Who is Lenny Kravitz?
Lenny Kravitz is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He was born on May 26, 1964, in New York City, USA. Lenny Kravitz was born to a diverse heritage. His mother, Roxie Roker, was an African American actress, and his father, Sy Kravitz, was a Russian-Jewish descent television news producer. This multicultural background has influenced his music and style. Kravitz is known for blending various musical genres, including rock, funk, soul, and pop. His music often incorporates elements of classic rock, with a modern twist. He plays multiple instruments, including guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, and he's known for his powerful, soulful voice.
He gained widespread recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the release of his debut album "Let Love Rule" in 1989. The title track from that album became a hit and established him as a rising star in the music industry. Kravitz continued to achieve commercial success with subsequent albums like "Mama Said" (1991), "Are You Gonna Go My Way" (1993), and "5" (1998). Lenny Kravitz has received numerous awards throughout his career, including Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Kravitz is not only recognized for his music but also for his distinctive fashion sense. He's known for his love of retro and vintage fashion, often sporting leather jackets, sunglasses, and other stylish attire reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s.
In addition to his music career, Kravitz has appeared in various films and television shows, showcasing his talent as an actor. He has appeared in films such as "The Hunger Games" series, where he played the role of Cinna, and "Precious." His acting roles have earned him critical acclaim. He has remained a prominent figure in the music industry and continues to release new music and tour around the world. Kravitz has been also involved in various charitable endeavors. He supports organizations focused on education, children's rights, and disaster relief efforts.
Overall, Lenny Kravitz is a multi-talented artist known for his music, fashion, and contributions to both the music and film industries. His unique blend of musical styles and iconic fashion sense have made him a significant figure in popular culture.
Lenny Kravitz art collection
Lenny Kravitz is known to have a strong interest in art and has been involved in collecting art pieces. In various interviews, he has frequently expressed his enthusiasm for art and has offered glimpses into his private collection of artworks. Kravitz's deep passion for art is most prominently showcased within the confines of his Parisian apartment and Brazilian farmhouse, which serve as his primary sanctuaries. These two distinctive spaces not only reflect his eclectic tastes but also encapsulate his dedication to the world of art and design. Whether surrounded by the elegance of Paris or the tranquility of the Brazilian countryside, Kravitz finds solace and inspiration in these environments where his love for art and creativity can flourish.
Lenny Kravitz has made the French capital his city for nearly three decades, and his residence is a contemporary glass penthouse nestled within an unassuming townhouse on a tranquil street in the 16th arrondissement.
In one of the rooms within his Paris home, there stands a tribute to his childhood heroes, Muhammad Ali and James Brown. On either end of the mantelpiece, there are a pair of boots once worn by each of them. Interestingly, about 25 more pairs of James Brown's boots are showcased in the moody, mirror-ceilinged library located across the hall. This mantelpiece is flanked by two colossal faux elephant tusks originally designed by Pucci back in the 1960s. At the heart of the room, a striking glossy red panther sculpture by Richard Orlinski gracefully prowls across a coffee table of gold and ivory lacquer designed by Gabriella Crespi, known as the Elisse coffee table. Every room in the penthouse boasts a collection of museum-worthy pieces. These include Warhols and artifacts from popular culture. Notably, in the entrance hall, there's a magnificent Basquiat artwork that commands attention, positioned across from the grand sweeping staircase.
The majority of his free time is dedicated to his farmhouse, situated just outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on a vast 1,000-acre property that once functioned as an 18th-century coffee plantation, undergoing a renovation and design makeover spearheaded by Lenny Kravitz in partnership with Brazilian designers.
In the living room of his Brazilian residence, there is an antique pewter candelabra gracing the reclaimed redwood table sourced from Todd Merrill Studio. The walls are adorned with murals skillfully created by artist Chris Wyrick. Circa-1960s swivel chairs offer comfortable seating, complemented by custom Spanish-cedar wood shelving by Kravitz Design. The seating area is completed with a stylish Michel Ducaroy sofa from Ligne Roset. Moving to the master suite, the walls are adorned with murals featuring palm-inspired designs by Chris Wyrick. The room is furnished with a pair of wooden chairs designed by Zanini de Zanine and a lacquered cocktail table by Willy Rizzo.
His interest in art extends beyond collecting, as he has also collaborated with artists and designers in his own work, such as interior design projects. This creative involvement with art has allowed him to blend his musical and artistic passions, further contributing to his unique and multifaceted career.
Lenny Kravitz's interior design journey
He has been amassing a collection of design items for many years, initially starting when his first album was released. However, his serious commitment to collecting postwar design, particularly from the mid-1940s to the 1980s, has been a prominent focus for the past two decades.
Within his collection, a significant portion consists of postwar American and European design pieces, with one of his preferred designers from this era being Paul Evans. Notably, he possesses one of Evans' remarkable creations from the 1970s known as the "Monster," which embodies the entire essence of Evans' aesthetics—being sensuous, monumental, avant-garde, organic, and pulsating with energy. In his Brazilian home, he blends European, American, and Brazilian design elements. Among his favored Brazilian designers is Sérgio Rodrigues, whose creations he began collecting many years ago, forging a personal friendship with the designer in the process.
He doesn't follow trends; his passion for design led him to collect furniture by Paul Evans and Karl Springer long before they became fashionable. What guides his collecting and love for design isn't its trendiness but rather its resonance with him and its suitability for creating the desired atmosphere in his homes. It's an emotional, organic, and artistic process where an object touches the deepest part of his being, his creative soul. While his primary focus is on classic postwar design, there's one exception: the prototype Gun lamp by Philippe Starck, a contemporary piece gifted to him by his daughter Ara Starck.
Two decades ago, he established Kravitz Design, where he skillfully crafted both public spaces and suites for hotels located in Miami, Las Vegas, and Toronto. Additionally, he ventured into product development, creating a diverse range of items including furniture, door hardware, wallpaper, and ceramic tile.
What sets Kravitz's interior design work apart is its seamless fusion of various design elements. He fearlessly combines vintage, bohemian, and rock 'n' roll aesthetics, creating spaces that are not only visually captivating but also inviting and comfortable. His designs often pay homage to the past while embracing contemporary influences, resulting in truly unique environments.
One noteworthy aspect of his interior design career is his collaboration with renowned designers and architects, including Philippe Starck. These collaborations infuse his projects with a high level of creativity and expertise, enriching the overall design experience.
Kravitz's attention to detail is a hallmark of his design philosophy. He approaches each project with the goal of crafting spaces that tell a story and reflect the client's personality and lifestyle. This personalized touch ensures that every design is a reflection of the people who will inhabit the space.
His design projects have taken him across the globe, allowing him to draw inspiration from diverse cultures and landscapes. This global perspective is evident in his work, which often incorporates elements from different parts of the world, creating a rich tapestry of influences.
In sum, Lenny Kravitz's interior design projects are an extension of his multifaceted creativity, showcasing his passion for art, music, and fashion. His designs are celebrated for their ability to harmoniously blend disparate elements into cohesive and visually stunning spaces that exude a timeless and captivating style.
Selena Mattei
