Architectural Digest
AD100 designer Brigette Romanek, founder of Los Angeles–based Romanek Design Studio, remembers as clear as day the moment when her mom, a singer, introduced her to Lady Sings the Blues: the 1972 biopic depicting Billie Holiday’s life.
FULL ARTICLEDiana Ross’s portrayal of the jazz singer otherwise known as Lady Day captivated Romanek, who would often hear Holiday’s music played around the house growing up. “[It’s] the story of a young Black woman fighting to do what she loved during a time when it was almost impossible to dream, having constant battles and hardships but still having passion in her heart and fight,” she says. “Everything about it was moving—the acting, the storytelling, the sets, the fashion, the emotion!”
“The interiors are deeply rooted in jazz-era glamour with a strong Art Deco influence—curved silhouettes, mirrored accents, lacquered finishes, and layered textiles like velvet and silk,” Romanek recalls of the film. She explains that the design reflects Holiday’s evolution as an artist and a woman and serves as an emotional narrator throughout the scenes.
“As her career grows, the spaces become more refined and layered, mirroring her rising presence and confidence, yet there’s always a softness that speaks to her vulnerability,” she says. Elements like moody jewel tones spill into the color palette, as well as warm, romantic lighting, each detail imbuing spaces with a touch of sophistication and ease that reflects Holiday’s elegance.