Moss

Moss
150 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012
tel (212) 204-7100
fax (212) 204-7101
tollfree (866) 888-6677

MOSS WEST COAST

In 1994, former fashion entrepreneur Murray Moss opened Moss in a small former gallery space in Soho, with a determination to transform the public perception of industrial product design. The store quickly became internationally known for its product selection and presentation, with clients ranging from highly informed design professionals, to celebrities, students, and tourists with maps.

As the shop grew and evolved - expanding to nearly 7000 square feet in late 1999 - the product base also expanded, to include furniture, especially from Italian manufacturers, lighting, watches and jewelry, books, and a significantly increased focus on tabletop. Today, Moss offers one of the world's most sophisticated selections of porcelain tableware, crystal and cutlery, contextualized in presentation by association with furniture and lighting from some of the greatest designers of the 20th century.

The furniture and objects offered at the shop deliberately blur the distinctions between production and craft, between industry and art, and more recently, between industrial and decorative arts. One may find, for instance, a Hella Jongerius embroidered ceramic pot next to a stainless steel Fisher space pen next to an Edra pink leather Flap sofa. The intention is to force a view of each piece based on the context of its presentation, rather than its function or material.

At Moss, context is fundamental, and value should be inferred from inaccessibility. The shop intentionally looks and feels like a museum, with everything locked behind glass or raised onto platforms. It’s cold. It’s white. The music is tense. The selling staff wear dark monotone clothing. And Asian, black or white, male or female, they register as one - young, good looking, courteous, helpful, and informed. Above all, informed. Provenance, designer, manufacturer, materials, manufacturing process – the staff is poised to discuss all aspects of each product, including the assembling of component systems of shelving, tables or seating.
Moss has been instrumental in shaping the direction of design retail, and the shop functions as arbiter, advocate, presenter, as well as gallery, showroom and salon.

Moss has also helped shape the surrounding Soho retail geography. As art galleries continue to depart, Greene Street has become a housewares enclave and Soho is increasingly filled with high end fashion, such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel.

Moss itself has grown by focusing on specific areas of strength and opportunity, expanding into online, gift registry, studio work and limited editions, and in 2007 into Los Angeles with a gallery and in 2008 a shop at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills.

Source: www.mossonline.com