WHY DO YOU LIKE AND COLLECT MATCHES?
As a functional memento, preferably from a restaurant in a new city after an evening of dining with people who make me smile so much my face hurts. A good matchbox travels home with you and lingers surreptitiously in the nooks of your apartment, every once in a while catching your eye and reminding you of moments huddled together outside, lighting a charming companion's cigarette. Growing up I was taught to light the other person’s cigarette first when using a lighter, but always your own with matches; something about not letting your smoking partner inhale the fumes from the sulfur at the head of the match. There is something elegant and sexy about match etiquette.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ONES AND WHY?
I love the way my mom keeps her matchboxes in her beautiful apartment in Vienna. She has two matchbox covers, one made of hand-hammered silver and one of brass, which features the cut-out form of a child from a vintage Swedish matchbox. I enjoy the high-low aspect of housing something so commonplace and inexpensive with such style. She has since run out of the Swedish matchboxes that it was made for, but each new matchbox reveals something new in the gap. Another favorite is this lovely square matchbox my friend @monichiiwa, founder of @mestiza_estudio, collaborated with the artist @merveiseri on last year. I am currently living in my friend Monica’s beautiful London home—it’s warm, colorful, vibrant, just like everything she does.
WHEN AND HOW DO YOU LIKE TO ENJOY YOUR MATCHES?
I enjoy matches most when I lean in close, and am much obliged.
