Fashion: Spring Dots

Just as camo’s a seasonal staple, so are dots. Regardless of color, technique or shape, dots are continually getting a facelift. The above prints range from patchwork to watercolor to pictorial overlays and are easily translatable, regardless of whether you work in fashion. Here’s a quick visual round up of some of our favorites:

1. Chris Benz, Spring 2010
2. Forever 21, Polka Dot Panels, $11.99
3. Eley Kishimoto, Picnic Polka Dot, Spring 2010
4. Rachey Comey, Navigator’s Dress, $1208.00
5. Elle Tahari, Claire Dot Dress, $398.00
6. Tracey Reese, Blue Shadow Dots Draped, $330.00

April 27, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow-up: Window Stories

A little over a year ago, windows graphics were popping up all over the place. Everything from bird feeders to typographic letter treatments to literary picture books where revealing hints of city living. Thirteen months and several trade shows later, the urban landscape continues to flourish. These matchboxes which were reviewed on the popular packaging blog, The Dieline, exemplify the 2D version of the exceedingly popular 3D city in a bag, sold at Muji. Whether we’re celebrating landmarks or brownstone charm, the unique character of city architecture continues to play an inspirational role in product and pattern design.

April 27, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Friday Quick Links

1. Prada’s beautiful 1950’s inspired range of dresses, purses, and shoes coming in May via Glass Magazine
2. Not your everyday rugs via Yatzer
3. It may look like simple pointillism from afar, but it’s much more complex via The Jealous Curator
4. Australian potter Samantha Robinson’s lovely ceramics via Automatism
5. Hmm… fringed wallpaper via Art at Heart
6. Scott Hove makes kind of creepy kind of awesome fake cakes via Design for Mankind
7. DepoArt’s “Limm” looks like paper or string art… but its not via Today and Tomorrow
8. Fascinating textile works from Eunsik Hur via All the Mountains
9. Charming clutches from emersonmade via Delight by Design
10. Alef Betty’s modern Hebrew typography via Design*Sponge
11. Amazing inlaid dresser from Sang and Serena via Poppytalk
12. A bug after my own heart via Design Boom

Coverage by: Emily Gup

April 23, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Street Finds: Shepard Fairey in NYC

Life’s all about timing and last night I stumbled upon quite a treat while walking to a meeting along Houston. In preparation for his upcoming New York show, Shepard Fairey tagged the now infamous wall along Houston and Bowery. (The same wall that the Os Gemeos team tagged last year). The artistic spectacle drew a curious crowd of creative types and tourists that watched in excited awe. Between touch ups, Fairey mingled with the crowd, posed for pictures and answered political charged questions about his work. If you’re in the neighborhood, definitely check it out- the final results are stunning.

April 23, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Christopher David Ryan

Christopher David Ryan does a lot, is interested in a lot, and splits his time between Brooklyn and Maine. The talented graphic artist and illustrator also describes himself as a daydreamer, pseudo-scientist, wanna-be astronaut and untrained intellectual. His wide variety of interests span science, the universe, the human condition and any natural phenomena that occurs in art and design. All of these factors have a major influence on his work, adding to the inherent quality of his tweets. Ryan’s intelligence and humor shine through his commentary and his links are as interesting as they are thought provoking.

April 22, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion: African Kimonos

Our collective fascination with culture crossing is nothing new, though every now and then it’s important to sit up and take note of new projects. Serge Mouangue is an artist worthy of this attention, as proven by his Wafrica collection, a breathtaking cultural shakeup. This styled photoshoot combines the strength of bold and bright African textiles with the grace of the traditional Japanese Kimono. Strength and grace. Two contrasts united in women. “They may appear different on the surface but they do share some cultural similarities. Both societies are very tribal and have a respect for hierarchy and an appreciation of the power of silence,” says Mouangue when asked about the theme of this project. “And then there are the differences. In Japan there is no improvisation. Here, improvisation can mean trouble, shame, difficulties. But in Africa, it means life, renewal, health and spirit.”