Book Review: Vera

Vera Neumann believed that fine art should be accessible to everyone – a radical idea for her time. The legendary artist and designer launched her scarf company in 1946 using excess parachute silk from World War II, setting into motion a lifetime career. Her bright and whimsical prints covered not just scarves but a litany of objects including slipcovers and plates. Up until her death in 1993, Vera did it all, never compromising her career for motherhood, family, or her art for business. While today’s Vera lovers have been forced to comb the internet and rummage through bins at thrift shops, Vera’s work has recently been given new life.

After having been rediscovered by Anthropologie, Vera’s patterns and art have been incorporated into a variety of wares for a handful of seasons. A book entitled, “Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon,” was compiled to honor the artist and the collaboration. In it, you can learn more about the iconic woman behind the beautiful art as well as feast your eyes on a bounty of her sumptuous and timeless pieces. While the book was previously only available at Anthropologie for $40, we’ve found it for $23.10 on Amazon. And voila, a needle in the haystack just for you, without all of the relentless searching.

August 12, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Where Beauty Meets Nature

Inspiration comes from every pocket of life- from the worn path on your weekend hike to the makeup counter on your lunch hour errand run. Sometimes the parallels are crystal clear, though oftentimes it’s easy to miss the touch points. Today’s post highlights how close natural and manufactured patterns can be and how taking note of your surroundings can expand your creative palette. This geometric print at the Sephora counter is timeless, popular and a staple for many designers. While it’s common to see this pattern in concrete and urban architecture, it’s refreshing to see a man-made path. What natural paths have you found to be inspiring?

August 11, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Pattern Blocked Storytelling

In the branding world, people are forever in search of mood-enhancing visuals. When it comes to print and textiles, the objective is similar, though more tactile. Today’s feature takes pattern-blocking and shows its versatility in storytelling.

Mark Allan Miller is a master at creating nostalgia through pattern and illustration. Realizing this style in home product design, this pillow from the Parisian homegoods store, Bensimon takes a similarly bold and illustrative approach. Veering away from this minimalist style, Jamal Vrno makes mixing and matching fun, proving the right patchwork can emit any message.

August 10, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buys: Sweet Shoes with Soul

I’m always on the lookout for a chic flat perfect for pounding the city pavement. Extraseed’s line of flats comes in a classic shape and a variety of subtle, wearable patterns that will add to, not distract from your outfit. As an added bonus, the shoes have a rich sustainable side: the soles are crafted from used car tires and the fabrics are the scrap remnants from garment factories – not that you could tell. At $38 a pop, you can feel good about doing something healthy for the environment, your closest, and of course, your wallet.

July 21, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Interview: Flavio Melchiorre

“All that I see stays in my mind waiting to be unearthed during the creative process,” explains Italian artist, Flavio Melchiorre. When you get lost in Melchiorre’s mesmerizing patterns you certainly see what he means. His colorful designs draw from all elements of everyday life, particularly street art. Seeing his bold designs, you can easily imagine him walking by a splash of graffiti and filing it in his mind for years before it manifests into works such as Tips’ n Trips, Wild Things, or his recent iPhone skin for Grove. Check out our Q & A with this colorful Italian.

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PP: How does your culture influence your design aesthetic?

FM: I would say naturally, everything that I live can influence my work. I have a great photographic memory and all that I see stays in my mind waiting to be unearthed during the creative process.

PP: What recent project are you most proud of?

FM: A new project that I can’t show now, made for a Spanish company, which has chosen some of my patterns to characterize some of their products. The work is still in progress, but there are good developments.

PP: What are some of your biggest influences? Any particular artists or websites that inspire you lately?

FM: Mainly, Street Art and Pop Art. These two cultures have influenced my style, even if the abstract expressionism has been the key element in my personal research. I love the work of Keith Haring and Jackson Pollock. I also appreciate the work of some contemporary artists like Gary Fernandez, Alex Trochut and Si Scott.

PP: What is your typical design process like?

FM: When I make my pattern, first I try to get carried instinctively drawing randomly, then I take a long time to create modular and color combinations. When I make figurative illustrations instead usually I know what I want to express, so I try to follow an idea even if I go very often to improve it during its development.

PP: How do color and pattern affect your work?

FM: I’ve always been attracted by patterns; they give me a sense of balance. I like to create a visual harmony using many colors together; each element develops in something more complex. When I draw I find my balance!

PP: What kinds of projects are you hoping to do in the future?

FM: I have many projects, from art to fashion. I’d like to draw an entire fabrics collection for haute couture, and then see my patterns on wonderful women covered in silk on a catwalk. I would also like to make a solo exhibition with huge artworks, and to watch people get lost in them!

Coverage by: Rebecca Silver

June 8, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Twitter Influencer: Julia Rothman

Julia Rothman is a design dynamo whose illustrations, patterns and prints have been seen just about everywhere. Having a distinct hand, adaptable style and amazing work ethic has afforded her the opportunity to work with everyone from the New York Times to Victoria’s Secret to the MTA. The down to earth and friendly tweets from this Brooklyn wunderkind proffer interesting tidbits of information, from personal inspiration, to new books and events, to previews of her latest work. If you’re looking for a creative pick me, consider hopping on board the Rothman twitterfeed.

April 8, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik