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Shop the MacKenzie-Childs x Gray Malin Collection
“It turns out we were both fans of one another’s work,” esteemed fine-art photographer Gray Malin says of approaching home brand MacKenzie-Childs and instantly clicking with it as far as style sensibilities go. The rest, as they say, is history.
Considering Malin is most known for his aerial shots featuring sunny beaches in iconic destinations (from Positano to the Hamptons), it’s quite surprising that the fruitful output of their partnership — a limited-edition, just-launched collection punctuated by 15 pieces spanning dinnerware and home accessories — is all about snow-covered mountains.
Enter: The MacKenzie-Childs x Gray Malin capsule, whose design motifs are rooted in Malin’s no-less-captivating works capturing skiers amidst alpine environments. For the occasion, the featured pieces also debut a never-before-seen, icy-blue take on MacKenzie-Childs’ signature checked pattern (you know, the one that adorns its TikTok-viral tea kettles and inspires worldwide adoration).
MacKenzie-Childs’ newest home collaboration with photographer Gray Malin is a one-stop shop for transitioning your home decor into the new season (and beating back impending winter blues).
Courtesy MacKenzie-Childs
“I had the idea to bring the skiers on white snow to a white plate, and we collectively worked on reimagining their iconic check in a wintry color painted in an ombrè affect, to allow the skiers to pop,” Malin exclusively shares with WWD. “What I love is that their pieces are never just functional; they’re expressive and rich with personality. That’s very aligned with how I approach photography.”
You’ll catch a glimpse of Malin’s artful touches on everything from the Ski Holiday Serving Bowl and Ski Holiday Appetizer Plate Set here to the Christmas tree–shaped serving dish that just beckons to be treated to some homemade biscuits or cuts of the finest cheese you have in the fridge. And while this is meant to be a holiday-oriented collection, each part can be repurposed for the entirety of the winter season — helping you tap into the cozy spirit of the upcoming months and encouraging more quality time spent with loved ones.
Subtly signal your skiing expertise to anyone who comes over with the MacKenzie-Childs x Gray Malin kitchen must-haves.
Courtesy MacKenzie-Childs
“Each piece evokes the charm of an alpine escape while creating spaces that feel warm, layered, and intentional. Whether it’s a festive dinner, hot cocoa around the kitchen, or just cozying up by the fire, these pieces are designed to elevate those moments and bring joy,” says Malin.
Rounding out the dinnerware in this drop are home accessories that will add dimension and meaning to your interior design. Whether it be the dainty Ski Holiday Silver Plated Frame for immortalizing happy memories or the Ski Holiday Check Throw for adding a bit of sophistication and chicness to your next couch nap, every heirloom-quality purchase is guaranteed to last you many, many years on end, capitalizing on timelessness and playfulness both.
As for Malin’s tropical-to-wintry palette shift? It’s actually not as unexpected as you might think.
“After my beach photography took off in early 2012, I became enamored with the aerial perspective. At first the sand was my canvas, and the umbrellas and sun loungers were my muse, but after a year of capturing the beach I had a novel idea to begin shooting aerial images over the snow,” Malin remembers. “My first shoot was in Aspen in December 2012 and I will never forget how cold I was in the doorless helicopter with the wind whipping me in the face over the top of Ajax Mountain!”
He calls this experience love at first sight: “Since then, I’ve continued to fly over beloved ski mountains around the world, from Switzerland to New Zealand. It’s truly a labor of love, since the conditions are usually unpredictable and volatile, so you have to be very careful and very patient as shoots can get cancelled at the very last minute.”
This very patience and intentionality is clearly reflected in every last one of Malin’s MacKenzie-Childs offerings. And those who live in places that tend to stay warm even in the thick of winter need not worry about how well the new releases will fit into their lifestyle. Malin, after all, has already embraced his own creations in Montecito.
What happens when a beloved, maximalist home brand joins forces with one of today’s most influential American photographers? An elegant-yet-playful collection is born, and it’s one you’ll want every last piece of.
Courtesy MacKenzie-Childs
“I live near the ocean, and the blues pair nicely in a coastal home as much as a winter home,” he says. “Personally, I will be using the mugs for coffee every morning and the platters and bowls for winter hosting. I also adore the additional home decor products in the collection — the ski picture frame and the light-blue checked blanket will bring a soft touch to my living spaces.”
Ready to dive headfirst into Malin’s wonderful world of fresh powder, après-ski revelries, and what the brand calls the “serene elegance of mountain peaks viewed from above”? Here’s everything our editors are already stocking up on for our upcoming Thanksgiving dinners and indulgent evenings spent reading by the fire.
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on new releases in the home decor and hosting universes.