Swede Tooth.
Over the past couple of years Scandinavian designers such as Acne, Filippa K, Tiger of Sweden, J. Lindenburg and Cheap Mondays have been a hit on the international fashion scene. Known for their attention to detail and quality, the Nordic folk offer up garments and accessories well worth breaking the bank for. The versatility of these pieces allow for both casual and formal wear with simply a change of footwear. As a result, it’s easy to imagine these contemporary classics as solid wardrobe investments.
I am inspired by these designers, their lookbooks and marketing materials as examples of casual, basic and classic fashion, approached with creativity and intrigue. Additionally, these designs are helpful when working with unisex fashion to achieve flirty, feminine silhouettes. Below is a spread of items in my closet and on my shopping list from designers such as; Swedish Hasbeens, Mini Market, Wood Wood, Julian Red, D Co, Mads Norgaard, Fjallraven, Stine Goya, Carin Wester, Rodebjer and House of Dagmar.
Making faces with Pendleton blankets.
The 90’s ethnic print trend has had a solid resurgence over the past couple of years from footwear to capes, skirts and bags. Fall 2010 brought a frenzy of nouveau Najavo prints reminiscent of my 6th grade pullover jacket, but with updated colors and tidy tailoring. Heritage themes such as this one are currently flooding the runway but are done best by the labels that base their branding on the ruggedness of the American landscape. We’ve seen a revival from the likes of Penfield, Smith Brothers, Woolrich and my personal favorite Pendleton, and the trend continues into spring ’11.
I can envision a snowboarding trip ending with woven woolen blankets in bold triangle patterns juxtaposed with subtle contemporary classics such as cable knits, denim and khaki.
Fashionable forts.
The idea of handmade forts is something I’ve been creatively inspired by for a while. It’s a concept with big long super model legs that will work in a variety of contexts. As a kid you make forts as a fantasy retreat, where you feel safe to play and create. Different forts (leaf, blanket, snow, tree) are made for each season: for example a blanket fort could be made inside on a rainy day in spring. Construction would require books, pillows, throws, sheets, stuffed animals and lamps. The builders would be outfitted in cozy knee socks, warm zippered hoodies and soft cotton shorts. Each fort building effort comes with a different set of accessories and tools that evokes a feeling of nostalgia and comfort.
I recently did an impromptu art project revolving around the concept of a leaf fort. I decided to give it a mystical/ occult twist as per the forest setting.
Northern exposure.
I have a hard time getting on board with Tim Horton’s coffee, Labatt’s beer commercials and The Tragically Hip, but that doesn’t make me less of a Canadian. Instead, my sense of pride comes from breathing in crisp rocky mountain air, bulgogi and butter chicken on the same menu, patois riddled conversations, College St. bike lanes, Blue Jay's Baseball, John Candy and lumberjack fashion. As of late, Canadian brands and designers have given us even more to be proud of, with classic throwback styles for the Canadian climate.
This past year was momentous for the Hudson Bay Company as the official outfitter of the Vancouver Olympics and with the release of their Heritage Collection. Canadian labels Comrags, Smythe, Krane and Klaxton Howl paired up with The Bay to create one-of-a-kind coats inspired by the HBC point blanket. Additionally, they presented a line of t-shirts, accessories, totes and sweaters with heavy Hudson Bay branding and iconic coloured stripes. Roots followed suit with a throwback Beaver Canoe pullover and vintage t-shirt line with more on the way for spring ‘11.
Other favorites include; baseball jerseys reproductions by Ebbets Field Flannels, Montreal-made moccasins by Laurentian Chief, the Canada Goose Down Vest and Crown Cap’s classic beaver pelt hat. On the retail level, 2010 brought Red Canoe - National Heritage Brands to the Dundas West strip in Toronto, offering RCMP, CBC and Province branded items.
The Canadian landscape and climate are inspiring in terms of marketing and brand image. On an international level our garments are revered as tough and functional. Here at home, we wear Canadian with loyalty and nostalgia.
Believe the hype.
My work is trends, so I appreciate pop culture. Not because I have to, but because I can’t help myself. I follow Kanye West on Twitter, watch Teen Moms, Bieber Bash, YouTube cat videos, brain bank Ebonics and zone out to MTV, just like everybody else. Incidentally, this drivel comes in handy more than you’d think. I can effortlessly make small talk with strangers or ride a wave of hype in the direction of my own agenda. Once a month I deejay a hip-hop event where I play emerging top 40 hits and 90’s classics. On a Friday night, the bar is full of some of the city's biggest trendsetters but at 1:00 AM everyone will put away their personas and whip their hair to Willow Smith. People unite in pop culture because it’s something we all have in common. I don’t make popular music; I just have the insight to play it. These rules apply to creative marketing. You can take that pop culture buzz, shape it into something tasteful or simply make a current catch phrase reference - undoubtably people will revel in it.
Bambi for No Magazine.
One of my favorite photo shoots of 2010 was by Mark Hunter for No Magazine featuring one of my favorite models, Bambi Northwood-Blyth. I’ve seen her pose for a bevy of very polished, high fashion spreads, but I’ve never seen her like this. The photography shows a few coarse details that hint on that popular Richard Kern aesthetic but less crude and provocative. For example, her eyebrows and hair are unruly and you can see small skin imperfections in facial close-ups. While this type of under processed photography complements the model's natural look of innocence, it also suggests a basic sex appeal. The model wears the clothing to influence a feeling of calm, effortless beauty, that appears attainable to the audience. For me, it’s easy to relate to this candid, casual look. I find myself drawn to this aesthetic in my own and other's creative strategies.
Alfred Hithcock Presents.
The quickest way to make new, is to revamp something old. For convenience, I love 1930’s – 1950’s title screens. They capture the audience and set the tone for the entire film with simply a font and a basic graphic background. It’s easy to take these principels and apply them to design for signage or packaging in a jiffy.
I’m a fan of Saul Bass in particular. His motion graphics contributed to Alfred Hitchcock's modish house style, which was the cornerstone of his aesthetic and marketing.
Economic Recession!
Such a bleak, mournful headline - but from a creative angle those two words conjure up a much more positive vision. It is financial hardship in the ghettos and slums that created rock and roll, hip hop and skateboarding. Similarly, the majority of fashion trends originate in the streets from functionality and became a creative statement as simple as a way of wearing your jeans.
The economic downturn of recent years has brought functional simplicity to design, the obvious manifestation in fashion being work wear. Themes of blue-collar rebellion are seen in waxed canvas, sturdy leather boots, handkerchiefs, muted wools, and button down shirts. These garments go alongside images of simple pleasures like hot coffee, clean white sheets, a newspaper or radio.
To convey the theme of work wear revolution, I would use clean streamlined settings with evidence of wear and tear. The point of interest would come from the emotion and actions of my text, models, or graphics. I see strength, anger, passion and joy in the faces of people doing very common work.
Below I have arranged a few items that help to illustrate this theme.
