I’m not sure if it’s because it’s Fashion Week here in NYC, or because the fall season has begun bringing with it a new crop of looks, or maybe I just hadn’t strolled down Madison Avenue in a while but, when I did yesterday afternoon I was really struck by all the store windows, both in their content and their display design. Barney’s had a series of rotating photos by Bruce Weber titled L.A. Stories; another store whose name escapes me was setting up neon signage along with what seemed to be an outdoor runway, but the windows that stopped me in my tracks were those of Hermès. The mannequin heads were these spectacular sculptures which at first glance looked like blocks of painted wood, but as I got closer I realized that they were actually books. Books! Rolled, fanned, stacked, bent, not only were the mannequin heads stunning (possibly the most fabulous part of the general fabulosity), but the backdrops as well were intricate tableaus created using the edges of books, painted in colors and stripes, in some cases just as multicolor striped motif backdrop while in others 2-dimensional mythical gods. I went in to ask who the artist was and should have recognized the name right away, having posted NYC-born and based artist Nick Georgiou’s work before. Seeing them in person, however, is even more impressive. Kudos to whoever thought to give the job to Georgiou, and of course kudos to the artist himself for making an impressive splash on Upper Mad, specifically at the corner of 62nd Street.
Category Archives: Fashion
Apex Predator Shoes: Fantich & Young
East London artist duo Mariana Fantich and Dominic Young who make up the studio Fantich & Young, create conceptual sculptures addressing “parallels between social evolution and evolution in the natural world.” The original Apex Predator—described as predators with no predators of their own, residing at the top of the food chain—tooth-soled shoe sculptures started with the Barker Oxford shoes inlaid with 1050 false teeth in their soles in 2010. These were used to accompany the Apex Predator Suit made of human hair and glass eyes for buttons. The Empire (Jimmy Choo heels) followed and, most recently, this year in fact, the Red Shoes Mary Janes are the latest addition to the series. Now the whole family can grip the ground, chomping their way around town. Creepy? Yes. But come on…pretty cool, too.
You can see the rest of Fantich & Young’s work here.
Susi Kenna: Nail Art History
Daniela showed me these amazing nails a couple of nights ago. I’m not one to wear nail polish—it’s a stubby-fingers issue combined with a ridiculous feeling of nail suffocation—or even appreciate it much, but these literal works of art painted on the small fingertip canvases definitely wowed me. Art lover (and nail art lover) Susi Kenna has had her nails painted numerous times in the past two years in the style of paintings by famous artists ranging from Pablo Picasso and Jean Dubuffet, to more recent artists including Shantell Martin and Barry McGee. It’s not clear to me whether Kenna goes in to her various nail artists (Mei Kawajiri, Vanity Projects, and Jessica Washick) armed with art, but it appears that may be the story. In any case, Susi Kenna has documented the nail art on her hands in a tumblr worth a peek.
Lauryn Bertolo: What’s The Date?
These are fun. Illinois-based graphic designer Lauryn Bertolo designed a wearable calendar. What’s the Date, as the 3-piece bracelet is called, is screen printed on fabric in bold type and adjusts to every day of the year. I have a feeling it’s a prototype, but I bet there’s a market out there.
Corsage/Boutonniere Redux: Daniela Gilsanz
Spring is fast approaching (like, tomorrow…yay!) and along with the lovely season come school proms, weddings, and other formal occasions where the purchase of a corsage or boutonniere may be warranted. If you’d like to deviate from the classic floral variety, we’ve got Daniela’s clever Corsage/Boutonniere bracelet/pin combos right here. Be the talk of your event and the envy of every type-crazed participant (surely there’s at least a couple in any crowd) when you and your date show up donning these fun pieces. Limited supply so order soon…
Chanel Shopping Center: Paris Fashion Week
Fashion shows keep pushing the boundaries and blurring the lines between art, performance, design and fashion. Last week in Paris, Karl Lagerfeld and his Chanel team took their Fall 2014 runway show to a whole new level. Stepping into the Grand Palais, all attendees were welcomed by the over-the-top Chanel Shopping Center. An entire supermarket recreated with every item rebranded/repackaged and emblazoned with the highly recognizable interlocking C’s of the Chanel logo. From every food product you can imagine, to cleaning products, welcome mats, brooms, soap, garbage bags and much more. The models walked through the runway aisles clad in the new Fall line, all wearing sneakers (because you can wear a Chanel suit to pick up your groceries, but heels might be too much?) pushing grocery carts or carrying baskets. An impressive feat, which apart from the obvious wow-factor, was meant to be a commentary on the state of consumerism. You’ll be relieved to know that all of the items are being donated to charity. It is difficult to wrap one’s head around all the design, printing, and organization that clearly went into this event, in addition to the fashion line itself. It’s the ultimate mega pop-up shop/installation… it’ll be tough to top.
Here’s a video of the models strutting their wares:
Photos: Garance Doré; and Marcando Tendencia
via Garance Doré
Fashion by Mayhem
Yes, this is probably all over the internet by now, but how could we, a mother-daughters design blog not post about it? Even if the daughters are in their 20s. But this 4-year-old daughter and mother collaboration is right up our alley and my only regret is that we didn’t think of it ourselves. Mom Angie, noticed her 4-year-old “Mayhem” opting to dress herself up in scarves and sheets over her store-bought princess dresses while playing. Clearly interested in fashion, Angie suggested they make their own dress out of paper and Mayhem jumped at the idea. The rest, as they say, is history. Nine months later, the mother-daughter collaboration has yielded dozens of designs—with 50/50 contribution on the creative concepts—that have been posted to an instagram account. Mayhem contributes much more than one would think to the construction of these dresses, having even made a couple completely on her own. Their inspirations vary from My Little Pony to the Golden Globes’ red carpet and the results are unbelievably cute as well as impressive. The most ironic part? Angie, the mom, is not a particularly crafty or fashionable person. As for Mayhem? I think she’ll likely be on Project Runway before we know it.
You can see many more of these delightful designs and photos over here and here.
All photos courtesy Fashion by Mayhem.
via swissmiss
Jeremy Scott for Moschino
Em, who’s always tuned in to the latest fashion news, sent along Moschino’s newest collection designed by the company’s recently appointed creative director Jeremy Scott. These humorous gowns and outfits follow in the Moschino tradition of taking iconic logos and characters and interpreting them with an ironic twist. Jeremy Scott’s line, which includes a capsule collection called Fast Fashion, is inspired by the less-than-healthy snack and fast-food industry. Blowing up these packages ranging from Hershey’s chocolate bar wrapper in this case enveloping a woman’s body, to a variation of the McDonald’s logo centered large on a handbag, the runway show must have felt like a trip down the supermarket aisle in Lilliput. I can’t imagine who will be wearing these, but that Nutrition Facts bridal gown is definitely an irresistibly fun turn on traditional wedding attire.
via fashion
3D Printed Prosthetics: Bespoke Innovations
The three of us have been fascinated by 3D printing since we first saw a demo a few years back, and the fascination keeps growing as the possibilities keep expanding. Sure, we’ve seen all kinds of jewelry, housewares, sculptures, even a bikini, but these prosthetic fairings (coverings that surround an existing prosthetic leg) are lovely pieces of design serving a decorative as well as personalizing function. Industrial designer Scott Summit joined forces with orthopedic surgeon Kenneth Trauner, MD and founded Bespoke Innovations with the mission of bringing more humanity to people who have suffered the loss of a limb. The process and design are individualized by using 3D scanning technology to capture images of a person’s sound leg as well as their prosthetic one. The wearer is given their body symmetry back by superimposing the sound leg shape onto the prosthetic one. Customization of the Fairing is overseen by the user who can pick and choose materials and patterns to achieve a personalized result. It’s all so smart and impressive.
via formfiftyfive
12 Shoes for 12 Lovers: Errazuiz
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NYC-based Chilean designer Sebastian Errazuriz (previously here and here) enjoys playing with the offbeat and wacky in his designs while pushing boundaries. His latest project, currently on exhibit at Miami Basel, is titled 12 Shoes for 12 Lovers. Consisting of twelve shoe sculptures, each representing the memory of twelve previous relationships, the project is an attempt to go through the reminiscence of former lovers who are the inspiration for each Shoe Sculpture. The shoes are accompanied by photos and stories in which Errazuriz reveals a glimpse of each relationship and in the process exposes himself to scrutiny and judgment. Some sculpture titles include: Cry Baby, Jetsetter, Gold Digger, The Virgin, GI Jane, and the Rock. You can see the rest of the set over here.
via core77
Luis Gispert: Photos of Logo-clad Car Interiors
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Brooklyn-based artist/photographer Luis Gispert stumbled upon a culture of fashion-label customized car interiors that would be hard not to call impressive. These luxury brand knockoffs, or ‘interpretations’ according to Gispert, are created with the same obsession, fantasy, and dedication as an artist creates his/her art. Gispert’s series of photographs of these status-seeking automobiles (mostly owned by people of modest incomes who in many cases spent much more on the customization than the actual value of the final product) was compiled as a show titled “Decepción” at Mary Boone Gallery. From an Escalade covered in Murakami “LV” prints, to Stephen Sprouse’s bright green graffitti-scribbled version; a Burberry-lined Volkswagen to a pink Coach covered car; all artworks of sorts in their own right. The perfectly paired vistas from the windshields, however, are separate landscape photographs taken by Gispert and perfectly matched to emphasize the extremes between natural beauty and the questionable taste of our consumerist society.
You can see more of Gispert’s work on his website.
via musée
High Tide Heels: Paul Schietekat
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Daniela pointed me to these fun shoes created by Belgian artist Paul Schietekat for an exhibition a few years back. The High Tide Heels, as they are called, have not been produced commercially (maybe because it’s likely that one would break their neck walking in them) but, regardless, these art objects are kind of fabulous.
Big Fun: Chris March for Target
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There’s that slight nip in the evening air these days and before you know it Halloween will be upon us. Em sent me a link to a line of fun wigs designed by Project Runway veteran Chris March for this Halloween season at Target. The wigs are aptly called “Big Fun“. March designed eight styles: Geisha, Greaser, Starlet, Witch, Medusa, Monster Bride, Mohawk and Afro. The limited-time only collection, which debuted yesterday in stores and on Target.com, features fun foam wigs, each for $20 or less. I’d imagine these will be a big hit.
3PTPOP: Victor-John Villanueva
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I’ve mentioned our personal appreciation/fascination for perler bead fashion accessories before and 3PTPop‘s range of portrait neckware is no exception. New York City based graphic designer Victor-John Villanueva (aka Victor Pump) is inspired by pop culture and the figures that shape it. With his label Three Point Pop he merges art and fashion. The collection features pop culture icons and immortalizes their images in fusible beads and resin. From Andy Warhol & Anna Wintour to Pharell Williams and even Bill Cunningham, Villanueva is able to render their faces in an unmistakeable way. Even the business cards are made using the fused beads. You can purchase these works as necklaces or as framed works here and you can follow the latest designs on his blog here.
Atelier Ted Noten: Provocative Design
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Like them or not, it was hard to ignore Atelier Ted Noten’s designs at the Collective Design Fair a couple of weeks ago here in NYC. Placed on a light table, these provocative accessories and jewelry pieces by the Dutch designer—such as the leaping rat in an acrylic case, a goldplated firing pistol within a fur-topped acrylic purse, and his Fashionista Golden Girl necklace made up of a bunch of high-heeled shoes—glowed within the dimly lit pier. What does it all mean? I’m not sure it means to do much more than grab your attention and at once intrigue and repel, but I leave the analyzing to you.
Ted Noten expanded from jewelry and accessories to interior design and installations in 2011 when he formed Atelier Ted Noten. You can see much more of their work here and a video of his controversial “7 Necessities” project below.
Photos: collabcubed & bottom three courtesy of Ted Noten.
Corsage/Boutonniere: Daniela Gilsanz
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Our very own CollabCubedster Daniela Gilsanz has designed the Corsage & Boutonnieres we always wished we had. It’s too late for our proms but not for yours. A fun and quirky alternative to the classic flowers (plus great for type lovers!) Available in bronze or sterling silver; sold as a set. You can get them now in our collabcubed shop.
Clip Bag: Peter Bristol
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This is fabulous! Em sent me the link to this incredibly clever and fun Clip Bag designed by Peter Bristol in Seattle who, it appears from his site, designed the also fun Training Dresser that made the rounds a couple of years ago.
Made with wool felt and aluminum tubing, this gigantic binder clip is both fun (did I say ‘fun’ enough?) and at the same time rather elegant. A surprising, but delightful, combination. Bristol is looking for potential manufacturing/distribution partners so I imagine this will be a reality soon enough.
via core77
Underpantones
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Sure, we’ve been Pantone-producted to death, but I have to say this may be the smartest concept to date. Underpantones! How clever is that? And, of course, Pantytones. Mark Design Studio in Capetown, South Africa are the creative souls behind these fun undergarments and if they haven’t put them into production yet, well, I don’t know what they’re waiting for. After all, if they had their way: “…it’s what every well-dressed designer would be wearing.”
CollabCubed 