The Fox is Black — Page 2 — Eat. Drink. Design.

14 September, 2023

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Design

Identity Design for Santorini-based Hotel HOM by k2 design

How does one design a brand to emphasize it as a perfect summer retreat? Greek design firm k2 design has employed their vision for a new hotel simply called HOM, highlighting its one-of-a-kind charm which sets it apart from the typical honeymoon hotel vibe that saturates Santorini.

With a nod to the simplistic beauty of Greek design, they’ve incorporated elements like handmade pottery and vibrant colors that evoke the carefree spirit of summer living. The tones they’ve chosen are gorgeous, they feel so rich and lively, and the hand-drawn illustrations bring such a familiar, human touch to the overall brand. Overall, there’s this really nice interplay between the simplicity of the typography and the character of the textures and colors used throughout.
14 September, 2023

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Books

‘Letters from M/M (Paris)’ Explores the Type Projects of The Infamous Design Studio

There are few design studios who’s work can touch the sheer scale and boundless creativity of M/M (Paris). Founded in 1992 by Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag, they’ve continuously pushed the boundaries of creativity, not settling for any trends, and who look at the written word as a playground for innovation.

Their newest book, Letters from M/M (Paris), is a comprehensive study of the studios typefaces, cataloguing ninety typefaces in three volumes, showcasing their development, specimens, and project illustrations. Written by Paul McNeil, a typography expert, and with a foreword by Björk, this encyclopedic publication explores the role of type in M/M’s work across art, fashion, music, and theater. If you need some inspiration this book is sure to spark something in your mind.
13 September, 2023

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Illustration

Elegant, Abstract Illustrations by Yasuo-range

Japanese artist Yasuo-range considers herself a “graphical illustrator” which is a pretty apt description. Her work, which seamlessly blends digital and physical mediums, has influences that wander between abstraction, influences of the Bauhaus, and Japanese minimalism. There’s something so lovely about how she abstracts objects into these colorful still-life scenes. She gives our brains just enough information to start to pick out particular items, but in some cases, not quite enough, giving you time to look over the pieces trying to discern what is what.
13 September, 2023

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Fashion

Folk and Speedo Team-Up For a Cold Water Collection

One of the collaborations I did not see showing up this year is the recently announced collection from British clothing brand Folk and the iconic swim brand Speedo. The Cold Water Swimming collaboration features a wide range of pieces for both swimming (obviously) as well as staying warm before and after your icy plunge.

As Folk founder and Creative Director, Cathal McAteer, describes it:

“Losing yourself in nature has always appealed to me – hiking up mountains, dancing in a field, floating in the sea – all big positive moments. So naturally we have admired and been part of the love for cold water swimming, these small groups & communities of people taking to the rivers, ponds, lakes & coast to get the elemental rush of being outdoors in the water wanting to introduce a lived-in sense of ease to the kit that people use, the aim was to make an excellent range of swim and warm-up gear. So we designed robes, fleeces, base layers, hoodies, hats etc plus partnered with swimming icon, Speedo, for performance quality swimwear. We have tackled the outer cold to help deliver the inner peace.”

I love what they done with the patterns and colors for the collection. I think the combinations work so well because they contrast so nicely with the water and earth tones. The photoshoot does a great job of selling the idea of cold water swimming, I’m almost convinced it’s something I would do.
11 September, 2023

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Art

Odd Compositions and Shapes Form the Paintings of Ben Newman

Ben Newman is a UK-based illustrator and artist who’s primary work is focused on illustrations for children’s books and toys. Yet, I want to focus on his newly burgeoning fine art that began to crop up in late 2022. The pieces are somewhere between paintings and assemblage, with random shapes building together in some fascinating ways. He’s created pieces that seem to focus on the macro, lots of circles and blobs and triangles coming together in a chaos of shapes, as well as the micro, seemingly close-up details of larger compositions which are equally as delightful.
11 September, 2023

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Art

Yuri Mo Renders Everyday Objects Into Prismatic Wonders

This series of objects by Yuri Mo, which have been 3D rendered in a kind of “hyperpop” aesthetic, for lack of a better term, immediately caught my eye. I love how fantastical these are, somewhere between the throwback “transparent everything” trend and if Karan Singh did more acid trip inspired work in 3D. And the complexity of each of the surfaces and how the colors change really blows my mind, this is such beautiful work.
7 September, 2023

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Fashion

Valextra’s Sophisticated Leather Glasses Case

There are some everyday objects that you should consider investing in. As Marc Jacobs is known to say, “a nice version.” And as a person who has been a life-long wearer of sunglasses, keep your specs safe (and accounted for) is a top priority. So when I spotted Valextra’s quite sophisticated take on a glasses case I realized what’s been missing in my day-to-day kit. With over twenty colors to choose from, there’s a shade for every bag or outfit. I always default to the more natural tones, though the mint and peony pink/poppy red combo are definitely calling to me.
6 September, 2023

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Art

Tim Teven Studio’s Pressure Vases Bring a Dynamic Twist to Your Table

Tim Teven is a Dutch designer who graduated from Design Academy Eindhoven in 2018. He has a technical and material-driven approach to design, and he uses unconventional methods to create functional yet interesting objects. The one that caught my attention, though I’d say all of his work is quite remarkable, are the Pressure Vases he creates.

He’s created an array of these vessels, in a myriad number of sizes and shapes, as well as materials, including stainless steel, chrome, and zinc. It’s fantastic that he’s able to take such mundane materials and give them such an interesting twist. In some cases the forms look almost cartoon-ish, like Wile E. Coyote after a run in with an Acme product gone wrong. Yet an elegance still remains in these pieces, and I can quite clearly imagine how many of these would look with a lovely bouquet of flowers in them.
6 September, 2023

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Music

James Blake Preps New Album, ‘Playing Robots into Heaven’

I somehow missed that James Blake was set to release his seventh album, Playing Robots into Heaven, this Friday, September 8th. From what I’ve read, it’s a return to his early releases, think his CMYK EP from back in 2010, which contains one of his very best tracks, “CMYK.”

So far there have been two music videos, one for the song “Big Hammer” which has a heist-themed music video. Bu the latest release is for the title track, which as you’ll see below, is moody AF. Director Thibaut Grevet did an incredible job on building out a wild looking world for this track, with Blake playing a kind of Sisyphean role, the weight of the music on his shoulders, or that he’s leading a procession of robots into heaven? Either way, what I’ve heard from the album so far is very weird and very different from his last few releases, very excited for this one.
6 September, 2023

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Photography

Rich and Atmospheric Photography by Ian Lanterman

You could describe photographer Ian Lanterman as a mysterious person. After doing my normal bit of research, I can’t many details about him. What I can say is that he’s a photographer from Vancouver who specializes in portraits and still-life. I was deep in a rabbit hole and came across his work which has a timelessness to it, and very editorial in nature. There’s also a little something fantastic about his images, always an interesting detail, an unexpected pose, a feeling like you’re catching a glimpse of something very special.
5 September, 2023

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Art

Abel Macias Builds A Bold Narrative Through Paintings and Murals

Los Angeles painter and muralist Abel Macias is a one of a kind talent. Pulling from both Mexican and southwest American cultures, his art feels like it’s telling a very old tale through a very contemporary language. His work tells stories regardless of application, having done traditional landscapes paintings, or through his more standout efforts, his large-scale murals.

These murals are incredible to see, with my personal favorite living in the entryway of the Proper Hotel. There, his work is like a storybook spread open, a tale of animals and creatures from folk tales, having a conversation with the interior design work Kelly Wearstler. I’ve had the privilege of visiting Abel’s studio and he’s such a rad guy, so down to earth, and so intent on making great work. And I’m super lucky to own one of his paintings, and I can say it’s one of my most precious belongings.
1 September, 2023

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Music

Yu Su’s ‘I Want an Earth’ Blends Ambient and Experimental Music

Yu Su is one of those artists I try to keep up with, her style of music taking inspiration from a variety of sources, including her classical piano training, her experiences with modern Western music, and the natural world around her. Born in Kaifeng, China, she moved to Vancouver and started producing music in 2014, a unique blend of “forth world” ambience and left-field dance music.

Her most recent EP I Want an Earth was inspired by her time in the natural landscape of Ojai, a beautiful little town 1.5 hours outside of Los Angeles. She states in an interview with Mixmag Asia that “the reflections of light, wood burning in the fireplace, and materials that “rhymed with the sounds in the room” gave rise to the enchantingly organic demeanor of her release.” I was walking around San Sebastián earlier today listening to this record and it was a perfect compliment. I can definitely recommend this as a great soundtrack for dog walking or on the way to grab a coffee.

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