Welcome to John Derian’s cabinet of curiosities
For more than a decade, découpage extraordinaire John Derian has been infusing his Paperless Post invitations and greeting cards with images from his vast and intriguing collection of rare and beautiful ephemera. Is that a skeleton by a tomb, chalice in bony fingers, pondering his existence? Why, certainly. A botanical print of strawberries so juicy and lifelike, you’re tempted to pick one off your screen? Also, yes. From vintage anatomical illustrations to long-forgotten typefaces, each carefully collaged Card exudes Mr. Derian’s signature brand of wit, quirk, nostalgia, and passion for his craft.
To celebrate his latest delivery of designs—filled with the weird and wonderful things that so often come to define unforgettable evenings—we spoke with the founder and owner of John Derian and Company about what draws him to collect, the game he plays at every party, and the Parisian flea market dealer who inspired his love of the occult. “It’s been exciting to work on this fresh and wide-ranging series of designs,I am hopeful that these new invitations will allow users to find more ways to express themselves, connect with others, and be inspired to share the beauty, humor, and quirkiness that I personally respond to so well.” Step inside his cabinet of curiosities, and read on.
What influences went into choosing the designs for some of the new cards in this collection?
Ninety-five percent of the imagery for this new collection comes from instructive books. Most images I find are from books on kinds of flowers, animals, etc., so those are the things that have become iconic in my work. I’m fascinated with all anatomy and the charm of seeing it through a 19th century lens. But in my searches for imagery, inanimate objects like those on the new Cards are not that common.
I am inspired by all things I see, including book endpapers—which I find equally beautiful to the actual contents of a book. The marbled papers you’ll see, for example, are 18th and 19th century book endsheets.
And the references to mysticism?
There is a dealer at the Paris Flea Market named Chantal—she always has piles of quirky things. Once it was a pile of pages from a 19th century scrapbook, and on a page was this image of a séance. I love its charm, the occult, and the history of a 19th century trend expressed in such a simple image.
How would you like hosts and guests to feel when they send or receive your invitations?
Hopefully, the imagery and wit will inspire people and their guests to enjoy life! I hope they will connect with the imagery, and then use it to express themselves.
How do you stay inspired?
I spend time in nature, connecting with its wonders. The same wonders are reflected in the imagery that I find, collect, and share.
What would you say drives your passion for collecting?
Collecting, for me, stems from a fascination with understanding shapes and their similarities.
What was the first thing or group of things that you can remember collecting?
Rocks, gems, and coins.
What’s an item you’ve acquired recently that you’re especially excited about?
I recently got caught up in the beauty, wonder, and history of 18th century Delft plates.
Describe for us your dream event.
A candlelit dinner party. It would start with everyone hanging out in the kitchen, on a sofa and chairs, while we finish up the cooking.
How do you create the perfect mood?
Music, light, candles, drinks, and of course, games.
Such as…?
We would play Celebrity—where a player gives clues and others have to guess as many celebrity names as possible in under a minute—while cooking, serving, and even during the meal. It’s a way for everyone, including the cook, to play, and it started because we never were ready with dinner.
What’s your best hosting advice?
Enjoy your friends, share delicious food in a pretty setting, and make sure you have fun at your own party.
Thank you, John! Now it’s time for you to *find* the perfect John Derian invitation for your next get-together, available exclusively at Paperless Post.
