Meet Philip Stites of Philip Stites, Inc. – antiques, 20th, PSMADE

Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Stites

Hi Philip, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
3 Partners:

Philip Stites is a connoisseur and steward of fine and rare museum-quality antiques and decorative arts, with a focus on the extraordinary. His collection of unique antique objects is informed by a lifetime in the decorative arts and as a partner of the venerable Therien & Co. Inc., where he has brought together designers and their clients with famed objects for decades. And just like the captivating narrative of each piece in his collection, so is his history as a master of antiques and design.

Born in Kansas and inspired by the historicity and narrative of antiques and design objects, Philip moved to California in the mid-80’s and in 1987 partnered with the founders of Therien & Co. Inc.: Robert Garcia led the venture with Walter Zolezzi and Bruce Tremayne. Therien was the leading gallery for exceptional European antique objects treated as fine art, serving a parade of glamorous clientele such as Oprah Winfrey and Elton John, and top interior designers including Bunny Williams and Michael Smith.

Today, Philip houses the Therien collection of museum-quality antiques and 20th century objects, and PS MADE custom furniture design, textiles and production studio in Los Angeles.

PATRICIA SIMS

There are few industry experts like Patricia Sims. She is the director of PS MADE and a 20+ year steward of the Therien-Stites Collection. A visionary with a focus on design, Patricia delivers custom made solutions to designer needs with unparalleled craftsmanship. Whether it is a custom dining room table, recreating an object no longer in existence, or something entirely unexpected to complete the narrative of a space, Patricia supports the entire process from inception to delivery.

The narrative of each object is a passion for Patricia. and she takes the extra time to understand not only the object but also the future owners of each piece. Her extensive global travels support Patricia’s keen interest in anthropological objects and opulent environments alike, fostering an exquisite taste that speaks through her refined knowledge of antiques and design history. Whether it is anchoring a room with a 17th-century chandelier, a 21st-century custom table, or a newly available rare painting, her goal is singular: to successfully source the right object for each client and their space.

Patricia is committed to a nuance of client service that elevates the acquisition experience with a rare level of sophistication and precision. She values the intimate journey of object acquisition and offers her signature unparalleled grace and ease to guide the process.

About Michael Siplin

The interdisciplinary arts is in Michael Siplin’s DNA.

Born in Miami to Lillie and George Siplin, his early childhood was a front-row seat to the aesthetic life. When the family moved to Los Angeles, his mother, a pan-talented woman of rare and first achievements, succeeded a start as the general operator at Pacific Bell to become the first black woman to graduate from the Don Martin School of Broadcasting. She commenced her life’s work as a clinical therapist, publishing widely in major academic and mainstream publications. His father, mentored by Tony Curtis, became a director and then an entrepreneur.

Michael’s journey traverses the same extraordinary multi-facetedness as his parents. He first began as a fashion designer, drawing inspiration from the silhouettes at Joseph Magnin and Robinsons May he witnessed as a child accompanying Lillie. His taste for elegance and sartorial talents opened doors. First, he apprenticed for a Hollywood tailor, landing him squarely in the path to design. Shortly thereafter, he started working as a costumer. He was able to cultivate a particular aesthetic and work mobility, and concluded 30 years of design work as a member of both the Motion Picture Costumers Union as well as the esteemed Costume Designers Guild.

In 1991, Michael met Philip Stites, who at the time was a partner at the legendary Therien collection. Over the following X years, the two traversed work and travel through art history wisdom and practical design practices that expanded the Philip Stites brand, and with Patricia Sims, launched PSMADE. Starting first in styling, Michael swiftly Between the two life partners, they have traversed decades of historical art history wisdom and practical design practice that beckoned a new chapter for Michael.

So, after 30 years in garment design, styling, and costuming, Michael began to conceive of ideations that connected the historicity of the antiques and contemporary design that he was surrounded by in his personal life with the skillful and forward-thinking design praxis that he had built in his career. The result is Eston, the first capsule collection for PSMADE.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Opening April of 2022 as Covid wained, placed us with so, so many others in our decorative arts industry, struggling with supply chain issues, shipping cost increases as well as other swelling costs. Despite these hiccups, we were met with great enthusiasm from the design community.

A short history to put things in to perspective. Therien & Co., Inc. was the original company with 3 other partners, begun in 1979 and bought by a midwest firm in 2013, closing in 2019. This gave Patricia, Michael and I a front row seat. With it, many lessons on what works and what doesn’t. Our desire to stay true to our roots, gave us the impetus to start over from scratch.

New beginnings. Our tag line: past and future in present

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our approach. To expand the vision of what’s possible in decorative arts. Not only bringing museum quality antiques and 20th Century items to the market, but to pull together an array of artisans works. Whether this be our own PSMADE furniture division and it’s off shoot Eston, by Michael Siplin. all locally create, to the reintroduced Fournir Collections, as well as collection of contemporary women artists, by The Art Wolf’s Yael McShane Wulfhart, David S. Gibson and V&N Interiors textiles, Illuminaire leathers, PSMADE Textiles and most recently Villa Savoia.

The collection is unique and unusual in the world. Travel has given the partners an opportunity to recognize what is truly special on our revolving planet. We strive to bring this perspective to the experience while in our galleries here in Los Angeles, or online.

Any big plans?
With back to back European shopping trips in the past six months, we look forward to presenting our finds in the fall. Items dating as far back as the 14th Century all the way up to the 1990’s. Of particular note will be our participation in the SF Fall Show.
Also, we continue to bring forward new pieces for the PSMADE division.

Contact Info:

• Website: philipstites.com; psmadela.com
• Instagram: Philipstites, ps_made_la,

Image Credits
HEADSHOTS ONLY: Casey Pinckard