A Photography Collection inspired by the Mediterranean

It's September, and if you're still on holiday mode, but not able to get away, Studio Viento has a collection of images inspired by and photographed in Mallorca, an island known for its rustic beauty and laid-back lifestyle; now available on Desenio.co.uk.

Imagine this: Meander down cobblestone streets, feel the wind in your hair, and embrace a new outlook and transport your interior space to the Mediterranean.

“We wanted to create a collection that captures the uniquely serene atmosphere of the Balearics, both in terms of mood and colour scheme,” says Annica Wallin, Executive Creative Director at Desenio.

Studio Viento focuses on the natural hues present in the Mediterranean. Sandstone, terracotta, olive greens, and lemon yellows create the perfect colour palette for a calming, serene interior.

Rustic textures such as clay and stone are juxtaposed with the softness of fresh linens and silks, adding a tactile element to the prints. The images play with shadow and light to convey the soft breeze that flows through the Balearics.

“We are seeing a shift toward organic materials that capture the rustic, countryside lifestyle. Wood, sustainable cotton, house plants, and photography focused on nature. Studio Viento conveys this desirable lifestyle through photography,” says Annica Wallin.

New home textile collection launched by English interior brand Tori Murphy

Tori Murphy's Living Room Rose Cushions and Portrait  
Check table cloth.

British textile brand Tori Murphy has launched Rose, a classic collection of English-woven cotton and merino wool fabrics, homewares and kitchen textiles inspired by an oil painting with a long story to tell. 

The Rose collection is a celebration of the importance of creativity, and the twists and turns life takes to lead us to a place where we can flourish.  

Woven in designer Tori’s signature graphic style, the collection includes three new designs: Rose, a modern, pared back floral, Portrait Check, a bold, monochrome check and Ilen Stripe, an organic intertwining stripe, in a palette of old rose, black and chestnut. 

A selection of the new designs are shown in the images here.

Tori Murphy's Rose Collection Living Room Rose Cushion,
and Jumbo Woodhouse Check Upholstered Chair 

Maintaining Tori’s strong British manufacturing ethic, the collection includes cotton and merino wool fabrics by the metre suitable for upholstery, curtains and accessories, as well as cushions, baskets and a wide range of elegantly utilitarian cotton kitchen textiles, all 100% woven and made in England, and is stocked by such prestigious stores as Harrods, Harvey Nichols and The Conran, and in showrooms worldwide.

Tori Murphy's 60cm cushion in Ilen Stripe.

Tori Murphy founded her eponymous brand in 2012 with the simple aim to create products for the home with character and integrity, all woven and made in England.

After graduating from the prestigious Royal Collection of Art, Tori worked in Milan designing prints for clients including DKNY, Fendi, and Christian Dior and it's here she experienced the factory floor for the first time and developed a sound understanding and love of textile production.

After this rewarding experience, Tori returned home and combined her passions into one and focused on English textile manufacturing.  With a firm belief and plenty of perseverance she succeeded in finding weavers in Lancashire, finishers in Yorkshire and machinists in Nottingham willing to support her.

From her first fabric run of 12 metres of woven Merino wool, Tori made a capsule collection of throws and cushions which she exhibited in London in June 2012 and it was here she took her first order from a store on London's New King's Road, signalling the launch of Tori Murphy Ltd.

Tori and her team operate from a small factory in Nottingham, the product range has grown to 15 categories, and her website cum shop - torimurphy.com was launched in 2013. 

The Dashing Farmhouse brings the essence of artisanal Mallorca to our interiors

For those of us still feel unsure about travelling overseas during these times, why not bring our favourite destinations to our homes and create staycation experience enriched with Mediterranean flair.

So you may welcome the news that The Dashing Farmhouse has launched their new Casa Deia Collection, an artisanal homeware collection from Mallorca handcrafted by “the most wonderful artisans” on the island and is now available in the UK.

Cushions above suitable for indoors or out are hand-made from natural fibres - 70% cotton and 30% linen – in authentic Ikat made by artisans in Mallorca, one of the very few families in the island (and the world) who still specialise in these highly sought-after traditional Mallorcan fabrics since they started the business in 1854. The famous Ikat design is the result of a beautiful and elaborate process which takes 2 to 3 months to create each batch of fabric.
Available from The Dashing Farmhouse.

Given the fact that one half of The Dashing Farmhouse was born and raised in Mallorca, having an Artisanal Homeware Collection from the island was a must. Mallorca is home to some of the most wonderful artisanal products created by fabulous family businesses that have been using traditional crafting methods passed down the generations. 

This lovely Turquoise Ikat Salad Serving Bowl has been hand-painted
with the traditional Mallorcan Ikat design. It brings a gorgeous touch of Mediterranean artisanal flair to the table. 

Mallorca´s understated glamour and rustic Mediterranean landscape have always had a fascinating appeal. 

A beautiful Spanish setting showcasing the delightful cushion covers in Ikat which are hand-made from natural fibres - 70% cotton and 30% linen – by artisans of Mallorca who have been maintaining their craft for generations. 
Available at The Dashing Farmhouse.

The Dashing Farmhouse work directly with families who have been using the same traditional ways of working since the 1800s and who are extremely proud of the labour of love involved in the creation of beautiful products that represent the unique heritage from the island.  The new generations have embraced the traditions, knowledge and craftsmanship of their crafts passed to them with immense respect and with a vision that blends tradition with contemporary design and colours, the results are simply exquisite, according to founders Nathan & Patricia.

“Our textile artisans create the traditional Mallorcan Ikat fabrics, a process that requires 2 to 3 months to create a single batch! The quality of the fabrics is second to none with a wonderful mix of linen and cotton. The fabric is then used to create cushions, tablemats, lamp shades and chair covers amongst many other items.”

This lovely Red Ikat Small Bowl, part of a set of four, has been hand painted with the traditional Mallorcan Ikat design. Perfect for serving sauces, olives, almonds, strawberries and other small apéritifs. 
Available from The Dashing Farmhouse.

Moreover, the ceramic and textile artisans offer Bespoke Services, meaning that clients are able to create their own designs and devise beautiful spaces that are completely their own. The design opportunities are endless.

Copenhagen Fashion Week concluded successful SS 2022 edition

Copenhagen Fashion Week is celebrating an epic week of showcases that hail a return to physical shows and digital presentation of SS 2022 collections, while providing opportunities for conversations, discoveries and reconnections between brands, supporters, speakers and new friends. 

Here's a note from the event CEO, Cecilie Thorsmark:-

"SS22 has been nothing short of an extraordinary season. From runways to films, talks, designer Q&A's to breakfasts, tradeshows to street style, this season is dedicated to the supporters and collaborators that have made this season the sparkling brilliance that the world has experienced. 

From the tradeshows, the press, the buyers, the content creators, the photographers and most importantly the brands, SS22 was the success we could only have dreamt of."

In total, the event showcased 38 brands, encompassing 25 runways, 13 digital films and of those 4 premiere events. We held 32 designer Q&A's, four talks and with 40 events listed on the schedule, that included breakfasts, showcases, dinners and parties.

While the physical event is over, one can still relive all the shows on the Copenhagen Fashion Week website, and revisit the collections from each brand, watch Q&A sessions with the designers and global industry leaders, and listen to the talk programme that consisted of topics ranging from digital activism to the role of fashion weeks in implementing positive change.

Danish and British womenswear brands showcase SS 2022 collections at Copenhagen Fashion Week

This summer, when most people are probably staycationing in their home country (including here in the UK), floral prints and long dresses seem to be all the craze for women aiming to lounge around indoors, out of the heat and unseasonal weather.

Next summer however, women's fashion will be all about tailoring in jackets of generous shapes, and dressing up in stylized casual separates: shirts and cover-ups in various shapes, easy tops and refreshing colours, according to labels showing (digitally or in physical shows) at last week’s Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Here are a few looks showcased by Danish fashion houses Baum und Pferdgarten, Lovechild 1979, as well as Scandinavian brand Gestuz.    Meanwhile,  London-based eco-brand Teatum Jones takes denim to a new dimension, pairing with mixed prints, and tailored suits feature belted jackets.

BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN 

Founded in Copenhagen in 1999, Baum und Pferdgarten is known for their timeless and design-led collections full of unexpected playful contrasts.

The name is an interplay between the surnames of the founding Creative Directors, Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave. Throughout their long-standing partnership, Rikke and Helle have continuously complemented and pushed each other, resulting in covetable pieces in beautiful fabrics, memorable prints and bold colours.

"We want to create designs for women who want to have fun with their personal expression. Our collections can be worn in many different ways by many different women. We create clothes that help women tell their own story."

Baum und Pferdgarten collections can be found in selected department stores and retailers in more than 25 countries worldwide.

GESTUZ

Gestuz is a brand that has the modern woman in mind. Always creating go-to pieces that embrace the everyday life of a woman and instilling the notion that there is no one way of being female or dressing so: it is whatever you choose.

Rooted in the effortless ease of the Scandinavian design heritage, Gestuz simultaneously rebels against it by subtly disrupting and updating the classics. 

Gestuz was founded in 2008 by Sanne Sehested, who wanted to create a brand inspired by her own wardrobe and the kind of energy and feeling she believed fashion should give the wearer.

LOVECHILD 1979 

Lovechild 1979 is a Copenhagen-based label for modern women (and men) who want timeless, luxurious fashion, according to creative director Anne-Dorthe Larsen.  

Together with her design team they make clothes authentic to their own tastes, creating pieces that transcend seasons and flow with your personal style. 

The Lovechild 1979 aesthetic is feminine yet grounded by masculine, tailored silhouettes, effortless prints and styles always instantly recognizable by the beautiful detailing.

TEATUM JONES

Both born Londoners with British and Irish heritage, designers Catherine and Rob are united by a shared fascination with human narrative. 

They truly believe in the power of fashion to present a pro-social message of inclusivity and positive identity; and believe in creating sustainable and socially conscious fashion that puts people at the heart of their creation.

Teatum Jones are considered pioneers of the London inclusivity movement. Their vision for a more UNIFIED world has meant they have always had a more human approach to fashion. From 2011 they have focussed their entire vision around human stories, which have been the very foundation of their collections.  Their motto: Recycling, and using Waste and Environmentally-Friendly materials.

Teatum Jones are currently the British Library's Designers in Residence and are passionate researchers who make use of the UK's many museum archives. They value talking to people as part of their in-depth creative research and have been referred to as "method designers.

Pictures from Copenhagen Fashion Week. August 2021.

Danish brand By Malene Birger shows us what we should be wearing in SS 2022 at Copenhagen Fashion Week

By Malene Birger, the Danish womenswear brand, is masterful in creating classic and feminine silhouettes with playful details; alluring pieces that are both timeless and fashion-forward. 

By Malene Birger's collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week shows us the shapes of things to come.  The ensembles work well in a variety of settings, from the office to an upscale event; from a casual morning coffee to a day out with the family.  

It's all about having a wardrobe for a full life, so that being stylish feels easy and fun.

All photos by Stephen Kidd for By Malene Birger.

NIKOLAJ STORM COPENHAGEN wins Zalando Sustainability Award at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Danish fashion label Nikolaj Storm Copenhagen has won this year’s Zalando Sustainability Award which was inaugurated last year as part of Copenhagen Fashion Week jointly with Zalando (a Berlin-based multi-national E-commerce company) to implement a more sustainable vision in fashion.

This season, the nominations were opened to international applicants, and the shortlist included  two UK-based brands: Mother of Pearl and Teatum Jones in addition to Nikolaj Storm Copenhagen, which is known for creating infinity collections drawn on inspiration from the streets, music, culture and the zeitgeist of the world. 

Nikolaj Storm Copenhagen limited collections will drop based on creativity and not based on seasons,  and all clothing items can be mixed and matched across collections, creating endless options for everyone, men and women.

With a unique unisex approach to a luxurious wardrobe, Nikolaj Storm aims “to encourage people to express themselves and bring colours and smiles back to our everyday runway.”  

Nikolaj Storm wants to empower everyone to feel good in their body, their clothes and with themselves.

Based in the heart of Copenhagen, Nikolaj Storm is sold through their own web shop as well as in selected commission-based stores in Copenhagen and Berlin.  Designer Nikolaj Storm also likes to do stage wear for musicians and up-coming talents forging everlasting friendships between the company and artists. 

The Zalando Sustainability Award proceedings took place in the Royal Danish Playhouse on August 12th 2021, the third day of Copenhagen Fashion Week, and was hosted by Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO Copenhagen Fashion Week with support from Anaheta v. Berenberg, Buying Director and Designer of Zalando and in the presence of the judges including Dio Kurazawa, Co-founder of the Bear Scouts, and invited guests.

Soeren Le Schmidt SS22 collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Danish designer Soeren Le Schmidt is most commonly associated with red carpet designs for celebrities in Denmark and abroad, but it is also a formidable fashion label for skillfully executed  tailoring. 

This season, the SLS collection showcased during Copenhagen Fashion Week (August 9 - 13 2021) is as usual, based on old school tailoring, therefore presenting high quality and skillfulness, alongside with a rockabilly and a new playful edge throughout the collection, experimenting with coarse metal buttons and solid silver zippers. 

The catwalk show took place at the highly anticipated sustainable, luxury hotel, Villa Copenhagen, which is continuing on the history of its former purpose as Danish Central Post & Telegraph Office.

Soeren Le Schmidt’s new looks were played out against hip hop music from the nineties, adding an underground vibe to the show.  

The designer's way of interpreting the concept of 'pattern manipulation', together with his graphics and asymmetry in design, inspired from architecture, are evident during the show. 

The gender fluid looks were occasionally styled with edgy details such as heavy chains across the genders, and centered around the use of sustainable materials that included pure wool  mixed with raw denim, alongside 100% sustainable furniture fabric, presented on a dynamic silhouette and a range of designs this season, including dresses, blazers and trousers.