This is Paper

November 1, 2014July 18, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

I am constantly discovering new Polish brands which create and produce unique, innovative and beautiful pieces of daily use. This time, I met the Warsaw-based label THIS IS PAPER, which first started with 100% ecologically-made bags and rucksacks, and now is all based on very various items. From knitwear to garden tools and from “raw” homeware to printed magazines, the brand keeps it’s fresh, but simple, high quality level. They create objects which are lasting, keep on being sustainable and well-designed. Launched in 2013 by Aleksander and Zuzanna, the project values timeless over trendy, plain over fancy and less over more. In response to that, THIS IS PAPER decided to curate an online collection of objects that they would be proud to own, designing and collecting items which are made from natural resources. Some of the products they source are from manufacturers and craftsmen in Poland. Others are designed and manufactured by their studio itself, by hand, at THIS IS PAPER Warsaw studio. All of them are made with respect for the Earth’s scarce resources and little concern for passing trends. More on thisispapershop.com

And here are my favourite objects from their appealing on-line store…

Ania Kuczynska AW14

October 23, 2014July 18, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

As you might now, I am really in love with Ania Kuczynska’s designs. Her Warsaw-based label, which is the most coveted in Poland, is a beautiful mixture of nonchalance and minimalism. And, oppositely to other Polish designers, Ania is not concentrating on the so-called “sponsored wall” or stars which should be invited for the show. No. For her, the most important are clothes and atmosphere, which is usually, modern and elegant. This time, for AW14 season (yep, sounds strange while the SS15 collection round have just ended), Kuczynska took us to the iconic Bristol Hotel, where she presented a dark, elusive collection full of sheer dresses and heavy, floor sweeping coats. The clothes, which had feminine, but simple cuts, reminded the Night Porter silhouettes. The name of this mysterious collection, LAVA, was possibly all about the fluid-like heaviness of the dark materials, while the quiet stars felt like a good way of having a dreamy night. Big bravo for this mesmerising collection because it (just like the whole concept of the label) truly out-stands the Polish fashion scene. Backstage photos via i-D Poland.

Zofia Chylak

August 27, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Zofia Chylak is smart and romantic, but not at the edge of 19th century, where opulence gets boring. Her designs are modest and simple. And constantly kept in black & white colour palette. In her fashion, Zofia likes the tailorship, tradition and perfection in every piece. Chylak’s recent collection is pretty cold and solemn, but at the same stylish and wearable.

Kasia Bielska

August 26, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

In my opinion, Kasia Bielska is the most talented photographer from Poland. Her photographs are very artistic- the colours, the forms, the action. It’s all fluent, and makes you look at every photo with additional interest. My favourite works by Kasia are here- the one for The Lab Magazine, which is full of pink, and the second one for Kukbuk magazine, kept in brownish shades. Both of these editorials are dynamic, vibrant and really, really good!

Sonia Kitka

August 26, 2014December 23, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Sonia Kitka isn’t doing trends. And that’s her strongest point- her debutant collection was called Pretty Old. And that basically means, that old techniques are simply… PRETTY! She looked at knitwear through pink glasses, and gives respect for elder people. And at the same time it’s her little therapy for her phobia connected with getting old… in her beautiful collection we can see funny SISSY signs, candy sweet coats, knitted sweaters and a huge, huge dose of prettinest. Sonia Kitka is my moment’s real obsession! Just see why.