The Well + Wonder team heard Lydia Fenet speak at The Southern C. back in February and we were immediately smitten! We all fell hard and we all fell fast. She's such an amazing speaker who inspired us all with her presentation on commanding an audience and closing a sale. To top it off she is a genuinely kind woman who has an inherent ability to lift others up - especially women - she is southern after all! For those of you who are not familiar with Lydia let us give a brief introduction. Lydia is Global Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships and Lead Benefit Auctioneer at Christie’s Auction House. She's led auctions for more than six hundred organizations and raised over half a billion dollars for nonprofits globally. She was named one of New York’s most influential women by Gotham magazine and has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Crain’s, and has appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and Town & Country. Can you blame us for fangirling? Lydia recently wrote and published her first book "The Most Powerful Woman in The Room is You" which we believe should be a staple on every woman's bookshelf (added bonus is that the cover is bright pink and looks 🔥). It's been a treat to learn of Lydia's thoughts on art in our collection. See her current Well + Wonder picks below as well as read more about this fab lady in our rapid-fire Q&A, Introducing Guest Curator, Lydia Fenet!
"You May Even See"– I love Yves Klein blue that Kit Porter uses in this piece. I found myself staring at it for a long time trying to find a shape or something that seemed familiar.
"The Trees of The Forest Will Sing"– There is something so still about the moment captured in this Cheyenne Trunnell piece. Even if I had a crazy day, walking into a room where this is hanging on the wall would immediately make me calm.
"Are You Sure" – I love all of Lexie Armstrong’s bunnies and birds. Perfect pieces for that little nook in your house where you want something playful. I would also love to buy an entire collection of them to hang as a gallery wall in a nursery.
"Hot On The Backburner" – Connor Heindel's piece reminds me of a Georgia O’Keefe that I walked by at work one evening after the galleries were closed.
Tell us about yourself.
I am a mom of three kids, the Global Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships and Author of The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You.
Why did you start your blog/brand/business?
Auctioneering has always been an extension of my role within Christie’s, and has provided me with amazing opportunities around the world. The art of Benefit Auctioneering is so that I can help nonprofits raise critical funds to further their cause.
What is currently on your nightstand? What are you reading?
I am almost finished with Fleischman is in Trouble. The Mercies by Kiran Hargrave is next!
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
My bedroom. We live in a loft in Tribeca so the ceilings are very high. I painted our bedroom a light gray-blue that looks so peaceful when the sun comes streaming in through the windows. If I could take a nap every day I would, but realistically it happens once every six months. There is nothing I love more than convincing one of my kids to take a cuddle nap on my bed and waking up an hour later with sunlight streaming into the room curled up with one of my babies.
It is said to look for art that "makes your heart skip a beat." What aspects of art make your heart skip?
I absolutely love photography. I have moments at Christie’s when I walk by a photograph that stops me in my tracks.
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective?
I love the idea of artists working on their art with the support of others. In an artist collective the artists are receiving community support which is something that a lot of artists struggle when they are trying to make a name in the art world. Buying through a collective is supporting the artists in a meaningful way – when you help one, you are helping everyone in the collective.
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
I would go to the Hermitage in St Petersburg. I was in Russia seven years ago and we took a private tour through the museum for a couple of hours. I would love the opportunity to go back and get lost in the exhibitions for a day.
When and where do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
New York City gives me a constant surge of inspiration. When I was writing The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You, we took our children to Boca Grande, Florida on spring break. I had to write 1000 words a day to hit my deadline. I told my husband after day two that I needed to go back to New York because I felt like I was having a difficult time writing the book in such a calm, serene environment!
The key to making a house a home?
What does a home need more of and less of? Pictures. My mom has framed pictures all over our house and I have the same in my apartment.
The greatest color combination that ever existed?
Pink and Red (check out the cover of my book!)
What’s your favorite housewarming gift?
I love giving monogrammed soap as a housewarming gift. The monogramming shows that you put thought into the gift – and everyone needs soap (but they never think to buy monogrammed soap!)
So, tell us a bit about your corner of the world – where do you live and what do you love about it?
I live in New York City and love everything about it. I love the pace, the energy, the fashion, the drive and determination of the people who choose to make it their home.
