JONATHAN ADLER: For the Love of Glamour

Iconic designer and ceramicist, Jonathan Adler grew up in New Jersey and found his love for ceramics at age 12, when he first used a potter’s wheel at summer-camp. After years in various career fields, Adler launched his namesake brand after leaving his day job to pursue his first love: pottery. In 1993, Barneys bought his collection of pots, and five years later, he opened his first store in Soho.

Later, Adler took an interior design job that put a stamp on Palm Springs – the Parker Hotel. Today, Jonathan Adler is a design company with retail locations worldwide, a thriving e-commerce site (jonathanadler.com), a full slate of residential and commercial projects, and a global wholesale business. Jonathan strives to create luxe and livable interiors that are seriously designed, but don’t take themselves too seriously.

I’m beyond excited to have the chance to speak with you! Your designs work so well here in Palm Springs. All of us locals, and visitors who have stayed there, associate you with the gorgeous Parker Hotel. Your name is a staple here because of your design work on the Parker. How did that come about?

Back in the day the owners of the Parker Palm Springs used to shop in my first store in New York City. They bought the property and gave us a ring to talk about designing it. And guess what? When the Parker calls, you pick up the phone!

Did you have a chance to spend much time in Palm Springs before the Parker?

I designed the Parker for the first time in 2004, and prior to that hadn’t been to Palm Springs. Twenty years and a few redesigns later, I like to consider myself an old Palm Springs pro – or at least old.

How has your experience in Palm Springs influenced your work?

Palm Springs is a singular place. I love the history, from its roots as Hollywood’s hedonistic hideaway, to the iconic architecture. Its groovy, modern vibe is present in so much of my work, I even launched a Palm Springs Collection of pottery in homage.

Jonathan Adler

The Parker (credit: Nikolas Koenig)

Palm Springs Pride is coming up the first weekend of November. Has the incredible LGBTQIA+ community here helped shape your opinion of Palm Springs?

I’ve been out, proud, and loud for eons, so the LGBTQIA+ community makes a trip to Palm Springs feel like returning home, in a sense. It’s a reminder of how lucky I am to live in a country and a time in which being gay is okay and a stark comparison to many places in the world that are not quite so welcoming.

Well, my balcony is over Palm Canyon and the pride parade passes right under me, so you’re welcome to come watch the parade! Have you gotten a chance to visit much since the pandemic?

I’m always dropping in to get inspiration and refresh any aspects of the hotel that I feel could use it. Like any good Californian, the Parker Palm Springs is no stranger to the occasional nip and tuck.

In my store I sell merchandise with my own pop art, other local artists, and decor from brands I love, such as Jonathan Adler. One thing customers always ask me, and I’m curious, have you ever owned a home in Palm Springs? I’ve heard people say yes, and no!

I’ve never owned a home in Palm Springs and the truth is I don’t think I ever will thanks to the Parker – I wanted it to feel like you were arriving at the estate of your favorite glamorous, global, great aunt who you wish you had but never did. What could be better than that?

I see the Auntie Mame reference you just made there! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk about Palm Springs!

You can check out all of Jonathan Adler’s designs at JonathanAdler.com, and of course, in my store, Trevor Wayne, located at 901 N Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs or TrevorWayne.com.