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on a dobby loom that uses hydraulics for con- structing larger pieces. Using hydraulics is one of the concessions that Kasten has made in order to remain in business, but there's no mistaking the importance of the man sitting cross-legged at the foot of the loom, winding white threads that slowly unspool behind him from a raised mount as his lips move soundlessly to maintain the count. Aragon is working on a custom fabric for a client who desires an upholstered headboard and bed- skirt combination that gradually darkens from white to dark green. To achieve this effect, Kasten is using an intricate layering process that he devised himself and that has now become one of his signature designs. When Aragon began working for Kasten four years ago, he knew absolutely nothing about weaving, which was exactly how Kasten pre- ferred it. "Each project is a one-off," he says. "Each one requires inspiration and risk. It's easier when you're working with someone who doesn't have a preconceived notion on how to achieve it." Each piece that Kasten produces is unique. Which is exactly what caught the eye of world-renowned designer David Easton when he first met Kasten in the mid-'80s. Easton was working away in his Manhat- tan office when a lanky man with a hun- gry look in his eyes entered bearing fabric samples. This, by itself, wasn't extraordi- nary: Easton's neoclassical interiors were in heavy demand, and potential collabora- tors were many. But it was when he glanced down at the swatches laid out on the table that courtesy turned into curiosity. "The designs were subtle, sophisticated. Utterly original. There's a certain game of chance, an irregularity that comes from handmade fabric. I saw it as the answer to a very spe- cific design problem for those clients who want something special, something that doesn't exist anywhere else in any other form." Gradually, every interior designer of note, from Easton to Thierry Despont and Douglas Durkin, began coming to Kasten in search of those answers. Today, despite having a workshop in Massachusetts, Kasten and his family live full time in France. Europe has become the source of more than half of Kasten's business, resulting in a steady stream of high-profile projects — like the recently completed walls for the French Embassy in Beijing. It's an exciting new chapter, but it's also a commentary on the shaky future of handmade textiles in the United States. Unlike countries like Japan, where master artisans are designated Living National Treasures and supported in the interest of preserving a cultural heritage, Kasten en- joys no such guarantees. "I sell," he says. "I do the shopping, which helps with my French. I take the children everywhere, which, when you have three teenagers, takes up pretty much the whole day. Then I sneak off to a little workshop I've got." He takes off his glasses and blinks sev- eral times, as though he were seeing things for the first time. "I'm still learning." ANISH MAJUMDAR is a writer and journalist based in Rochester, N.Y. He has written for magazines such as Toronto Life, Maclean's and Little India and has received Independent Press Association Awards for feature writ- ing and investigative journalism. Urban living just got fabulous! studio/ 1 bedroom from $164,900 Sales Center at 500 Brickell 75 SE 6 Street, Suite 101 - Miami, FL 33131 P: 786.245.7029 I Toll free: (888) 385-2084 www.mybrickell.us ARCHITECTURE BY facebook/mybrickell @mybrickellMIA INTERIORS BY ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER. OBTAIN THE PROPERTY REPORT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW AND READ IT BEFORE SIGNING ANYTHING. NO FEDERAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THIS PROPERTY. ALL FEATURES, DIMENSIONS, DRAWINGS, GRAPHIC MATERIAL, PICTURES, CONCEPTUAL RENDERINGS, PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE NOT NECESSARILY AN ACCURATE DEPICTION AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, AND DEVELOPER EXPRESSLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS. ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL IMPROVEMENTS, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ARE SUBJECT TO FIRST OBTAINING APPROPRIATE PERMITS AND APPROVALS. THIS OFFERING IS MADE ONLY BY THE PROSPECTUS FOR THE CONDOMINIUM AND NO STATEMENT SHOULD BE RELIED UPON IF NOT MADE IN THE PROSPECTUS. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL, OR SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY, THE CONDOMINIUM UNITS IN STATES WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION CANNOT BE MADE. PRICES, PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. AA.COM/AMERICANWAY JANUARY 15, 2012 35

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