The Trend Is Crystal Clear

We reported diamonds to be a shining motif in pattern design back in June and now the trend has officially crystallized.

We’ve seen the classic diamond shape shift to a crystal-like gem on works ranging from new Matt W. Moore murals to Chase Bank advertisements. The laser cut shapes are bold. Just check out these angular bangle bracelets by Patricia Field and this radiant Helena De Natalio clutch. The sassy accessories are the perfect way to flaunt some flash with a basic black get-up.

But these crystals don’t sparkle like their compressed coal predecessor. Instead, they catch eyes with their geometric shapes and powerful lines. Strong colors further emphasize their graphic feel, as evident in Phillip Low’s sculptures and Jen Kao’s angular FW10 debut. We can’t wait to see how this crystal trend will continue to rock the fashion and art world.

Coverage by: Rebecca Silver

March 3, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Retail: All Strung Up in London

While shopping in London last week, I couldn’t help but notice all of the string installations that kept popping up throughout the big department stores. From elaborate window displays to intricate floor designs, immense and artistic webs seemed to be woven throughout the merchandise in an effort to spice things up.

Selfridges, one of London’s main department stores, always dedicates a portion of it’s windows to art and is currently displaying a truly complex and over sized replica of a twisted loom. The design is very abstract with a constructivist style. Not only is it impressive, but wholly inspirational; I love it when I see good modern art that can inspire my own work.

Over at Liberty, there’s a beautiful geometric crystal chandelier installation that spans at least 4 floors in the Women’s section. It’s gorgeous and truly an art-meets-glam piece. Definitely worth the visit to the store to see it up-close.

In the Women’s areas at Harvey Nichols, the string trend continues with a crazy and abstract chandelier near the Women’s cash wrap. When you venture down to the Men’s section, you can’t help but notice a totally cheeky display of miniature mountain climbers scaling Goliath mannequins- such a surreal and humorous display! Luckily the sales people turned a blind eye as I sneaked pictures, pretending to be a Japanese tourist. In all, some very inspirational displays, though beware, you’ll likely need to unravel your tired legs after a day of London shopping.

Coverage by: Angela Chen

March 1, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow-up: Spin It, Web Cam Style

Oh, the proverbial question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The debate can go around and around. Much like the debates of who inspired whom, what inspired what, and where on earth do ideas come from. And of course, how do they become adopted by society and wind up as trends.

Because, we think we called it via our Interior Design Takes a Spin feature: people, they like change. They also like pixels. And in this case, web cams. We recently spotted Pepsi’s Refresh Project, One People tv spot, where a variety of people on their web cams interact with one another. Each paper conveys a pixelated vibe, and as objects are “magically” passed between squares, the concept is unified as global sharing. Naturally, we delighted at the synchronicity to our fun interior finds. Of course, in that ad’s comment section, we were then led to the Japanese band, Sour’s music video, Hibi no neiro” which has a very, very similar idea and was posted in July before Pepsi’s ad was released.

It’s speculated that Pepsi was heavily inspired by Sour’s music video which involves using the band’s fans in a fun series of web cam adventures. It’s not impossible to find other videos using a similar concept, though not necessarily as well executed as these two. In fact, watching these videos sparked the thought of another web sensation, Chat Roulette, where anyone can log online and through their web cam talk to people from around the world. They can switch to someone else quickly just by pressing a button. It’s Spinning It: People Style. Maybe they’re all inspired by our increasing hunger for the new and the next, the impatience it inspires, and our desire for change. Now.

Coverage by: Emily Gup

February 25, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: The Power of Three

When it comes to social thought, the number 3 holds mystical powers. Be it positive or negative symbolism, it’s nothing new to watch humans get worked up over this symmetrical digit. Over the past year, many people have been forced to reevaluate their priorities. In doing so, basic principles have been challenged, causing many to revisit their decision making process, not two but three or more times. Unsurprisingly, the creative community has reacted with stark and compelling imagery, representative of this repetitive and sometimes obsessive nature.

From this autumn ’09 spread in Theme Magazine, highlighting the Perks and Mini cultural movement of the ’80s and ’90s to this retro German ice cream ad conjuring up Playboy imagery, to this illusionary sunglass shot from Justin Blyth’s photo blog, Them Thangs, all of these archival images have recently resurfaced and inspired a new wash of designs over the past year.

These black and white portrait illustrations capture one of pop culture’s rising fashion stylists, Amy Stearley, proving the taste makers are on board and running with this trend. Using crisp photography to illustrate Sylvia Farago’s tattoo art, The Selby captures his subject, combining 2D and 3D story lines. Bringing this concept full circle, Philip Tseng‘s t-shirt design, The Invisible Gentleman for Threadless.com proves one doesn’t only look back, but looks back and then re-configures the situation or scene. Like today, innovation comes in reconsideration and re-evaluation.

By: Shayna Kulik & Kelsey-Lee LeGassick

February 19, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Interior Design Goes for a Spin

It has always been a personal fantasy of mine to be able to change the color of things at whim. It’s fairly easy when it comes to personal adornment, however interiors present a few laborious challenges. You can imagine the delight and surprise I felt when I saw Amirkhan Abdurakhmanov’s Change It wall. The wall uses triangular pieces, with each side representing a different color. The pieces can be rearranged to create a variety of looks, emitting a pixelated vibe. The mechanism this uses is reminiscent of the changing billboards we used to drive past on the South Florida highways. My delight at Abdurakhmanov’s concept isn’t unique, as this particular piece has been sweeping the web.

The designs immediately remind me of the Swedish design team, Front, and their Changing Cabinet, which we mentioned in a weekly round-up not too long ago. The team won the title “Designer of the Year 2010” from the German magazine, A&W at the Imm Cologne Furniture Fair 2010. Their Changing Cabinet uses a similar mechanism, and so, we are left to wonder: do we smell a trend coming on?

Coverage by: Emily Gup

February 18, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion Meets Football, Cupcake Style

Cupcakes. Who would’ve thought that with one transient shot on a Sex and the City episode, these delectable delights would still be trendy four years later. Before, there was only Magnolia. But now, there’s Billy’s, Crumbs, Georgetown, Buttercup Bake Shop, Cupcake Stop and Sprinkles. Even still, something’s been missing. When it comes to the slightly tougher, slightly rougher cupcakes, where could one turn? Butch Bakery.

As the site says: These ain’t your grandmas cupcakes. Butch Bakery sells manly treats in patterns such as Woodland Camo, Houndstooth and Wood Grain. To boot, there’s a flavor for every type of guy in your life. Frat boy turned banker? Beer Run (chocolate and beer-infused cake with beer butter cream frosting), Dreamy Don Draper? Try the Sidecar (Brandy-soaked lemon cake with orange-infused white chocolate ganache). Finally, for my D.R. born and raised valentine there’s the Big Papi (Cinnamon spice cake with a dulce de leche filling).

The tiny treats are currently available for delivery in Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn, but email or call to inquire about shipping nationwide.

Coverage By: Nikki Ogunnaike

February 16, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik