They say that everything old is new again and nowhere is that more apparent than in the worlds of art and fashion. The hankering for nostalgia and authenticity has led to a proliferation of “heritage” brands, and re-introductions of “vintage” goods for a modern audience. It’s what also led British designer and brand developer David Gilston to launch his website, “Once Was England.”
Like a carefully-curated online treasure trove of photos, artifacts and ideas, the site chronicles what Gilston calls a “vanishing land: a simpler, more characterful place where villagers cheered ‘hurrah!’ as they watched cricket on the green, policeman rode bicycles and waved as they cycled by, one’s neighbour would pop in for a cup of tea and a slice of Victoria Sponge Cake and factories would built things that were made to last.”
Gilston roves across England with his notebook and camera in search of this elusive land, visiting factories (from Land Rover’s to Church’s Shoes), English fairs and festivals, and speaking to people who capture the spirit of yesteryear and keep it alive today.
We met Gilston recently and had a chance to chat about the motivations behind his site, the rise of “heritage” brands in fashion and why moustaches are not as classic as you think… Read the rest of this entry »
The nature of the fashion industry unfortunately prevents many of the behind-the-scenes figures from the receiving the recognition they deserve, and the century-old textile house of Jakob Schlaepfer most definitely falls into this category. Described by the legendary French couturier Christian Lacroix as “a couture house itself,” the textile house is responsible for producing the fabrics used by some of the most famous designers in the world, including Christian Lacroix, Nicolas Ghesquière, and Marc Jacobs.
While it’s a designer’s task to envision every aspect of garment, it is up to the textile house to bring the designer’s vision into reality. Textile houses are especially popular among high-end brands because they enable the brand to maintain exclusivity by using custom fabrics. This involves having access to a highly skilled and technical fabric mill, which weaves a quality fabric from a drawing. Sometimes, textiles houses also work with designers to forecast trends in clothing design and construction.
Beginning as a small embroidery business in St. Gallen in 1904, the company has now grown exponentially, producing fabrics for prêt-á-porter, haute couture, furniture and most recently, costume design. The Schlaepfer team was responsible for the design of the sumptuous textiles worn by the performers for at the Zürich Opera House during the summer 2011 season. The fabrics featured painstaking reproductions of artwork by Fragonard and Boucher, literally rendering the pieces as wearable works of art.
Though their most recent projects push forth new ideas and innovations, the iconic house continues to cater to aspiring and established designers alike, with custom and ready-to-wear Schlaepfer fabrics produced each season. And while the team at Jakob Schlaepfer may not get the press or attention given the designers they work for, their influence is undeniable. It’s a legacy and workmanship that’s been passed down for decades and one that will continue to be seen in fashion and beyond for decades more to come.
We are loving the work of Brooklyn-based artist Matthew Day Jackson. In particular, his sculptures of skulls cast in a myriad of luxurious mediums. The skulls range in hue and texture from a rough dirty-gold, to electrifying pops of red and orange; a testament to a concept Jackson terms, “the horriful,” or the dichotomy of beauty and horror occurring simultaneously in life. The “horriful” remains ever-present in Jackson’s skull series where the viewer’s fear of mortality combines with the beauty and luxury of the materials used to create the pieces. In a recent interview with The Independent, Jackson clarifies his philosophy on death: “I’m not really afraid of death,” he says. “As you go through life you’re continually shedding bits of yourself.”
Jackson’s strength in the face of a concept as terrifying as death is translated in his stunning artwork. The skulls transcend sculpture; they represent Jackson’s commentary on our societal fear of death and aging, while making perfect discussion pieces for others to participate in as well.
We are currently obsessed with the work of Sydney-based designer and artist, Bianca Chang. Although Chang works as a freelance graphic designer, it is the paper art pieces she creates in her spare time which have really caught our attention. Inspired by the shadow play of three-dimensional letterforms and the subtlety of tone-on-tone signage, Chang aims to recreate these ideas with a simple and tactile medium. The precision and time required to put together each piece truly requires a master to properly execute. Chang creates her work by hand-plotting multiple layers of 80gsm, 100% post consumer waste recycled paper, gradually cutting each layer using a pencil, surgical blade, and ruler. The pieces of paper Chang removes from each layer become incrementally larger, ultimately resulting in a stunning piece of art.
It is difficult to appreciate the amount of skill and time required to create each piece until we saw the videos illustrating Chang’s truly impressive process. The hypnotizing stop-motion capture of the creation of each piece is definitely a must-see to fully grasp this artist’s exacting technique. Chang is always open to commissioned works, and those interested can contact Chang via her website. In the meantime, check out some of Chang’s latest work in the video below:
Launched last week, Intel’s “Museum of Me” Facebook app answers the question: What would it be like to visit a museum devoted entirely to my life (or at least my Facebook life)? The “Museum of Me” creates an online environment where your life becomes the focus of a virtual museum exhibit. Complete with virtual visitors, and music by Takagi Masakatsu, the app compiles the mass amounts of information located on your profile and turns it into a stunning museum presentation which lasts about three minutes. It certainly delivers in terms of providing a realistic museum environment. We love how wickedly narcissistic the app makes us feel, making it a definite must-try. After all, the museum is essentially a virtual shrine to our social selves. Both unnerving and fascinating, the feelings evoked by the app are entirely dependent on what you and your friends have posted to your facebook profile.
Users first visit museumofme.intel.com and click the “Connect to Facebook” icon for more information. And watch the clip below for a more detailed explanation:
A series five years in the making, New York-based artist and illustrator Akira Horikawa's... Read More...
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