Forever graphic aficionados, when we stumbled across Danielle Wright and Sandi Falconer’s leather purse and accessory line, Falconwright, and were completely smitten. They’ve appropriately done a collaboration with Urban Outfitters, though the best selection of goods can be found on their website. In addition to the playful pouches, it’s worth noting that their photography and set design are as fun as the product. Fantastic branding all around.
If you haven’t paid a recent visit to the Gap, we highly recommend it. Their latest collaboration with DVF is as bright and cheerful as the billboards suggest. The palettes have a playful sophistication and the clothing’s a mini replica of Furstenberg’s signature looks. In addition to the oversized giraffes and textured elephants, you’ll find dresses, onesies, stretch pants, raincoats, swimsuits, beach balls and footwear. The collection includes 50 items that are toddler to few year appropriate.
This week’s gallery picks shine for the way they defy convention and delve into experimentation.
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1. The latest collaborative project between New York artist Peter Halley and Italian architect and designer Alessandro Mendini at Mary Boone Gallery
2. Yoshitomo Nara fuses Japanese visual traditions and Western Modernism with elements of popular culture ranging from manga to American pop and punk music at Pace Gallery
3. Behind Closed Doors takes Pete Hawkin’s process of painting on found materials forward another step: it features miniature modern fables on antique doors at The Outsiders
4. Simon Hantaï’s expansive explosions of color and inventive geometry in his unique textile art at Paul Kasmin Gallery
5. Undoing media-specific boundaries, Jonathan VanDyke re-orients modernist conventions, conflating painting with fiber arts, fashion, dance, textile design, and photography at Scaramouche
6. Joe Lloyd’s latest paintings are observational records of his environment: geometric forms imposed on natural topography at Western Project
In another life, I would have moved to Manhattan, followed in my grandfather’s footsteps and become a window dresser. As a teenager, I was one of the rare birds who put the profession on a pedestal, as two of my favorite men killed it in the field- Jim Shocket, Hiriam Walker’s merchandiser extraordinaire, and well, Simon Doonan, the man who revived and rebranded Barney’s after their financial crash of the 80’s. I remember reading his book in college, promising myself that I, too, would combine small things in mass and craft witty displays that hit high and low culture.
Fast forward, and the picture’s a bit different today. I’m designing, writing and connecting, not prop styling, though still very much obsessed with the commercial art form. I’ve always believed it’s a way to expose the public to creative commentary- so the task should be taken seriously.
As serendipity would have it, during my first week of paid work in New York, I rode the elevator up with Mr. Doonan. I was in lime green new balances and polka dotted slacks (a la Lena Dunham). He was wearing a floral shirt, lavender tie and tinted glasses and had a serious, focused presence. All I could hear was my heart racing, as the numbers inched their way to our floor. Those were my shyer days when all I wanted to do was speak up- give him a compliment, talk about papier mache, the New York Observer, or just ask if he needed a hand in the office…but before I knew it, the ride was over, he took a left, and I a right. Of course I later learned that Barney’s visual workshop was on our floor…pretty cool, but what a tease.
So back to today’s post…Bergdorfs. Last week I had errands uptown, and when I’m near Central Park, I try to hit the nearby department stores. The Spring displays were in full swing, and as I was exiting the women’s ready-to-wear floor, I happened to catch the magic in the making in the homegoods department by the escalator. I got permission to snap a few shots. Here we have the Greek Islands going up, and while it felt a bit intrusive, I was really excited to document the work in progress. Expressive and mediterranean, just like the plates.
1. Stunning Rothko inspired nail decals via CCK
2. A Pantone-style color guide for true Beer enthusiasts via Trendland
3. Pretty gem scarves by Jen Altman for Cisthene via Design Crush
4. You know you want to make a piñata via Honestly YUM
5. Digging Santtu Mustonen’s illustrations and patterns via Patternbank
6. Removable wallpaper = brilliant for renters via Oh Joy
7. Shane Hope’s made up worlds via The Fox is Black
8. Check out the studio of FAILE Studio via Ann Street Studio
9. Love this striped dresser via design*sponge
10. Olive Thomas’ unique shoes are all hand made in small batches via Miss Moss
11. Lusting for this gorgeous indoor/outdoor swing via design-milk
12. Sweet origami butterflies via Poppytalk
Contributed by Emily Gup
Some food for thought this Friday morning. We all know colors convey mood. Red’s often used to elicit hunger or immediacy, green represents nature, but also purchasing power (did you know that best selling book covers are often green) and blue is well known for it’s calming effects. Psychology’s long played a valuable role in determining physical reactions. Adam Alter presents a fascinating case for pink and it’s history in education AND penitentiaries. Have a watch.