Holiday Gift Guide for Pattern Lovers

We always put a little patterned guide together come holiday season and today’s post features our most recent edit. Happy shopping!

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1. Kantha Bow Tie, made from the saris of Bengali women, To The Market, $34
2. Oyuna Seren Cusion Cover, a textured take on the classic check, ABC Carpet, $295
3. The 52 Week Card Deck, illustrated by the talented Kimberly Ellen Hall, Nottene, $15
4. Carven Camouflage Jacquard Sweater, Moda Operandi, $371
5. Impasto 2 Way Bag, Mansi Shah, $45
6. Polka Dot Bunny Rattle, Bitte, $29
7. Sidona Peplum Top, Morgan Carper, $186
8. Hanging Flower Pot, made by Camilla Engdahl, Darkroom, $57

December 10, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Marketing Men's Camo

Camouflage is a seasonal staple – especially in men’s fashion. Whether colors, textures or materials are being swapped, it’s an adaptable pattern that’s assimilated with pop culture trends (far beyond military aggression).

Here are a few outerwear items from Valentino and Coach. The campaigns are similar in vibe and feel, from the model choice, pose and faux outdoor scenery. For better or worse, it seems like Juergen Teller and Terry Richardson still have a grasp on the photographic direction in play…as we’re still seeing head-on flash photography in a rough-around-the-edges kind of way. It is refreshing though, to see pops of color softening the set and scenery – the tulips in the Valentino spread add a lot of oomph to the storytelling.

December 9, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Shoes, Stars & Stripes for the 4th!

In the vein of our upcoming holiday weekend, it’s hard not to share these fabulous sneakers from Saint Laurent. Amusingly, they’re French, not American, though they carry the essence of American patriotism that’s also reminiscent of Wonder Woman…right? Super fun, yet a serious splurge.

Enjoy the long holiday weekend in whatever sneakers you may or may not be wearing and happy 4th to you all!

July 3, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Addiction & Obsession in Paris

I’ve been meaning to post this show since I returned from Paris…it’s one of the best retail-meets-art installations I’ve seen in a while. Merci Merci is a wonderfully curated lifestyle, fashion, home and art experience in Le Marais. Whenever I visit, I make sure to pop in to see the latest presentation. As you can image, I was beside myself when I stumbled upon the Addiction and Obsession show that’s currently on display. Celebrating pattern, photography, objects and markings, both Paola Navone and Daniel Rozensztroch have joined forces to share their life’s work. Each artist’s process is documented in both an addictive and obsessional manner, then commercialized and sold in the store in the form of wallpaper and printed materials.

Obsession by Daniel Rozensztroch, Artistic director for merci. Obsession because he has always been fascinated with everyday objects and the inventiveness that emanates from them.
Russian ornaments from the 19th and 20th centuries, brushes, toothbrushes, spoons or hangers, obsession is accepted and displayed on 3 meter long sheets of paper, representing these symbols of popular art in an oversized manner.

Addiction by Paola Navone, longtime lover of the color that fades between blue and indigo. Full framed depiction of autobiographical patterns. The fish ( her astrological sign ), the frank look, and omnipresent Asian culture with the shadow of a geisha and traditional textile pattern.

To purchase the enlarged and oversized wallpaper versions of their work – which was super cool, click here. It took every bit of willpower to not to buy the toothbrush print. It’s a conversation starter for any bathroom.

July 2, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Retail: London Storefronts

There’s a lot of good color making the rounds in London this Spring.

We’ve been in a pastel period for some time, and it seems like we’re moving a bit forward, finally. Between Maitre Choux’s grand opening and the Liberty x Nike collaboration, the graphics are flat colorful vectors full of wit and whimsy.

The new patisserie in South Kensington is a passion project by Joakim Prat, and the editable items mirror the branding in their geometric story. The desserts are absolutely delicious, I highly recommend popping in if you’re a local – I went on a recent trip with my friend Lily, and it took all the willpower in the world to resist ripping into the package before getting it home to share.

Down on Regent Street, Liberty London’s window is a 3D model of patterned terrain. Foam core has been cut into curved landscapes, depicting depth through pattern. Check it out if you’re walking by, it’s really well done.

June 24, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Homegoods at Autour Du Monde

People often ask which stores are an important barometer of what’s fresh in and around Paris. There are the obvious spots (Merci Merci, Colette, Tom Greyhound)…and Le Marais and Pigalle at large, but I never go without paying a visit to Bensimon’s home and lifestyle store, Autour Du Monde.

Here are a few snapshots from my most recent visit. Things were quite modern and geometric. As usual, there were pink and yellow florescent accents to compliment linen homewear. It’s also worth noting the clever ceramic, lighting and bedding items that were a reminder that we’re still in a color-blocked trend cycle. One of my favorite collections was the all-over print tennis sneakers – a collaboration with Corso Como, Milan’s best known concept store. They almost look like something Shantell Martin would draw.

June 22, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik