Björk: The Gate

For the first release from her forthcoming new album, co-produced by Arca, Björk has teamed up with a super-troupe of contributors to create a hallucinogenic new video. Director Andrew Thomas Huang lends his tech-savvy hand to envision a kaleidoscopic world inhabited by the singer-songwriter, who is clad in an iridescent otherworldly garment designed by Gucci’s Alessandro Michele.

https://www.nowness.com/story/bjork-the-gate-alessandro-michele-andrew-thomas-huang-james-merry

Kate McDowell

In her delicate crafted porcelain sculptures conceptual artist Kate McDowell expresses her interpretation of the clash between the natural world and the modern-day environmental impact of industrialized society. The resulting works can be equal parts amusing and disturbing as the anatomical forms of humans and animals become inexplicably intertwined in her delicate porcelain forms. Via her artist statment:

"In my work this romantic ideal of union with the natural world conflicts with our contemporary impact on the environment. These pieces are in part responses to environmental stressors including climate change, toxic pollution, and gm crops. They also borrow from myth, art history, figures of speech and other cultural touchstones. In some pieces aspects of the human figure stand-in for ourselves and act out sometimes harrowing, sometimes humorous transformations which illustrate our current relationship with the natural world. In others, animals take on anthropomorphic qualities when they are given safety equipment to attempt to protect them from man-made environmental threats".

 http://www.katemacdowell.com

Evelyn Bracklow

Picture Chekhov's cherry orchard after the aristocratic Gayev family have been forced out of their beloved estate, where the remains of their farewell picnic have been left behind, porcelain plates, teacups and sugar bowls now crawling with ants. This is the sensation that you get when you encounter German artist Evelyn Bracklow's hand-painted antique-style china pieces, a jarring yet playful impression of decayed grandeur.

Titled “Chitins Gloss” and produced under Bracklow’s artistic pseudonym “La Philie”, the series consists of old porcelain crockery that she meticulously adorns with ants. Using a fine brush to hand-paint the life-size ants in great detail, it takes Bracklow at the minimum three hours to finish each unique piece after which they are baked at 160 degrees. Taking great care to make the ants as naturalistic as possible, both in their shape but also in their bustling formations, the finished plates, bowls, cups and other tableware are products of exquisite craftsmanship that display a mastery in trompe l'oeil.

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/09/ant-covered-ceramics-evelyn-bracklow/

Kit Miles

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

After completing his MA in textile design at the Royal College of Art, Kit Miles formed his own studio, steeped in the values of quality, exquisite draughtsmanship and a futuristic, often surprising use of scale colour and imagery.

DRAUGHTSMANSHIP

One of the most important values at Kit Miles is excellence in quality and draughtsmanship in each and every design.

The studios ability to render fine and at times surrealist imagery have enabled Miles to form a unique language of design, under the core ethos that freedom to evolve and re-form is ever present in the application of marks onto paper.

The process of hand drawing enables the studio to render an imaginative and ‘super-real’ world into a reality, revealing a glimpse into the ever expanding printed universe of dynamic shapes and images.

http://kitmiles.co.uk

Lazerian

Lazerian is a contemporary creative studio that manipulates established design concepts, digital technology and functional materials to create radical solutions in architectural decoration, exhibitions, lighting, furniture, jewellery and sculpture.

ALCANTARA - SPLIT DRESS
Commissioned by Alcantara and Not Just A Label to explore the unique properties of the fabric. It started with a visit to the factory of Alcantara in Rome and then a tour of there headquarters in Milan. The results were presented in an Exhibition at Protein Gallery along with 9 other designers called Made In Italy Designed In Britain

Danny Roberts

"Danny Roberts is a visual artist that portrays the high end scene with wit and whimsy. His signature stylish portraits of fashion luminaries and models offer a fresh take on fashion‘s vision of perfection." - Models.com

He began his career studying Photography and Fashion Design. Upon finishing school, he was honored by being awarded the first featured portfolio of the year on WGSN Generation Now, which showcases graduating talent from the world‘s leading universities and design colleges.

Danny Roberts‘ body of work is mainly a showcase of couture collection paintings and portraits of models. His works have been featured in the pages of top fashion publications worldwide, including Vogue Italia, Vogue Paris, Vogue Japan, Elle, & Women‘s Wear Daily. He has collaborated with a eclectic variety clients such as, Tiffany & Company, IMG Models, Lancome, Forever 21, & Gwen Stephani‘s Harajuku Lovers. Danny is also one half of the brother creative team, Igor + Andre.

Danny Roberts 

Tibor Reich: Nature Designs In Fabric

Tibor Reich, who was born into a Jewish family in Budapest in 1916, escaped Nazi-occupied Vienna for Leeds in 1937, becoming a pioneering interior designer of 1950s and 60s Britain. It was a Reich designed woollen fabric chosen by a young Queen Elizabeth as her wedding present in 1947, and in a career that lasted three decades, his vibrant, deeply textured designs would decorate the interiors of royal palaces, embassies, 10 Downing Street and even the first Concorde.


http://www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/resources/textilefashion/

Jo Malone & Marthe Armitage

Most people, by the time they reach their 70s, have begun to wind down – at least when it comes to work. But for artist and printmaker Marthe Armitage, her eighth decade was when things really started to get going career-wise. Marthe has been producing her exquisite scenic wallpapers since the 1950s, but it has only been over the past 12 years or so that they’ve truly taken off.

Now in her 80s, she is still designing and printing papers from her riverside home in Chiswick – including a new, bespoke pattern for the fragrance house Jo Malone – and is finally enjoying the recognition her work so richly deserves.

Watch Marthe on Youtube 

Stefan Glerum

Amsterdam-based illustrator Stefan Glerum has a distinct style that is recognised and respected across the world, and his work is inspired by early 20th Century movements such as Art Deco, Bauhaus, Italian Futurism and Russian Constructivism, which he combines with popular themes, executed in a hand drawn style reminiscent of the clear line. 

His latest project revolved around creating illustrations for two stained glass facades reaching up to 60 feet for a new residential project in Amsterdam by housing corporation Ymere. The complex is designed by Heren 5 Architects, the stained glass is fabricated by Atelier Schmit.
http://www.stefanglerum.com

Ai Weiwei

Celebrated Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has launched an enormous exhibition of fantastical paper figures, but rather than showing at one of the cities iconic art spaces, his giant creatures are on display across the historic Le Bon Marché department store, Paris.

http://aiweiwei.com

Abstract

Abstract_ is a brand which creates customized fashion. Customers are involved in the design process by generating patterns from their own personal stories. 

The web design tool analyzes what the customer writes and how it is written and transforms this data into a visual representation of the abstract. 

We will transform the customer’s personal pattern into a textile and a unique piece of garment.

Interaction: Bjørn Karmann. Fashion: Julie Eriksen Textile: Kristine Boesen

Konstantin Kofta

http://kofta.com.ua/#

Known for his daring and unconventional leather-accessory design, Ukrainian fashion designer Konstantin Kofta has released his latest collection of leather bags and clutches. Kofta likes to draw inspiration from natural shapes, like seashells and parts of human anatomy, which he then transforms into fully-functional garments and accessories. 

Bearing the title “ARXI”, Kofta’s SS16 collection takes the designer’s approach a step further, by incorporating and inspired by forms and imagery found in Baroque architecture.

Kostas Neofitidis

Inspired by his travels to Asia – particularly Thailand – Kostas’ vibrant world is a reflection of exploding colours and forms. The individual abstract dimensions and characters of the eclectic murals slowly reveal themselves once viewed closer and into focus – continuing to inspire audiences with every new glance.

Describing the collection, Kostas explains that ‘Kota lives happily on a magical beach, submerged underwater, looking at life in a positive way’. Kostas portrays the charmed depiction of paradise through his latest textile range consisting of individual art panels which are printed on woven canvas. When hung appropriately, the vivacity of colour entwines, dances and energises the entire mural. Combining to create a positive outlook on life and to represent Kostas’ unique and exuberant style.

Kostas personal journey into art is an interesting one, too. Originally an architect, Kostas emerged from the Cyprus nightlife as an iconic figure, owning some of the most revered clubs, bars and restaurants. Although architecture remains a large part of his life, his primary passion of the Kota Collection now holds most of his attention. Alongside the new colourful motifs, the Kota Collection includes hand-woven silk carpets, t-shirts and a dinnerware selection. 

http://www.kostasneofitidis.com

Sophie Ryder

Sophie Ryder was born in London, England, in 1963. She studied Combined Arts at the Royal Academy of Arts where, while obtaining her diploma in painting, she was encouraged by fellow artist to develop her sculpture. Inspired by Picasso, Goya and Henry Moore, she famously developed the Lady Hare as a counterpart to Ancient Greek mythology's Minotaur. A fascinating aspect of Sophie Ryder's sculpture is her concern with hybrids; not only the Minotaur, but hares combined with human features. The Lady Hare has occupied her imagination for many years and the human parts are based on the artist's own body. These sculptures have the potential to forge powerful images charged with character and emotion which go well beyond representation.

http://www.sophie-ryder.com

Mister Finch

Little curled up velveteen rabbits, wide-eyed owls, soft hedgehogs and fairytale mushrooms all play a part in Mr. Finch's imaginative story-world. The range of expression and skilled handiwork is evident in all of Mr. Finch's pieces, giving an uncanny sense that these creatures were once alive. 

http://www.mister-finch.com

Jim Stoten

http://www.jimtheillustrator.co.uk

Pernille Snedker Hansen

Pernille Snedker Hansen is the creator of Snedker Studio, she is a designer and artist who challenges how we look at the surfaces around us. Created one drop at the time and resembling a tree growth rings, Pernilles technique responds to naturally occurring patterns. A culmination of years of experimentation and development, Pernille has re-purposed the traditional craft of marbling. She has among others received a Wallpaper Design Award in 2012 and exhibits her work in conjunction with the Danish Crafts Council.

Find out more about her work here: snedkerstudio.dk

Sergio Calatroni

If your thinking of building a web site, check out this guy's site - you'll  be inspired!
His instillation work is as equally inspiring...
http://www.sergiocalatroni.com

Silvia Pelissero

Silvia Pelissero, a painter best known as Agnes Cecile, was born in Rome, Italy. Using simple images coupled with abstract color and detail, Agnes Cecile creates rich, emotional human portraits. There's lots more inspiring clips on YouTube! 

Motoi Yamamoto

While he draws his poetic scapes, Yamamoto seems to enter a trance that takes him far into the depths of his consciousness and into a world of peace and tranquility; in fact, while he creates, he appears far removed from reality, no matter how many observers surround him. Each installation is a metaphysical experience, one that hypnotises the viewer, and that puts the world on hold, a restful and peaceful experience where the viewer is completely absorbed in the repetitive ritual of the artist’s hand and awakens only once the final image appears as a whole. 




http://www.motoi.biz

The Next Black: A Film About The Future of Clothing

With the objective of anticipating future washing needs and contributing to making the clothing industry more sustainable, ‘The Next Black’ is a 45-minute documentary that explores the future of clothing, produced by home appliance manufacturer AEG together with production company House of Radon. Some of the most innovative companies express their opinions on clothing and its future whilst answering questions such as: Will the mass consumption of clothing continue to escalate? Or will we return to creating quality and caring about what we wear? Will the future be centered around smart clothing and new technologies? Or will we find innovation within organic and traditional methods?

The progressive people that are answering these questions include Rick Ridgeway, environmentalist, mountaineer and Vice President of Environmental Initiatives at Patagonia one of the most sustainable companies in the fashion industry,Nancy Tilbury, co-founder and director of Studio XO, a company that specializes in the area where fashion meets technology, Matt Hymers, project manager of Team Elite System, one of adidas’ latest inventions (who demonstrates the system of woven sensors in the shirt that send real-time data of the players’ performance), Suzanne Lee, the founder of Biocouture Ltd, which works with materials grown from living organisms and lastly, Sophie Mather, Innovation Director of the Yeh Group which has pioneered a new way to dye clothes using zero water.

Natsai Audrey Chieza

Here's a new approach to pattern-making from Zimbabwe-born London designer Natsai Audrey Chieza one that uses specially cultured herb soil bacteria. Chieza has discovered how some bacteria, when extracted from herbs like sage, bloom into rich, unique colours when they are cultured. 

Applying these to fabrics, a pattern is created that clings to the individual microbes. Chieza is now exploring whether or not it's possible to use bacteria for creating programmable patterns for fashion brands.

Natsai Audrey Chieza

Christa van der Meer

Christa van der Meer is a Dutch fashion designer and graduated from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Experiencing with different mediums she now works on projects to find ways to connect her portrait drawings to her fashion designs. Her graduation collection she portraits the fact that drawing is essential for designing. The drawings form the base of her fashion collections and is an instrument to create a new perspective both visually and emotionally.
Christa van der Meer 

Rick Owens Spring 2014 Womenswear

Dance in definitely in the air as another designer, in this case Rick Owens has used performance to present his Spring 2014 Womenswear.

Rick Owens

 

BOLON

Swedish carpet manufacturer BOLON has announced the launch of its new Silence collection with a video by Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman. Titled ‘The Contradiction of Silence’, the video tastefully combines the rhythms of BOLON’s carpet looms with the coordinated movements of the dancers, creating a poetic metaphor of ‘woven’ dance and ‘dancing’ machines.
http://www.bolon.com

InkShaped

"InkShaped, the brand new magazine aiming to promote and highlight the vibrant and thriving music scene that Manchester is known for"

Check it out and support such a cool magazine!

Also, they have said to ask if anyone is interested in writing/designing for the magazine to email them at inkshaped@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/Inkshaped

We Make Carpets

We Make Carpets is the creative collaboration of visual artist Bob Waardenburg and designers Stijn van der Vleuten and Marcia Nolte.  Their carpets are constructed by hand with ordinary every day materials.

http://www.wemakecarpets.nl

Loes Veenstra

For 50-odd years Loes Veenstra sat in her street in Rotterdam, needles clicking away. In total she has made 556 hand-knitted jumpers but not one has been worn…until now by a flash-mob...




The flash-mob and accompanying book was recognised with a Dutch Design Award in October 2013. The last part of the project will see Veenstra's jumpers finally fulfil their purpose, as they are sold in an auction in Rotterdam in the new year.

Rosemarie Fiore's Firework Paintings

Rosemarie Fiore  (b. 1972, New York, United States) lives and works in Bronx, NY.  She typically produces artwork out of the actions of mechanisms.  She converts popular technology such as lawn mowers, cars, waffle irons, floor polishers, pinball machines, fireworks and amusement park rides into painting machines. How cool is that!

Gemis Luciani

Luciani’s output consists of two-dimensional tapestries, as well as three-dimensional sculptural forms that are meant to explore the possibilities and potential of printed media as a plastic medium. He achieves a variety of visual effects by treating magazines, books, and telephone directories in unconventional ways...

http://www.gemisluciani.com/home.html