A Portugal Tile Study

Big treat for you today! Our dear friend, (and super star stylist) Amy Stearley is on a bit of a world tour at the moment. Following her on Facebook’s been really fun, as she’s trekked through Slovenia, India, Frankfurt, Paris and now Portugal.

Viewing the world through the eyes of our friends is a gift and it’s been a treat to see her creative interpretations streaming through Instagram and Facebook…particularly as it relates to print and pattern.

Back in 2008 I visited Lisbon with a few girlfriends and everywhere we went, I was that friend who had to photograph everything…the floors, the walls, the subway ceilings, practically any and all exposed surfaces.

Without a doubt, Portugal’s one of the most colorful and geometrically adorned places you can visit. In Amy’s photos, cobalt grids appear to dominate with splashes of lime, terracotta, hay and blush.

While I collaged these spreads together for spacial reasons- the large-to-small ratio is quite popular at the moment (and a personal favorite). Abrupt mix and matching can be a cool fusion, so long as the silhouette’s polished.

The tiles are truly inspiring. Every building features a new color way, texture, print or pattern. I’m constantly dreaming about what cut of dress I would construct with each new blocking that comes my way. I hope everyone can enjoy as much as I have. Thailand is next on my list…excited to see what that beholds! – Amy Stearley

So that brings us to you, our lovely reader. What surfaces inspire you? Where do you find yourself snapping and are there any trips on the horizon before summer ends?

July 25, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Zine Review: Our Show with Elliot Aronow

In his 8 years living in New York, Elliot Aronow has made quite the name for himself as a Creative Director, TV and radio personality and a well-respected scene maker & cultural hustler. Elliot is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of RCRD LBL, the world’s first free and legal curated download site. He currently produces and hosts a talk & variety show called OUR SHOW with ELLIOT ARONOW that has featured James Murphy/LCD Soundsystem, Vampire Weekend, Das Racist, TV On The Radio, and many more.

Aronow made a bold step last winter and turned his digital show into a seasonal arts & culture zine. An interesting mix of design, food, fashion & advice, Our Show maintains an inclusive, personal voice and pleasantly practical vibe.

“Brands are still having a really hard time talking to a guy like me–they’re addressing either the millionaire, up-in-the-sky, über-luxury guy alienating culture, or it’s total schlock… The era of quick-buck, over-saturated lifestyle marketing is coming to an end. The people they’re trying to reach are pretty damned sophisticated by this point; we’ve been messaged for almost a decade.” (fastco)

Elliot enjoys the tactile component of the zine and how you can flip through it with your hands and pass it through a network of friends. Unlike the internet, which can promote a passive sense of absorption and interaction, Our Show the zine invites itself into your life and circle of friends in real time.

July 25, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Street Shots: Housewarming Treats

It seems like many of my friends are moving these days. Perhaps it’s a product of the early 30-something set and life transitions. A lifetime childhood friend recently bought an apartment just over the bridge in Brooklyn Heights and I wanted to share in the joy with a little treat for her home.

My default local gift-buying spot is Mxyplyzyk, a local shop filled with treasures for every budget located on Greenwich Ave in the West Village. I’m always able to find something special on the fly. Anyway, here’s a little before and after. This cushion found a happy home!

July 24, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Catalina Estrada

Catalina Estrada’s otherworldly designs are nothing short of captivating. Color, shape and Latin-American folklore are paramount interests for this notable Colombian-born, Barcelona-based artist. By injecting a dose of European sophistication into folk-influenced themes, she’s created an elegant yet whimsical style filled with nature and enchanting characters, all bursting with color. Her lush and lively layouts have earned her a bevy of fans and a legion of clients, as her work touches the world with a wide scope.

Her designs with thousands of colors and chromatic technique link Catalina’s name to clients such as Paul Smith, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Camper, Nike, Levis, Smart / Mercedes Benz, Paulo Coelho, Unicef, the municipalities of Barcelona and London, and the Government of India, among others. Her products have captivated Europe and the entire world through a distinctive style present in numerous collections in various formats, including wall paper, bed linen, cushions, handbags and travel goods, umbrellas, school products, and many others.

July 24, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Is Instagram the New Fashion Advisor?

I’ve had my eye on Black Milk since since crossing paths with their skeleton bathing suit. Though I didn’t buy it -medium’s been out of stock since day one – I keep noticing their line in my Instagram feed.

A majority of the imagery seems to be from LA & Williamsburg hipsters as well as inked influencers. The dollar leggings at the top brought me back to their site (I’m a fan). After giving the collection another perusal, I noticed something interesting.

Aside from the underground, in-your-face themes and general punk design ethos, there’s a button to the right of each style that offers styling advice.

When you click it, a collective aggregated feed appears, compliments of the brand’s many fans. Reminiscent of Fashism‘s self styling sight, Black Milk and their design team have figured out a way to reassure potential consumers while creating comradery among their customers.

Brilliant, if you ask me- a simple idea with great execution. This is a nice example of ecom marketing that feels organic and in line with the ethos of the brand.

From the top: Dollar Leggings | Cathedral Leggings | Galaxy Leggings | Mucha Black Leggings | Jelly Fish Leggings

July 23, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Friday Quick Links!

1. Interview with Zoe Latta of Prince Ruth studio via Sight Unseen
2. Lovely DIY ikat beach bag tutorial via Poppytalk
3. Pretty patterned portrait paintings by Ryan Pickart via Miss Moss
4. Fascinating lights created from salt design-milk
5. Interview with the ladies of Harvest Textiles via The Design Files
6. Sarada Ravindra’s textured triangle paintings via Design Crush
7. Stunning lace works from Sophie Hallette via Trendland
8. Gorgeous tribute to Frida Kahlo & the Viennese tracht via Honestly WTF
9. Olek’s crochet covered alligator playground via This is Colossal
10. Captivating works by Samuel Rodriguez via booooooom
11. Digging this DIY balsa wood lampshade via design*sponge
12. Loving Leslie Shows’ landscapes via Patternbank

Coverage by Emily Gup

July 20, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik