I was at an art show in an old bookstore in York, England, when I spied a girl wearing a curious scarf. When I stopped to ask her what the graphic was, she unfurled it to reveal the most lively and detailed illustration of Coney Island. Rarely have I come across an item of clothing that I’d frame, but this was frame-worthy. Later that evening, I met the maker of the scarf, Karen Mabon, who runs her own Yorkshire-based scarf and accessories line, Red Brick.
“We disagree with mass production and consumptionism, with the relentless quest for new products that satisfy artificially created needs.” This is the mission statement of the new online retailer This is Paper Shop, founded by the same team who oversee This is Paper magazine. A response to the inherent beauty of beautifully designed everyday objects, the company wanted to push themselves beyond the boundaries of print to make products they couldn’t find in the marketplace. What began as a line of bags and backpacks sparked a design bug that has gone on to expand the company’s collection to include homewares and kitchen accessories built by skilled artisans.
London’s Present & Correct bills itself as a retailer of “office sundries for the modern workplace,” but one could argue they also peddle design pieces with functionality. Founded in 2008 by two graphic designers, the duo created their online store to sell original designs, vintage desk accessories, and the work of other designers they felt fit into their fold. Inspired by stationery, their wares are the type of office and work space accessories you might have always looked for but never known existed.
I love a clean, simple watch, and this concept by Simone Savini for NOTdesignstudio definitely fits the bill. Dubbed The Hoop, the face and body are a clean white with two simple hands, a line and a circle, coming out from under the face. I have a feeling like someone has made something like this before but I love the muted color palette and the lack of numbers on the face.
You can see more images under the jump.
Camilla Ebdrup is a former Girl Scout and Camilla Kørschen a self proclaimed “child priest”. Together they comprise LuckyBoySunday, a line of modern home accessories steeped in childlike wonder. Both Danish designers have backgrounds in fashion and art, but they joined forces in Copenhagen in 2007, to “make the best brand” they could think of. That translates to pairing the softest alpaca wool with the finest free trade craftswomen in Bolivia to bring a range of whimsically poetic products to life—or death, as is the case of their Dead Buddy toys.
Blogs have the ability to transform obscurity into opportunity. Marwood is a London-based menswear company that started out as a blog in 2009 showcasing an online sketchbook of neckties. It eventually inspired a full, real-life collection designed by founder Becky French featuring ties handcrafted out of Nottingham lace. Expanding upon that idea, Marwood now offers a full range of beautifully tailored men’s accessories that are sold in places like Liberty, Tomorrowland, and online at Mr. Porter.
Simple and functional—this is the ethos of design studio Fort Standard. Founded in 2011 by Gregory Buntain and Ian Collings, the company specializes in everything from furniture design and home goods to innovative lighting and jewelry pieces. They’re also responsible for store design including the new Steven Alan Home shop in NYC’s Tribeca neighborhood.
I’m always on the lookout for interesting applications of camouflage, so when I saw this watch from Jack Spade’s new watch collection I knew I was going to write about it. It’s certainly not the nicest watch in the collection but I think it’s the most fun and it certainly fits my vibe. I also love that they’ve put that Jack Spade attitude on the face with “no jewels” and are “not Swiss” on the front.
You can snag one for yourself by clicking here.