Pansies. Christopher Kane Resort’17

June 2, 2016June 2, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Christopher Kane is obsessed with pansies. To this extend that he dedicated his whole resort collection to these small, springish, cheerful flowers. “Pansies are a symbol of freethinking! I like that. I never want to follow trends. Pansies also look like they’ve got cheeky laughing faces. And they’re all these colors because they’re crossbred. And that’s what I’m doing now—crossbreeding my ideas.” Cute. Just like the petal-shaped shoulders of satin dresses, girlish gingham skirts signature, woollen cardigans (in case you want to keep your inner pansy warm during cold, March days). The collection, presented in Kane’s boutique in London, looks back at Chris’ best-selling pieces, his love for flora (which is emphasized nearly each season, from embroideries on biker jackets to neon-yellow lace) and blush baby-Lolita style (see this look with goth-like gloves and a slip-dress. Grunge, but of course drowning in pansy print!). Miranda Priestly used to be skeptical about flowers – but Chistopher Kane really makes florals look ground-breaking for spring.

Collage by me

San Francisco. Rodarte AW16

February 18, 2016February 18, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

San Francisco is more than hippie flowers, even though we have literally seen real orchidees as earrings and crowns on the models’ heads during the Rodarte show. Kate and Laura Mulleavy looked back at their collage roots, reinterpreting the city of their youth in the most original way ever, leaving the well-known stereotypes behind. The sisters had a seat at Caffe Trieste, where Francis Ford Coppola wrote the script for The Godfather; that venue, and the whole mood of old San Francsico inspired the collection’s nods to art nouveau. It all started with a few, black leather looks. And then, it was all about the ethereal whites, as if the Rodarte bride had her spectacular escape from a too cheesy wedding. But don’t get me wrong – these weren’t JUST white, wedding dresses. The veils were made of white fish net, the leather chokers and black lipstick gave a cool-goth look – this girl wasn’t looking for “love at first sight”, but for fun…

Men’s – Flower Power. Comme des Garcons AW16

January 25, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

We all got used to the breath-taking and avant-garde garments for woman, which are envisioned by Rei Kawakubo‘s always surprising imagination. In case of menswear, however, the woman behind Comme des Garcons bases her ideas around classical, quintessential clothes, like for example a well-tailored suit or a leather biker jacket. In the effect, these usual pieces appear to be one-of-a-kind. For autumn-winter 2016, Rei explored the blurry borders of masculinity, and humanity, by representing an ethereal, yet dark performance of warrior-like models, who wore beautiful, floral head-pieces created by Julien D’Ys. The whole outing, which sensed like a “war and peace” manifesto, felt very emotional – there was pure sadness in models’ eyes, but supreme happiness in the bold, flower colours. Surely, the show’s meaning was deeper than a “flower-power” cliché. But flowers do cheer up our lifes. Even, when the world is becoming a very dynamic and dangerous place.

Earth’s Day

April 22, 2015April 22, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Happy Earth’s Day, everybody!

Interview with Brandon Stanciell

April 1, 2015April 1, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Brandon Stanciell photographs women and men, using nature as the main props. For Design & Culture by Ed‘s April issue, we’ve caught up with him – here is the interview you don’t want to miss!

You’re calling your self “The Man Who Loved Flowers”. Is there anything behind your enchanting title?

Maybe it’s not too enchanting, haha. The name is inspired by a short story by Stephen King titled, “The Man Who Loved Flowers” I like to believe that my camera is the hammer the uses and the women whom I shoot photos of are “Norma” it’s kind of weird. I also refer to the women as being the actual flowers in my work. I love flowers. Theres a more deeper meaning to it I guess.

When did you discover your visible love for flowers?

I guess it’s have to be this day,(April 28th 2014 to be exact haha)
when I shot photos of Agne. That was the day It kinda all started. It kind of started on accident to be honest. We went to the poppy fields to take photos, it was so windy and cloudy we didn’t think they’d come out good. Got home, uploaded the photos to the computer and fell in love.

What do you usually want to convey to the viewer of your photographs?

When viewers see my work I want them to see more than just a photo. I want them to look at every detail. Try to feel or smell the flowers. Not just “a model with flowers”, but a painted portrait of flowers ya know.

I discovered your work thanks to “Thinker of Exquisite Thoughts” on Instagram. This work tells us so much. How can you describe it?

– It’s the beginning of a new series I’ve been working on. Its a reference to Shel Silverstein’s “The Thinker Of Tender Thoughts” , staying true to oneself when face to face with society. It’s also a self-presentation of how my thoughts/art work start off for the love of flowers “Thinker of Tender Thoughts” then grows into something more beautiful more interesting, as I start to understand the love of flowers “Thinker of Exquisite Thoughts”. SPOILER ALERT: There will be a part three, possible 4 so watch out for that…

Your photographs are characterised with diverse, beautiful casting of models – is it also connected to your vision?

Yeah I’d like to think so. Most the “models” I work with are friends or coworkers (I use to work at American Apparel) people I see often, that have something about them I just couldn’t shake, so I had to photograph them. They’re all a huge help and I appreciate them for dealing with how weird I work, walking around in neighborhoods and shooting In someone’s front yard, shooting in front of apartment complexes. We do a lot of walking so it’s a workout too haha.