We Heart; Lifestyle & Design Magazine » Fashion

Selfridges’ Bright Young Things Windows 2012

James Davidson — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:34:11 +0000

Maarten van der Horst

Last week we featured StudioXAG’s turquoise explosion for Future Map’s window at Selfridges’ annual Bright Young Things showcase. Well, we’ve had pictures through for all of the windows that were dressed by the cream of the country’s young creatives – and, quite frankly, we could do a detailed feature on pretty much every one. They’re mind-bogglingly good.

From Tinker and Tailor‘s full on recreated studio to Oliver Ruuger‘s elegantly surreal scene; the acute detail, creativity and sheer artistry on display, is enough to put most major retailers to a great deal of shame. Bright young things? They sure as hell are…

Alex Mattsson

Sorcha O’Raghallaigh

T.Lipop

Tinker and Tailor

Archie McLeish

Astrid Anderson

Becky Sloan

Nuha Razik

Future Map

Oliver Ruuger

Jack Coleman

Maarten van der Horst

MASC

Shaun Samson

William Richard Green

Adam Andrascik

Alice Lee

Group Window

Prada’s 24 h Museum

James Davidson — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:02:28 +0000

Blink and you missed it. This collaboration between fashion giant Prada, architecture icon Rem Koolhaas’ research studio – AMO, and celebrity obsessed artist Francesco Vezzoli, opened on January 24th and – as the name suggests – was gone by the 25th. Vezzoli’s sculptures – photographs mounted onto foamboard – of classical figures with celebrity faces, lined the main hall of the delightfully shocking pink ‘cage’, whilst elsewhere the “Salon des Refusés” – inspired by museum’s ‘hidden archives’ – shrouded a discreet disco dance floor.

Unsurprisingly the celebs turned out in force, with the likes of Marianne Faithfull and Anna Wintour allegedly throwing shapes to a Kate Moss DJ set – how very A-List, darling. But, forget the glamour, forget the mwah-mwah fashion set, what’s intriguing about Prada’s 24 h Museum is the examination of the concept of iconography and Vezzoli’s satire on celebrity. Will the human race be looking back at Courtney Love or Natalie Portman in a few centuries? Who knows, but we’ll bet our bottom dollar that they’ll still be admiring Koolhaas’ breathtaking spaces…

Images courtesy OMA

Dover Street Market SS12 Tachiagari

James Davidson — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:10:55 +0000

It’s probably (well, unquestionably) fair to say, that Dover Street Market is London’s most notable destination for bleeding-edge haute couture. The brainchild of Comme des Garçons’ über-creative founder, Rei Kawakubo, DSM undergoes a bi-annual Tachiagari (Japanese for beginning), where the 6-floor marketplace of “beautiful chaos” shuts down for 3 days, only to be reborn with new spaces, collections and concepts – many of which the designers themselves get involved in. 2012′s first Tachiagari has just unveiled itself on the beautiful creatures of London town; and with revamped spaces from Hussein Chalayan, Ann Demeulemeester, and the introduction of Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, it is – as ever – one of planet fashion’s most influential ports of call…

Camper Together, Rotterdam

James Davidson — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:49:56 +0000

Camper Together‘s latest international opening is a swirling, metropolitan fish tank with dazzling neon shelving as its showy coral display. Slap bang in the middle of the Netherlands’ first pedestrianised street, Alfredo Häberli‘s playful store design is the latest in a long line of collaborations with the Spanish brand; with Barcelona, Seoul, London and Rome being just some of the many cities where his humorous style has been showcased. Its bold, brave colours and unique appearance make for an unmistakably arresting boutique. There’s no room for ‘refined elegance’ or ‘understated style’ here, Häberli’s brazen concept is literally screaming in your face as you walk down the street; but that’s what makes it all the more charming, all the more original and refreshing. This is a store that doesn’t fit a mould, doesn’t care for convention, and for that, we love it all the more…

Photography: Sánchez y Montoro

Acne; 3 Rue Froissart, Paris

James Davidson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:24:08 +0000

A firm favourite with editors of so-hip-it-hurts glossies around the world, Jonny Johansson’s ACNE have come a long way since 1997 – when he gave out 100 pairs of jeans to his friends and family in Stockholm. Now Johansson – the creative force behind one of the world’s most in-demand lifestyle labels – is opening a second boutique in Paris; and continuing to ply the brand’s minimal Scandinavian aesthetic… “Let’s just say it’s not French. I absolutely love Paris, but I had to do something Swedish. Especially the colour, it’s very non-Parisian”. The remnants of crude, industrial walls are all that remain of this former garage; bold, crisp yellows and reds now accompany elegant aluminium partitions where the cars and oil once were, whilst avant garde furnishings and contemporary LED lighting complete the typically uncompromising space…

The Chalk Room at Hostem

James Davidson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:16:21 +0000

Since featuring Redchurch Street’s Hostem early last year, the super-stylish menswear boutique has quickly found itself as one of London’s hottest retail outlets; and, in scooping ‘Best Retail Interior’ at The World Architectural Awards, has seemingly made big waves internationally. The artist/designers behind the original street-level store have returned to unveil a triumphant new basement space. Hannah Plumb and James Russell – aka JAMESPLUMB – are famed for their ‘assemblages’, giving dog-eared antiques and abandoned objects a new life as delightfully vintage, atmospheric interior spaces; and Hostem‘s new downstairs space, ‘The Chalk Room’, is no exception. Dark, moody, and riddled with enchanting curiosities – the specially converted 19th century Chesterfield and leaning Victorian wardrobe are particular highlights – even if the space wasn’t jam-packed with some of the capital’s most unique sartorial finds, it’d be more than worth a visit all of its own…

Home / Unusual Store; Venafro, Italy

James Davidson — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:29:03 +0000

Home / Unusual Store; the architect’s vision is in the name. Luigi Valente states his intention for the retail space to be “a place like home”, but on the contrary “a fantasy place that projects the client far away”. It’s perhaps a paradox too far, unless you live in the future, but what Valente has undeniably achieved, is a thoroughly exciting retail space that belies its diminutive space. Exposed concrete, monochrome colour scheme, arty lighting and Zaha Hadid-esque seating; it’s all very en vogue, and all very effortlessly realised. Luigi Valente’s Home / Unusual Store may not be a fantasy-land cum home, but it’s a bloody good looking shop, and surely that’s all that matters…

Photography: Stefano Pedretti

Walter Van Beirendonck; Dream the World Awake

James Davidson — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:12:02 +0000

W.&L.T. S/S 1996 – Killer/Astral Travel/4D-Hi-D
Photography: Ronald Stoops

Alongside Dries van Noten and Dirk Bikkembergs, Walter Van Beirendonck was one of the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts’ graduates who, in the early 1980s, were christened ‘The Antwerp Six’. Like his contemporaries, Van Beirendonck went on to achieve international success, but always in his very own inimitable style. Dealing with ecology, fetishism, ethnography, S&M and mass consumerism; Van Beirendonck is famed for his uncompromising approach, an approach that owes just as much to art as it does to fashion. Designing the costumes for U2′s landmark PopMart tour, the Belgian designer pioneered ‘cyberpunk’ clothing with his high-tech ‘techno’ fabrics; and with collections such as Sado, Sexclown, and the politically charged Stop Terrorizing Our World, he’s never been shy of controversy and confrontation. Since the tail end of last year, and until 19th February, the brilliant Antwerp Fashion Museum has played host to an exhaustive retrospective of Van Beirendonck’s work and his inspiration; with Walter’s Wonderwall – a 60 metre collage of images, slogans, objects and videos – and a new collaboratin with fashion photographer Nick Knight/SHOWstudio.com, stylist Simon Foxton and GQ Style UK accompanying his key works from the last 30 years…

Dazed & Confused, August 2010 ‘The Joy of Six’
Photography: Scott Trindle, Styling: Robbie Spencer

Walter Van Beirendonck A/W 2011–12 – Hand on Heart
Photography: Ronald Stoops

Dazed & Confused, August 2010 ‘The Joy of Six’
Photography: Scott Trindle, Styling: Robbie Spencer

Walter Van Beirendonck S/S 1989 – King Kong Kooks
Photography: Ronald Stoops, Illustration: Jan Bosschaert

Walter Van Beirendonck A/W 2011–12 – Hand on Heart
Photography: Ronald Stoops

The Weekend Edit; 22.12.11

James Davidson — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:47:01 +0000

We’re back with our second Weekend Edit; it’s a few days until Christmas so there’s a splashing of festive material, some inspiring pop-up shops – for those leaving it right until the last minute – and, of course, some unusual and fascinating design and art related goodness to serve as an antidote to the silly-season’s strifes…

Until 24 December

Hypermarché, Hamburg

Concept store, bar, stage for cultural events… Hamburg’s 24-hour Hypermarché is far from your typical festive pop-up. Designed by talented local studio PARAT, and run by Louise and Florian Kunth of super-cool events agency Here We Go; Hypermarché is a splendid attack on your senses, with DJs, performers, exhibitions and installations accompanying the carefully curated selection of fashion, lifestyle and interiors goodies that are on sale…

Hypermarche: until December 24th, Osakaallee, 16 20457 Hamburg

Until 5 January

The Vest is History

Miss vinyl, Super-8, cigarette advertising and vests? James Wright, the owner of super-cool Covent Garden store Mint, does and The Vest is History is him taking the power back. Soon to open a Dalston outpost of his successful vintage store, Wright has curated a joyfully tongue-in-cheek installation that asks whether mass-consumerism is damaging design, or whether we’re simply suffering from design-sentimentality as we grow older. With forgotten gems from advertising, fashion, art and entertainment; The Vest is History is a delightful diversion from nativity plays and supermarket scrums…

The Vest is History, curated by MINT: 16th December – 5th January 2012, 71-73 Stoke Newington High Street, Dalston N16 8EL

Until 24 December

Dezeen’s Temporium

If you’re still endeavoring to snap up some last minute treats, architecture and design website Dezeen’s The Temporium – back for its second season – is a one-stop Christmas shop for anybody on a strict diet of design. With a whole bunch of gifts, jewellery, art, watches, books and homewares from established and up-and-coming designers and brands from around the world, this Seven Dials pop-up is one of the capital’s most stylish…

Dezeen presents The Temporium: until 24th December, 65 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9DG

Until 3 January

Food Lust: Shock Candy, Brooklyn

Offering a tasty antidote to the traditional festive window displays, Naomi Huth – founder and curator of the Where Am I gallery – has taken over a whole block of storefronts, just one block away from the Brooklyn Museum, for her gallery’s debut exhibition; a curious mingling of contemporary art and candy. Featuring works by Huth herself, along with Claire Lieberman, Matt Schwartz, Martha Rich, and Lorelei Ramire, there’s Jell-O sculptures, paintings of vintage recipe books and mouthwatering photography; and what’s more, it’s accessible art too, with most of the works available for less than $500…

Food Lust: Shock Candy, on view until January 3rd 2012 at Classon Ave at Lincoln Pl, Brooklyn (24 hours/7 days)

Until 31 December

Hard Poems in Space

If you’re looking for a total diversion from the ‘season of goodwill’, this collaboration between Nektar De Stagni and Gallery Diet in Miami’s design district should provide all the visual-distraction you require. Bringing together artists and designers to make functional pieces, it deals heavily in that fine line between product design and art and is a welcome arty respite from Santa hats and elves…

Hard Poems in Space: until 31st December, Nektar De Stagni Shop 155 ne 38th St. Suite #102 Miami FL 33137

Since 14 December

BrewDog Camden

We wrote about their “cold-war chic” Scottish pubs earlier this year, and now the mildly-deranged duo – who are behind “the world’s strongest beer”, packaged in stuffed animals – have launched an invasion on England; starting with this just-opened Camden outpost. If you’re looking for shelter from the crazed last-minute shoppers who are flooding the streets, and like your beer strong and agressive, then this is your pub…

BrewDog Camden is now open at 113 Bayham Street, Camden, London, NW1 0AG

24 December & 27 December

Underground Christmas at Brunel Museum

Birthplace to the London Underground and a former fairground and shopping arcade, The Grand Entrance Hall to Brunels’ Thames Tunnel – a chamber some 50ft across – was forgotten and inaccessible for 140 years. Reopened last year, the curious subterranean space now plays host to sporadic events such as this, a festive tour of the underworld with your host recounting stories contributed by the likes of Jo Brand, Michael Palin and Zoë Wanamaker…

Underground Christmas: Christmas Eve 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and Tuesday 27th December 7.15pm at Brunel Museum, Railway Avenue, London SE16

Until 18 December

Tiffany & Co. Christmas Windows

On a final note, if you find yourself hankering for a little bit of Christmassy elegance from yesteryear, pop your head into the enchanting little frames that adorn the windows of Tiffany & Co.’s lavish Bond Street store. It’s all kinds of snowy fairytale, winter wonderland and very New York; and who knows, you might just come away with a little blue box for your loved one? Told you it was a fairytale…

Tiffany & Co., 25 Old Bond Street, London, throughout the holidays

Louis Vuitton Island Maison, Singapore

James Davidson — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:32:03 +0000

There’s a fair bit of dollar knocking around the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore. A major player in gambling, oil-refinery and the world’s largest oil-rig producer; it’s ranked number 5 in the ‘global power city index’, and a bottle of 62-year-old single malt from our pals The Dalmore recently sold at the city’s Changi Airport for £125,000. Exactly the sort of place to plonk a great, whacking glass behemoth of a flagship store in the middle of a marina then! Shiny wood, expensive leather and a polite palette complete the bland aroma of over-opulence inside Louis Vuitton‘s Island Maison, but the exterior façade of this Peter Marino designed über-shop is undeniably impressive. The fact alone, that very few brands could bring forth an establishment of such decadence, such extravagance, is enough to ensure that LV’s Island Maison is one the most essential retail openings of the year…

The Weekend Edit; 15.12.11

James Davidson — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:53:29 +0000

We’ve been promising some exciting new features since we relaunched last month, and here’s the first. The Weekend Edit is our exclusive weekly guide to the weekend, and week ahead’s most exciting pop-ups, art happenings, events, gigs and more. Stay tuned and enjoy the ride; here’s your first serving of We Heart’s Weekend Edit…

Until 18 December

CIRCUS

For 5 days over the festive period, Shoreditch’s atmospheric Tramshed venue will play host to some of British design and fashion’s most exciting newcomers. A Christmas bakery and café, Bloody Mary bar, spicy cider and mulled wine stand along with a breathtaking nitrogen ice cream and hot chocolate food experience, courtesy of food/art virtuosos Blanch and Shock, will join this carefully curated selection of stalls from emerging names in fashion, homewares, ceramics, jewellery, art – and even taxidermy – in making this a festive pop-up to remember…

CIRCUS at The Tramshed, Shoreditch; 14th – 18th December 2011, 10am – 8pm

Until 25 December

New Windows on Willesden Green

This December, the windows of 25 independent shops in North West London’s Willesden Green are being transformed into a very different kind of advent calendar. Emerging designers, architects and creatives have been working with the local shopkeepers – that include bakeries, barbers, bookstores, pharmacies and a gift-shop – to offer a very creative form of regeneration. There’s an absolute plethora of creative events surrounding this project, and stay tuned for a full feature once all windows are complete…

Willesden Windows‘ window animations will be installed along Walm Lane and the High Road marking the 25 days leading up to Christmas. In addition a series of events will be held on 17-18 December 2011

17 December – 15 January

Studio 180: Bottom Less

This weekend sees a curious exhibition at Studio 180‘s equally curious converted Georgian terrace. Still and moving imagery, installation and performance art from a selection of up and coming artists can be navigated via the map provided upon entry; this weekend is the only time that all artists and performers will be in the space together, so if you’re looking for something a little different, this is it…

Bottom Less is being hosted by Studio 180, 180 Lambeth Road, SE1 7JY. Open; 11:00am-7:00pm 17th-18th December 2011 and by appointment; 19th December 2011- 15th January 2012

Until 22 December

Ryan McGinley: Wandering Comma

If hipsters took over the world, and the streets were full of malnourished, naked kids with homemade tattoos and skateboards; Ryan McGinley would be the overlord. He’s pretty much the king of cool, and where Terry Richardson kinda looks like a creepy uncle playing with a camera just to take photos of naked youths, McGinley seems to the eternal ‘cool older brother’. His style has progressed from snapshots of vomiting naked kids to epic, otherworldly landscapes… with naked kids; and as such he’s got both the art and fashion worlds watching his every move; you’ve got a week left to catch his latest move at London’s Alison Jacques Gallery.

Ryan McGinley: Wandering Comma, runs 24th November – 22nd December at Alison Jacques Gallery, 16-18 Berners Street, London, W1T 3LN

15 December – 17 December

The ‘Corona Extra Summer’ Pop-Up Beer Garden

Whilst all other pop-up bars seem to be about warming up with hot cocktails, Mexican beer Corona are bringing a bit of sunshine to London with a “summer in winter” beer garden. So, if you prefer flip flops to fair isles, then get down to the Southbank over the next few nights…

The ‘Corona Extra Summer’ pop-up beer garden will be open from Thursday 15th December to Saturday 17th December on Riverside Walkway at London’s Southbank, between 1pm and 9pm each day.

15 December – 17 December

Snowbombing Gets Its Skates On

The snow season’s biggest festival, Austria’s Snowbombing, is having itself a little pre-season warmup this weekend at Somerset House’s iconic central London skating rink, Skate.

Snowbombing Gets Its Skates On at Somerset House; Thursday 15th, Friday 16th, Saturday 17th December

Head over to The Brief for more iconic ice skating locations

Until 22 December

Deck The Halls

Pretty much the New York equivalent of the aforementioned Shoreditch pop-up CIRCUS, The Old School on Nolita’s Prince Street plays host to Deck The Halls. Bands, DJs and artists will join the city’s most exciting new talents in design, food, fashion, homewares, toys and more for a celebration of cutting-edge creativity and retail…

Deck the Halls, NYC, 12 Days of Shopping runs between 10th and 22nd December at The Old School, 32 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012

15 December – 24 December

The Robin Collective x Pinkberry at Westfield Stratford City

Celebrating the launch of their new store in Westfield Stratford City, US frozen yoghurt brand Pinkberry – forever immortalised as Oscar’s last meal on Curb Your Enthusiasm – have collaborated with food ‘architects’ The Robin Collective on a trio of limited edition toppings; Christmas Tree, Santa’s Beard and Partridge in a Pear Tree…

Celebrating the launch of their new store in Westfield Stratford City on the 15th; The three Limited Edition toppings will be available exclusively at the Pinkberry store, Westfield Stratford from the 15th – 24th December, as long as stocks last.

Throughout Winter

Citroën’s Nordic Jumper

10kg wool and 2kg thread makes an awful lot of PR stunt don’t cha know? Sure, it’s big brand PR, and sure it’s little cheesy, but it raised a little smile, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

Throughout the Netherlands this winter.

Kobi Levi Shoes

James Davidson — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:12:48 +0000

Blow-up sex dolls, the Queen of pop, animals, foods and gender confused brogues… Israeli designer Kobi Levi is not your average shoe maker; and his shoes are not your average shoe. Choosing to blur the lines between art and fashion, Bezalel academy of art & design graduate Kobi creates handmade “wearable sculptures” that entertain, challenge and perplex their audience. With the shoe as his canvas, Kobi – who we had the pleasure of meeting at his studio recently – uses humour and social satire to fashion absurdly original footwear that has been exhibited around the world. Having designed commercial footwear in Italy, China and Brazil, Kobi is currently collaborating with both Israeli and international companies to develop his own women’s shoe line; and if that commercial line is anywhere near as fearless or smart as his custom pieces then messrs Louboutin and Choo beware…

BOFFO + The Lake & Stars + SOFTlab

James Davidson — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:04:15 +0000

Photograph © Evan Joseph

Pushing the boundaries of what a retail space can be; We Heart favourites SOFTlab have taken the reigns for the last two weeks at TriBeCa’s unique BOFFO Building Fashion space, in collaboration with markedly stylish lingerie brand The Lake & Stars. The New York design studio have created a ‘store within a store’ installation that presents a series of “view cones” through which visitors attention can be led to particular details in the garments displayed behind. With the interior coated in a white, reflective, glossy skin, and the outer being clad in soft, black material – to absorb extraneous light – focussed light, with the helping hand of New York architectural lighting designers Focus Lighting, is pushed through the cones to create a vibrant, human scale kaleidoscope that draws in the attentions of its visitors. It may look like the most elegantly elaborate peep-show in history, but the concept of using interaction to highlight specifics within a collection or within an individual garment is a fascinating one, and one that SOFTlab have so smartly executed…

Photograph © Alan Tansey

Photograph © Alan Tansey

Photograph © Evan Joseph

Photograph © Evan Joseph

Photograph © Alan Tansey

Photograph © Alan Tansey

Photograph © Alan Tansey

Photograph © Evan Joseph

Photograph © Alan Tansey

Photograph © Evan Joseph

O Come All Ye Hackers

Alicja McCarthy — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:39:29 +0000

Anthony Burrill

Opening at KK Outlet on 2nd December is O Come All Ye Hackers exhibition. We all know that Christmas jumpers are a good thing so we can’t wait to check out Andrew Solomone‘s hacked knitting machine creations using electronic inspired ‘digital’ knitting patterns.

Solomone – artist and teacher of popular culture and technology – has a thing for hand-made craft processes. He has cunningly developed an electronic hack for his Brother KH930 knitting machine enabling him to pretty much knit any image he wants. The latest and most popular being his Bill Cosby jumper which was featured on Good Morning America… Watch it here!

Andrew Salomone’s Recursive Cosby Sweater

Throughout December you’ll be able to see hacked knits by fellow artists Anthony Burrill, Siggi Eggertsson, Nous Vous and Genevieve Gaukler, all especially designed for Solomone’s latest project. There’ll even be a knitted version of the Slayer Christmas Lightorama. What’s more, if you want to see your own design transformed into a Christmas jumper, Salomone will be at the KK Outlet Gallery for ten days creating customised jumpers; so check out the website for more details.

Genevieve Gaukler

Nous Vous & Siggi Eggertsson

Andrew Salomone’s Amen Break Scarf

Private View Thursday 1st December
Exhibition runs: 2nd – 22nd December
42 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6PB

Studio Swine Eyewear for Jane Bowler S/S 2012

James Davidson — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:56:30 +0000

After causing a stir at this year’s Royal College of Art postgraduate show with their Hair Glasses – spectacles made from human hair – design duo Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves have teamed up with fellow RCA graduate, and rising star in the world of fashion, Jane Bowler. The duo, who work under the name Studio Swine, have followed Bowler’s central theme for her S/S 2012 collection – that of Greek mythology’s Icarus – by offering playful takes on early aviator goggles that signify the son of Daedalus’ pioneering, yet doomed flight. Wickedly inventive and delivered with effortless style, the duo can add another resounding success to their burgeoning portfolio. With their star firmly in its ascendency, Studio Swine are ones to be watched for 2012 and beyond…