PRADA Spring/Summer 2013 Collection - Flower-Power Glasses & Geisha Shoes

PRADA Spring/Summer 2013 fashion collection is a surprisingly consistent and somewhat visionary project. Inspired with the fusion of 60s flower patterns and Japanese minimalism, it comes up with a little bohemian, but definitely posh concept of a postmodern geisha. Narrowing down the colour range to red, black and white has created very simplistic, eye-catching and extremely elegant aesthetics for the entire range of clothes. Focused on gadgets - handbags, shoes and flower glasses - the collection brings fun into the world of classics.

Although geisha shoes are not very practical in the real life, they look good, original and have been a part of a consequent vision. All other PRADA clothes and accessories for this season are wearable and on the whole they just look good. If you don't like everything, getting one top or a handbag will be enough to mix and match with other clothes in your wardrobe and create a unique style with a bit of a posh element to it all. Most of the designs will look presentable at a business meeting, party or a lunch. Their usability and elegance is a big plus.

Quirky gadgets are the strength of this collection, because we all love the way they help us stand out and  how we can play around with them. We spend quite a lot of money on them, too. And the flower glasses look like they will sell pretty well this year.

The woman behind this unique collection is Miuccia Prada - the company's owner and the daughter of the brand's legendary pioneer. Being not only a successful business woman, but also a very original fashion designer, she has delivered elegance and fun this season.

CHANEL HULA BAGS

CHANEL hula beach bags for 2013 Spring/Summer season definitely make every accessories lover stand out from the crowd. Designed in a maxi and mini version, they will add originality and quirkiness to anything anybody on this planet will ever wear.

As for the big version - finally you would be able to put all of your stuff in one place and take it with you wherever you go. That is a huge advantage. I am a huge fan of large handbags, because they solve lots of problems for me. I really like all of my things being in one place.

As for the mini version - it's more practical, but less glamorous.

On the whole it is up to you which size you choose. It is such a wonderful design that it kind of doesn't matter, because both versions are fantastic. They are a statement of originality and wealth. If you want to show off, go the whole way! Get the large one, carry it around proudly and shine like a star!

Beautiful Ballgowns - Objects Of Fascination

V&A Museum celebrated the opening of its Fashion Galleries with an exhibition of over 60 ballgowns.

From May 19th 2012 to January 6th 2013 V&A Museum held an exhibition of beautiful ballgowns, red carpet evening dresses and catwalk showstoppers. Displayed over two floors, 'Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950' featured more than sixty designs for social events such as private parties, royal balls, state occasions and opening nights.

For the most part, ballgowns have stood apart from fashion, while occasionally reflecting current developments in the fashion world. Yet they remain objects of fascination. The luxurious fabrics, intricate work and fine finish demonstrate the skill of British designers in creating dresses that convey splendour and spectacle.

Since the mid-20th century, the occasions for wearing formal attire have evolved from the private event to the public parade. In the 1950s the London season was still organised around established events such as the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and Queen Charlotte’s Birthday Ball.

Towards the end of the century, as these traditions became less important, events such as the charity ball provided a new arena for displaying extravagant evening wear. Today it is the red carpet and celebrity gala that showcase the gowns of glamorous women.

Atsuko Kudo gown worn by Georgia Frost 
with dresses by Hardy Amies and Worth of London.
Lent by the designer. Carlos Jimenez, © V&A, 2011

via V&A Museum

Pirelli Calendar 2013 - Change Of Approach

2013 Pirelli Calendar's models get to keep their clothes on! 

Steve McCurry/EPA

Steve McCurry/EPA

Pirelli is a tire producer known for releasing annual calendars presenting female nudes. This year brings in a change of approach and a perspective so different I would almost call it a revolution. Ladies get to keep their clothes on! Steve McCurry is the man behind the lenses and a photographer responsible for a refreshingly different series of images. They are all shot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Every model appearing in this year's calendar runs her own charity. 

Steve McCurry/EPA

"You can photograph nudes anywhere," says McCurry. "But these models are purposeful and idealistic people. I wanted to photograph them in a special place."

McCurry made his name documenting Afghanistan in the early 1980s, having smuggled himself into the country by growing a beard and wearing traditional clothes.

via Guardian Culture
also Pirelli.com

Recycled Fashion - 60s Poster Dresses

Cheap, fun and definitively pop, paper dresses were worn once or twice and then discarded.

Paper fashion was not always associated with such principled objectives as recycling. Harry Gordon sold his “poster dresses” for 3 dollars; other fashion designers, such as Elisa Daggs, Bonnie Cashin, Rudi Gernreich, Bill Blass and Pierre Cardin, sold their paper dresses for sums that ranged from ten to two hundred dollars. Paper dress parties were all the rage.

via http://deyoung.famsf.org/blog/pulp-fashion-goes-pop

82-year old fashion models

Daphne Selfe (82), the grandmother of four, started her work for the fashion industry over 60 years ago, but at the age of 82 she is more popular than she’s ever been.

Daphne in her 20s.

At 20 Daphne won a local modeling competition and became a house model for clothing manufacturers. She had a decent career for about five years, but then nothing special happened for a long time. Her break came in 1998, when she got spotted by Models 1 - one of the world’s largest modeling agencies. It was the start of her new career, one that was a lot more glamorous than she’d ever known. She appeared in Vogue, Marie Claire and worked for high-street brands such as Nivea, Olay and Dolce &Gabbana. Daphe does yoga to keep fit, eats large amounts of fruits, vegetables and fish, drinks plenty of water. She doesn’t feel a day over 60 and never had any cosmetic surgery done.

Jacquie Tajah Murdock (82) is one of the latest stars of Lanvin's Fall/Winter 2012 campaign.  
'I grew up in Harlem always wanting to be a model, but in my day there were very little opportunities for women of color to work in fashion. At 18 I went from agent to agent looking for jobs, even as a hand model. I have finally made it and I will never give up'.

What can I say? Beautiful women will always be beautiful.

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via Odditycentral - http://www.odditycentral.com/news/daphne-selfe-a-successful-supermodel-at-82.html
via Advanced Style - http://www.advancedstyle.blogspot.co.uk/

via Models 1 - http://www.models1.co.uk/
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The World With No Gravity - Underwater Fashion Photography

Zena Holloway is a UK-based underwater fashion photographer and director. She started her career as a professional diver. In 1997 she made her first commercial shot for Faberge. Since then she has worked for a range of big names including Westfield, Sony, Elle, Nike and others. Zena uses the weightlessness of a human body and fabrics under water which makes her models look like fantastic fairies, mysterious goddesses. They become a part of a magical world with no gravity. I'd like to refer you to Zena's website with a lot of amazing images and films including a powerful multimedia show for Kylie Minogue.
http://www.zenaholloway.com/indexzena.html

photo Zena Halloway

photo Zena Halloway

photo Zena Halloway

photo Zena Halloway

photo Zena Halloway

Healing Power Of Fantasy

Kirsty Mitchell lost her mother to brain cancer in 2008. The 'Wonderland' photo series has been a way to deal with the sorrow. All costumes, wigs and sets were constructed on a shoestring budget. Kirsty would often wait an entire year to find the perfect natural setting for her shots. Her photographic series began as a small summer project which challenged her grief and turned into passion. Her mother Maureen was an English teacher who spent her life inspiring generations of children with imaginative stories and plays. Kirsty's work has been greatly appreciated by an international audience with the recent articles in the Daily Mail and on BBC websites. Her exhibition has become a part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee's celebrations in London.
Kirsty Mitchell's website
http://www.kirstymitchellphotography.com/galleries.php

via Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2145760/Wonderland-Kirsty-Mitchell-heart-breakingly-beautiful-photographic-series-memory-extraordinary-life.html
via Enpundit
http://enpundit.com/wonderland-kirsty-mitchell/

Fab Gloves!

I'm happy to present Blog's Art selection of the best gloves in the world. These products are hand-made by original artists from Canada, USA, Indonesia, Denmark and Finland and available in their online shops.

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Nine Lives Collection - LoveAtFirstBlush - Canada - £39

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/87806742/studded-leather-butterfly-fingerless

Fingerless Lace Gloves - MetaporphDK - Denmark - £20

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91478872/tiny-fingerless-gloves-black-flower

White Leather Gloves - Eleven44Jewelry - Indonesia - £66

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83649640/fingerless-gloves-leather-gloves-leather

Finger Moustache Gloves - MizJamieH - USA - £4

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92865150/orange-white-stripe-finger-mustache

Recycled Fleece Whale Mittens - ForMyDarling - Finland - £23

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100768231/felt-mittens-whale-recycled-mittens

Amazing Old People!

Advanced Style is a weblog created by Ari Seth Cohen who is inspired by vibrant, energetic and original old people who put a bit of imagination in their outfits.

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Ilona - via Advance Style

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It is a wonderful website which celebrates those who are above 50, their wisdom, passion for life and creativity. Ari looks for those amazing figures among the streets of New York, makes friends with them and photographs them which makes his Advanced Style weblog not only an internet destination, but a social enterprise which pays tribute to the older generation.

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Advanced Style

http://www.advancedstyle.blogspot.co.uk/

Pixel Nostalgia In Product Design

We are all nostalgic about vintage computer games. Although technology has moved on so much in the recent years the popularity of Pacman, Space Invaders, Arcanoid or Tetris hasn't at all diminished. Pixels are magical - we all have to agree on that - and it's amazing how they 'migrated' from computer universe to the world of souvenirs, knick-knacks, fashion, hair accessories and furniture. I have picked the best items related to Pixel Nostalgia from Etsy.

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Side Table 'White Cube' - RestArtDesign - £149

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/93233126/side-table-white-cube

 Organic Cotton Bag - KalleAndJules - £9
http://www.etsy.com/listing/92192788/pixel-love-100-organic-cotton-1-of-3

Space Invaders Coffee Cup - Hamsterdam - £4

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83256044/space-invaders-coffee-cup-sleeve-red-and

Pixel Cherries Hair Clip - JanineBasil - £12

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86573277/pixel-cherries-hair-clip-gaming-barrette

Zippered Textile Pixel Pouch - Tinymeat - £12

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92503017/zippered-textile-pixel-pouch-freddy-the

Animal Pixel Series - PrintsByLaura - £36

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77529910/animal-pixel-series-deer-13-x-19-print

3D Ghost Shelf - LighYourselfUp - £367

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95640660/3d-ghost-shelf

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I always look for products which are one of a kind, original and designed with imagination. The idea of going to a High Street shop and spending £50 on an item which was actually manufactured in China at the prize of £1.50 becomes less and less attractive to me with such a variety of incredible designs delivered by original artists online.
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So here you have a beautiful vintage table which is just about to get pixelated. Later hand-knitted mug-warmer with a pixel-based image woven into the fabric. And finally LightYourselfUp's bookshelf for all Pacman lovers where books actually become pixelated parts of the 3D Ghost's face! These are fantastic product concepts which bring originality into everyone's life.
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Quirky Beard-Warmers

I find it a bit difficult to describe this quirky item. Is it just a funny gadget for crazy parties or actually a useful fashion accessory? I guess it is a bit of both. We all know how it feels to freeze off your face when the temperature goes below zero or when you're riding your bike in cold weather. So maybe this original knitted beard will help keep you warm in places where your scarf doesn't reach?
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I'm pretty sure one of the high-street brands will recognize this product's commercial potential at some point and will include it in their collection. But why wait till then? Lackofgoodname sells these fantastic beard-warmers in different colours and shapes for £13. They are originally designed and hand-made. Enjoy being a bit of a trendsetter before everybody starts wearing knitted beards the next season!

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Lackofgoogname's online shop at Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lackofagoodname

photos: Lackofgoodname

Butterfly Emerging From Chaos

Illustrations
Stina Persson, Sweden
www.stinapersson.com

Illustration by Stina Persson,
stinapersson.com

Stina Persson is not my sister. She is a Swedish illustrator.
I love the way she joins casual watercolours' energy and its' random composition with detailed hand drawing and precisely but naturally outlined elements. It looks like a beautiful image comming out of chaos, a butterfly emerging from a stain of paint or ink. Perfect execution of a design. It seems simple, but is very difficult to achieve.


Illustration by Stina Persson,
stinapersson.com

Stina worked for renown clients such as Absolut Vodka, Blue Note Records or DKNY. She is most deffinitely some kind of an artistic excample for me to follow, like an older sister. More at www.stinapersson.com.

Illustration by Stina Persson,
stinapersson.com

Origami animals and Bang Gun Dress

Thank You very much for visiting my weblog. I didn't realize so many people come and read it. I also didn't have time for updates recently.
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If I'm about to make a very fast update on the recent events and my new discoveries, I would like to tell You about nice fonts which I found recently: Quad, Kilogram and Origami Bits. You can use them ocassionally, because if too much, you loose the effect. And please, don't use them too often, as I use them very often in my new projects ;-D.
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QUAD - there are black and white versions

http://www.dafont.com/quad.font
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KILOGRAM

http://kallegraphics.com/?page_id=385
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ORIGAMI BATS
Every letter is an origami animal. There are also origami symbols when You press numbers and punctation marks.
http://www.dafont.com/origamibats.font
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3D DRESS
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This dress was designed and made by an artist Nicole Lindern. There is not much known about her apart from the fact that she lives in Chesterfield in America, is 22 and has been sewing since she can remember. Here is her online shop with more of her clothes:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/nicolelindner
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She has her own recognisable crazy style.
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Bang Gun Dress
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Licole has her online shop at Etsy. It is a website where many people from abound the world have their online shops and sell their self-made items, especially clothes, jewlery and postcards.
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