Tweet! *blush* Oh, my...well, this is embarrasing! You've caught me checking you out!
Don't let it ruffle your feathers. I AM a lovebird, you know...and It's only because I think you're so very cool.
*****update*****
ooooooopsie. forgot to list the website of the actual artist here!
I fell in love with these images yesterday... They are by Roost, which is a lifestyle/home decor line with a large product span - I am pretty sure the foray into jewelry and accessories is new for them.
I always enjoy seeing thier products and the chance to pop into their showrooms. I really love the way that these simple shots use tone on tone textures and contrast to create such an eyecatching, yet simple product montage.
Image via Orange and Pear
Roost website here
Thought I'd share some weekend tidbits...Inspiration?
Found this vintage handpainted vase in a thrift store. This was a case of having to have.
I was talking with a friend the other day and we were joking about how I like everything big. Big jewelry, big decor...there's a lot of stuff i like out there, but would like a whole lot more if it was about 300% bigger.
And below, found this photo of flowers among my inspirations...pretty much I am loving anything fairly chaotic. Florals are all over NYC right now in fashion, decor, accessories...
How were your weekends?
I feel a bit guilty that I've been neglecting HS as of late. Basically, I've been busy working on lots of new products to launch, creating the catalog, the packaging, doing the pricing, making sure everything is logistically moving ahead. It's kind of like sitting on an enormous egg...
In truth, the launch is equal parts new designs and refocus. Since January, I've been thinking very seriouslly about my brand, myself as a designer, and the direction I really want to go in...what feels right?
The result is a special new collection called "Near and Far". I chose this name because it reflects the journey I have taken to arrive at the designs, but also it's an interpretation of the inspiration behind the motifs, the idea of bringing inspiration closer, making it your own. It also says a lot about myself as a creative entrepreneur...working intimately day-to-day, but also looking into the future, and being mindful of the past and it's lessons.
Anyway, there are fewer designs, so I won't be offering a huge reveal til May 15th, at the National Stationery Show, but before that, I wanted to offer a little context here. Happy Weekends All!
ps. If you'd like to be notified when the collection launches, I will be sending out a mailing, you can sign up here.
Lots of people confuse design with styling or decorating. Not that styling and decorating are invalid...but I think it's important to consider the distinction, in terms of working creatively. Design involves more than just application, and in a way, it goes very deep. Design uses form, symbol, reference, and context to create something new and thought provoking...and of some use.
That being said, I consider these reversible bowties to be actual design. I really love the reference of the bowtie, with the traditional colors and patterns, flipped on it's head to make something wacky yet informed...
I came late to this party - they're no longer available. But they were originally designed by this person for this company.
So, I suppose this post is my own roundabout way of letting you know I am having some fabric printed on Spoonflower. I'm excited to see how it comes out.
I found these animal fabrics while browsing the designer work on that site. While there is a lot of stuff that feels kind of derivative and not too exciting there, there are some real gems, like these prints up here. I love the use of color in each of them, and especially love the weird, informal sketchiness of the Calligram prints in the center. What fun.
Giraffes - reminds me of Scalamandre's Zebra Textiles
Calligrams - perfect for a kid's room. So fun.
Birds and Florals- love the use of color in this one.
There are certain things that make me feel wealthy even if I am not. One of those things is carrying a baguette sticking out of my totebag. Another is wearing old loafers while riding my bike. Another is drinking scotch on the rocks. There are not many, but there are a few tried and true methods that make me feel old money when I *could* be feeling no money.
One method I engage in daily, is wearing one big bracelet. Each morning, when I get dressed I...Hey....Wait...What are you doing??? Oh dear...I said ONE piece...Um...I see you are having trouble moving your arm. Too many bangles, perhaps. LIke I said, I do not recommend wearing all of these up here at the same time. Well, yes, of course, you may do as you see fit.
Anyhoo, I'd wear the one at the very bottom. The hinged style reminds me of something my mom would have in her jewelry box. Many designers are doing some really nice things with resin this spring - especially Marc Jacobs.
Top to bottom: Marc Jacobs, French Connection, Marc Jacobs, Sobral, Kenneth Cole
Last night, my boyfriend attended a Japan benefit concert at le Poisson Rouge here in NYC, featuring a bunch of his favorite artists. It started late, and I stayed home, and went to bed. He came in quite late and said it was great.
He slept in this morning, and I went off to the gym. When I got back, he was awake and having some coffee, and I asked him to tell me about the show. He went through the lineup, and said that Cibo Matto, Patti Smith, and Lou Reed showed up and were incredible. So was Antony of Antony and the Johnsons. Sean Lennon was there and Yoko Ono performed with the Plastic Ono Band.
It sounded pretty amazing and we talked for a while about the various artists and the mood that was created among the audience, which was of all ages.
After he was done describing the evening, he jumped up from the couch and said "Oh! I forgot! Yoko gave us a souvenir!" and went over to his bag. He brought out a little pouch containing this "piece of sky" and a message.
I thought this was pretty powerful - not just to have something from an evening of so many greats -- but the idea that the people attending were given a souvenir is quite sweet. I have always loved the idea of people dreaming togther - the idea of a double dream... I also like the message.... I love you! at the end...it's funny how those words can be so hard to say, but once they come out, there they are. I thought you might enjoy it.
ps - a cool thing about the little puzzle pieces is that they seem to have a specially shaped notch in the top that makes them easy to hold with your fingertips.
pps. I love you!
I'm going to come right out and say that Carven is going to be the next Tucker...
Even though Carven has been around since the 1940's (so the analogy isn't quite accurate), I'm making this statement because of something special I see in their clothes, something that I think the market will be particularly receptive to. There is a desirable quality and an excellence to everything about these clothes, which reminds me of when I first saw Gaby Basora's clothes. And the S/S collection is so well selected, versatile, simple, strong, sophisticated, and yet...so irrisistably feminine.
I also love that these clothes would look great on. They would be fresh on a young girl, AND chic on an older woman. That is really hard to achieve. I also love that this model below is wearing stockings. I'm 35 and think it's about time to abandon the bare leg for something more forgiving.
Are you with me?
Much more at their site, plus a video with their A/W 2011 collection here (defintley read their history.)
Shots of Separates - (These are THE shoes) from S/S 2011 here
Holla!
Just sharing a few sketches from the weekend. I am really loving the pattern with the sketchy black lines up here. I hope to explore that design idea further. I'm having a great time lately, soaking up tons of inspirations from all over the place, and cranking out surface design and textile inspired sketches. Just getting the ideas out is the important thing, right now.
The National Stationery Show is quickly approaching and I am getting excited...It has taken me three years to figure out how to plan for a trade show, and now I have it down pat, so... no stress! Just looking forward to the fun. This year, I did create a trade show schedule, so everything is pretty much under control. I'm really looking forward to launching some of my new products and showing off some new directions.
Enjoy your Mondays all.
