Fashion: Particle Pieces

We’ve all been there. You hit the return button 5x in a row, trying to get the ball to stop spinning and all of the sudden the screen pixelates, then goes blank. Well, several fashion brands have found inspiration in this state of chaos and still frustration. Mr. Hare of the UK and McQ, the contemporary line by Alexander McQueen have both slashed and repeated several images, infusing a playful reminder that our reliance on digital technology can be as vibrant as it is paralyzing.

Relaying this concept through animated gifs, Mauro De Donatis’s Glitched Helvetica breathes life and motion into this concept.

November 3, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion: Eye Masks

If you’re living a lifestyle that forces rest at the most inopportune times, the sleeping mask is probably part of your daily routine. From long flights to night-owl roommates, the idea of wearing one of these (sometimes-suffocating) accessories has gotten more cheerful. Click for Art is selling limited edition masks designed by some of our favorite UK street artists. From McFaul Studio to Kozyndan to Vault49 to Mark Verhaagen, each mask is a tribute to peaceful rest and creative thoughts.

December 20, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Geometric Shards

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A new story is like a growing crystal. It is comprised of shards representing various emotions, such as happiness, sadness, fear and love. With each crystal comes a chain of past experiences, and, because each occurrence is defined by a series of emotions, this chain is colored by a prism of external events and relationships. If all instances are built upon one another, then everyone’s story is uniquely different- a new jumble of people, places, and things. This concept is quite literally defined by Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 09 collection, as his kaleidoscopic patterns bring angular definition to the human body. In the graphic world, Simon Page, an artist from the UK, has devised a series of stunning posters entitled, Cuben. Each layout plays with hexagons, transparency and light to create space-like moods, the foundation for life’s geometric fabric.

Additional contributions by: Kelsey-Lee LeGassick

June 9, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Pale Motifs

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It appears that many designers are embracing bleach this coming season. From the elitist corners of couture to the wider ranges of mass market, styles are purposefully paler, if not washed out, this spring. Paring pastel tie dye with white denim, Members Only has tapped eighties color palettes to create abstract graffiti slacks. Moving in a more feminine direction, Erdem’s Lucina Tailored Dress is a modern remake of traditional French toile fabric. Balmain, a rising favorite among fashion circles, merges these two concepts to create a hybrid of luxury denim.

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When discussing how faded motifs are woven throughout our everyday lives, it’s interesting to note the natural wear and tear that occurs in metropolitan environments. Be it an old wall in Paris, a faded stop sign in Ohio or the remnants of a house in Melbourne, all of these “eye sores” contain beautiful details that progressive observers tap for inspiration. Peggy Noonan of the Wall Street Journal boldly predicts that we’ll be seeing rougher streets as city budgets dwindle in her article entitled, Goodbye Bland Affluence. So we ask, are designers subconsciously glamorizing the decline of urban city living?

May 6, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Window Stories

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Windows are symbolic of many things. For the poetic bunch, they emote hope and a one way ticket to the soul. For the voyeuristic crowd, each window reveals a hidden story emerging at sunset. In recent months, window patterns have been popping up throughout textile and home categories. UK designer James Nash conveys this through his t-shirt graphic entitled House, where type and structure become one. Illustrating a curious overview of an apartment building at dusk, fellow Brit, Peter Jensen brilliantly merges upscale fashion with the banalities of daily life.

Aino-Maija Metsola’s Mökki kitchenware patterns are an abstract snapshot of life along Finland’s Porvoo River while Wood Wood’s eco-graphics promote bare-bones living for the fashion forward. Collaging recyclable paper, The Sukie Journal recreates a Brighton city scape, while the MoMA store’s minimalist bird feeder takes luxurious shelter to another level. This trend wouldn’t be complete without Matte Stephens‘ playful pillow illustrations that can be found at Urban Outfitters.

March 12, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion: Bold and Optimistic?

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Diane Von Furstenberg’s latest window display showcases mismatched patterns and fabric textures throughout her dress and bag collections. Referencing bright and iconic summer shapes, reminiscent of j.crew flip flops and Tory Burch tunics, DVF’s approach to the upcoming season is blaringly optimistic. That being said, I’d be curious to see how the recession translates into next year’s spring/summer collection, as today’s economical dip was hardly a factor when these ensembles were designed over a year ago.

L.A. Styles

While in Silverlake last month, I stumbled across Sally Bartz’s collection of handbags under her newly founded company, Halsea. Inspired by west coast colors and summer icons, Bartz’s crab monograms and bamboo squares decorate luggage, tote and weekend bags, providing a breath of fresh air from LA’s hipster styles.

London Styles

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UK designer, Peter Jensen has a playful eeriness to his work. While he’s an acquired taste for some, his playful pairing of graphics and tailoring requires introspective buying on the customer’s part. This parrot pattern is representative of Jensen’s homage to the animal kingdom. Carl M. Wellman infuses Brazilian, Italian, English and Japanese floral themes with biodegradable packaging for Le Marchand Du Cacao. A stunning combination of high and low materials.

March 5, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik