GUEST EDIT: KARLA & MATTHEW WELCH

GUEST EDIT: KARLA & MATTHEW WELCH

Karla (A-list stylist, creative director and founder) and Matthew (photographer and creative director) have collaborated on projects for brands ranging from Apple to Prada. The duo spoke with Platform about reimagining what creative work looks like for them, why their dogs are their ultimate collection and their top artwork picks from Platform.

PLATFORM

What do you collect?

KARLA

Not any one thing, our life is a collection, objects become memories…

MATTHEW

Memory triggers for sure. Objects from our families…we have them mixed into everything in our house…everything has a thread or a story.

KARLA

Vintage clothes, concert tees, big sweaters, also pottery, photographs…dogs, lovveee a Rottie…

MATTHEW

Yes…dogs are your main collection…and 3 are too many, so we are not collecting more. Ha.

I love warm modernism. Music on physical media. Vinyl, CDs, cassette tapes. Art books. Images you can hold in your hands vs. a screen. Analog everything. Guitars. Cars, that you can shift manually. Plants for our home, succulents in particular. I used to collect cameras, but now I have too many. Clearly, I am the object lover…they all tell a larger story.

PLATFORM

What have you been up to lately?

KARLA

Changing lanes. Re-imagining what creative work looks like for us and where we want to go…

MATTHEW

…a part of changing lanes is moving forward into new territory. I’m interested in developing larger stories and ideas together, and creating work in areas we haven’t explored yet…like designing spaces and creating structures, as of late.

Man Ray “the gift” readymade. (Created with help from Erik Satie for Ray’s first solo show in Paris. Original stolen from Gallery. Re-editioned by Ray.) Vintage architecture books.
PLATFORM

If you could collect any one artist, who would it be?

MATTHEW

We get one each right? I’ll meet you by the Rothko…

KARLA

Awww… the first time Matthew and I connected we went to MOMA in SF. We somehow got separated and found each other in front of a massive Rothko that we were both in awe of…so yes, I would like one too.

Also a Burtynsky.

MATTHEW

That’s a different story altogether…

PLATFORM

Are there any artists (past or present) whose personal style you love?

KARLA

Georgia O’Keeffe. Louise Bourgeois. Strong independent women who have a uniform…

MATTHEW

I love a uniform. David Lynch is pretty consistent with a vibe that has been his own for decades. I live in flat front pants and a button up shirt, so…

Oh, Yoko…one of three sweet Rotties.
PLATFORM

If you could make new work (style/photograph) with anyone in history, who would it be?

MATTHEW

That’s tough, I have been fortunate enough to work with a lot of great people through photography…first to mind is Bowie. To collaborate with him would have been amazing. You work with amazing people style-wise…so, who for you?

KARLA

Hmmm, I don’t think I am quite good enough to work with any of my heroes…also, I am very guilty (or not guilty) of only looking forward to the next project. So, who knows who I will be lucky enough to meet along the way.

MATTHEW

You are worthy, and yes working with heroes can get weird, but pick someone…

KARLA

The first female President of the United States. As long as it’s my party, of course.

Antlers found in grandfather’s garage. Artwork by Ohad Meromi. Carl Auböck “chain” (anniversary gift for Karla, from Matthew). Inherited ceramic vase.
PLATFORM

You’ve worked on some seriously iconic projects together: Apple iPod, Levi's, Prada, Tiffany & Co., shoots for Interview Magazine, and have even created a brand together (xkarla). Is there a dream collaboration you’d be willing to share?

MATTHEW

For commercial projects like those, it would be NASA or Formula 1…we are obsessed with both.

KARLA

We are def obsessed with F1. Everybody go watch Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix. Also, we should do homewares together, but we could just retire and go to Dog Island.

MATTHEW

Both.

PLATFORM

What cause is most important/pressing to you right now? 

MATTHEW

Same, I am in full support mode for this.

Modernist chair Karla found in a Moroccan flea market.
PLATFORM

What are you most excited about for the near future?

KARLA

Spending ALL my time at Dog Island.

MATTHEW

For those who don't know, what is Dog Island?

KARLA

Our little Island in British Columbia on a lake by my parents where I grew up. We bought it during Covid and we fought tooth and nail to secure it. Matthew designed a bathhouse we just completed and now we are renovating the main house…we plan to live there someday.

MATTHEW

Yes. What she said…and making new work.

PLATFORM

Favorite Instagram accounts to follow? 

MATTHEW

I mostly follow hashtags, but: @dc_hillier, @Postpunkonline, @christopher__scangas, @Tommy_goodboy

Stoneware from Karla’s mother (from her yard sale adventures).
PLATFORM

Dream dinner guests (dead or alive)?

KARLA

My whole family…all the time.

MATTHEW

Yikes…all of them? Well, I’ll go with my grandparents (who have passed) or Bowie and/or Lynch.

KARLA

Yes, Jack and Millie.

PLATFORM

What’s the best gift you’ve given/received recently?

KARLA

Hydrangeas. I’m lying. Don’t ever get me hydrangeas

MATTHEW

Hydrangeas. I made that mistake.

PLATFORM

What are your greatest extravagances?

MATTHEW

Vintage cars and driving with no destination.

KARLA

Caviar and time.

‘73 Jazzmaster and other solid body Fenders.
PLATFORM

What are your must-see travel tips for people visiting LA?

KARLA

Lilly's coffee in Laurel Canyon.

MATTHEW

That and then driving Mulholland till it ends (without spilling the coffees), then down to Sunset and up the coast.

PLATFORM

What are you doing right after this? 

KARLA

A fitting for the Emmys.

MATTHEW

Taking a nap.