Showing posts with label young designer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young designer. Show all posts

fashion friends: cosmic thread

Cosmic Thread began in early 2011 as a concept of creating contemporary jewelry incorporating geometry and ideas of futurism. Their love for shapes lead them to create Cosmic Thread: The Beginning, a collection made from acrylic and reclaimed walnut wood. Cosmic Thread is the the harmonious collaboration of  sisters Taryn and Megan Slawson, based out of Colorado. Both girls studied apparel design and production at Colorado State University. Check our selection of Cosmic Thread in the Shop, and read our interview below!

Sarah: You describe your designs as "geometric hardware" and cite inspirations like space and the future. What images come to mind when you think about your inspirations? Films? Places?
Cosmic Thread: Shape is our biggest form of inspiration, you can find it everywhere and in everything making it such an important part of life and the basis for our designs. We go crazy when we see a shape we find unusual and different and think how can we incorporate it into our designs. We are deeply inspired by space and the space between, or the threads of energy connecting us all as one. The universe is deeply mysterious and full of organic beauty. Our pieces were all designed based off two basic shapes that we were so inspired by. The triangle and the semi circle. Both these shapes we found often in celestial and astrological charts, sun dials, and ancient carvings. We felt variations of these shapes to have a powerful connection to the universe that so inspired us.

S: Your jewelry is pretty statement making, but also tasteful. When do you like to push the envelope? Or do you enjoy a more minimalist style?
CT:Our aesthetic combines clean minimalist lines with ultra contemporary shapes. We are always looking to push the boundaries of the design industry following only our insights and inspirations. We want to make pieces that no one has ever seen before, pushing the standard of jewelry from accessory into hardware.

S: Have you always been interested in jewelry? Is it a major part of your wardrobe?
CT: We both studied at a very technical based apparel design in school. Our skills from piecing together patterns evolved into piecing together hardware. Our hardware is designed to be an extension of the wearer rather than an accessory to the outfit. Pairing our pieces with a simple silhouette can instantly transform any wardrobe staple. Our hardware is definitely a major part of our wardrobes. We each have our go to piece from the collection that we seem to wear with everything, I think our respective pieces we choose to wear say a lot about who we are and how we are so uniquely different yet very much the same.

S: How did you begin to work together?
CT: We started working together after finishing school. Our work has really evolved over the past two years and has become much more refined and structured. It's not uncommon for one of us to start a project and the other to finish it. In fact that is how we work best. Our design styles are very different and in that way we compliment each other really well. We are usually mind melding simultaneously, so we think in the same way and design in two different manners. It's great. 


S: Who is the most stylish person you have ever met?
TC: Taryn used to volunteer at the museum of contemporary art in Denver and met Zandra Rhodes once! She is a huge inspiration to us both, we love eccentric beings, our great grandmother was an eccentric and a great role model. A true free spirit indeed.

Time for a pop quiz!
Complete this sentence: My dreams will come true when... I see Claire and Jonah of YACHT wearing Cosmic Thread.
Earth or Space? Space is the place!
Mind or Matter? Mind over matter, although we are greatly intrigued by dark matter or the space between everything in the universe. 
Gold or Silver? GOLD
Mars or Jupiter? I would have to say Jupiter has always been one of my favorite planets.
Astronaut or Cowboy? We recently observed it through our telescope when it was aligned with four of its moons it was truly incredible! I would love to be an astronaut, it would be amazing to go beyond the reaches of our earth.
If you could live inside one film what would it be? The Fall. The movie was shot in 18 countries and did not use any computer generated images. The locations are ethereal and the characters are eccentric, the perfect combination to get lost living inside their story of pure beauty and wanderlust.


Visit the shop to view all jewelry from Cosmic Thread

FASHION FRIENDS: ASHER LEVINE


Asher Levine is a designer with a wild side; he's a maverick and an inventor. Levine makes amazing garments built upon his ability to challenge conventional ideas of tailoring. Classically trained, Levine is hands-on with his pieces during their production. Larger ideas of sexuality, industry, and government are conveyed through his clothes. Despite his youth, Levine has garnered some major attention, including stunning editorials, and designing for the likes of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.

Read our conversation with the designer below and check out the shop for selections of Asher Levine SS12 for Men and Women.


Sarah: Your work is very rooted in the organic and also oriented towards the future. How do time and nature influence your style?

Asher: Time’s influence on physical variation fascinates me. Why does variation occur? I try to manifest the answer through clothing where the collections illustrate directed variation.

S: You have serious training as a tailor and really know how to deal with garments. Is the construction process a very meticulous one for you?

A: Process is the most important aspect to me, it’s where the true design of the garment or accessory really shows. It’s the process that inspires.


S: We love the looks you designed for Lady Gaga. Can you tell us about that?

A: I’m so glad that our paths crossed when they did. We’ve continued our relationship and are always thinking of ways to make crazy cool outfits for the future.

S: The pieces in your FW12 collection were really rugged and masculine, like a future militia of some kind. What were your inspirations for that work?

A: 1920’s Russian Military to the Atomic Age of the 30’s and the 40’s. Then inject it with the Z and Beta Chromosome.

S: Black and other dark tones have always been the default color for feeling cool. Why do you think that is?

A: Contrast. When dressing is how much contrast does what you are wearing have with your face/body? It doesn’t matter what race you are, just think of the contrast, it will make your best features stand out.

S: What would you never wear?

A: Anything that doesn’t represent me at that given time.

S: Do you have any personal style icons?

A: Dr. Lisa Airan.

S: If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

A: Australopithecus Sediba.




"GANG OF" PROUD RACE SS12



Proud Race describes the inspiration for their line as "a gang of nomadic skaters and their trophy girlfriends." Need we say more? The line is minimal and still referential to larger ideas of uniform, culture, and youth. Watch the film above and check out their line, brand new in the SHOP.

film by: judd figuerres
model: marita,matthieu
mua: boombee bartolome
music: laura veirs "galaxies"
all clothing by proud race s/s 2012

ASHER LEVINE: past and future tense


Last week for their NYFW presentation Asher Levine paid homage to the past and blazed straight into the future. Held at the historic Jefferson Market Library, the collection was innovative but held onto some classic notions of masculine style.
STAY TUNED for Asher Levine SS12 collection...arriving soon to IDLM!






Collaborations and Credits:
Leather: Zana Bayne
Footwear: Dr.Martens
Milliner: Victor Osborne
Hair: Eric Alt an ALT Hair Products

THIS FRIDAY: TELFAR's GIFs at SANTOS PARTY HOUSE

As brought to you by Spencer's Gifs:
TELFAR's GIFS with DIS MAGAZINE/ Akeem Smith
Featuring DJs: TELFAR/ SHAYNE OLIVER/ GRAYSON REVIOR+McFERREN
at Santos Party House 96 Lafayette Street, February 10th  Doors 11pm

FASHION FRIENDS: BOND HARDWARE


Dana Hurwitz and Vincent Barile were two fashion lovers with a penchant for the hard stuff. After they met and bonded over their love for deviance and high fashion they came together and founded Bond Hardware. BH is a line full of transformable and statement making jewelry that works in unique tandem with clothing. Read our interview with Dana and Vincent below, and SHOP MENS and WOMENS just in! 

SARAH: Hey Guys! Your stuff is really amazing and so versatile! Its unisex and can really suit a wide range of people. Another thing we love about your pieces is that they're totally bad ass but really polished, how do you straddle that line so effortlessly?

We try to balance the edgy-ness of our pieces with minimalism. This helps them maintain a refined quality that helps appeal to a broader market.

What kind of clothing do you see your hardware being worn with? What are your favorite designers? looks? or inspirations?

VINCENT: Ideally, our collection is to be worn with a collared shirt, but the great thing about it is that you are able to wear it however you prefer. Currently, my favorite fashion designers are Acne and Raun LaRose. Also, Gaspard Yurkievich has been an huge inspiration of mine.
DANA:  Some of the pieces look great as necklaces too. When I don’t feel like being buttoned up I’ll grab a Hitch ring, or the chain lock, the double clip and even the male window lock. My favorite designers currently are Haider Ackerman – Tilda Swinton looked amazing in his look at the Golden Globes, and always Iris Apfel is a flawless style icon of mine.

Is there anything that you can't stand as far as trends? Any pet peeves?

VINCENT: Well this is easy! Northface. Leggings. Uggs. Especially, Northface + Leggings + Uggs = Not cute.
DANA: I’ll just add that leggings aren’t a substitute for pants. No matter how amazing your legs are or if you just came from yoga.

Do you guys have any major fashion crushes? Who would be the dream person to wear BH?

VINCENT: Definitely, Jacob Coupe.
DANA: Lady Fag, or Obama, Mrs. or Mr..


Your tumblr is so great. Do you take a lot of fashion inspiration from the internet? Do you find it useful that way?

Yes, social networking is a huge part of our work. Tumblr is a great platform for collecting and curating our daily inspirations. It allows us to be inspired by people and places that we normally wouldn’t be able to be affected by and constantly share that with our creative network.

Did you guys meet in fashion school? Were you instant style soul-mates? How did you go about beginning to design together?

We met through mutual friends. We had an intimate moment in a taxi cab… and then started playing dress up together. Dana goes to Pratt for fashion Design and Vince goes to The Art Institute for graphic Design.

Where did the name Bond Hardware come from?

Our name is inspired by bondage wear, so we started playing with the words bond and bound. The name in that context also alludes to a bond between two people.

Okay time for a POP QUIZ! 
Coke or Pepsi? Torn, Interview or i-D Mag? i-D Mag, Mary Kate or Ashley? Mary Kate, Nicki Minaj or Lady Gaga? Neither- but props to their creative teams., Ying-yang or Peace sign? Ying yang, Skulls or Flowers? Floral Skulls sound ideal, John Waters or David Lynch? Lynch.


IDLM EDITORIAL

 Team Jacob Crew by Stolen Girlfriends Club, Star Shorts by Samantha Pleet, and Ronson Shoes by Jeffrey Campbell

Cab Coat by Kai- aakman, Vegan Leather and Ponte Shift Dress by Factory, Ad-longs by Jeffrey Campbell

Shoelace Knit Front Tank by Bedford Street Laundry, Crepe de Chine and Georgette Shirt Dress by Alexander Wang, Phoenix Wedge in Ice Gray by Maurie and Eve, and Washed Lampskin Double Pockets by Barbara Gongini

Denim Vest by Barbara Gongini, The Outrider Hat by Heather Huey, Oversized Chiffon Collared Shirt by Factory, Second Skin in Rust and Navy Jeans by Cheap Monday, and Buckle Up Boots by Jefferey Campell

Top Hat by Heather Huey, Belted Coat by Kai-aakman, and Hilda Shoe by Miista

 The Fez Hat by Heather Huey, Studded Sheepskin Vest by Blackheart, Silk Flare Pants by Stolen Girlfriends Club, and Sawyer Pump in Black Pony Fur by Jeffrey Campbell

Photography: Jordan Walczak
Styling: Chrissie G 
Hair/Makeup: William Scott
Model: Erika at Next NY
All clothes from I Dont Like Mondays 

FASHION FRIENDS: CHRIS HABANA


Designer Chris Habana brings gothic iconography to the forefront of jewelry trends. His edgy collection features signature cross, spike, and triangle charms that are eye-catching and head-turning. With a childhood reveling in fantasy and sci-fi and a young adult life dabbling in 90’s gay counter-culture, the designer was able to let the two worlds clash to create his bold line. Features in publications from V Magazine, Vogue Italia and Nylon to The New York Times have gained Habana recognition as a daring designer with more great things to come.

CHRIS: Hey Chris! A lot of your jewelry references different symbols (crosses, eyes, thorns, bones etc.) What is the power behind that symbolism? What do these symbols mean to you?

CHRIS: I grew up in a catholic house so crosses have been ingrained in my psyche since childhood. Crosses have so many different meanings to different people. Generally though the connotation is something somber and serious. I like to look at them as a design form and challenge their normal variations by twisting them around, linking them end-on-end or dangling them upside down. The same is true for other symbols such as bones, eyes and thorns. They are all dark in nature but beautiful in form. I like to take them out of context and make it something you wouldn’t think of.

SARAH: All your jewelry is unisex, it looks awesome on both women and men because it achieves a balance of toughness and sexiness, how do you manage to navigate that territory? Managing to include both genders?

CHRIS: People often ask “who do you like to see wearing the line” and the answer is usually some riff on, “Boys, girls and everyone in between.” I’ve always been really into androgyny. I don’t bother to specify pieces for different sexes. I design the collection and encourage everyone to wear it.

SARAH: A lot of your pieces evoke a certain sexuality (i.e. the lovelace ring, thorns), can you speak about the sexual persona of your jewelry? Their boldness?

CHRIS: I love to push the envelope when it comes to sexual taboos in the same way I like to fuck with religious imagery. I always want to create something unexpected and subversive no matter what the subject. Sex in particular though is something we all do and as much as it’s out there on tv there’s still so much that happens behind closed doors that people are afraid of. I dedicated FW11 to merging fetish with fashion for the creation of the “WierdNKinky” collection. I wanted to just put everything in your face and I was surprised by the unexpected response. People seemed ready for it. It was really cool.

SARAH: Do you have any major cinematic or artistic influences that seem to reoccur with your designs?

CHRIS: I draw most of my inspiration from street style but themes from Doom Generation and Paris is Burning always have a presence in the collections.

SARAH: Who is your greatest inspiration?

CHRIS: JESUS, Duh.

SARAH: Your line is so contemporary, so involved with our current culture, what are your guiltiest culture indulgences?

CHRIS: Well I already said Jesus, but I also like Tyra and Weed.

SARAH: What are your style no-nos? What celebrity would you love to make over?

CHRIS: I think anything goes. I’m not into making people over. I am all about people expressing themselves however they are comfortable.


Shop CHRISHABANA in the store!

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