You’re Invited! Dining with Cultural Inspirations: Kimberle Frost, Director of Merchandising, Ultrafabrics
Imagine hosting a dinner party where every detail – from the enchanting venue to the eclectic guest list – reflects the passions and inspirations that have shaped your creative life and work. In this joyful feature, we step into the mind of Kimberle Frost, Director of Merchandising at Ultrafabrics, to explore her ultimate dinner party with the people who have influenced her as a creative.
‘As a textile designer, my world revolves around colour, texture and sensorial experiences. Fall, with its ever-changing colours and brisk backdrop, feels like the perfect time to bring friends and family together. Thanksgiving, or Friendsgiving celebrations embody the essence of the autumn season, uniting friends through shared experiences, laughter, and delectable food. Around the table, guests engage in meaningful conversations around cooking, design, politics, stories of gratitude and fond memories.’
My Party Setup
Venue
This intimate and cozy dinner would be held at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, located in Westchester County, New York-a beautiful historic, stone barn with stunning grounds. We would gather at a long communal table featuring a centerpiece of colourful seasonal flowers, sunflowers, dahlias and eucalyptus, interspersed with candles of varying heights-a rustic neutral setting with pops of colour.
Menu
Imagine a beautifully arranged feast, bursting with an array of vivid shades that tantalize the senses and celebrate the bountiful farm-to table feast with locally sourced ingredients. The star of the meal is a perfectly roasted turkey, herb roasted and golden brown, accompanied by a rich gravy. Platters overflow with buttery mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, stuffing with wild rice and cranberries, a colourful kale salad with pomegranates and goat cheese, followed by a fragrant pumpkin pie by a cozy fire pit.
Entertainment
During dinner and as the evening winds down, a small acoustic band or a solo musician such as Noah Kahan, Hozier, or Bon Iver, would fill the air with soft folk tunes, rounding out the ambiance of connection & celebration.
My Guest List
Li Edelkort
Li Edelkort is a highly regarded Dutch trend forecaster, educator, and curator, known for her influential work in fields of design, fashion and lifestyle. Eldelkort is renowned for her ability to predict trends, and her insights are often sought after by major brands manufacturers and designers, making her a leading authority in the industry. She often provides commentary on the impact of societal changes on trends, advocating for designers to consider their responsibilities to culture and environment. If you haven’t attended one of Li Edelkort’s trend union workshops or lectures, put it on your list. You will leave with renewed motivation, fresh ideas, and a deeper understanding of trend forecasting and design.
Barack Obama
In today’s political climate, it’s inevitable that conversations around the dinner table quickly drift to this subject. One of my guests would be Barack Obama, a respected and admired figure in contemporary politics. His presidency emphasized diversity and inclusion and had a significant impact, influencing art, literature and media. He is charismatic and engaging, the perfect consummate gentleman and conversationalist.
Alexander Girard
I had the pleasure of designing a textile collection with Sunbrella based on Alexander Girard’s artifacts collected during his global travels, from the archive at the Museum of International Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe. While he was a modernist designer and a leader in mid-century design, his work reflected a profound respect for tradition, in particularly on how he interpreted and celebrated folk art and cultural motifs. He is best known for his work in textile design, particularly his bold and colourful fabrics, for Herman Miller, which were integral to the aesthetics of the era.
Iris Apfel
Six months before the pandemic, I was asked to assist Iris Apfel in developing a textile collection for Fabricut, a major US based residential distributor. Needless to say, collaborating with this 99-year-old influencer was a once in a lifetime opportunity. She amazed me with her energy, sassy disposition and passion for fashion. She was an American businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon, widely recognized for her vibrant style, unique style sense, and significant impact on the fashion industry. She definitely made an impression.
Eero Saarinen
My favorite piece of furniture is my tulip table I purchased years ago from Knoll. Eero Saarinen, a Finnish-born American architect, was a pivotal figure in mid-20th century architectural innovation and experimentation in the United States. From the iconic TWA terminal at JFK International airport to the graceful Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Saarinen’s works embodied the blend of structural ingenuity and visual impact, setting new standards in modern architecture. When in New York, I recommend a visit to the TWA terminal, it will take you back in time.
Ina Garten
I personally love to cook and entertain friends & family. Ina Garten, often referred to as the “Barefoot Contessa” is the combination of culinary expertise, charming personality, with a passion for food. She exudes warmth, friendliness, and authenticity, making her viewers feel like they are sharing a meal with a good friend. You never know, she might show up with her beloved husband, Jeffrey and share interesting tips from the kitchen.
Kimberle Frost, Director of Merchandising, Ultrafabrics
Kimberle Frost, an award-winning textile designer and colourist, has over 25 years of experience in both the residential and contract markets. Frost is recognized for her broad range of design and technical expertise along with her strong colour sensibilities in woven and coated textiles, rugs and hard surface finishes. Her portfolio includes work for highly regarded companies such as Maharam, Robert Allen, Designtex, Mayer Fabrics, Momentum and currently as Director of Merchandising at Ultrafabrics.
Her passion is working with archives, which dates back to the early 1990’s, where she designed and developed patterns from the artwork of the Bauhaus greats, most notably Josef Hoffman. She collaborated on three major collections with the Guggenheim Museum and designed numerous textile collections with the Museum of International Folk Art.
Frost has two children currently lives in New York with her husband, a ceramicist. She loves to cook, entertain, and feed her passion for color and design through her extensive travels.