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.
What do you collect?
Not any one thing, our life is a collection, objects become memories…
Memory triggers for sure. Objects from our families…we have them mixed into everything in our house…everything has a thread or a story.
Vintage clothes, concert tees, big sweaters, also pottery, photographs…dogs, lovveee a Rottie…
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.
What have you been up to lately?
Changing lanes. Re-imagining what creative work looks like for us and where we want to go…
…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.
If you could collect any one artist, who would it be?
We get one each right? I’ll meet you by the Rothko…
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.
That’s a different story altogether…
Are there any artists (past or present) whose personal style you love?
Georgia O’Keeffe. Louise Bourgeois. Strong independent women who have a uniform…
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…
If you could make new work (style/photograph) with anyone in history, who would it be?
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?
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.
You are worthy, and yes working with heroes can get weird, but pick someone…
The first female President of the United States. As long as it’s my party, of course.
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?
For commercial projects like those, it would be NASA or Formula 1…we are obsessed with both.
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.
Both.
What cause is most important/pressing to you right now?
Same, I am in full support mode for this.
What are you most excited about for the near future?
Spending ALL my time at Dog Island.
For those who don't know, what is Dog Island?
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.
Yes. What she said…and making new work.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow?
I mostly follow hashtags, but: @dc_hillier, @Postpunkonline, @christopher__scangas, @Tommy_goodboy
Dream dinner guests (dead or alive)?
My whole family…all the time.
Yikes…all of them? Well, I’ll go with my grandparents (who have passed) or Bowie and/or Lynch.
Yes, Jack and Millie.
What’s the best gift you’ve given/received recently?
Hydrangeas. I’m lying. Don’t ever get me hydrangeas
Hydrangeas. I made that mistake.
What are your greatest extravagances?
Vintage cars and driving with no destination.
Caviar and time.
What are your must-see travel tips for people visiting LA?
Lilly's coffee in Laurel Canyon.
That and then driving Mulholland till it ends (without spilling the coffees), then down to Sunset and up the coast.
What are you doing right after this?
A fitting for the Emmys.
Taking a nap.