Algarve

June 8, 2018June 8, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

The Southern region of Portugal, Algarve, is dubbed as the ‘European California’ by Vogue. Well, I think there’s more to it. Not that I’m judging Cali – which I haven’t been to yet – but the raw, sun-drenched, yet immensely beautiful Algarve is truly one of a kind and can’t be compared to anything else. From Alvor‘s Praia da Rocha (that holds countless caves) to the wild beaches near Cape of St. Vincent (a seperate post is coming up!), you can laze around literally everywhere in here. Nearly every city in Algarve has something that will surely amaze you. Caldas de Monchique and its healing waters; Lagos and its slightly obsolete, yet charming churches; Silves and its pottery tradition. Not forgetting about the fish market in Portimão, which you can see more of here. If you chose one of the less busy cities near the coast-line, it’s guaranteed that you won’t have to fight with a bunch of tourists to get a seat on the beach (a tip: beware of Albufeira, which awfully contrasts with the idylic character of other places in Algarve). Also, in order to discover Algarve to the fullest, it’s really worth renting a car. So, who’s coming this summer?

One of the beach caves in Alvor.

The fish market in Portimao.

Those little sea finds!

Lobsters. Everywhere.

Nature’s perfection.

Another find!

The typical street view. in Silves.

Me and my new blanket, made somwhere in Algarve.

Mum and the cathedral in Silves.

Locals eat usual snails with pepper, oregano and coffee.

Caldas de Monchique.

Near the resort in Monchique.

Lagos.

Lagos.

Evening walks down the beach in Portimao.

Monchique.

The wild beach near Cape St. Vincent.

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

La Bombe. Jacquemus SS18

September 26, 2017September 26, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

‘La bombe’ is the way Simon Porte Jacquemus thinks of his late mother, Valérie, who is the designer’s lifetime inspiration and muse. It’s a popular saying for beautiful, confident women in the Soe uth of France – the region, where the designer was born and which he continues to celebrate in his collections. The spring-summer 2018 show was like a sun-drenched fashion poetry, that took place in an extraordinary location – at Musee Picasso in Paris (no other fashion show took place here before). A special place requires special clothes, and Jacquemus’ pieces will be exactly what you’re going to demand when the summer comes – mini-dresses kept in sultry lengths, curved straw hats (slightly different from the ones from the memorable spring-summer 2017 La Santons de Provence collection), polka dots and lots of eclectic, Lacroix-like jewellery, but kept in a more minimal, sweet-candy style. This season, the textures feel softer than usual at Jacquemus. The young designer is keen on experimenting and he felt like draping and shaping the silhouette with the textiles, rather than keeping it stiff and statuesque. Simon had also been thinking about “French Island girls—they could be in Corsica, or Martinique in the Caribbean, too.” Henri Matisse’s paintings appear in my mind right away…

The overall effect? Blushing girls with their unfinished make-ups, in care-free dresses that they really ENJOY wearing – that’s the most frivolous and heart-warming start of Paris fashion week you could imagine. The Jacquemus femme is a bomb in every meaning of this word this (and every) season, that’s for sure.

All collages by Edward Kanarecki.

#InstaLOVE – August 2017

August 8, 2017August 8, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

@helmutlang

I am an Instagram maniac and I openly confess that I spend too much time on filtering my feed. But it’s irresistible, when you have so many great accounts to follow! If you’re ready for a dose of beautifully curated walls, inspiring photos and delightful shots – see my August recommendations!

@clarissedemory / There’s an undefined aura around Clarisse Demory‘s work, which is called creative direction specifically. The Paris-based individual counts the likes of Sophie Buhai, Barabara Casasola, Maryam Nassir Zadeh and Christophe Lemaire as clients, revamping their showroom spaces and interiors with tactile elements and objects from local hardware stores. I personally had a chance to perceive Demory’s power-of-the-detail while visiting Lemaire’s showroom in Paris a few months ago, and – still unaware those vases and floral arrangements were curated by Clarisse – literally felt like home away from home. Following Demory on Instagram means a rare peek into the director’s haute-cozy, minimally-eclectic aesthetic.

@helmutlang / For those who have a reasoned fear of New York Fashion Week’s downfall this season – Helmut Lang, the brand originally found by the Austrian visionaire, is having a major rebirth. Kicking off this fall under Isabella Burley (editor-in-chief of Dazed & Confused & the editor-in-residence at Lang) and Shayne Oliver’s (who launched Hood by Air) wings, I’m quite sure this will be one of loudest moments of the fashion month. The debut collection will take place on the 11th of September, but till the time comes, make sure to follow the drop of campaign images starring such off-kilter personalities like Larry Clark or Kembra Pfahler, and ‘The Artist Series’.

@blancamiroskoudy / Blanca Miró Skoudy is not your average Instagram girl, that’s for sure. Once with a face painted in blue, then smoking a cigarette with extremely pink cheeks, is she a modern-day, eccentric femme fatale? Blanca is an illustrator most of all. And her doodles and drawings are so, so good.

@miumiuwomenstales / There are many reasons to love Miuccia Prada. Miu Miu Women’s Tales is one of them. Here, Prada’s sister line generates a platform for talented female directors to present their vision on a wider platform. And, of course, they can use as many Miu Miu pieces as they want! Although the concept isn’t new (it launched few years ago and already had Chloë Sevigny, Miranda July and Zoe Cassavetes collaborate among others), the Instagram account appeared just recently. With collage as the main medium of visual presentation, it makes me really wonder what we can expect next from the world of Miu women.

@julystars / I couldn’t help, but select Jaja Hargreaves‘ feed for the August #InstaLOVE. Her content curation will make anyone dreamy, especially in summer. Margaux Hemingway tropical dress-code, Lauren Hutton wearing a bucket hat, Joan Didion wrapped in a blanket. Lots of sun-bathed flesh and straw hats. Need more? See it yourself.

AND, if you want to follow one more account on Instagram… why don’t you follow, ta-da, @designandculturebyed?

Visiting Toruń

August 6, 2017August 6, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland, which over centuries was the home for people of diverse backgrounds and religions. Back in the Medieval times, the city was considered the most culturally and technologically advanced centre in Europe. Moreover, during the World War II, Toruń appeared to be one of the few cities in the country, which was left with no damage. No wonder why the Old Town, fully preserved, looks so beautiful and breathes with its history up to now. Nearly every building here is made of brick, while the churches (the cathedral, dating back to 1236, is a must-see!) are untouched. Walking down the sun-drenched streets, you wonder whether you’re strolling around Brugge or an old Tuscan village…

If you’re here for one day, make sure to visit the District Museum (or Toruń Regional Museum), which is located in the historic Rathaus. The ground floor is an impressive collection of Gothic art and local craftsmanship, while the upper floors hold paintings of Polish artists from XVIII to XX century. Currently, there’s an exhibition of modern art, which presents some of Zdzisław Beksiński, Władysław Hasior and Łukasz Korolkiewicz’s rare works.

In case of culinary experiences, Toruń is recognised for its famous gingerbread. But if you want something less clichéd, try a more niche, off-the-crowd spots. Od Dechy Do Dechy is a cozy, book-filled bar with signature beers, home-made pastries and coffee. Sometimes, they sell second-hand books and vinyls. Perfect place to chill after a busy day.