Jean Lin Shares a Fashion Favorite, a Breathtaking Painting + More

John Lin a New York City -based design entrepreneur. Originally trained as a fashion designer, she has professional experience as a designer, editor, trend forecaster, teacher, and curator. Jean is the founder of colony, a co-op of designers; the charitable design organization Reclaim NYC; and Tribeca Design District. She also serves on the board of the Female Design Council. Jean currently teaches at her alma mater, Parsons School of Design, and has served as a guest lecturer and critic at the Rhode Island School of Design, Pratt Institute, and Tama Art University in Tokyo.

Today, Jean is with us Friday five!

John Lin

1. My Dog, Bosco

My 15-year-old dog, Bosco, died on September 12, 2021 and even if I don’t cry every day anymore, I definitely think of and miss him every day. Dogs are the last companion and if you’re lucky enough to find “your dog” it’s a lifelong bond, even if they’re gone.

2. Glenstone

I visited the monumental art museum Glenstone two years ago and I will never forget how beautiful and charming the experience was. The scenery and architecture perfectly complement the surprising contemporary art collection of Emily and Mitch Rales, private collectors who have made it their mission to share the power of art, architecture, and nature with the public. The work Double the Water, v.3, 2013–2015 by Roni Horn made me float. The piece consists of two giant cast glass cylinders, one clear white and one matte black.

3. John Risley

I didn’t know who John Risley was until his sculptural iron furniture started popping up at the antique and vintage furniture auctions we used to go to in the Colony. I love the artistic whim of his works that can be read like hand sketches by the artist’s friends and neighbors. There isn’t much more space in my house for a lot of furniture, but a John Risley piece is on my short list of desired items.

4. Stella Jean

Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean has been one of my fashion favorites for a few years now. I love her colorful patterns inspired by traditional African wax print fabric that are art-conscious, yet wearable silhouettes. She also recently led an event that brought up issues of racial inequality in fashion ahead of Milan Fashion Week.

5. Lawdy’s mother by Barkley Hendricks

I bought a gold leaf print of this Barkley Hendricks painting Lawdy’s mother and I really like it. Early in my time in New York City, I went to a show at The Studio Museum in Harlem and saw this painting in person and it was breathtaking. I will never forget that show because it was also the first time I saw Kehinde Wiley’s personal piece before she exploded in popular culture. I couldn’t believe my eyes and I felt so lucky to be in New York City to see and experience so much beauty. Every time I look at what I print, it reminds me of the power of that experience.

Jean Lin + Colony’s work:

Kelly Beall is the senior editor of Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and writer has a deep love of art and design for as long as he can remember, and is happy to share his findings with others. If not distracted by good art and design, he can be found making a mess in the kitchen, wasting as much information as possible, or on the couch with his three pets. Find him @designcrush on social.