Design
Orishiki
“Orishiki” is a hybrid word composed of “Ori ”, taken from Origami, Japanese paper-folding art, and “Shiki ” taken from Furoshiki, Japanese traditional wrapping cloth which is large enough to wrap and transport goods and gifts, as well as wearing them as scarves. “ORISHIKI” is a new carrying device consisting of a single piece of two dimensional structure, constructed of triangular segments which can be folded like origami, and can wrap things like furoshiki. The geometric bag is not only idiosyncratic in its appearance but also in its highly speacialized production process. The unique process can be applied to just about any productions without losing its unique product identity.
Naoki Kawamoto is a Japanese product designer, and author of the Orishiki project: the case, the clutch, the suitcase.
As Kawamoto states, the Orishiki is very different from any other product – it is a different concept, a different system, and a different look. Very original and quite unique, this project really deserves to be implemented somehow. And maybe in the future, the Orishiki concept could be extended to other product categories (Myiake did something similar with his 132 5 dresses). And, there’s another tip : with Orishiki suitcase, you don’t need to pack and unpack, because you have a nomadic piece of interior architecture that allows you to carry a patch of your own habitat anywhere.
Delicious Plastic Elements
Giles
Balenciaga
Julian Hakes
Christopher Kane
Melissa x Westwood
no name plastic bow tie
Close To Perfection
Tze Goh is a designer whose (quality of) work is hard to ignore. It wouldn’t be appropriate to call him just “minimal”. His singular design esthetics is merely pure and somehow sensual. Clean surfaces, flawless look, light structure, sculptural functionality, innovative materials – it’s not easy to get so many qualities together in a single garment, huh? That’s pretty close to perfection. Tze Goh’s dresses are from another world.
How does he do it?
I strongly believe in the new generation of fashion designers that rock the world’s catwalks, refreshing the landscape, proposing different stories, avoiding the usually remakes. And Marios Schwab is one that we should keep an eye on. I mean, his designs are always intriguing, in terms of concept and appearance. Remember his Fall 2009 3D collection? that was a great attempt, and he succeeded!
Marios Schwab studied fashion at Esmod Berlin , he took a MA at Saint Martins, and launched his own label in 2005. Schwab won the prize for Best New Designer at the British Fashion Awards in 2006; in 2009 he was appointed Creative Director at Halston.
His recent collections have explored various themes, such as the historical costume, lingerie, rethinking the form of traditional dress, playing with tricky surfaces etc. Definitely, his fashion is always doubled with an intellectual investigation – all his collections are meticulously built, piece by piece. Schwab’s designs are sometimes “risky” and experimental, but still appealing and feminine. His design aesthetic successfully match the technological innovation with traditional craftsmanship.
Regarding Marios Schwab SS 2012 collection, there are beautiful patterns and smart cuts, a lot of transparent layers and unexpected style associations. Not to mention the gorgeous swimsuit – perfectly crisscrossed and cutout! It’s all so sharp and brilliant, I couldn’t help but write about it. I hope you’ll enjoy it, too.
images via vogue.com
Just in case you need a second skin
I’m usually not so enthusiastic about the beige and nude tones on clothes. It’s not because I don’t like them, it’s just the simple fact that nowadays, they’re literally suffocating the fashion world. It’s like – “u don’t have any inspiration, u don’t know what color you should use for that? Just try some beige- it’s easy and it always works!” That’s why I’m not interested in it, because it lacks originality, because it’s already too much and I’m just sick of it. I’ve decided to not tolerate the nude as fashion statement only if it has some serious support, as it does in Margiela’s work.
What about the Calvin Klein Collection? The subtle, elegant, smartly designed pieces from their Spring/ Summer 2012 collection? Also here, the nude has a strong design background. Calvin Klein pioneered the concept of invisible underwear (remember the laser cut, seamless finishing?) – they’re quite revolutionary at this point. Not to mention their recent Naked Glamour lingerie campaign, featuring Lara Stone + Patrick Demarchelier. Their clothing line is always focused on genuine design, clean cuts and a lot o wear-ability. Actually, this design concept is 100% American. But, in addition, the new Spring/Summer Calvin Klein Collection gives it a subtle romantic mood, just opportune to transform the outfits in perfectly marketable products. In Calvin Klein’s terms, the beige really makes sense – it’s about designing the basics, it’s about imaging the contemporary wardrobe as a light extension of the skin.
images via vogue.com
Y-3
As I’m a big fan of Yohji Yamamoto’s designs, his line with Adidas is one of the most awaited at the NY Fashion Week. This time he designed the pieces thinking of the next Olympic games in London, but except of the checkered/tartan fabrics, this looks like a regular Y-3 Collection – black with a few color details, beautifully draped, and just ready-to-wear. Here are some of my favorite outfits :
images via style.com
