Marketing Men's Camo

Camouflage is a seasonal staple – especially in men’s fashion. Whether colors, textures or materials are being swapped, it’s an adaptable pattern that’s assimilated with pop culture trends (far beyond military aggression).

Here are a few outerwear items from Valentino and Coach. The campaigns are similar in vibe and feel, from the model choice, pose and faux outdoor scenery. For better or worse, it seems like Juergen Teller and Terry Richardson still have a grasp on the photographic direction in play…as we’re still seeing head-on flash photography in a rough-around-the-edges kind of way. It is refreshing though, to see pops of color softening the set and scenery – the tulips in the Valentino spread add a lot of oomph to the storytelling.

December 9, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Colors and Artistic Commercialism

Art, is literally in this Spring. I started noticing all of the bright, retro accessories at the Hong Kong Airport last month. The common thread throughout links abstraction and art to fashion and commerce.

Here, we have Marni and their Spring Summer ’15 bags. I subscribe to their blog, and upon opening their newsletter this morning, I came across this Mondrian inspired marketing mashup. The 2D meets 3D blend is a creative stab at a classic work, one which mixes color-blocked geometry with product overlays.

Then there’s Celine. Their infamous trapeze bag carries a multi-colored stripe, signifying a season and an art era. There’s a simple elegance to this accessory that feels independent from it’s leather, color-blocked counterparts.

If you’re connecting the dots to Gene Davis and his famous color exploratories, I am as well. Davis, an American painter, has continually influenced the art and commerce worlds with his large scale post-painterly abstractions and color stripes.

Moving into a playful category that feels more Katy Perry than Joan Didion, Valentino has applied rainbow chevron stripes to it’s Spring ’15 accessories. The move is bold, if not juvenile, in a lavish, cartoonish kind-of-way.

Bringing it back to the art, it wasn’t hard to connect this palette to another Davis painting. The vibrance is infectious, and the historical reference gives the collection weight. Curious, which one is your favorite?

February 4, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Geometric Monochromatism

The color gray has a timeless essence. When it comes to decorating your home, it’s usually incorporated into luxurious surfaces such as stone, velvet, felt, linens and paint. In the fashion world, gray has always defined the mature sphere. Mothers, aunts, uncles, teachers and politicians have always owned the hue- giving the impression that it’s a sea apart from trend-focused fabrics.

With the help of many heavy hitters, we’re starting to see a shift and a new appreciation for natural textures and gray planes. Gridded simplicity, architectural layouts and the contrasting accents have made their way into accessories and outerwear for both men and women. Everyone from Vince, Akris, Moncler, Proenza Schouler, Celine, Chloe, Prada and Valentino have embraced this neutral concoction, celebrating geometric monochromatism.

Intentionally or unintentionally, all of these pieces seem to link back to this piece from Pae White. “Dwight Harmon Painting/Overheard” was recently featured in the New York Times Style Magazine. It’s a stunning compliment to the collection.

September 15, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Using Instagram to Spot Trends

For better or worse, Instagram keeps me in the loop. Anyone else feel this way?

From observing work-in-progress from inspiring creatives to following design shows I can’t attend, the influx of imagery is really useful and pretty inspiring. Oftentimes, it helps confirm theories that have been floating around in my head- in regard to trends popping up in various design communities around the world, (say in Australia, Helsinki and L.A), and also leads me to new ideas and talent. It’s a pretty useful tool beyond selfies and party pics.

Yesterday, I took a screenshot of the Phillips Auction House invite. It seems fairly standard at first, but I loved the combination of camo and metallic in an upscale layout. This artistic commerce pays homage to Andy Warhol, presenting part of a timeless series. This lead me along the path of neon camo and got me thinking about where it’s popping up this season. You can always expect reinterpretations, so it’s worth following the art world to stay abreast, if not ahead of curb. Art always leads fashion (in my humble opinion).

Here we have sneakers, (bags and wallets) from Valentino. The kicks straddle a unisex vibe, but are sold in the men’s department. This chambray/camo/drawstring pullover by General Idea is another commercial, yet creative direction for guys that feels fresh this season. If you’re looking to simply add elements of the concept to your wall or iPhone, check out Joe Van Wetering’s work. His prints speak to the camo-loving monochromatist.

April 10, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion Designers Get Lost in Lui Bolin's Art

Known internationally as the “Invisible Man,” Lui Bolin is renowned for painting himself into the background of notable locations around the world. His recent exhibition Lost in Art at Eli Klein Fine Art showcased his newest pieces, including his recent collaboration with Harper’s Bazaar and fashion powerhouses Gaultier, Lanvin, Missoni, and Valentino.

Liu Bolin met with Jean Paul Gaultier, Elber Albaz of Lanvin, Angela Missoni, and Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli from Valentino, as they became the latest subjects of his camouflaging performance.

The designers underwent the process of becoming nearly invisible within a background of their most celebrated signature designs.

Creating four fantastic photographs, this collaboration stands as a true and marvelous beacon of the merging of fashion and art. In terms of design, it provokes some interesting thoughts regarding how designers can not uncommonly be a seemingly invisible force behind their well-known work. For more information, click here

Eli Klein Fine Art
462 West Broadway
(between Houston and Prince)
New York, NY 10012

May 21, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow up: The Spherical Formula

Spherical designs are so common they probably deserve their own “feature” button on Pattern Pulp. That being said, it’s important to identify with designs that speak to you, as having a discriminating eye can help sift through the clutter. Both of these layouts share a similar palette and emit a playfulness that’s easily transferrable for commercial use. In the latest issue of Theme Magazine, Peter Sutherland curates a stunning layout inspired by the spirit of freedom. This photo, shot by Hannah Whitaker, is a true embodiment of this concept. Paralleling this theme, Valentino’s recently released book, A Grand Italian Epic, converts a typographic pinwheel into an iconic status, the perfect symbol for a timeless brand.

January 11, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik