I'm intrigued by the work of Nathalie L?t?, a 44-year-old artist and writer living in Paris, born to a German mother and a Chinese father. Lete is an icon in Japan, Japanese youth really appreciate her aesthetic as most of her work is inspired by her childhood and they find it very tender and Parisian. Her work reminds me a little of that of Niki de Saint Phalle, one of my favorite artists.

In Japan, her designs are distributed under the name Chat Chien, perhaps you've heard of it before? In addition to Japan, you may know her from her collaborations in the past with the Designers Guild in London, and her designs for the French ceramics studio Astier de Vilatte, where her pieces range from $890-6,200 for ceramics, lithographs, and hand-tufted wool rugs. For the first time ever in the United States, Anthropologie has commissioned her work to bring a broader audience to her style with the work of Nathalie L?t? appearing on cotton voile bedding, plates, ceramic drawer pulls, vases, and rugs.

Nathalie L?t? has her first U.S. exhibition at Anthropologie in New York City at 50 Rockefeller Plaza now through June 20, 2008. You can also find these items in their retail stores nationwide and online via their website. I think it's exciting that large companies like Anthropologie are promoting the works of artists and I'm certain since we have a demand that the trend will continue in this direction.

Here's a sneak peek of some of what's on view at their NYC store.

Love those rugs! In addition to Anthropologie (more to come), you can also purchase some of her work at La Marelle.

Side topic: I'm still pushing for Anthro to publish a book -- we need an Anthro Visual Display DIY book release from them because they have to share with us all their unique display ideas and crafts that they create in their stores. It's all too amazing and pretty to not pull together for a book, don't you think?

(images from anthropologie)