The must-see design earlier this week at the
Cooper Hewitt, was not on the walls, but on the staff and visitors. Vintage
Marimekko was out in full force, as the National Design Museum celebrated this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient,
Jane Thompson, and the publication of the new book
Design Research: The Store that Brought Modern Living to American Homes, by Thompson and Alexandra Lange.
Design Research was the legendary Cambridge, Massachusetts-based “General Store of Good Design” founded by architect
Benjamin Thompson in 1953. D/R promoted simplicity, comfort, and affordable prices in home furnishings and accessories by importing well-crafted and designed products, chosen largely by Thonpson himself, from around the world. Perhaps the most notable of such imports were the hand-printed fabrics of the Finnish company,
Marimekko.
Design Research became the lifestyle emporium of a generation, supplying not only the décor of an American design revolution, but the wardrobe as well. What better garb for the enlightened, soon-to-be liberated D/R female shopper than a bold, colorful, loose-fitting Marimekko frock?
The evening opened with a film-in-progress by Caroline Van Valkenburgh,
It Wasn't Just a Dress, about women and their treasured Marimekko dresses. It’s a fascinating look at the iconic dresses, and their legacy.
Following the film was a panel moderated by the book's designer,
Michael Bierut “Game Change in the Design of Retailing.” The program can be viewed
here.
Filmmaker, Caroline Van Valkenburgh, right and one of the film's subjects.
Jane Thompson
Co-author Alexandra Lange
If, in the year 1968, you were not a preteen girl fully immersed in the study of grooming products and all things mod, you are excused for not knowing about the amazing nonwater shampoo-substitute that came in a can. 
Yes, PSSSSSST was a powder-based spray to be used when you just didn’t have time to wash your hair, and then roll it around a giant coffee can to dry it straight.
I’ve read that, like numerous other products of days gone by, the dry shampoo has been re-introduced! "Between Shampoos- On Camping Trips- After Sports. Any time you can't use water. Psssssst is the convenient, quick fresher-upper for your hair."
My mom has sold her house and is moving to an apartment. I’ll be posting more nostalgia as the excavating and purging continues.
The must-see design earlier this week at the Cooper Hewitt, was not on the walls, but on the staff and visitors. Vintage Marimekko was out in full force, as the National Design Museum celebrated this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Jane Thompson, and the publication of the new book Design Research: The Store that Brought Modern Living to American Homes, by Thompson and Alexandra Lange.
Filmmaker, Caroline Van Valkenburgh, right and one of the film's subjects.
Jane Thompson
