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

Athleisure & Collaboration in Paris

Athleisure is a term that’s been thrown around a lot over the past year. It’s quickly becoming the main course of fashion, at least in terms of everyday activewear. When we think of it’s presence here in the states, it feels either mass, or somewhat unattainable financially. Having just returned from Paris, it was interesting to see how athletics have been incorporated into everyday life- from a stylish and wearable angle.

The extremes seem to be closing in on a central point thanks to an array of on-point collaborations. Here are a pair of Adidas Stan Smiths covered in a floral brocade with a matching jacket by Pharrell Williams.

The look is a fun one that’s unisex and extremely current for where we’re heading in the category. These versions are by CLOT and Rod Laver Vin. If you find yourself in the London, Paris or Berlin this summer, make sure to pop into No42, as they’re showcasing the best and the brightest in the experimental side of the field.

June 17, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Concepts & Illustrations at Maiyet

Bringing a drawing to life takes a lot of work. The sky’s the limit when you take pen to paper, but achieving the desired results requires patience and expertise. I found these before and after watercolors from Maiyet to be beautiful realizations of product development. The crochet polo and hand beaded venus clutch are part of their Spring/Summer 15 line and have timeless appeal.

May 18, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Rotating Discs + Isabel Marant

As of late, life’s been a bit hectic, and this site’s been a bit still. Luckily, it’s the good kind of hectic that makes the work day a massive juggle…

Last week, while running between my Chinatown office and a client’s office in Tribeca, I just sort of stopped in my tracks when I hit this window display at Broome and Greene. Isabel Marant has a way with motors and movement, and the geometric grandeur of this rotating disc series translates beautifully. The nuance of the movement steadies the eye and livens the scene. If you’re in New York, swing by the Soho store- hopefully you’ll enjoy the artistic mechanics as much as the inventory.

March 26, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Fractured Perspectives

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Recently, I’ve been seeing a lot of fractals. Broken imagery, split into unpredictable shards – presenting the world in varied multiples. The idea reminds me of a kaleidoscope gone awry – where perfect geometry is gone, but varied angles still exist. Amusingly, this seems like a metaphor for life online, but that’s a post for another day…

One of my favorite examples comes from the instagram account of Thalea MV. Her clothing and prop styling has a refreshing spin that combines a carefree and specific point of view. Balenciaga also follows a similar path. Their latest ad reveals the reflection of a model, owning and destroying the photographer’s image, by way of a mirror. It’s very much an art, power and action shot.

In a complimentary realm, lines and layering do the trick in W Magazine. This typographic spread compliments the Bewitched editorial theme shot by Mert Alas and Marchus Piggott. And balancing out the chaos, this image from Antonio Guzzardo- depicting a white gridded face covering shouts futurism and the apocalypse- two drivers to parallel the unpredictable future of broken glass.

March 4, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik