Lenny Kravitz Discusses NYC Influences Behind His Interior Designs and “Black Glamour”

Lenny Kravitz lived a life filled with accomplishments. The rock n’ roll icon conquered much of the world with hits like “Fly Away” and her cover of “American Woman” and as if that weren’t enough, the living legend became an accomplished actor.

Kravitz is now investing more time in his new area of ​​creative excellence; he threw himself into the world of interior design and has already mastered many large-scale projects. Running his own design company as Kravitz Design, Kravitz successfully launched a 20-piece furniture collection with furniture store CB2 and served clients including Morgans Hotel Group and Swarovski Crystal. More recently, the New York native just completed the interiors of a luxury residential project at Nolita, 75 Kenmare.

Many wonder what prompted Kravitz to get into interior design. In a Time talkspresented by The New York Timesthe artist talks about his influences and gives an insight into his creative process.

Kravitz spent his childhood growing up between Bed-Stuy and the Upper East Side, two very different neighborhoods that sparked a fondness, albeit distinct, for each that would manifest in his work. He found a unique aesthetic in the working-class families around him, including his own, and there was something special about making do with very little. “My parents didn’t have any money before my mom got into television, and our house looked really good,” Kravitz said. It also helps that Kravitz grew up around legendary entertainers like Miles Davis and Gordon Parks, who weren’t very wealthy at the time, but lived in characterful and downright “funky” apartments, as Kravitz describes it. .

It was these types of memories that influenced Kravitz as an interior designer and unwittingly led to a style that some have described as “dark glamour”.

“I never thought of it, but my house is full of African art. It’s full of African American photographs, photos of my family… black experience runs up and down my staircase,” Kravitz says. Bringing “dark glamour” is not a conscious thought in his head when designing, but more or less the result of his childhood. Memories of the colors and patterns found in the New York apartments of his parents’ family members and friends imprinted in his own unique style.

While Lenny Kravitz has been successful so far with Kravitz Designs, Times contributor and moderator David Netto couldn’t help but point out the lack of diversity in architecture and design. “There’s a noticeably short list of black architects and designers…and that’s always kind of intrigued me because black people have the most style in so many ways,” Netto says. Kravitz agrees but is incredibly grateful to be among the few now. “I’m happy to represent,” he said.

When it comes to Kravitz Design, it’s all about culture, quality and embracing its surroundings, which is why it chose to exude “the quirky downtown vibe while incorporating stylish materials” when designing the 75 Kenmare. Kravitz works leaving his mark on the design industry and, intentionally or not, his city upbringing has contributed greatly to his unique style.