Author Kevin Kwan is back with Rich People Problems, and while the novel shows that money can’t buy happiness, it sure can buy the next best thing. Below, Kevin himself revealed to Preview all his guilty pleasures:
Artwork
“At the moment, I’m pretty obsessed with Ellsworth Kelly, but if money were truly no object, it would be amazing to own some undiscovered painting by Sandro Botticelli. I could spend a lifetime staring at any of his works.”
Fashion
“Can Dries Van Noten design me a whole new wardrobe for every season? There is such poetry, romance and quiet sophistication to everything he does.”
Ride
“I love vintage Toyota Land Cruisers from the 1970s. I would want a fully restored one in some cool color like bright lemon or Yves Klein blue.”
Private Space
“I would commission James Turrell to design a private meditation space in my house. I think he is one of the greatest living artists on the planet, and every space he’s created that I’ve had the privilege of seeing has moved me in the most indescribable ways.”
Homeware
“Betsy Williams, an incredibly gifted ceramic artist who works out of a remote studio in the mountains of Northern New Mexico, creates exquisite, minimalist ceramic pieces.”
Experience
“I’d throw a dinner party for 50 of my closest friends on the legendary rooftop Casa Malaparte in Capri. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, this amazing villa boasts one of the most glorious views on the planet. As the sun sets, Charlie Siem would play a violin solo, and while a fabulous Italian feast was served, Kiri Te Kanawa would sing a few arias. After dinner, Jason Mraz would perform and we’d all dance the night away under the stars.”
Scent
“I would lure Jean-Claude Ellena out of retirement to create a personal scent for me. He was for many years the exclusive in-house perfumer for Hermès, and he also created one of the few colognes I ever wear: Frédéric Malle’s Bigarade Concentrée.
Wine
“Henri Jayer Richebourg Grand Cru. I’m not much of a drinker, but if given the chance, why not try what the most expensive wine in the world tastes like?”
This article originally appeared in Preview June 2017 issue.
