Designer Crush: Patrick Cain
Author:Michelle KonstantinovskyWho is your biggest role model?
I’m going to be “that” guy who doesn’t give one answer, sorry. My biggest fictitious role model would be Jeb Barlet from The West Wing for his mix of moral fortitude, intelligence and cut throat competitiveness. My biggest design world role model would be Danny Gonzales. Danny is, in addition to a great person, the coolest rags-to-riches story with impeachable style. I’d describe it as one part “fuck-you-i’m-gonna-do-it” and one part “no-you’ll-understand-in-a-few-years-when-everyone-is-doing-it.” Whenever Danny buys something I’ve made, I know I’ve got a hit on my hands.
Which movie or play do you wish you could have designed the set for?
A Single Man because, while in the moment I’m sure I would have hated it, working under Tom Ford would be a life changing opportunity. I say I would have hated it because I have to imagine he is not an easy man to have as your boss.
What is the best way to gauge a client’s personality before starting a project?
I think a great way to gauge any person’s personality – client or not – is take them out to eat at a busy restaurant when the place is slammed. If you can’t have empathy for the wait staff for not filling up your water right away, it’s a good indication of how they’ll be treating you a few months down the line.
What new design elements are you excited to integrate into your work?
The future is colorful and bright for PCD, and I mean that literally. Soon people will see colors mixed into the product line and perhaps even texture too as one of our big to-dos is start offering a chair design.
How do you completely unwind?
Completely unwinding is still something I’m trying to learn how to do. Right now the best I got is a night out at a DTLA private club called RVCC on Thursday for Billiards night.
If you hadn’t become a designer, which career would you have pursued?
Well before accidentally becoming a designer I had been a pie baker, hair model, nuclear materials engineer and journalist… sooooo maybe I could have failed back on something ranging from pies to plutonium.
What’s the worst pre-designer job you’ve ever had and why?
Investor’s Business Daily. Easy. It’s a newspaper that afforded me no journalist reach in terms of talking to people, getting out and hitting the streets and all those things that journalist like to do. Then to top it off, it is one of the most conservative newsrooms in America and their way-too-cozy-of-a-relationship with the investing arm of its parent company toes the line of legality if the Securities and Exchange Commission were ever to look their way.
What’s your favorite recipe (can also be a cocktail recipe!)?
I do a pretty mean squash and sweet potato taco.
Create your perfect playlist for us.
Who is your designer crush?
Wow…well, I don’t actually know any female furniture designers who fit into the crush category unfortunately, and in the fashion world women seem to design women’s pieces so excuse me while i pick a designer of women’s clothes, but how can’t you when Rumi Neely is killing it on all fronts from her line to her look. If she’s half as gorgeous inside as she is on the outside, PCD has an official crush.
Lightning round!
Would you rather shop new or vintage?
New.
First celebrity crush?
Tia Carrera.
What’s your hidden talent?
I can throw down in a kitchen.
Best restaurant in your area? Where is it?
Elf. Echo Park/Silver Lake
SF or LA?
LA to live. SF to visit.
