Out of Africa: A Suzanne Kasler House, James Givenchy Jewels, and a Benefit

Africa is on my mind lately, though it is always close to my thoughts.

House Beautiful’s October issue with its inspiration from ’round the world features a fantastic compound of thatched cottages on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, designed by Suzanne Kasler in what she calls a “weaving of African and British traditions and aesthetics–marrying a sense of place with familiar comforts and luxuries.” Interview by Douglas Brenner, photos by Thibault Jeanson.

Recently the inimitable and talented James de Givenchy’s Taffin debuted a newly designed collection for Fonderie 47, a company that makes jewelry from the steel of AK-47 machine guns spirited away from Congo and other African hotspots where they have wreaked horrible havoc. See an interview with founders Peter Thurn and John Zapolski on Bloomberg Businessweek here. To turn the ugliest kind of weapon into an object of beauty must be a gratifying quest for artist and viewer (and wearer) alike.

Last but not least, an organization I’m involved in called Africa Foundation (USA) has its gala dinner this week,  on Tuesday the 9th. There may be a seat or two left if you’re interested and in New York. Click here. There are fabulous trips and adventures for the bidding. Hurry!