Warm Things. A Détacher AW15

February 15, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Lately, I’ve got an eye on A Détacher, the label which was found by a Polish native, Mona Kowalska. With her own boutique on Mott Street and eponymous label, Mona is New York’s phenomen. In my opinion, she’s an inspiring, wonder woman, which is rarely spotted by big magazines and websites. Her collections are always true to her philosophy – the clothes should be comfortable, but with an edge.

This time, she continues what she’s best at – warm, soft knitted cardigans, fluffy shoes, tights and calm, but vibrant, prints. But the prints, however, soon gave way to the explosion—literally, with a great black-and-white photoprint of Vesuvius mid-eruption, and more abstractly with a energetic-looking orange and navy print. Although we had volcanos here, we should keep in mind that the clothes had something domestic about them. And hearty. The heavy cable-knit sweaters, suede skirts and semi-ponchos are just few examples. These lifey clothes will definitely find happy homes in the closets of arty women like Kowalska!

HC: Slavic. Valentino SS15

January 31, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Wow. I am moved. Valentino did a collection totally dedicated to Slavic culture and heritage. I definitely see so many Eastern Europpean accents – cubic prints inspired with Marc Chagall; Polish ethno dresses; romantic embroidery; warm and and charming textiles. Chagall, in particular, captivated Maria Grazia and Pierpaolo Piccioli. “He had an incredible life, very hard, but he maintained his optimistic vision,” Piccioli said. The painter’s Belarussian origins provided a leitmotif for the embellishments that are so central to the designers’ aesthetic – bold, but with a toned touch. If talking of romance, Valentino also made hair decorated with real flowers – that was a cherry on the top of the cake. So, a Slavic person, I approve this collection.

La Ruina / Raj

January 4, 2015June 22, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

You know, Srodka in Poznan is like Harlem in New York. Few years ago, it was scary to go here, and now it’s full of bold people and creative energy! But in case of Poznan, blame Monika and Jan Pawlak, who made this place lifey thanks to their two restaurants – La Ruina and Raj. La Ruina is more into sweet flavours – interesting cakes and seasonal cookies are present here (chocolate cake with salt and pepper? Yum). You might drink coffee in many different ways – Vietnamese and Moroccan have blown my mind. And Raj, which is a former sweet shop, introduces meals that are memories of owner’s voyages to Vietnam, Italy or Cuba… in other words, that’s a very unique culinary mix!

The interior of that place is innovative, too. It’s a collection of various souvenirs from travels, which the owners found in different parts of the world. And, rather than using typical, boring menus, the chief had five main dishes today (it changes oftenly) presented on postcards from Italy, Cambodia and Vietnam. For example, Pad Thai, delicious rice noodles with roastbeef, where precisely same as the ones Pawlak’s ate in Asia. In case of ingredients which are not available in Poland – they simply order it from Berlin or Amsterdam. In my opinion, this place is truly incredible- when I come here on regular basis, I always discover something new for myself!

Srodka 3 / Poznan

Roboty Reczne

November 17, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

What “Roboty Ręczne” basically means in Polish? Hand-made work. And that name for this ultimately cozy brand based in Poland is just a perfect match. Designed by Marta Iwanina-Kochanska, the knitwear brand has a huge selection of warm goodies- long chunky sweaters, soft wool beanies and dreamy sweatpants in which you just want to drift away having a winter afternoon nap. What to write more- the look-book from Roboty Ręczne site tells you everything you need to know- refresh your knitwear wardrobe.

Look Du Jour: Sheeps & Shearling

November 9, 2014November 9, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

So… Here it is! As I promised yesterday, here is a special post on MMC with Lena starring in it. Somewhere in the mountains, we’ve met up (accidentally) with a real mountain-man and his sheeps! And here are the results of our quite fun collaboration.
Lena wears: MMC Studio jacket, Annette Gortz knitwear, Brunello Cucinelli shoes.