BA Street Finds: Saving in Style

swines and savings

Saving money is certainly in style this season, and now so are piggy banks. Since everyone is pinching pennies, Argentine designers have transformed the kiddie version of a 401k into a design object for the style and money conscious. The colorful swine are dominating Buenos Aires’ boutiques, including Tienda Palacio, Puntos en el Espacio and Materia Urbana. Local kitsch brand Casicursi created two of our favorite piggys – one covered in leopard print, another in red and blue paisley. These two patterns have been dominating international trends, but look fresh when used in this unexpected way. Malba (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires), the premier modern art museum in Argentina, features colorful leather piggys in the must-see museum shop. The leather material of these banks celebrates the culture’s most popular export in a fun new way.

How else can you save in style?

By: Rebecca Silver

July 23, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Doll Chronicals

Doll Chronicals

The idea of porcelain perfection has become fodder for the fashion and art worlds as of late. Be it society’s collective obsession with faultlessness or the idealization of homogeneity, wooden molds have been fused with human characteristics in the oddest of ways. Fashion’s stab at this concept has been illustrated quite literally in Citizen K‘s fall fashion spread, where a nude stiletto mimics the shape of a human foot. Playing homage to the notion of uniformity, this New York City restaurant setting, shot by our scout, Kelsey-Lee LeGassick, is reminiscent of the window displays we saw last Fall throughout many European store fronts. Departing from the idea of sameness, Bergdorf Goodman tackles this concept with a creative twist, surrounding their oversized wooden manikin with colorful outfits on either side.

Moving into the juvenile realm, it’s quite apparent that the relationship children have with their dolls is an interesting subject for many artists. While the photographer for this Jblyth photo is unknown, the creative team behind the Italian design studio, Winkler + Noah make a clear case in their photography exhibition, The Puppet Show. The mantra is clear and to the point, “The best present we can give to children is to let them be children.”

Additional Contributions by: Nicoletta Granati

July 22, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Beauty Marketing & High-Heeled Houndstooth

stila-houndstooth

The 50th anniversary of Barbie has ushered in product upon product over the past year. From Karl Lagerfeld’s Colette exhibition in March, to the above Stila compact that’s currently on sale at Gilt Groupe, Barbie’s impact upon the commercial design community has deeply influenced patterns over the past season. As we pointed out in mid April, houndstooth is a staple many artists take the liberty of altering. Here we have a high heel repeat that’s a refreshing reminder of how one can merge stiff commercial marketing guidelines with creative themes and a colorful palette.

July 20, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Åsa Dahlbäc

Åsa Dahlbäck is as calculated as she is original, particularly when it comes to pattern making. Born and trained in Sweden, Dahlbäck brings her design expertise and knack for reinterpretation to Lula, a multi-disciplinary art and design studio based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Her patterns are often nature-inspired and possess a graphic flair that incorporates relevant iconography. “The patterns are built from what I find characteristic for the different (local) provinces,” a consistent theme throughout much of Dahlbäck’s portfolio. Check out our Q+A for a glimpse into her daily design routine.

July 20, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Quick Links: Weekly Notables

7-17-09wrapup

1. Alida Sayer’s experimental typography, via Yatzer

2. Stylish laptop bag round up at Decor8, via Decor8

3. Interesting cityscape blinds by Elina Aalto, via Movo Loco

4. Gorgeous relief wall panels and furniture from B+N Industries’ Iconic line, via If Its Hip Its Here

5. New wallpaper from Harlequin, including the print “Brighton” by Kate Laskey, winner of last year’s “New Designer’s Exhibition,” via Print Pattern

6. Freitag’s limited edition art bags, via High Snobiety

7. Interview with the duo Ben the Illustrator, via Shiny Squirrel

8. Emma Cook’s new woodland line for Topshop, via Refinery29

9. Colorful hand-painted tree rings on slices of elm, via Modish

10. A great way to use up old fabric – DIY Flowers, via Design*Sponge

11. Sixty-five examples of awesome packaging design, via Abduzeedo

12. Beautiful wallpaper by Lene that transitions from one pattern into another, via You Might Like This

Compiled by: Emily Gup

July 17, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Interview: Valeria Pesqueira

PESQUEIRA-interview

A brand that makes you smile. In 2001, Argentine designer, Valeria Pesqueira, founded her fashion label, PESQUEIRA, with that simple philosophy. She has certainly succeeded. Her innovative use of high-quality materials, bright, fresh colors and exclusive kawaii prints would make anyone happy. Pesqueira sells her classically modern clothing from her flagship store in Palermo Soho, Buenos Aires, in addition to distributing to worldwide retailers such as Bird in New York, Le Bon Marche in Paris, the MoMA Stores worldwide, as well as Nano Universe in Tokyo. Check out our Q&A for a bit of insight into Valeria’s world of pattern and inspiration.

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PP: How did you begin your clothing label?

VP: I studied fashion design at the University of Buenos Aires, then started working for huge fashion brands (Uma, Dockers, Levis etc) from Argentina. That experience taught me the basics of how to work in fashion. About 3 years later I really wanted to create my own work from my personal inspirations, so I started the PESQUEIRA brand.

I started in 2001 in the middle of Argentina’s huge economic crisis. As a result of the economic crisis, Argentines couldn’t afford to travel to shop, so they began buying Argentinean design.

PP: Describe your design philosophy and style.

VP: I love classic style. I enjoy mixing vintage fitting with modern design and prints. I would love people to remember my brand with a smile. That is my philosophy.

PP: Who is your ideal consumer?

VP: Our clients are very special people with creative spirits. They are women of all ages who love art, the street scene, foreign cultures, fashion, animals, etc. They are curious and this keeps them young.

PP: How does pattern play a role in your design choices?

VP: It is the most interesting part of my work. I collaborate with young artists making exclusive prints for PESQUEIRA. I enjoy working with shapes, colours, animals; mixing all my worlds and prints together.

PP: What are your future goals?

VP: This August I am creating a children’s exhibition in the Malba Museum in Buenos Aires. I will present my Summer 2010 collection in the fashion fair showrooms in Tokyo this September.

PP: What inspires you? Any specific websites or designers?

VP: Basically life. Going to the supermarket, to art openings, traveling around the world, music, cinema, old ladies outfits in the street, yoga, the countryside, animals, colours, japanese packaging, my cat Neko.

Compiled by: Rebecca Silver

July 15, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik