Event: Patternpalooza

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Though Pattern Pulp typically veers away from gimmicky marketing, the creative efforts made by New York’s Housing Works, shouldn’t go unnoticed. Housing Works raises millions in yearly aid through their high-end thrift stores, selling discounted local merchandise in an effort to combat AIDS and community homelessness. The next time your couch or sweater needs a home, consider calling this wonderful organization, as weekend sales events like Patternpalooza help keep the organizational wheels oiled. Stop by the west village location this weekend for more info…and a cheetah sweater.

March 25, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Packaging: Eau De Patterns

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We’re all guilty of the duty-free pit stop. It’s nearly impossible to resist spritzing yourself before boarding an international flight, particularly when you’ve got twenty minutes to kill. Today Pattern Pulp is exploring perfumes that are slightly under the radar. Scents that take a bit of exploring to find, yet are true favorites among their fan base. Each of these brands has taken a similar stab at adorning their packaging with intricate florals, a common theme throughout the beauty industry. Sula, a side project of Susanne Lang, a Canadian parfumerie, is an affordable scent that intertwines theme-specific patterns with asymmetrical negative space. In an attempt to trace organic steps to this endpoint, real life inspiration can be found on this Jane Street apartment building as branches span the cement in upward growth.

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Miller Harris’s signature floral etchings are equal parts raw and luxurious. Following suit, Tocca, known for their understated elegance, has feminized tattoo illustrations for their latest line of fragrances. Tsi-la Organics, a new player to the team, combines delicate florals with darker tones, enclosing their bottles in a signature black lotus box covered with spot varnish monochromatic detailing.

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Fresh has been producing beautifully intricate packaging for as long as I can remember. Incorporating delicate details such as wire, metallic thread and jade colored pebbles, the outer mementos are are as appealing (if not more) than the actual product- a successful marketing move when alluring first time buyers and gift recipients.

March 23, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion: User Generated Contest

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Marketing teams love to engage their clients’ customers. For loyal fans, nothing can quite compare to customizable products that are both useful and super cool. Last week, a friend and former colleague, J. Nordberg, passed along the link to Champion’s Hoodie Contest, the athletic company’s latest attempt at rebranding their 80’s style sweats. “I think the contest appeals to its core audience who are urban individuals exerting control over their lives and their style, not to mention, its fun! You can totally make mistakes and not have to pay for them and if you come up with a beautifully designed hoodie, it feels like your own creation. It also internalizes the brand,” says Nordberg. Though this concept certainly isn’t a new one, the submissions thus far are staggeringly different and quite striking. Spend your lunch hour getting creative, facebook servers could use the break!

March 18, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion: Mandatory Headgear

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I’m not really an extreme sports kinda girl. Every time I take my bike out for a ride, the only thing that stops me from returning it to the bike room is the fact that a protective path leads me to Bleeker Street and a helmet is covering my head. Imagery of taxi doors opening and tourist collisions are on repeat until my destination’s been reached. Neurotic perhaps, but appropriate for an accident-prone city like New York. Finding cool headgear to match my “coffee and muffin” bike hasn’t been easy, though the designers at Nutcase, have certainly presented fashionable options. Borrowing from the snowboarding aesthetic that made companies like Burton and 686 popular, Nutcase speaks to the creative loudmouth with their bright and playful designs.

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Les Ateliers Ruby caters to the fashionable motorcyclist or vespa enthusiast. Using glossy photography and a gorgeous subject matter, this French helmet company has certainly earned it’s place in the luxury sector.

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Though this post is primarily dedicated to headgear, I’d be neglecting the purpose of Pattern Pulp if I let these two examples slide. Velorbis of Denmark is known for their beautiful (and practical) product offerings. Using an all-over Japanese floral, this Pannier makes me wish I had more to carry on my daily route. In an effort to disguise her helmet while still appearing chic, Shelly from Riding Pretty designed this Sherlock cape and hat combo, a creative adaptation to the oddly famous Snuggie.

March 13, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Spring Strollers with Åsa of Stockholm

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Spring has sprung in Manhattan and that means stroller season has once again returned. As I enjoyed a leisurely Saturday afternoon of people watching and casual reading in Hudson Park, I watched gaggles of moms pass by- each with a luxury stroller darker than the next. I found it odd that no one had decorated their hood, a prime canvas for art. At that very moment, Åsa Rodgers and her beautifully accessorized stroller walked by. Pattern Pulp was lucky enough to catch up with her for a brief chat. “As a new mom I quickly found that the stroller and diaper bag were to become my main accessories, and in my case I was not ready to give in to the dull and practical products I saw in the stores,” said Rodgers. Using her design background, Rodgers quickly solved her own dilemma by launching Åsa of Stockhom Baby Collection from her Tribeca studio.

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Over the past year sales quickly increased as mothers began approaching Rodgers on the street and resultantly became walking advertising for her. “I wanted something unique and beautiful that reflected my own personal style. My inspiration came from great fabric designers who incorporated impeccable quality with playful patterns that I knew my son would love!” In addition to dressing up strollers, Rodgers’ collection now includes matching diaper bags, nursing bibs, baby aprons and booties.

March 9, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Packaging: Carrying Patterned Protection

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Though today’s post could easily have been grouped in with yesterday’s brights, I felt like it deserved the spotlight. Proper Attire, Planned Parenthood’s latest campaign, addresses the issue of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases among 18-25 year olds. While viewing Fangohr‘s latest projects, I stumbled upon this website and was awestruck by the clever and creative packaging. Though simple, this campaign is a groundbreaking idea. Strategically directed by the creative thinkers at Naked, Proper Attire is a fashionable approach to protection. The condoms have been positioned as a must-have fashion accessory that women would be proud to carry and retailers would be willing to sell. Let’s hope people’s penchant for vanity leads to better decision making.

Collections:

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Yigal Azrouel’s collaboation with Proper Attire can be found at Bungalow 8, W Hotels The Store, NY Fashion Week and his online store. The general collection is a product of Planned Parenthood.

March 6, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik