Noora Raj Brown | An E.S Muse

Noora Raj Brown | An E.S Muse


 

 

 

NOORA RAJ BROWN 
 
Shaped by a life lived between cultures, cities, and disciplines, Noora Raj Brown moves through the world with a rare sensitivity to beauty, one that is both intuitive and exacting.
A luxury brand consultant and interior designer, co-founder of La Chute, and author of the widely followed Objects of Desire, she has also played a pivotal role in shaping Goop into the global lifestyle brand it is today. A true multi-hyphenate, she brings depth, clarity, and emotion to everything she touches.
From early memories of Rajasthan’s saturated colors to a life now rooted between New York and Paris, her perspective is layered, global, and deeply personal.
 
I am so thrilled to welcome Noora as our newest ES Muse—join us in conversation below.
 
xx Esha 

IN CONVERSATION WITH NOORA 
 
 HAS YOUR INDIAN HERITAGE SHAPED YOUR EYE FOR DESIGN? 
 
Yes, deeply. Most of my family is in India and my parents have always had a place there, so we grew up going there often. I remember the first time I went to Rajasthan when I was a teenager, and was astounded by the colors and the craftsmanship, in particular the beading and textile work. Even in restrained spaces,I’ve never shied away from color and pattern. People assume that restraint means neutrals, but there’s a way to create it with texture and color as well. 

WHICH CITY FEEL LIKE HOME?
 
New York City. I moved there at 21, and learned how to be an adult in the city. I left for Los Angeles in late 2018, and now live in Paris, but New York is still home.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT PARIS, YOUR NEW HOME? 
How soft it is. It’s an introspective city, much slower than New York, especially on Rive Gauche, where I live. There’s delicious food, incredible museums, gorgeous streets. But it’s a slower life. 


ANY SPOTS OR HIDDEN CORNERS YOU FIND YOURSELF RETURNING TO? 
The galleries around my house in Saint Germain are incredible. I like to stroll up Rue Bonaparte towards the Seine and then wander from there. I always return to Galerie Marcilhac, Amélie de Chalard and Jacques Lacoste, but there are so many little places to discover.  


HOW DO YOU BALANCE INTUITION AND STRATEGY WHEN MAKING CREATIVE/ BRAND DECISIONS?
 
I don’t think intuition and strategy are at odds. I actually think intuition is a key part of the strategy, especially in creative decisions, when so much of it is about the emotion. Will this resonate? Does it make you feel desire? And then the strategy party is how you disseminate that emotion so the right people engage with it


WHEN YOU CONNECT WITH A BRAND, WHAT QUALITIES RESONATE WITH YOU BEYOND THE PRODUCT ITSELF?

I’m always interested in the founder’s story why they chose to create what they did and how they produce their goods. Is there intentionality? Originality? And of course, the imagery does so much; the typeface, the colors, the retail space, every touch point is creating the world. When that world is intriguing and cohesive, it does a lot for me. 

FROM OBJECTS OF DESIRE TO LA CHUTE, YOU HAVE SUCH A DISTINCT POINT OF VIEW-HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY WHEN SOMETHING IS TRULY TIMELESS?

I don’t really think about timelessness. I think if you train your eye, then you are usually drawn to things with provenance, things that feel special in the context of history and not just the moment we’re in. I don’t experiment with trends in furniture, but in fashion, I might. I think it’s important not to take it too seriously. I’m bored with perfect, sparse spaces. I like to be able to imagine who you are, by walking into your home or closet. 

 

WITH SOURCING SUCH AN INTEGRAL PART OF LA CHUTE, WHERE DO YOU MOST LOVE TO DISCOVER PIECES?

Paris, of course. Both at Sant Ouen and the brocantes, which are these roving flea markets all around the city. We buy a lot at auction as well. It’s a logistical nightmare sometimes but you get the best deals.

 

ARTISTS, DESIGNER OR MAKERS YOU ARE ESPECIALLY EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW?

 
I just bought a few pieces for our Paris apartment from local makers: Ebur Editions, Astrid Houssin and Pierre Augustine Rose. Other favorites include Sophie Lou Jacobson’s whimsical glassware, Gianfranco Briceño’s moon jars and Osanna Visconti’s sculptures.

 

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO ESHA SONI?

 
The sculptural details and gorgeous fabrics she uses, but also Esha herself. She’s so warm, and so devoted to creating gorgeous products.

WHAT’S ON YOUR ESHA SONI WISHLIST?
 


HOW DO YOU DEFINE A LIFE WELL LIVED? WHAT ROLE DO YOUR SURROUNDINGS PLAY IN IT?
 
To me, it’s about filling your days with as much joy as possible, in all the little ways. An extra hug from my daughter, an hour to get into an engrossing book, a beautiful workspace that stirs up ideas. I think that’s why Paris works so well for me. Even a walk to the pharmacy can be inspiring if you let it.

Noora Raj Brown was photographed by Clémence Polès Farhang in her Paris apartment.
 
Discover Noora’s world on  OBJECTS OF DESIRE

 
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