Publisher’s Letter | An ICONIC Shot Inspired an ICONIC Shoot

Back in 1945, John Entenza, editor of Arts & Architecture magazine, was interested in the concept of designing and building affordable, easy-to-build homes for the housing boom that was coming at the end of WW II with the homecoming of millions of soldiers.

He launched a program to create 36 protypes for modern homes and brought the star-chitects of that era—Richard Neutra, Charles & Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig and Eero Saarinen, among others—to Los Angeles to design Case Study Homes that pioneered new construction materials and methods, contemplating the new ways that people would live in a contemporary home, like listening to music, entertaining and relaxing.

From this study, we saw the introduction of open floor plans and living spaces that connected the inside to the outside with big windows that maximized natural light, sliding doors that created air flow and plants that helped cool the home.

Using materials like cement blocks, plywood and industrial glass dramatically reduced costs, and raw metal was used because it could support structure. Now you know where that came from.

As I planned a celebratory party at the newly opened and architecturally stunning Christopher’s at the Wrigley Mansion, I felt a Mid-Century modern LA vibe.

When Chef Christopher Gross said his new restaurant felt like an iconic photograph, ‘A Shot in the Dark’ by Julius Shulman, of an iconic home in LA designed by Pierre Koenig as part of the Case Study Homes, our ICONIC interest was piqued—that iconic shot is one of my all-time favorite photographs.

So inspired by that image, I simply couldn’t resist today’s newest iconic location for our magazine cover and fall fashion shoot because that inspiration truly calls to mind what it means to Live Beautifully.

Don’t miss our newest fall edition of ICONIC LIFE on newsstands and in your mailbox now.