Pattern Pulp

Trend: Diamonds are Forever Changing




Apparently, diamonds don’t have to sparkle in order to shine. Diamond contours are surfacing everywhere. We first noticed interesting uses of the infamous pyramid on the streets of Paris back in November and have continued to spot creative variations across the Atlantic.  From Mike Perry’s vector repeat to this Parisian jewelery display to this remarkable 3D installation by Kirsten Hassenfeld, all of these interpretations glorify the geometric intricacies of the world’s most famous carbon.

While shopping in the trendy Palermo Hollywood district of Buenos Aires (yes, it’s named after Hollywood, California), we sensed this trend emerging on the tails of ArteBA. The graffiti-culture shop, Sixfeet, is covered in diamonds, most notably on the back wall, which is strategically complimented by several colorful diamond hoodies for sale on the floor.  Back in Boston, the creative geniuses at AdamnCompany designed this abstract illustration, replacing stars with sparkling diamonds.  Focusing solely on angle and color, Susann Johansen’s color prisms celebrate light and repetition.

This watercolor repeat by Eika Dopludo is a beautiful departure from it’s angular counterparts, while this metallic Moschino display in New York’s meatpacking district currently presents a mirrored platform for their summer shoe collection.  Moving into the realm of online retail, we quickly discovered this trend’s reach on etsy.com. The artist, lanydevening, creates small heart-shaped wooden wall hangings covered in a similar diamond motif. The heart paired with vibrant diamonds is a fresh take on an otherwise clichéd romantic combination.

BA coverage by: Rebecca Silver

June 18, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion: Zip and Repeat




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Zippers, the commonplace closure, have been striped of their hidden functionality and thrust into the spotlight, proving they can double as innovative solutions as well as decorative patterns.  The results are striking, and slightly quirky.  Part of the zipper’s appeal, perhaps, when compared to its closure counterparts such as buttons, hooks, and snaps, is the fluidity of movement.  This is evident in Ji Woong’s Zip Up Tangles, a creative solution to the wiry mess we all experience when reaching for our ear buds.  Stepping it up a few notches, Van Cleef & Arpels has recently dove into it’s archival library to revive it’s 1950’s Zip Necklace.  While today’s version may be toned down, it’s no less elegant, and a primary example of how innovation can have timeless appeal.

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In a French design studio not far from Van Cleep & Arpels’ headquarters, Julien Rivoire, an Art Director and Graphic Designer, has applied his own zipper technique to Sixpack’s infamous t-shirt collection. Revealing striped down beauty in the most simplistic of logos, the Z and the P are solidified by the I in this seamless application of the object’s functionality.  Continuing with the theme of black and white, this patterned skirt playfully mimics the sex appeal zippers posess when applied to women’s clothing.

Zoe Cotlenko, a French jewelry designer and zipper connoisseur, is the mastermind behind this line of candy-colored necklaces and bracelets.  Using his illustration skills, Eric Elm’s zipper and button bag made its debut at Colette a year ago this month.  Elm’s work has been equally influential in New York, as proven by this remarkable 3D installation at the Nike 255 space in NYC for the Make Something Project, which was held in collaboration with Aaron Rose & Beautiful Losers Show.

Additional Contributions by Emily Gup.

May 21, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Bargain Basement Wallpaper Solutions




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When times are tough, retail environments pull out all the stops, forcing their design teams to get crafty in lieu of spending big bucks.  Sometimes these ad hock compilations are miserable collages and other times, wondrously creative ideas emerge.  Anthropologie’s artistic displays typically fall into the later of the two categories.  Inspired by Parisian wallpaper styles, the back wall of the retailer’s Fifth Avenue location pairs kitchen wares with floral chalk panels.  Using a $10 can of blackboard paint and a steady hand, Anthro’s budget illustrations are incredibly chic and can easily be translated to any wall in your home.

Inspiration: Floral Striping

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When designing floral striping, all inspirational elements must be considered.  Here is a mood board that combines paralleling themes through the use of nature, Parisian craftsmanship and modern techinique.

March 10, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Street: Figuratively Freakish




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Conformist installations have started to emerge throughout European retail displays.  From militaristic mannequins wearing Eres lingerie, to gold bunny gardens at Printemps, to soldier-style figurines in Amsterdam, the idea of sameness is popping up in the most unlikely of places.  Be it unstable economics or adverse politics, retail is embracing the notion of unity, hoping to curtail risky business, taking creative (and creepy) measures.

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Gieves and Hawkes, in traditional British fashion, caters to the military man gone CEO. The grid of suits in this window display, shot by Tom Oldham and arranged by 3D designer, Johnathan Thomas is a playful throwback to army line-ups of yesteryear.  Kozyndan, a creative duo from Santa Monica, highlight the Japanese Maneki Neko in their Weezer illustration entited, “The Link and the Witch.”  A marching band of lucky cats let loose in perfect porcelain formation.

February 26, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Home: Insect Kingdoms in Paris




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If you pay attention, you’ll almost always notice art imitating life and vice versa. I find this most exciting when unexpected trends weave their way through a city I am unaccustomed to. This was the case on a recent trip to Paris. While exploring the Marais, I stumbled across the most beautiful collection of hand painted silk pillows. The beetle toss was a high-end approach to playful décor. This beetle theme consistently reappeared in various stores – most interestingly as a woven monogram at Printemps. Later on in the day, on a more guided stroll through the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, I stumbled upon a beautiful collection of preserved butterflies. The color, composition and collection were impeccable. A commercial version of this natural wonder is translated well as individually printed insect candles from Elizabeth’s Embellishments.
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January 26, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
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