Trend: Dirty Etchings

As spring merchandise starts trickling in, it’s evident brands have been experimenting with etching styles and restricted palettes. Veering away from Ed Hardy’s infamous tattoo style, fashion labels with ranging customer bases are channeling new inspirations. From the mom-friendly label, Chicos to Louis Vuitton’s most recent collaboration with tattoo wunderkind Scott Campbell, blue, black and gray are reining strong.

Replicating a mood similar to “dirty finger nails,” these styles are raw, imperfect and full of texture. The bottom picture was taken at Spacecraft, an Australian homegoods store on my most recent scouting trip to Melbourne. The design’s been printed directly onto the cement floor, emulating the worn and tattered look of an old ethnic rug.

February 22, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Creative City Tour: Sydney, Australia

Ever since studying abroad in Sydney, I’ve had an affinity for Australians. From their attitude on life to their insanely good coffee to the style that’s influenced by opposite seasons, creativity’s always on the cusp down under. Last month I went on a scouting trip to both Sydney and Melbourne and this creative tour is the first of a two part series of my favorite patterned pit stops. From your first coffee of the day at Bunker Bar to rummaging through the fabric bin at Tessuti to knick knacking at Via Alley, it’s easy to see why Sydney’s as inspirational as it is livable. Follow along, take the tour and let us know what you think!

* * *

1. Via Alley, Shop 3, 28A Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
2. Coffee Shop, Crown Street at Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
3. Alice McCall, SE 3 L 2 25 Cooper Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
4. Ratty discarded mattress on Oxford St. NSW 2010
5. Tessuti Fabrics, 110 Commonwealth Street, NSW 2010
6. Desordre Store, 323 South Dowling Street, NSW 2010
7. Spring Court, 113a Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
8. The Bunker, 399 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
9. Hub Furniture, 72 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010

February 7, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow-up: Pointed & Precise

Back in November, we started seeing transitions in studded garments. The ever popular pyramid was morphing into lengthier silver cones. Interestingly, this armor is continuing to surface on all sides of the globe, as the Australian label, Sass & Bide has revealed their summer solution to the blouse: transparent threaded spikes. Lady Gaga inspired and space induced, don’t be surprised if you start seeing experimental embellishments of the same ilk this spring, as Thierry Mugler‘s influence is still going strong.

January 11, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Street Finds: Melbourne Fabrics

[slideshow id=9]

As you might know, I’m currently in Australia poking around nooks and crannies, photographing inspiration and making friends with shop owners. This past week I spent some time at The Fabric Store, which has become an Australian staple in the fashion and textile world. Curating with perfection, it’s easy to navigate the rolls of cloth, making it a less daunting experience than a visit to Mood or B&J in Manhattan.

Some of the most experimental fabrics of the lot are from New Zealand and Australia, a fact that’s less foreign to the designers down under. The sales girl so kindly listed their top buyers & suppliers, including: Lisa Ho, Scanlan & Theodore, Betting Liano, Ksubi, Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester and Zimmerman.

January 6, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Artist Profile: Elke Kramer

The balance between nature’s organic lines and the sharp geometry of its specimens is a beautiful thing to capture when done well. Elke Kramer, a Sydney-based graphic designer, illustrator, jewelery designer and art-director merges both extremes with ease and sophistication. Combining vivid foliage with mosaic-like repetition, her color palettes and textures resonate across all mediums. Check out her portfolio for a window into a world of soulful synthetics and organic textures.

January 4, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Happy New Year!

Dear Friends,

I hope this note finds you well on New Years Eve Day!

I apologize for my sudden disappearing act this week. As many of you know, New York was socked by a blizzard of epic proportions. As I was due to fly to Asia on Monday, I made a last minute switch and caught a flight to Hong Kong before the storm hit. The change left me without any time to wish you all well.

I’ve been visiting loved ones in Singapore for the week and am leaving for a scouting trip to Sydney and Melbourne tonight, back in New York in mid January.

But fear not! Beginning Monday, January 3rd I’ll be rolling out Pattern Pulp’s 2011 Designers to Watch. We’ll have a mix of emerging and established creatives who have been most inspiring to us over the past year.

In the meantime, have a wonderful New Years and I look forward to touching base soon!

Best,

Shayna

December 31, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik