with oils from a young age. Some summers she would set up easels by the beach for us to paint alongside her. This painting is one she created off the shore in France.
HER PINS
Babi was extremely stylish. She always had a signature to her look. In her later years, that signature was a large blouse, an Hermes scarf, and a statement pin. These are a few of her costume pins. I now love to wear a large blazer with them mixed and matched down the lapel.
i asked alexis share a little more information on the platform she intends to launch as a response to this life experience…
There is something very special coming. My intention for this space is to be a resource for people going through grief, loss, life transitions as well as everyday life at this time. It feels almost taboo to talk about grief, and I want to shift the energy around it. I'll be sharing more about my experience, sets of tools and bringing on experts in their fields. Whether you are going through something yourself, or are a caretaker, or want to support someone in your community, this will be a resource for you. This will be a newsletter type medium to start, and I want to create a more intimate conversational space as well.
Life is multidimensional, and part of recovering and healing is also integrating back into your day to day life. With that said I will also have special guests from our community sharing about what really worked for them, as well as some of my favorite topics around fashion, travel and home.
-