Welcoming 2021!

Photo and design © My Fashion Connect Global / Lucia Carpio 2020

This New Year, we take the opportunity to reconnect, to rekindle and recharge, and indeed, also to celebrate what we have and cherish.  We hope that soon our lives will return to normality or at least to a new adaptable, functional normal.   May the New Year bring everyone positivity, brighter days, and new hope, as we go forward with courage, compassion, creative thinking and do-good action.

 

PANTONE announces Ultimate Gray and Illuminating as the COLOUR of 2021

A view from the South Downs in Eastbourne towards a setting
sun over the English Channel. 
Photo by Lucia Carpio shot in September 2020. 

Like a spot of golden optimism amidst a sea of profound uncertainties, after a turbulent year impacted by the pandemic crisis, we look forward to hopeful days ahead with Covid-19 vaccines now being gradually rolling out, PANTONE's desiganted Colour(s) for 2021 highlight how different elements can come together to support one another. 

Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity, says PANTONE. It is a story of colour that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.

As reported in the New York Times, Laurie Pressman the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute says, “No one color could get across the meaning of the moment. We all realized we cannot do this alone. We all have a deeper understanding of how we need each other and emotional support and hope.” Hence Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone said the decision to select “two independent colors really coming together.”

The Pantone experts did admit they did not start the process with a two-colour result in mind, but they realized early on that the stakes around the choice of colour for 2021 were very high and might demand a new approach.

“Grey is reassuring and perennial, and when paired with Illuminating in a mid-century style space, it results in a warm and inviting palette full of charisma.” 

Hayward Dove Grey L-Shape corner sofa from Furniture And Choice: Contemporary and spacious, the Hayward corner sofa is a stylish option for the living room.

From an interior design point of view,  the combination of the two colours are hardly revolutionary, although they do complement each other.

The Harlow sofa from Furniture And Choice
 has a stylish, Scandi-inspired design.  

Taking inspiration from Pantone's 2021 colours, Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at UK's Furniture And Choice, has various advice.  She says: “Start with a grey sofa as a grounding base. Look for a structured profile with gentle curves and raised, tapered feet that are hallmarks of the style.  Introduce accents of Illuminating through accessories like pillows and artwork. Fun, thematic pieces like a sunburst rattan mirror can also help to visually brighten the space. Grey is reassuring and perennial, and when paired with Illuminating in a mid-century style space, it results in a warm and inviting palette full of charisma.”   

Over at Snug, The Sofa in a Box Company, they already have similar colourway vibes to Pantone’s winning shades. Their textured Mid Grey is available in The Big Chill and Rebel collections, and acts as a perfect neutral for your home styling. 

The Rebel 2-Seater sofa in Turmeric from Snugshack.co.uk

They also have the uplifting Turmeric, a Limited Edition colourway as part of the Rebel Collection. All Snug products are upholstered with big plump cushions and deep seats with either curved arms (from the trendy Rebel collection) or wide arms (from the calm and relaxing Big Chill collection). 

“After the troubles of 2020, we were delighted to see that Pantone had chosen such a positive colour combined with a reassuring partner. Yellow tones will always remind us of happy summer days whilst grey tones have been making an appearance in interiors for a while now – offering solidarity and familiarity."

Meanwhile wall murals expert Wallsauce.com has released its top five designs that complement the colour duo, focussing on Pantone’s definition of ‘A marriage of colour conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting’.  The wallpaper designs not only reflect the colours but also embraces their meanings with uplifting artwork that 2021 needs.

The on-trend custom-made Transparent Gold wall mural in mustard and grey from
Wallsauce is supplied in panels.

From pretty foliage and playful birds to a soothing watercolour design, all five wallpapers available at Wallsauce.com express positivity and happiness and are available to adorn walls to bring bright and cheerful décor to homes.

Wallsauce.com features Alliums and Heleniums wall mural.

Rachel Kenny, head of the design studio at Wallsauce.com says:  “After the troubles of 2020, we were delighted to see that Pantone had chosen such a positive colour combined with a reassuring partner. Yellow tones will always remind us of happy summer days whilst grey tones have been making an appearance in interiors for a while now – offering solidarity and familiarity. 

"We wanted to be able to make this positive shift available to every home, so our top five styles offer something for everyone. 'Transparent Gold' by Carol Robinson is a timeless design, whilst the 'Grey and Mustard Watercolour' is ultra-modern and a fairly new design for Wallsauce. Some of the wallpapers we have chosen to complement these colours are already amongst our best sellers!” 

Scoop X Pure to take place September 2021

It has been a tough year for trade fair and event organisers.  And although things are about to turn for the better hopefully with the availability of viable vaccines, it may be fair to expect that it will be some months before we can see things going back to normality.

It is understandable that show organisers will face the challenges ahead by concentrating their commitment and efforts on fewer events to ensure a better success.

So it is welcome news that Hyve Group, the organisers of Scoop and Pure London, have announced that the two leading London fashion trade fairs will unite as one event in September 2021.

While the two shows will run as a virtual forum - Fashion Together - on 23rd February 2021, Scoop X Pure as a concept show is scheduled to take place on 12th-14th September 2021 and will be held at the iconic Saatchi Gallery, with Scoop founder and MD, Karen Radley, taking up the role as curator.  

Scoop X Pure will showcase a highly edited line up of fashion, home and lifestyle collections

A carefully curated menswear line-up will feature at the show

The joint London event is designed to offer an exclusive and safe buying experience in September 2021, according to Hyve, showcasing the “best in show”, highlighting the most exciting collections and labels across the Scoop and Pure London rosters.

Designed to offer a “department store” atmosphere, Scoop X Pure will not only showcase both emerging and established UK and international designers as well as a selected edit of home and lifestyle products.

Following the cancellation of Jacket Required’s July edition, Scoop X Pure will also feature a selected menswear edit, with a view to showcasing labels with both a men’s and womenswear offering.

Founder and Managing Director of Scoop, Karen Radley says “Scoop and Pure London have coexisted for some time in the UK capital and this is an exciting opportunity to unite the best of both. I am looking forward to welcoming our loyal visitors and exhibitors, as well as many new faces to the Saatchi Gallery for this unique event.”

Pure London Event Director, Gloria Sandrucci continues, “Bringing the Hyve fashion portfolio closer together has been a key strategic priority for the business, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to offer this one of a kind show. We have been listening to our buyers and exhibitors and feel that Scoop X Pure will provide an excellent gateway back into live events following the pandemic, offering a more exclusive and safer buying environment in line with the contemporary fashion calendar.”

While Christmas 2020 remains challenging, experts predict promising consumers' festive spending

This Jewels and Jingles collection includes
velvet and sequin butterfly
on clip, and a selection of glass baubles
on a Highland blue tree,
all from Dobbies Garden Centres.

      It is great that the current lockdown in England is coming to an end and shops and non-essential retailers can open again as from 2nd December, albeit with covid-safety protocol in place.  But the disappointing news today is that two retail giants – the Acadia group and Debenhams are not able to survive, although their problems began even before the pandemic.  It is really the usual tale of only the fittest can survive as consumers are ever more discerning and continue to embrace online shopping.

     Administrators have been appointed to Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia (behind brands such as Dorothy Perkins, Topshop and Miss Selfridge) while Debenhams will now go into liquidation as JD Sports has walked away from potential takeover of Debenhams, which was founded in 1778 and is one of the oldest high street chains in the UK.

Nevertheless, shoppers will be happy that they can earnestly get into the Christmas spirit as latest research from market research expert Mintel reveals that most Brits are striving to have a good festive period with their spending  predicted to decline by just 0.4% compared to 2019.

Letterbox-friendly gift packs are ideal for online shoppers.  Here a new range for gardeners from suttons.co.uk, packaged to send directly to the recipient.  There are five themes of Vegetable Gerden Letterbox Gifts to choose from, each packed with a selection of seeds, sowing accessories, a gardener’s exfoliating hand soap and either a handy tool, themed accessory, or hand cream set.

Mintel expects retail sales in both November and December (both in-store and online food and non-food) to hit £81.7 billion, declining just 0.4% compared to last November and December when sales reached £82.0 billion. Sales through non-food retailers this November and December are expected to reach £33.3 billion. 

Online demand has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, and is expected to make up a record level of sales during the Christmas period. Half (51%) of consumers say they plan to buy more Christmas gifts online this year, rising significantly among those aged 16-34 (58%) and falling a little among those over 55 (44%).  

Overall, Mintel estimates that internet pure players (online only retailers) will account for £15.7 billion worth of sales in November and December. This comes as almost three quarter (72%) of Brits plan to try to limit time in crowded areas before seeing their family at Christmas.

And it seems the festive period is proving to be more important than ever as 77% of grocery shoppers say it is important to have a good Christmas after the events of 2020. 

"The festive period is, for many consumers, a time to forget their worries and celebrate with loved ones."

Nick Carroll, Associate Director of Retail Research at Mintel, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has polarised consumer finances. Some have been able to work throughout the outbreak and have seen some outgoing costs, such as travel, reduced, but many have seen incoming costs reduced, through furlough or lost jobs due to the pandemic. Irrespective of the scenario, households find themselves looking toward the uncertainty of 2021, particularly with the end to Government intervention in the job market. As a result, consumers have been less willing to spend since the pandemic hit and these fears will naturally be at play in the background of this festive period. 

“However, the festive period is, for many consumers, a time to forget their worries and celebrate with loved ones, and few years have limited consumers’ ability to do both like 2020. If, as we expect, rules are relaxed a little for the festive period***, customers will be wanting to make this Christmas as special as possible and purse strings are likely to be released more than they have been so far in 2020. Value will remain crucial but those that have been able to save during the pandemic may look to release some pent-up demand; while those who have been impacted financially will do what they can to ensure they can still make this festive period special.”

***The UK Government and devolved administrations have agreed a temporary relaxation of measures, which will allow three households to mix in a bubble from December 23 to 27.

Digital Denim Week: November 30th - December 4th

A week-long online event designed for the denim community around the world … featuring a programme of talks by denim experts, trend presentations on Spring Summer 2022 highlighting the latest developments and sustainable innovations as well as networking and sourcing opportunities.

Exhibits from PV Denim held in London in 2019.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

The Digital Denim  Week (taking place in lieu of Denim Premiere Vision this season) will feature a programme of online talks by denim experts in the industry allowing peers and industry professionals to have opportunities to gain insights on market opportunities & business perspectives, guidance on essential fashion trends, and eco-responsible innovations.

The opening conference will be hosted by Vogue Business featuring Laure Guilbault and her guests who will analyze future perspectives for the denim market, with a focus on the sustainable innovations and smart ideas flourishing amidst the current global health and economic crisis.

Lucia Rosin of Meidea talked about denim trends at
Denim PV in London, December 2019.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

Organiser Premiere Vision’s Product Manager Manon Mangin, will present Spring Summer 2022 denim trends, while Lucia Rosin, Founder of Meidea will focus on the topic of BLUE-SCAPE denim scenery.

Addressing sustainability, Giusy Bettoni, CEO of C.L.A.S.S. will be hosting a couple of webinars. Firstly on  Regenerative Organic Agriculture Certification with Elizabeth Whitlow – Executive Director at Regenerative Organic Alliance; and Julian Lings – Senior Sustainability Manager for the North Face at VF.

Then on the topic of blockchain, speakers will include Amit Gautam – CEO & founder of Textile Genesis™, Walfredo della Gherardesca – CEO & Co-founder Genuine Way and Gianluca Tacchella – CEO Carrera Jeans.

There will also be a two-part online workshop featuring Alessio Berto from The Tailor Pattern Support who will guide the audience through an inspiring story to discover the secrets of a unique and unforgettable items of fashion.

Event organisers also highlight opportunities to network with denim suppliers for sourcing and developing business.  For details of Digital Denim Week, click HERE.

Loungewear rules the day setting the pace for online shopping

As there will be ongoing restrictions on our daily life at the moment, the UK government has announced relaxing the rules on indoor mixing for a five-day period over this jolly Christmas and retailers are gearing up for record discounting this Black Friday, done mostly online.

According to data analysis of online shopping website LovetheSales.com, following the buying behaviour of 6 million online shoppers, comfort clothes remain best sellers.  

Mask and kimono from loungewer brand niLuu,
using 100% Bemberg™ from Ipeker Textile.

Demand for loungewear has has surged more than 122 percent in November so far, compared to November 2019 figures. 

Brands such as Ugg, Calvin Klein and Nike are doing particularly well in terms of consumer demand. In category items hoodies are up 164 percent, joggers 118 percent and sweatshirts 81 percent. Calvin Klein and Nike saw an increase of 42 percent and 25 percent respectively.

Zurs Cargo joggers by recycled fashion
brand Ecoalf, made of Bemberg™ 

Expectedly, due to most people working from home, demand for smart clothes has waned, dropping -145 percent in November, as people continue working from home. 

Sales of suits are down -166 percent, belts -150 percent, men’s shirts -130 percent and smart trousers -127 percent.

With Christmas and New Year’s celebrations likely limited to small gatherings according to government guidelines, party clothing has seen sales fall -99 percent on average. Wrap and body-con dresses saw the greatest fall with -115 percent and -99 percent each. Cluth bags fell -61 percent and sales of shoes fell -95 percent.

Art Nouveau Inspired Wallpapers by Austrian artist, Nici Gabriel

The latest collection of Art Nouveau designs by Nici Gabriel, just launched by creators of made-to-measure wallpaper murals, Wallsauce.com, captures the elegant essence of Art Nouveau. Perfect for an eclectic combination of vintage-inspired interior designs with a contemporary feel.

Nouveau Reflection Wallpaper by Nici Gabriel at Wallsauce.com

Discovered in Wallsauce's competition to find the next ‘designer wallpaper collection’, Austrian-born Nici is a self-taught surface pattern designer who rediscovered her love for creativity after becoming a mother.  During her maternity leave, she rekindled her passion and began studying digital art online.Having endured a career as an IT project manager, Nici founded her art label after realising creativity was her passion.

Nouveau Country Wallpaper by Nici Gabriel at Wallsauce.com

Inspired by her childhood in Austria while being talented in arts and crafts from a young age, Nici’s collection for Wallsauce.com captures some of the finer details of the Austrian countryside translated into her love of the Art Nouveau period. 

Nouveau Anemone by Nici Gabriel at Wallsauce.com

She says: “Having lived in Austria for many years, it was a natural choice for me to focus on Art Nouveau. One of my wallpaper designs is a geometric, floral pattern with bows and loops on some marigolds and a reflected magic flower. The other is inspired by some clovers and mallows in my natural garden. Scrolls and bows give it the necessary elegant feeling of Art Nouveau.”

Nouveau Tulip Mural by Nici Gabriel at Wallsauce.com

Nici's beautiful designs and effective use of colour fill a huge gap in their market according to Wallsauce.com.   With all things vintage also being predicted as a huge interior trend in 2021, these modern 20th century-inspired designs can also offer a unique and somewhat colourful fulfilment for the trend.

Enlight your home interiors with inspiring designer cushions.

While the pandemic and the much-dreaded lockdown are still with us, our senses and emotions may have been challenged and are in need of a reawakening.  We have become more aware of our immediate environment, in our home setting.  As the night is drawing in earlier during the colder months, we can look at ways to address our relationship with our interiors, by looking at ways to brighten up or create spaces to make them more user friendly, more cosy and comfortable. Or simply to be more stimulating.

One small step at a time, we can inject new patterns and colours into our homes.  

A number of British designers have launched new cushions to help us on our way of transforming a home space to become more personal and intimate, enriching and inspiring.

Among new collections just launched is celebrated British textile designer, Clarissa Hulse’ new cushions for autumn/ winter 2020 – Salvia, Hot House, Sea Holly and Water Reeds.

The Salvia, available in four colourways of pink, teal, dark blue and grey, features a metallic floral print.  Sumptuously made in velvet cushion, the design was inspired by pressed leaves Clarissa collected in the Peloponnese mountains – an area of Greece where Clarissa’s mother comes from. The full set looks wonderfully vibrant together, or perfect for adding a singular pop of colour to compliment a room.

The Hot House cushion is a riot of colour featuring pink, mustard, teal and paprika, and a celebration of botanicals. This design is based on Clarissa's famous backing cloth, which covers her London studio print table and gradually evolves with serendipitous layers of ferns, dill and vines overlapping to create a kaleidoscopic effect – once Clarissa feels it is complete, the fabric backing cloth is carefully cut, mounted and sold as unique artwork pieces, which are hugely popular. 

Meanwhile, the Sea Holly was inspired by Clarissa’s family travels to Greece, featuring an ombre blue sky, embroidered with a gold sea holly motif for added luxury. 

On the other hand, the Water Reeds cushion which comes in mustard and teal colourways with a metallic overprint, was inspired by photographs Clarissa took in Suffolk marshlands, where layers of gold would glint in the low winter sun and shine above the water. 

Separately, illustrator and interior designer Catherine Rowe has a selection of luxurious handmade velvet cushions featuring exotic animals in striking colour ranges showcasing her love of wildlife and nature.

All cushions are printed and handmade to order in the London, UK. As well as being anti-allergy and dust mite resistant, they are filled in eco-freindly wool.  

Catherine Rowe is a British designer whose work encompasses wallpaper, lampshades and other home products. Inspired largely by her love of nature and wildlife, Catherine’s illustrations marry tradition with contemporary style.

Her medium is highly unusual - all of her drawings are created by hand using the technique of scraperboard. Colour is then added separately and digitally, enhancing Catherine’s analogue drawings.

All of Catherine's fabrics are made with a small production company in Faveersham, Kent, UK, who share Catherine's eco-friendly and sustainability values, and are currently available on charltonisland.com.

Catherine Rowe won the Liberty Open Call for a new iconic Liberty fabric in 2018. Her winning design ‘Palace Gardens’ was launched in 2019 and her career has flourished ever since.  Trained as an illustrator at Cambridge School of Art, Catherine works with an impressive list of clients including Anthropologie, Museums & Galleries, Cocoon Home, Paperchase, The National Trust, Lagom Design, and Liberty Fabrics.

Another exciting interior design label is Charlotte Jade founded by illustrator Charlotte O’Reilly in 2015, who has made a name for herself for taking a fresh and edgy look at nature with her eye-catching hand drawn designs that celebrate the fascinating plants and animals living on our planet. 

Just recently relaunched her website along with an announcement of a new collection of luxurious velvet cushions in collaboration with the famous Harrods department store in London, Charlotte Jade’s designs have grown internationally in both commercial and residential projects, working with interior clients such as Kelly Hoppen, Richmond International, Muza Lab, Scott Brownrigg and the Rockwell Group on hotel and commercial developments such as LUX*, Belmond, Hyatt and Assembly Hotel. Charlotte Jade also works with a number of restaurant and bar chains across the UK, with a variety of luxury fabrics and wallpapers being used within interior schemes for Slug & Lettuce, Mitchells & Butlers 'Premium Luxury Pubs' collection and Daisy Green Food Company.

The ethos behind the company is simple: to reconnect us with the natural world. Based on the concept of Biophilic Design, the Charlotte Jade collections focus on the benefits of bringing elements of nature back into our lives, to reduce stress, aid mental wellbeing and improve productivity. 

Every Charlotte Jade pattern is hand drawn and crafted by Charlotte herself. The design process starts with a pencil drawing, which captures the intricate details and beauty of the subject. From the distinctive black and white ringed tail of a Lemur to the dramatically bold leaves and botanical designs, every detail is captured to tell a unique story. These drawings are then brought to life with modern, digital colouring and printing techniques, which add vibrancy and bring a distinct style to the Charlotte Jade collection.

In addition to cushions, the Charlotte Jade design collections are available on a wide range of home products such as wallpaper, wall murals, textiles, upholstery fabrics, furniture, ceramic tiles, stationery, home accessories and now even yoga mats and face masks. All interior products are printed and made in the UK.

ISPO Munich, PURE London and Scoop to go digital in spring 2021

At a time when many European countries are facing a bleak winter of living with the Coronavirus, what is the chance come Summer 2021 for international trade events to proceed with their physical show.  For the time being, it is slim and many plans are on hold.  Ging digital probably is the best solution. 

PURE London 2019 catwalk show.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

 Here in the UK trade show organiser Hyve Group has announced its Pure London and Scoop shows scheduled to take place in February 2021 have been cancelled due to ongoing Covid-19 disruption.  A digital platform - Fashion Together – will be held instead on 23 February.  

The next physical editions of Pure London and Scoop will be moved to September 12-14  2021.

The Group's trade show Moda in Birmingham has also cancelled, and its next physical edition will now take place September 5-7 September 2021.

ISPO Munich Januanry 2020.

Meanwhile the announcement from the German-based sports business platform ISPO Munich that its next show scheduled for February 1-5 will be held completely online is not so surprising either.  This probably means the organiser Messe München has given up its hope to do a hybrid event – a combination of digital and on-premises events - deemed not feasible at this time.

Klaus Dittrich, the Chairman and CEO of Messe München, explains: “With ISPO Munich Online, we are enabling all customers around the world to participate in the event. At the same time, we can create formats that integrate new target groups. I am sure that in February we will experience an event, which will offer digital industry discussions of the highest caliber.”

ISPO Munich Online will offer the usual benefits of physical events without the luxury of face-to-face contact, allowing “attendants” to find new products and brands and businesses to network.  Organisers say participants can take part in forums and discussions via live streaming and chat rooms.

For the first time, end-consumers will also have the chance to participate digitally and conduct a direct dialogue with the industry. In brand rooms for product presentations, workshops and master classes, brands and companies will have the opportunity to present themselves and engage with sport and outdoor fans throughout the world.

ISPO Open Innovation has already shown this integration works: The approximately 80,000 end-consumers from around 70 countries bring their know-how to the crowdsourcing and market research campaigns – delivering valuable insights and inspiration for new products and ideas to companies all year.

Messe Frankfurt France announces cancelling February 2021 Paris event, new July dates for 2021 and new name change for Paris trade fairs

While news of a vaccine against the Coronavirus could be ready imminently is much welcome, many countries in Europe and the UK are back in lockdown due to a second wave of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Messe Frankfurt Paris will rename show to Texworld Evolution Paris, and changing the autumn 2021 show dates to July from September, and also move to a new location in Central Paris -  in Porte the Versailles.  

Faced with the continued health crisis, many international events have cancelled or postponed.  For one, Messe Frankfurt France has announced the cancellation of its February 2021 edition of the Apparel Sourcing, Avantex, Leatherworld, Shawls&Scarves, Texworld and Texworld Denim Paris trade shows, following the cancellation of their September 2020 events.

However the fair organisers have come up with innovative alternative solutions for the fashion industry that would nevertheless enable international fashion players, buyers and exhibitors, to continue their business, to showcase their collections and exhibit their know-how. In order not to interrupt the business flow and to provide visibility for manufacturers, the organising will be proposing an event for fabrics and clothing buyers which will have a quite innovative format.

Slated to be organised from 1st to 5th February 2021 at the heart of Paris, the innovative format will act as a showroom that will allow invited buyers to discover offerings from selected textile and garment exhibitors whose products will be grouped together in specific areas.  

Frédéric Bougeard, President of Messe Frankfurt France reported the event will bring together the products of a selection of our exhibitors. “It is a solution that will enable us to best meet the needs and expectations of the customers during this unique period. It complements the digital sourcing platform, which we have developed with our partner Foursource, as a means of exchange between two physical editions of our shows. It is crucial to offer our visitors access, even if restricted, to the global offer".

Also looking ahead,  Messe Frankfurt Paris will be changing the autumn 2021 show dates, moving to July from September, at a new location in Central Paris, at the exhibition venue of Porte the Versailles.  Following this new dynamic, all the shows will in the future be regrouped under one name - Texworld Evolution Paris - to provide visitors coherence and a better understanding of the various sourcing universes, said M. Bougeard.

In the meantime, buyers can still continue to source products between each event through the recently launched digital platform.  

All details about the textile trade shows organised by Messe Frankfurt throughout the world can be found at the new platform : www.texpertisenetwork.messefrankfurt.com

Desenio launches Bella Vita! photo collection and offers gallery wall ideas.

Desenio is an online art poster retailer with a difference, offering stylish posters, affordable Scandinavian-thematic wall art for rooms and interiors to provoke various moods and sentiment, along with a choice of frames, hangers, picture ledges and clips.

Just launched this month is their latest Studio Collection: Bella Vita! 

This photo collection transports us into a world of beauty, merging dramatic luxury with soft romance.  Set in a magnificent palace, the baroque architecture provides a backdrop overflowing with opulence and drama.

"When honing the concept behind Bella Vita, we wanted to capture the curiosity and growing appreciation for historical places and architecture, through photography that conveys modern luxury and emotion - and all in a romantic colour palette," says Executive Creative Director Annica Wallin.

The collection was shot in early autumn in an empty baroque palace just outside of Stockholm, where Desenio is based. The baroque style - originating in late 16th-century Italy - is rich in contrast and curves, creating rooms characterised by drama and movement. The ornamental and theatrical style of baroque architecture made the palace a perfect location to tell this story of history and romance. 

"For this production we’ve worked closely with a well-known Swedish stylist to really create the right feeling and look in each frame. It was a truly magical couple of days," says Annica Wallin.

This collection of 26 photo art prints are centred around a rich colour palette featuring deep purple, anthracite grey and gold. "We wanted to tell a story of breathtaking rooms and modern luxury in a rich colour palette perfect for autumn and winter. A costume drama set in the present day," says Annica Wallin.  

 FOUR WAYS TO ARRANGE A GALLERY WALL

With an online presence in 33 countries, Desenio, which was founded in 2010, also offers ideas for arranging artwork on a gallery wall. You can simply follow their guidance in the Inspiration Rooms on their online shop.  Here are some Gallery Wall ideas proposed by Desenio.

If you like keeping things clean and organised, the Grid style of a gallery wall shown above allows you to mix and match many different art posters and photo prints while still achieving a clean look. If you want to keep your wall art streamlined, stick to two or three colours when choosing the art prints, all of the same size. Or maybe just go for black-and-white prints all the way.

Undoubtedly one of the biggest interior trends of the season, making a statement with a larger-than-life art print can really transform a room. Whether you choose to go for something colourful or minimalistic, scaling up to a 100x150 cm frame is a good idea if you like this look. A perfect piece to hang above a sofa or on a large empty wall.

For an eclectic effect, why not mixing frames in different sizes and materials. Try playing around with the spacing as well for a truly personal look, or complementing your wall art with a mirror, a hat or maybe framing a piece of fabric to switch things up!

And finally consider making use of a picture ledge for displaying your wall art to create a clean look.

You may want to accentuate the border, use different frames and sizes and try painting the wall above and below the picture ledge in different shades of the same colour for a dramatic effect.

All images from Desenio.

Indian designer goes for smart fibres from Japanese yarn maker for Lakmé Fashion Week 2020

Indian fashion is known to use glamorous and luxurious fabrics. So for Lakmé Fashion Week 2020, the fashion event in India which like most other global events had turned digital for its October show  this year, India’s home grown designer Hemang Agrawal teamed up with Bemberg™ by Asahi Kasei, the Japanese yarn manufacturer leading in both high-performative innovation and sustainability for his new collection, blending crafts and technology, matching Indian tradition with Japanese innovation, combining sustainability with high-end style. 

The Bemberg X Hemang Agrawal collaboration sheds light on the work of artisans while marrying technology for the Benares-based label. “We hope this collaboration will give the craftsman a chance to work with Bemberg, a sustainable cellulose fibre made with sophisticated Japanese technology and develop high-value products that will increase demand for their skills on national and international levels,” said Mr. Hideto Tanimoto, General Manager, Bemberg.

The “Tattva” collection comprising 40 pieces for men and women took inspiration from the Indian mantra of Sarva-Mangalam, which connotes tranquility between the 12 elements of the universe, as per Indian scriptures and tradition. A similar concept in Japanese philosophy is known as Godai.

Motifs representing these elements, including quirky versions of moon-phases, tigers, human mind & DaVinci’s Vitruvian man were woven into the glittering fabrics. The collection was crafted harnessing the skills of Indian handlooms artisans in the designer’s hometown Benares (Varanasi).

Made from the smart-tech transformation of cotton linters pre-consumer materials and converted through a traceable and transparent closed loop process, Bemberg™ fibres add responsible values to the collection.  

The predominant textile used are Bemberg™ brocades along with plain Bemberg™ fabrics and a few blended textiles. The fabrics are distinctively smooth like silk, second skin-like, shining, and bright. 

“We are so happy that we participated in LFW and collaborated with Hemang Agrawal.” Says Mr. Hideto Tanimoto, General Manager, Bemberg™  Sales and Marketing Department. “The collection has come out really wonderful and has brought out the properties of Bemberg yarn such as noble sheen, smooth and soft touch, bright colour, supple drape amazingly. I strongly believe that the collection made significant impact on the sustainable fashion scene in India. We are expecting that the collection will be  successful commercially and will help the local craftsman from Varanasi.”

Designer Hemang Agrawal says, “The dexterity which the weavers in Benares have acquired, finds few parallels in the world. Although predominantly a silk-weaving centre, many master-weavers in the city are highly skilful in handling different yarn types. Japan, on the other hand, is well-known for its advanced technologies as well as its approach towards environment and sustainability as a country. Both these facts are well-reflected in the Bemberg™ Yarn”.

Photos from GB Network/gbnetwork.eu

Japan House London unleashes creative ideas for doggies in new exhibition

In recent months, due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has made it essential for many of us to stay at home more, we have come to appreciate the importance of biophilic interior designs that help promote our wellbeing, like incorporating nature and natural materials.  

Photo: Jeremie Souteyrat.

Now an exhibition in the heart of Kensington, London in the UK opens our eyes to unique designs that promote the wellbeing of ourselves and our trusted best friends, our dogs.  

Photo © Lucia Carpio 2020

Entitled “Architecture for Dogs” the exhibition in the basement of the tranquil Japan House** features a range of 16  creative doggy furniture/homes designed by international notable architects and designers.  Many of the creations are much like furniture that make comfort a major factor for our four-legged friends, specifically small to medium sized breeds including the Beagle, Bishon Frise and Poodle, while others are designed to promote activity, perhaps to ensure peaceful co-habiting with humans.  

With our loyal, four-legged friends proving their value as comforting companions during lockdown more than ever, Architecture for Dogs offers visitors a fun and insightful exploration into how it is possible for dogs and their human companions to be at their happiest through interaction with specially designed architectural pieces, according to Japan House in a press statement.

Photo: Adrian Brooks, Imagewise

Internationally renowned Japanese architect Kuma Kengo has created “Mount Pug”, a form of a nest or playground made organically with interconnecting pieces without the use of a signle nail.  

Photo © Lucia Carpio 2020

Kengo is the designer of the Tokyo’s New National Stadium which has been built for 2020 Summer Olympics, which sadly the world didn’t get to experience this year.  Fingers crossed the Olympics will be able to proceed in 2021.

Photo: Hiroshi Yoda.

“No Dog, No Life” is by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, created to reminisce his famous “House NA”, featuring a grid-like shelfing structure that doubles up as a display and storage space as well, while housing a hopefully well-behaved dog that doesn’t act like a bull in a china shop.  In 2013, Fujimoto’s commissioned work for London’s Serpentine Gallery featured a cloud-like structure made from grids of white steel poles.

Photo: Hiroshi Yoda.

While designer Misawa Haruka’s Pointed T is a doghouse made from paper that resembles a cone-shaped tent suspended from the ceiling, architect Sejima Kazuyo, founder of SANA, goes for a cloud-shaped design – described as a candy floss cocoon - to mirror the fluffy fur of the Bichon Frise.  It’s sort of a hideaway where dog and structure blend into one.

Photo: Hiroshi Yoda.

Photo © Lucia Carpio 2020

Architect Ban Shigeru turns paper tubes and soft wires into organic, flexible structures to create flexible structures that allow dogs and humans to interact in a myriad of ways.

Photo: Hiroshi Yoda.

While MVRDV presents a playful take on the dog house, with an interactive toy which is at the same time a stimulating environment for the intelligent Beagle breed to enjoy, German industrial designer Konstantin Grcic has created a fun mirror-led structure for pooches to gaze at themselves. 

Photo © Lucia Carpio 2020

To visit Architecture for Dogs, you need to pre-register at the Japan House London website.  Dog owners may also bring their own small dogs to interact with a number of the exhibits in the free exhibition.  Visitors  are also given paper and pencil to come up with their own creations inspired by the show.  Architecture for Dogs will continue until 10th January 2021.

Hara Kenya, Chief Creative Advisor for the Japan House project and creator of Architecture for Dogs, says, "We are delighted that, at the invitation of Japan House London, we are able to take this exhibition to London. While the architecture is ‘for dogs’, each of the contributors taking part in this unique project is a first class, world renowned architect. Please come and enjoy this cutting-edge architecture exhibition”.

Simon Wright, Director of Programming, Japan House London, explained, “This exhibition, featuring architecture specially designed for our canine best friends by a pantheon of stellar creative minds, is thoughtful, provocative and delightfully playful. Come and join us, and design with us.”

“Architecture for Dogs has always allowed us to see designers and architects as creative problem-solver, story-teller and even empathic futurists,” says Julia Y.C. Huang, CEO of Imprint, co-founder of Architecture for Dogs. “In its eighth year of inception, we cannot but think it has a special meaning for it to take place in 2020. In this time of uncertainty, I can be certain that a visit to Japan House London for this exhibition will bring smiles to your faces.”

** Japan House London is a cultural centre offering visitors an experience of the best and latest from Japan. Located on London’s Kensington High Street, the experience is an authentic encounter with Japan, engaging and surprising even the most knowledgeable guests. Presenting the very best of Japanese art, design, gastronomy, innovation, and technology, it deepens our appreciation of all that Japan has to offer. Part of a global initiative led by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are two other Japan Houses in the world: in Los Angeles and São Paulo.