We’ve collaborated with Converse on a new colorway for our custom Ace Chuck Taylor All Star Bosey kicks, now in a rich black waxed canvas upper with navy outsoles. These are on the handsome and agile feet of our staff in NYC, Portland and Seattle — once you’ve got your own pair, you can give a knowing wink and a nod to the Ace team whenever you visit us. A limited edition run of 300 is now up on our online shop.
Our longtime friend, Shepard Fairey, wheatpasting in very hot weather at Ace Hotel Seattle before it opened in 1999.
Our friends Paige Powell and Thomas Lauderdale — the first guests of the first Ace — checking into Ace Hotel Seattle here in 1999.
Indoor-outdoor living, Obey Giant and other minimalist delights at Ace Hotel Seattle.
Photos by intheclearkid
Veteran comic actor Harry Shearer has been panning the airwaves for many years, collecting footage of politicians and pundits in the moments before they go live. In his varied and colorful career, Shearer has never been more poignant and tragically comic than with his latest project, “The Silent Echo Chamber,” an art installation comprised of the collected silent clips now on display at Seattle’s Henry Art Gallery. Bill O’Reilly, John McCain, President Obama, Hillary Clinton and Anderson Cooper (and more) preen, cuss and shift around nervously (as we certainly would) in the negative space between the dressing room and the nation’s living rooms. If you’re in Seattle, check it out — it’s up through January 16. And you can hear a story about the installation on NPR.
We’re giving away some signed copies of Jay Greene’s book, Design is How it Works. He likes the way we work design, and did us the honor of including us. Send your best photos of your favorite design and vintage aspects of any Ace Hotel. We’ll confer and nail-bite and debate passionately late into the night, and then we’ll send the winners their booty. Godspeed!
Journalist Jay Greene just wrote a book, Design is How it Works, and included us in it. The book focuses on brands he holds in high regard for their recognition of design as an essential element of memorable, comfortable, and inspiring experiences. This is why he loves Ace. Jay met with us at Ace Seattle – this is him in front of Shepard Fairey’s Obey wheatpaste mural at the original Ace, where we first showcased our love affair with art and design, and created a place that inspires and affirms creativity. Here are some thoughts from Jay:
WHY ACE?
To some folks, Ace may not have been the most obvious company to include in the book. It’s not a global powerhouse such as Nike and Porsche, companies I also wrote about. But that’s really the point. Great design shouldn’t just be left to well-known brands with huge budgets.
THE EXPERIENCE WITH ACE?
One of the first things you notice when you meet with Alex Calderwood and the other folks who work for Ace is how much fun they have creating their hotels. No question they work hard. But strolling through consignment shops in Palm Springs with Alex was a hoot. It’s so clear he loves sifting through that stuff to find the perfect item for the hotel.
Thanks, Jay.
Melissa and JW of The Little Friends of Printmaking sent us this photo of the little friends of chess from their stay at Ace Hotel Seattle.
