Installations on a Budget

The title of this post reflects the current state of affairs in so many stores around town and abroad. After everything’s been spent on product, PR and marketing, the window budget is usually minuscule, unless maybe you’re LVMH, Anthropologie or Bergdorfs…

Talk to any artist or designer though, and they’ll be the first to tell you that limitations force creativity. The image above is one I love to reference- it’s a window display by Simon Doonan for Barneys when they filed for Chapter 11 in 1996. He scavenged the bathrooms for toilet paper, added lighting and created a monochromatic masterpiece.

Fast forward to today, and Turkish artist, Sakir Gökçebağ is wowing us with other innovative uses of this most common, everyday item.

There’s a elegant simplicity to his art that mimics computer infographics, particularly ones related to travel, wouldn’t you say?

January 14, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Typography: Particle Pieces

We all snap photos of our favorite things- my iPhone has a disproportionate amount of graffiti, textiles and logos in it’s library. As I was clearing my cache yesterday, I was reminded of a few favorite type designs from the past few months.

The Marni display on the left was a wall decal at Barneys earlier this year and Kaight is a fashion boutique that just opened along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Both designs share an elegant particle theme, emulating movement and transition. If you go to Kaight’s website you’ll be pleasantly surprised with it’s seasonal adaptation, have a look– what do you think?

January 9, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Video Splicing for Spring

Who else has been noticing the latest trend in video segmentation? Coming from the music and fashion worlds, it appears as though directors have been splicing with Mondrian in mind. From Barney’s latest “shop the video” campaign to Kate Spade’s blog endorsement of The Young Veins’ Take a Vacation to Duffy Higgins and John Jaxheimer’s product video for Pret-a-Surt’s resort line, the visual similarities are congruent, multi-layered and rather fun to watch.

May 10, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buys: Fenton Fallon

Rarely do I get an email about a sale that’s worth trudging across town for- today was different. I woke up to a firestorm of replies from my girlfriends about a Fenton Fallon sample sale in Midtown. The brand’s statement pieces have been on my radar for years and should be on yours as well, as each design is unique, edgy and truly a breath of fresh air in an industry overrun by sameness and knockoffs. From collaborations with Barneys, Proenza Schouler, Thakoon and J.Crew, Dana Lorenz, the brain child behind the brand has outdone herself in both departments of quality and quantity.

With prices ranging from $5 to $100, it’s pretty obvious I went to town. If you’re near 36th and 8th today, pay the studio a visit- your wallet and your girlfriends (if you’re kind) will thank you.

Fenton Fallon: 347 w36th St.

April 15, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion: Nature Inspired Graphics

Translating a photograph into salable fashion can be a daunting task for any designer, however when done correctly, it’s extremely awe-inspiring. This dress (label unknown) from Barneys, presents a sleek and modern canvas for this textured stone pattern. Adding golden tones, blurred lines and simple draping, this realist image is immediately softened and feminized for a summer silhouette. We all find inspiration outdoors and while oftentimes its the hand-drawn interpretation that make the final commercial cut, it’s exciting to see an abstract photo-realist take, familiarizing luxury with the great outdoors.

What are some of your favorite nature-inspired graphics?

July 27, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Tribal Narratives

Tribal narratives, wood cutouts and sumi-ink drawings have been around since the beginning of time. While geometric interpretations have been surfacing in art and fashion for over a year now, it’s refreshing to see a more fluid technique taking hold across several mediums. A major influencer in this space is the Sumi Ink Club. Based in Los Angeles, this creative community is producing work at a rapid pace. From this Keith Haring-like blazer to this Lucky Dragon’s Open Power Record, it’s pretty clear that this topsy turvy style is gaining traction in several branding markets. Contrasting the soft shapes of the sumi brush, Dennis McNett reminds us that black and white texture can be sharp, surly and folk-like. Barneys Department store recently commissioned him to design their summer windows, bringing this underground skater-style art to the mainstream.

July 23, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik