Shades of Pink Around the Globe

In America, the color pink is often associated with youth culture. If you’re trying to be younger, or more feminine, or even more girly, you go for pink- it’s the defacto color of the female gender. Move across the Atlantic though, and you’ll find that pink serves as a cool, edgy accent. Vivid, florescent tips, paired with white or cream send an entirely different message- one that the French and the Swedes have embraced for a long time. Then, we have Karen Mainenti’s humorous painting that captures the conflict and dichotomy of color and the sexes. Here’s a quick round up of some favorite applications:

1. Hanro’s handmade dip-dyed paper torn window display in the Meat Packing District in Manhattan 2. A DIY maxi skirt on a pair & a spare 3. Very cool coasters from the Caribbean restaurant Glady’s in Crown Heights, Brooklyn 4. Youth retail display at ABC Carpet in Manhattan 5. A spectacular painting I took a photo of at my airbnb in Stockholm earlier this Spring 6. Revlon No.450 Gentlemen Prefer Pink by Karen Mainenti

July 24, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Where Art, Fashion & Retail Meet

How magnificent are these window displays? Bergdorf Goodman’s hit it again, with a truly spectacular collection to beckon the Spring season. Following my personal mantra, that inspiration is rooted in the world of art and politics (and is eventually translated for the masses), the luxury department store has tapped 10 artists, creating one of it’s most successful collaborations to date.

It’s exciting to turn a new generation of artists loose in our windows. We like the idea of using our windows as an evolving gallery to reflect the synergy of art and fashion, says Linda Fargo, Bergdorf’s SVP. If you live in New York and haven’t been by to see the spectacle, put it on your to-do list, and if you live beyond Manhattan, check out these talented artists, they’re making waves today.

Christopher Astley * Mattia Biagi * Kristin Cammermeyer * Sebastian Errazuriz * Lionel Esteve * Peter D. Gerakaris * Andrea Mary Marshall * Adam Parker Smith * Kasper Sonne * WXYZ x Laura Wass

PS, the candy constructed wallpaper seems like the feminine compliment to Leonardo Ulian’s work, just as the all-over pom poms reminds us of the dotted chaos trend from two years ago. Right?

February 12, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Around the Globe, Visiting Hong Kong

I’m ending this week with the final segment of my Asia series: Hong Kong…a place I’ve always felt I could live abroad (if Sydney or Melbourne were a no-go). The energy and pulse within Hong Kong City is electric. It’s been interesting to observe the transition from British rule back to Chinese leadership…the air quality’s become a bit more stifled, but the pace of globalization and commercialization of products, fashion and commerce have truly ramped up.

Here are a few shots from my stay (and a few tips). If you’re going, I’d recommend dining at the Press Room (if you’re yearning for a western meal), Ding Tai Fung (a Michelin Star causal-but-nice) Chinese restaurant, Rabbit Hole Coffee and Roaster to kick off your day, The Upper Room Bar on the top floor for incredible views of the city, lunch at Life Cafe (a fabulous healthy vegetarian spot in soho), and Star Street, where you’re find The Monocle Shop, Vie, and many other indie gems. If you’re looking for men’s custom tailored shirts at about $50 a pop, Roger Cheung of Roger Concept is your guy. For a more succinct list, feel free to follow my husband’s Foursquare tips.

January 17, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Til Next Year…

This past Fall, I attended a talk with Marina Abramovic at the 92Y. She discussed the art of patience in relation to repetition and monotony, the ability to do something over and over again to the point of total and utter boredom with the end goal of achieving something greater.

To illustrate her point, she suggested combining two bags of rice with opposing grains and shapes. Over the period of a week, the singular bowl must be divided into two. Imagine sitting for days, combing, inspecting and separating- it seems as tedious as recombining the faces of paper shreddings (an incredible scene from Argo, if you haven’t seen it). Anything you’ve been troubled by should be resolved upon the completion of the exercise.

These are the references that came to mind after stumbling across Simon Beck’s work last night. He creates his art in the Savoie Valley of France, where he walks miles in pursuit of a perfectly constructed prism. Up close, his steps appear disjointed and chaotic, though from afar, each marking is part of a mathematical equation- one that’s mind-bogglingly perfect. His ability to walk his algorithms from within, as opposed to administering from afar seems supernatural in today’s computer-filled world. Ants do this. Plants do this. People do this with the aid of tools, and rarely do you see feats this magnificant beyond the classroom, the lab or office in the name of art.

At varying times of the day, Beck’s patterns shift, following the sun and reacting to the shadows. The designs are fleeting, and may only last for a few hours…beautiful in the moment for few to enjoy…which reminds me Abramovic’s exercise to some degree.

I was really struck by these works, as was the internet- the post appeared in my Facebook feed several times today. This also wraps the year for me in a symbolic way. Hopefully you all slow down a bit (or speed up if you prefer), recharge and refresh over the holiday for the new year ahead. I leave for Vietnam today and will be back in early January, with a redesign to share with you all. Til then, take some time to explore the art of patience, I’d love to hear what you discover…

-Shayna

December 24, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Circular Styles

circular spaces2

Circular motifs never get old. When history, science and creativity are hinged upon these forces, you realize why cyclical flow is a part of our daily vernacular. Much of the branding and styling I’m attracted to incorporates this concept, and you realize, over time, that it’s actually easy to reinvision a brand, packaging or any design for that matter, if the underlying direction has a timelessness to it.

From the mechanical curves of the Sonos logo to Dan Funderburgh’s recent illustration collaboration in the Manual for Speed, to ABC Carpet’s spiritual and nature-inspired retail merchandising to the graphic styling techniques in this Dazed and Confused spread, all overlap in relatable, defined ways.

December 18, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

A Background & Foreground Mashup

In celebration of Art Basel, which kicks off this week, W Magazine commissioned a collaboration between George Clooney, Girogio Armani, Yayoi Kusama, and Emma Summerton for their latest art-inspired cover story. The dots playfully balance Clooney’s serious stance and sharp suit, a fun juxtaposition of moods. Off the heels of the Louis Vuitton mashup, Kusama continues to swim between the art and commercial realms. The cover reminds us a bit of this, this and this, yet has a masculine timelessness that’s uniquely fresh. If you’d like to purchase the second print, the good folks at Artsy just released the details today.

December 2, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik