Jennifer is a New York City based designer specializing in Architecture, Interiors, Hospitality and Retail Environments, which often include Branding Strategy and Product Design. For over 20 years, she has practiced in the Design Industry leading teams at Ralph Lauren, Gucci and for Celebrity Designers before launching  her own practice 'Cinema Vitae'. Working all over the world, she has created bespoke experiences in London, Rome, Paris, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Inspired by Localized Culture, the Decorative Arts and Storytelling; Jennifer selects projects that push the boundaries of Design and Brand Identity. She loves the Wiener Werkstätte, Rossana Orlandi, a Classic Ramos Gin Fizz, Nouvelle Vague Cinema and Omakase.

* To discuss an upcoming project or request a complete portfolio, please contact the studio. 

Cinema Vitae

Cinema Vitae, meaning 'the Cinema of Life' was established as a multi-disciplinary Creative Studio that focuses on the 'Art of Memory Making' through Cinematic Storytelling Techniques and Bespoke Design. We specialize in Architecture, Interiors and Product Design; by creating personalized Narratives for each Client, which quickly become the foundation for Design, Branding and Product Development. 

Our Approach, is Flexible and Responsive. We work with some Clients who have a strong vision and we help them achieve it. Others are less certain of what they want and we guide them through the design process; helping Clients formulate their own aesthetic as we go. Typically, our designs connect to all of the five senses to encourage making memories that will last a lifetime. These design techniques often use a 'hi-tech' approach for what is ultimately a 'hi-touch' result.

We are committed to telling your own unique Story, which comes alive through our finely-tailored designs.

Professional Services

Architectural, Interior & Product Design      Management of Capital & Expense Budgets
Project Management
Research & Design
Creative Direction
Content Creation
Brand Strategy
Brand Partnerships
Design & Operational Standards
Procurement
Product Design & Prototyping
Set Design & Event Design
Lecturing
Design Criticism
AutoCAD
Revit
3D Studio Max
Adobe Creative Suite
Microsoft Office
Web Design 

Featured Projects

Below is a curated assortment of projects covering the range of experience that Cinema Vitae can provide. Please contact the Studio for more information on your genre or area of interest.

LECTURE

 Preston H. Thomas Memorial Lecture Series, 2014

‘SPOLIA’

Histories, Spaces, and Processes of Adaptive Reuse

“What is Luxury Today?”

(A Lecture exploring Adaptive-Reuse in the Retail & Hospitality Industry)

By early 2010, the Global Market had become oversaturated with luxury products leading to a seismic shift in desire away from well-established brands; to a focus on more obscure, less-accessible vintage pieces, dead-stock and small brands based on artisanal fabrication and limited production. As consumers change their attitude towards what signifies ‘status’ in the years ahead, how do these previously exclusive environments for Hospitality and Retail adapt?

Over the past decade, technologically advanced, heavily-branded “luxury” buildings, malls and interiors were aspirational beacons for emerging markets; changing the very fabric of the cities they were situated in and becoming integral to the infrastructure of new cities, today. Have we reached the limit to this kind of 'Luxury', which has become uniform, mass-produced and easily accessible to all?

In this world of 'Conspicuous Consumption', there is evidence of an unexpected, conscientious approach to how commercial brands are now looking towards a sustainable future by inhabiting old structures and fostering a localized approach to their service and community. Buildings such as abandoned gas stations, public swimming pools and firehouses have recently become the new sites for experimentation, which will be explored in the presentation.

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'Gucci by Gucci'

Short Film by David Lynch (Below), was the Design Team’s creative point-of-departure for relaunching the ‘New Brand Vision’ under Frida Giannini for Gucci, in 2006.

Companies

Conde Nast
Gucci
Ralph Lauren
Tory Burch
Waldorf Astoria
Starwood
Hilton
Candela Hotels & Residences
Bloomberg Foundation
IAC - Interactive Corps
Wall Street Journal/New Corps

Residences

CPW Penthouse
Pre-War Apartment
Chelsea Townhouse
Ski House
Lake House
Greenwich Estate
Tribeca Pied-à-Terre
the Colgate Inn
NoMad Showroom

Restaurants

Sweetgreen
Noma
the Willows Inn
Prova
Milk Bar
Toby's Estate
Cafe Myriade
the Gerber Group
Frankies Sputino Group

Partnerships

Drew Barrymore - 'Dear Drew' 
David Cheng - Momofuku Market Christina Tosi - Milk Bar
Hugh Acheson - Spiller Park
Jessica Koslow - Sqirl
Travis Lett - Gjusta
Umber Ahmad - Mah ze Dhar
Putnam & Putnam
that Flower Shop (UK)
the Strand
Rizzoli