How music, fashion and art has influenced this furniture store owners career
Eddie Zoom is certainly one of Lower
Kloof Streets more prominent stores, with it’s bright red exterior. It
invites furniture collectors, but also those who are simply curious to
learn what this store is all about. A step inside this unusual furniture
store can only be described as travelling back to the 60’s and 70’s -
an era when chrome, aluminum and plastic reigned supreme. There’s a
story behind all this furniture, not merely regarding the era that it
represents, but within the extraordinary life of the shops owner, the
original Eddie Zoom. He supplies retro furniture to the
international film industry and has even designed for the likes of Billy
Connolly. I caught up with Eddie, keen to find out more about the major
influences that music, fashion and art have had on one man’s eclectic
design career.
What sparked your interest in 60’s and 70’s
furniture? Did your parents occupations involve furniture?
Eddie:
“My father is an antiques restorer in Jersey, Channel Islands, although
I have never been involved with his business. I started off as an
antiques dealer, some 20 years ago, collecting 17th and 18th century
French decorative items and chimney pieces. I would regularly frequent
antiques dealers in Newark, United Kingdom, where some 5000 dealers
would attend.
“It wasn’t until a visit to an eccentric friends
house, that I became transfixed with eccentric, retro furniture. His
home was fitted with aluminum, chrome, plastic chairs and retro light
fittings – an inspiration to start collecting myself. I started to
display retro furniture in the shop window of my antiques store on Lilly
Road, Fulham, United Kingdom and, at first, people scoffed: ‘Where did
you find that, Eddie? In a skip?’, but I knew it was going to happen.”
You spent seven years at design art college. Where were you
based and what did you study?
Eddie: “I studied ladies
fashion and textiles and fine art, at what is now known as the
University of Lancashire, United Kingdom. My studies also touched upon
photography and printing and it was during this time that I began to
make one-off-design pots. When I left university, I went on to work at
popular London fashion house, Harold and Geoffrey Wallace. I have always
had an interest in fashion, as I feel that it bears such a large
influence on interior design. For example, the tassels and bell bottomed
trousers of the 50’s and 60’s.”
You travelled the world for
16 years. Did you draw any inspiration from your experiences?
Eddie:
“I was particularly inspired by Italy – this country is home to natural
born designers – some American and other European designers. I
particularly love; Pier Giacomo & Achille Castiglioni, Italian
designers, for their 60’s floss, ‘Tio floor lamp’, with it’s marble
base; Verner Panton, a Danish designer, for his independent,
mushroom-style light fittings; and Eero Sarinnen, a designer from
Finland, for his tulip-style chairs. I enjoyed the arts and crafts
period and believe that the likes of Charles Rennie Macintosh and Frank
Lloyd Wright were ahead of their time.”
What influences have
you drawn from your experience in the music industry?
Eddie:
“I spent my younger days managing bands. I played percussion for the
Rolling Stones and, in 1969, performed at the Hyde Park Concert. I also
ran London’s legendary Marquee Club, which hosted some of the most
influential bands of the 60’s and 70’s such as, David Bowie, Jimi
Hendrix and Led Zepplin . The 50’s and 60’s was the era of my youth and I
am reliving it through my passion for furniture from this period.”
How did you come to help compile Millers Antiques Books?
Eddie:
“Having visited my original store in London, Zoom, Millers Antiques saw
that I had the most amazing collection. It was something new that
captured the changing art, fashion and music of the 60’s and 70’s. I
started to provide photographs for collectors all over the world. My
photography is mainly of 20th century designs, for example, a Charles
Earnes Chair.”
You rent props to the film industry. How did
this come about?
Eddie: “I supply props to the
international film industry. For example, I was asked to provide props
for Daniel Craig, of Bond movie fame such as, Albini lights. Rather
notably, comedian, Billy Conolly, once asked me to design a studio with a
stone age feel.”
Has your move to South Africa inspired
your work?
Eddie: “My son is based here, so this is one of
the main reasons I moved to South Africa. However, I am inspired by the
basic, natural forms of design synonymous with South Africa.”
What
makes Eddie Zoom unique compared with other furniture stores in Cape
Town and can you describe some of your more prominent items?
Eddie:
“It’s an original store that is inspired by the classics. I am a firm
believer in one-of-a-kind collectors items and even design my own. For
example, I have designed my own lamp. This lamp is heavily influenced by
Verner Panton and Joe Columbo and is a floor standing lamp that gives
the impression of four floating Saturn’s. I currently stock a Tecno
Adjustable lounge chair, which has an incredible 486 positions, and a
genuine, Eero Sarinnen table.”
How would you describe a
typical Eddie Zoom customer?
Eddie: “Our customers are
people who are new to retro furniture, but are excited about it and want
to know more. Conversely, we also get avid collectors coming through
our doors who are well read on the subject.”
What does the
future hold for Eddie Zoom?
Eddie: “I just want to keep
doing what I love most. I would love the opportunity to help decorate
more interiors and would like to continue helping the film industry. I
am not just a shop keeper; I am a dealer’s dealer and I am passionate
and knowledgeable about what I do. I welcome anyone to come and have a
browse and an informal chat.”
For more inspirational and
unusual stores, be sure to visit our popular Shopping
Section
By Lisa Nevitt
Source : Cape Town Magazine
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