Create. Not because you want to or because the mood grabs you or just because you happen to feel like it. Create because you need to. Because it feels like if you don’t, you might die.”
Gorgeous photography (of Japan and more) and mesmerizing words at I Wrote This For You. Inspirational type musings that urge you not to forget that everything is all about you and you create your own reality! If you are into Notes from the Universe you will probably adore this too.
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Halcyon was the name of Cybèle’s autumn/winter 09 collection as shown this afternoon. A Halcyon is a type kingfisher, which was graphically prominent across the range. Overall it was very pretty and felt like an evolution of previous ranges rather than something shockingly new. Also, as most New Zealand fashion tends to be, it was exceedingly ready to wear. That’s the test for me of course; would I buy something for my every day life? Yes, yes!
So, what did I appreciate from the show?
+ Sky high, oversized shoes which made the models teeter down the runway. Made by G&L.
+ Soft capes, accentuated by drawstrings.
+ Gorgeous colours in keeping with Cybèle’s style, a punchy mustard, turquoise, blacks and grays.
+ Shiny (?) gray jeans. I love me a good skinny denim and this is permission to keep on that train!
+ Knitted dresses and piled scarfs.
+ Hot music, I heard a bit of Lykke Li in there I’m sure!
Here are a couple of my (rather average) shots:
Right, I know I have been sounding like a total Cybèle fangirl recently and the blog reflects that… While I will update with a few of the professional shots, this will be the last of the worshiping for a while, I promise!
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Air New Zealand Fashion week has started! What does this mean… 41 shows, 6 days and several bottles of champagne one would imagine. Last night was the launch party and the awarding of the Air New Zealand Fashion Export Awards, won by Nom D. & Cybèle. I actually already had this inside goss, as we designed the beautiful ‘certificates’ (they’re heavy fabric canvaes, lovingly embroidered in gold) at the studio. VIPs attending include the glittery Bryan Boy and Hatanaka Tomoko from Yen Japan . Let the flouncing commence!
I’m looking forward to seeing the collections of World, Nom D, Jaeha, Juliette Hogan and Deadly Ponies. I’ll be attending a few shows too. Right now I’m off to Cybèle, see you later!
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Aching to eat nougat on the backs of stallions, toasted almonds while balancing on regal chairs or sitting amongst the peonies supping tea? Try these gorgeous Concetta plates and bring beauty to the everyday act of eating.
If there is one thing design has taught me over the years, it is that joy can be accessible every day, at every touch point. So why not use fine pony china? Live it up.
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My friends Nicole and Joel are currently converting an old potter’s studio, unused for 20 years. It’s in a giant lush backyard, with stonewalls, daffodils and ancient trees. It’s like a secret garden! Visiting it made me want a little nook of my own… I currently live in the city, in a big old creaking villa filled with lovely people but sometimes I dream of escaping the hustle. Wanting my own patch of land in the country, with simply a little tiny house in which to sleep, write and read. This resulted in me day dreaming around the Internet collecting images of tiny bliss.
This is a summerhouse at the end of a very long garden, similar to what I imagine my friends one will eventually look like.
This minimal ply space is by Dorte Mandrup. Built in bookcases and a fold down bed make it just right for penning your magnum opus.
The Scandinavians have it right with 21st century huts in breathtaking locations. Hang out all summer long drinking vodka overlooking a Norwegian fjord? Yes please!
This pad is functional, aesthetically pleasing and easy to make yourself. The plans are available from Ready Made, so if you’ve got the space, the time and a nearby hardware store you can do it! Most of the time you don’t need permission to build a structure so small. I don’t have the inclination to build myself something but I am lucky to have a wee shed that I am planning on turning into a silk-screening studio. If you need more inspiration check out this wonderful site materialicious, which only focuses on these tiny amazing abodes!
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Part 2 - Public Access, opening 6pm, September 12 - 27 September 2008
If you’re in Auckland, you might have heard of the SideRoom/42 Below Month of Street Art, celebrating the art of scribbling in public. Tomorrow night the second show opens, featuring work of Flox, Peepshow and more. As part of the show, they have also engaged the artists to work directly on the outside panes of the building. If you can’t make it down, here’s a few shots I took of the gallery the other day:
Part 1 was a tight little exhibition, so chances are I will be wandering across the road to have a look. Word is that if you arrive early there will be special Flox collectables given away. I think it’s also safe to assume there will be some yummy 42 Below vodka treats!
If you’re more keen on participating than observing, Visual Resistance has a simple tutorial on how to make street worth stencils. Or make a jumbo statement with this instructional on how to make wall sized stencils. Will you be the next Banksy?
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Another genius is hailed, another is thrown off the throne. Yes, it’s New York Fashion Week. While I could talk in depth about it, there are many others doing a stand up job so I will leave it to them! My favourite commentators this year have been Paper Mag (with a great star rating system) and NY Mag, who always take a tongue-in-cheek approach to their write ups.
I will say however, that I enjoyed Karen Walker’s show! Those true blue shorts are phenomenal (colour of the century in my opinion) and I feel quite partial to the boyish grunge style. Light blue denim is in? The Believers collection really does say ‘get thee into a jean shirt pronto’. Karen’s influences? According to this note on Isaac Likes, it’s all about “Cults, communes and religious sects. With a little but of voodoo thrown in there too”.
Also, oxfords are still in; the gods have spoken and you may rock them for another season. Rejoice!
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These links show where my head has been at the last little while, namely dreaming of summer. Anticipation is high!
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Just had to share these dashing sneakers made by Kathryn Wilson for New Zealand brand Ruby. Seriously, every shoe this woman makes is covetable gold!
Although I think the anchor motif is a little dated, it’s still irresistible in this bare-ankle context. As an aside, I vote for a new icon – something to replace the anchor, the cherry, the horseshoe (which still has some life left in it), the swallow, and the skull… Suggestions anybody? Camels?
The striped low sneakers will probably go with most things, but especially some of the pretty white lace dresses I’ve seen coming through. What makes Wilson’s shoes so appealing is the fact they’re accessible for everyone – not too chain store, not too conceptual – just right and ready to wear. I never really appreciated the true straight up meaning of that term till recently… Summer a-hoy-hoy!
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The latest N.E.E.T – 012 September – is hot off the digital press, if you haven’t checked it out already! It’s great so see indie people getting out there and making it happen. There’s some quirky fashion and cool street style content – I just wish there was more of it, a little more meaty, you know?
A taster of the good stuff:
Do you guys know of any other digital magazines worth checking out? Independent or otherwise, I’d love to know!
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These are three designers that have taken my fancy recently, all linked by a common, golden thread. They are all women of the world, transcending both location and form to build something beautiful.
1. Nora Kogan creates her St. Kilda Jewelery line out of Brooklyn, NYC, rather than from its namesake seaside village. Her pieces are the thoughtful reflections of a globetrotter who has both pondered wallpaper in Paris and apprenticed in Israel.
"Bird on a Branch" crescent & "Maleeka" ring
2. Pamela Love of NYC makes works that speak of nature and glorious decay. She takes bird bones to a whole new level and has her range stocked all across the world. According to this interview, she is heavily inspired by folk jewelery and indigenous cultures.
3. Daphna Simon has made tiny statue like renditions of wolves, bears and leopards that perch gracefully on your fingers. All in 18k gold, no less. She also has made some winsome log rings, celebrating the beauty of the forest.
I see jewelery as portable art, tokens of insight and beauty to draw on when you need a little bit of the shiny, bright stuff. These pieces would certainly feed me inspiration; however I am keen to know to who out there creates the adornments that you crave?
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There has been a lot of Kanye hating recently but you can’t deny talent. He makes fun, friendly songs and the ‘Good Life’ won a Grammy for best Rap after all. The video was directed by Jonas and François with animation by So Me, the same crew who made Justice’s super D.A.N.C.E. T-shirt video. Illustrated type is definitely the flavour of the month… hmm and on that note, hasn’t similar lettering been used for Ben & Jerry’s? Okay, on with the Kanye visual bubblegum:
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These shots of Cybèle‘s latest range make me want to forfeit all of my savings for the rest of the year and become a one designer clothes pony! Named Utopia, there are two collections based on the theme; one for us lucky southern hemisphere girls with summer 2008-2009 and for the northern 2008-2009 winter.
She’s built on the bones of her last collection (which I fawned over previously), taking the draping silk and injecting fresh colours like electric blue and oily sea greens. Cybèle has also introduced a lotus motif to the range. From the gowns to singlets, it’s a really dreamy range, the sort of clothes that whisper at opulence and conjure images of beautifully unruly gardens at dusk.
The shoes showcased with the collection are from Sarah Riley, an up and coming footwear designer. I am feeling very smug right now, having just done a search on TradeMe (the NZ version of ebay) and found – a pair of these as per the Cybele shoot. In my size! I’ll have to take my chances with the bidding but I do foresee a summer of storming around in these gladiatorial heels.
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Hello! My name is Amber Parkin. I'm a New Zealander living in London. I'm a writer obsessed with fondue, chesterfield sofas, vintage dresses, foxes, and 35mm.
Here I like to talk about fashion, design, food, travel, writing & books, and culture. Everything else (including my photography) goes into my digital notebook.
If you'd like to email me the address is amber@codeforsomething.com
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