Illustration by DRUEWE for SOFIM.

Rooted in the rituals of style & togetherness. Curating stories and discoveries from the crossroads of hospitality, fashion, and culture.

Ceramicist to watch: CLEMENTINE LONG

Photo courtesy of Clementine Long, clementinelong.com.

France-based, studio founded in 2022 after training in product design and then ceramics at Sèvres. Her practice sits between art and design, building coiled-clay forms that borrow shapes from everyday urban landscapes: handles, grates, openings. The standout piece: a wheel-shaped wall sculpture that doubles as a fruit and vegetable holder, equal parts kitchen tool and wall art.

Photo courtesy of Clementine Long, clementinelong.com.

IN SEASON

Instagram post

The move isn't to chase a specific list, it's to ask your nearest farmers market or produce stand one question: what came in this week? That's the dish to build dinner around. Wherever you're reading this, something is peaking near you right now. Late summer in the northern hemisphere means tomatoes, stone fruit, and corn are at their best; the southern hemisphere is deep into citrus and root vegetable season instead. Either way, the small stand or local market a few blocks from you almost always has the better answer.

If you're in New York, GrowNYC is a solid way to track what's actually in season across the city's greenmarkets. On the West Coast, Fruitqueen curates boxes of fresh seasonal fruit if you'd rather have the peak of the season shipped straight to you.

Photo courtesy of Fruitqueen, heyfruitqueen.com.

Table trick: THE LOTUS NAPKIN FOLD

For the dinner party throwers, or the ones just having a few people over for a casual get-together, here's a fold worth adding to the table, brought to us by Devanshi S | AyVe Home. Head to their page for more styles and folding tips.

Start with a square cloth napkin face-down, fold each corner in to the center. Fold the corners again in to the center, then a third time in to the center. Flip it over, and repeat the corner-fold once more. Place it on top of the glass or cup of your choice, and use a butter knife to press the center slightly down, using the glass as a placeholder. Then gently pull the tucked points up and out to form a petal, working around all four. Takes a few tries to get clean, but once it clicks it's a five-minute move that makes any table look considered.

Instagram post

PLAYLIST__________

Summer Flow

LesInFocus is bringing the perfect summer mix with Deep, Classic House & Nu Disco. Enjoy.

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates!