Painterly Opulence

I have already obsessed about my love for Mary Katrantzou's work. So when these gorgeous editorial images of her AW11/12 collection surfaced; I couldn't have been more thrilled! The series were produced by A Magazine in conjunction with Nomenus Quarterly (the World's priciest magazine) and were shot by NY based Erik Madigan Heck; who also happens to be the founder of Nomenus Quarterly. 

Heck "tr[ied] to flatten the space between photography and illustration by eliminating photographic elements and painting on different surfaces and colors in post-production, attempting to move closer towards painting itself, in process and form.”

I love how the painterly feel  of the editorial, lends fluidity to Katrantzou's predominantly structural collection; and the way her prints blend in with the opulent interior sets to enhance this aesthetic!

Photographs by Erik Madigan Heck
Styling by Heidi Bivens
Hair by Weasley O’Meara
Make-Up by Deanna Melluso
Model: Janice at Ford
Set Design by Shaun Kato Samuel
Post-Production by Michael dos Santos
and Andrew Bennett for Versatile Studios
Clothing by Mary Katrantzou
Additional Jewelry by Candace Ang.

Via A Magazine Blog

Wrapped & Tangled

Of late; virtual treasure hunting has led me to some amazing jewelry finds! This Greta necklace available on peaceimagesjewelry's Etsy shop is the first of them. I love how she has brought various jewelry elements together in a seemingly instinctive manner to create this one beautiful stand-out necklace. Unsurprisingly, this particular piece has sold out, but she is taking a few custom orders. 

Peaceimagesjewelry also has some other lovely trinkets. Aside from this statement necklace, I am drawn to the more minimal looking items in her shop.

Greta Necklace $150 on peaceimagesjewelry

So the next time I get frustrated with the knotted clutter in my jewelry box, I might just attempt a wrap-and-tangle! :)

Illustrated Letters

I stumbled upon Lagos based artist: Karo Akpokiere's interdisciplinary portfolio recently, and it left me in a state of AWE!  I was amazed by the detail in each illustrative piece from the abundant body of work on his website; none of which is short of brilliant. 

To me however, the most memorable is his personality rich 'Illustrated Letter' series; which was a part of a year long daily-drawing-project. November 2010 culminated in this wonderful, convention-breaking exploration of typography; "represent[ing his] interest in hand drawn type , popular culture, geometry [] and also [his]  fascination with ascribing new meaning to already existing forms." 

Artists like Karo, leave me wondering how much global talent we would be missing out on, if it had not been for the world-wide-web.

WTF

I came across these WTF posters by Argentinian design studio Minga a while ago, and put them up on facebook for my graphic design friends. I still find them rather amusing so I thought I'd share them with you all.

What makes these posters effective is the simplicity of their design. A few contrasting colors, coupled with basic graphic silhouettes create a memorable impact.

I think they are all funny, but the one that stands out to me is the Giraffe-in-the-Savannah as it is reminiscent of the Tinga-Tinga paintings I loved whilst growing up in Tanzania.

Hope you have a chuckle or two!

Kaleidoscopic Temari

While browsing through Etsy recently, I was introduced to a brilliant Japanese folk art at Julie and Co's shop. Brought over from China over 500 years ago, Temari balls or Gotenmari have evolved into a traditional Japanese craft; and requires definitive training and tests to become a recognized artisan in Japan. Historically they were a toy made by grandmothers for children using old kimono fabric, but are now a decorative and detailed art-form  cherished as gifts. They would be great as Christmas ornaments and household decorations, and smaller versions could be used to make super cool jewelery! I found myself marveling at the kaleidoscope like, geometric symmetry of these embroidered balls and went on a hunt for more.

On Etsy, I find that Julie and Co's shop have the most lovely variety of Temari balls.

I also came across a wealth of fantastic Temari designs on flickr...

Photo credit: Rali

Photo credits (left to right both rows): Oksanka; Julieandco; Raboutique; Oksanka; TheArtificer; Julieandco

Photo credits (left to right): Oksanka; Oksanka; Rali

Photo credits (left to right both rows): Julieandco; Julieandco; Julieandco; TheArtificer; CraftyPanties; CraftyPanties

Photo credits (left to right both rows): Oksanka; HandyAnn; Julieandco; Rali; Wklager; Wklager

There are unending design possibilities with Temari balls; and I'm itching to try my hand at making one.

Here's to Japanese ingenuity!

Weekly Wants

Ok so maybe its more like 'Monthly Wants', but these are all the things on my wish-list currently. I had bookmarked these items  over several weeks, and one of them happens to be sold out now. :( 

A girl can still wish right?

 

A] Alexander Wang;   B] Topshop;    C] Topshop

A] Alexander Wang suede tote in all its haphazard, strappy glory.

B] Topshop multi straw cross-body bag: the contrast between the leather and straw makes this a winner.

C] Topshop contrast stitch satchel: an alternative to and all black sling bag...totally digging the tribal feel.

D] Best Behavior;   E] Warehouse;   F] 1971 Reiss

D] Best Behavior voodoo print shift dress: this print is crazy! I like that they have taken the skull out of the punk context, and have incorporated it with vivid foliage. And is it just me, or is the skull motif popping up everywhere?

E] Warehouse color block dress: I love the easy elegance of this dress, and I think its incredibly versatile. I also like that the color blocking isn't clashing.

F] 1971 Reiss panelled leather dress: A statement dress for sure! I love that its tough and sexy at the same time.

G] Asos;    H] Asos;    I] Mango

G] ASOS floral tunic: An effortless beauty; I like the placket and layered hem detail.

H] Asos Lace-up detail jeans: this has sold out... its a fresh take on the basic black skinny, and the fabric also looks comfortable. I love how the lace-up detail curves around the leg. I am really sad I missed this one.

I] Mango Iris skirt: After failing to find the perfect button down skirt last summer, this one fits the bill! Predictably, I am drawn to the contrasting print and colors! I'm actually pleasantly surprised that this is a Mango skirt. I have never seen the brand as risk taker, and this isn't the most commercial piece. 

J] Asos;   K]   Topshop;   L]   Topshop

J] Asos hollow cube pendant necklace: I love geometry, and the unique simplicity of the pendant.

K] Topshop Skye lace-up wedges: I have to admit I already own something similar, but these are supremely covet-able.

L] Topshop strawberry on thong necklace: I like that its an abstract black strawberry, making it versatile ( I can't see myself getting bored of it). Love the Gothic feel of the necklace!

The Book Surgeon

Brian Dettmer also known as 'The Book Surgeon' is an Atlanta based artist that does exactly what his pseudonym suggests! To put it simply, he transforms books into genius works of art.

His explanation of the process:

"In this work I begin with an existing book and seal its edges, creating an enclosed vessel full of unearthed potential. I cut into the surface of the book and dissect through it from the front. I work with knives, tweezers and surgical tools to carve one page at a time, exposing each layer while cutting around ideas and images of interest. Nothing inside the books is relocated or implanted, only removed. Images and ideas are revealed to expose alternate histories and memories."

I can't imagine the amount of calculation, time and skill needed to create these pieces! And there are really no words to describe the supremacy of Brian Dettmer's work. I'll leave it for you to decide...

Brian Dettmer Via My Modern Met