PENTLAND

Over the summer I set to work on the Pentland Project, I wasn't instilled with desire for the project but got stuck into some research none the less. I choose to focus my project on Pentland brand Berghaus gleaming inspiration and know how from a second Pentland brand, Boxfresh. 

A trip to Designer Forum and some investigation on Stylesight really whet my appitite for the project and I actually got quite excited by my vision for a new more current Berghaus. I explored predicted Activewear Megatrends for A/W 2012 and S/S 2013 as well as looking at innovative visual merchandising from the likes of Karl D.D Willis and the amazing Richard Chai (check out his glacial pop-up store 'ERE). 

I looked further at fabric technology, particularly Puffer Trends, where I became fixated with abstract padding, deformation of shape and extravagant anatomical shapes. I aimed make Berghaus share the coolness and style led aestetic of Boxfresh, perhaps even supersede it though experimental fashion insights and exciting scientific fabric technologies as well as a key consideration for the consumer and the environments which Berghaus combats. 

The project was due to be presented as an exhibition so I decided to create a mood which summed up my vision rather than creating a fact driven display. Below are some of the images which will be displayed as part of my exhibition.

And some sounds which add to the mood, because music is important to this blog, and my way of thinking.

I'd really appreciate any feedback as I feel this is a project which I struggled with and took an abstract view at while completing the final outcome.

ANIMAL MAGIC

A typical lazy Sunday, eating tangerines and too much Cadbury's chocolate while I flick through yesterday's Guardian. The fashion and style pages of The Weekend supplement are always my favourite part and I couldn't agree more with the top article in 'The Measure' this week. 

"Going Up

Animals: Foxes on Smythson stationary. Dogs in the Louis Vuitton campaign. Bird Prints at Jonathon Saunders. Freja Dressed as a cat for Chanel. Who needs a pet?"

..and the list of animal influences just goes on, with House of Holland's Budgy Prints, Topshop Unique's Dalmation spots..which also adorned flat caps at Burberry, dogs on the catwalks of the A/W shows and, my favourite, Mulberry's Autumn Winter Campaign.

The campaign was photographed at Shotover House, in my home county, and features giant owls and foxes as well as hatched eggs and other wild birds. I adore the sense of British heritage created through the campaign.

Photographer: Tim Walker

Stylist: Edward Enninful

Set Designer: Shona Heath

Creative Director: Ronnie Newhouse

LUPFER

In case you haven't already spied this on the Discotheque Confusion blog you must check out the video lookbook for Markus Lupfer's Resort 2011 Collection. I love the late 1970's quality and parody of scientific tv programmes. A video can certainly create far more of a narrative or mood than a lookbook ever could and I feel really inspired to delve into the moving image more next term, with a media world which everyday becomes more developed online it seems only natural that we move on from 2D printed pages and explore the multi faceted world of the moving image.

Check Out the original blog post 'ERE

STOLEN GIRLFRIENDS CLUB

The relaxed feminine style of their Heavy Petal collection is exactly what I want to be wearing this summer while I busy myself with side projects as well as uni's summer project. The collection is designed by three guys, that makes it so much more appealing to me, it's what guys want to see women wearing..a perfect balance of womanly allure and relaxed nonchalance. Here's a few of my favourite looks...

Serious adoration for this video too, I love how the mundane setting on a supermarket seems so vibrant and can work so well tonally with the garments whilst offsetting the stunning otherworldly models, very inspirational.

KSUBI

Loving these stills from Ksubi's new marketing video for their latest collection of Kolours...a coloured denim range.

"Models Bambi Northwood-Blythe, Cisco Gorrow and Heidi Harrington-Johnson are the matadors to the retro Fords that hunt them down in the industrial wasteland that is Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport. Shot with a Phantom camera, Askill's breathtaking film captures each of the models' movements at 1500 frames per second. We spoke to ksubi co-founder Paul Wilson about the new film and collection.."  

Anyway I love it and you need to check out the contrast of the visuals against the soundtrack and pace to appreciate the beauty of this...check out the article and the video in full 'ERE.

Kind of reminds me of Tarantino's Kill Bill and moments from Clockwork Orange..but maybe that's just me.

SERGE LEBLON

As part of the photographic brief project I had to choose a photographer who I felt could encapsulate Opening Ceremony as a brand, the photographer I chose was Serge LeBlon and this beautiful video for AnOther Magazine sums up why....

>>LeBlon

I love the movement, vivacity and innocence of this moving picture.

You can check out some more work by LeBlon 'ERE.

P.S

I love this...

INSPIRE

I've begun to think about my uni report for a UK brand's move to the US market. I have chosen to use Whistles as my brand and am really excited to plan the Visual Merchandising and Interior Design of a flagship US store. Again Studio Too Good has shown me some amazing examples of creativity..here's a few collage's of my favourtite projects...

This company shows so much creativity and risk taking...which always appears to have produced an amazing outcome.

...check out more projects 'ERE.

UO PROJECTS

Looking over the Urban Outfitters website today I found this shoot and instantly loved it, the setting totally reminds me of a place near home where I shot a music video for a college project.

The beauty of these photographs is their honesty, the clothes do not adhere to trend..nor are they luxurious, the models are not outer worldly wide eyes beings and the scenery is naturalistic and raw. The narrative of the images portrays the escapism of Urban Outfitter's consumer, it's no frills but works so well. The animalistic, survival aesthetic creates a feeling of adventure and care-freeness. The photos could be those from the disposable camera of a group of friends. Just love 'em....

See the set and read an interview with the photographer 'ERE

And check out some more of Viktor Vauthier's work 'ERE

CHANEL AND 3

I've been hunting though Topshop's website looking for some new smarter wardrobe staples (i'll post more about this tomorrow)..when I came across this gorgeous holdall bag.

£45

It's perfect! Love that it can be slung over the shoulder with the long strap or grabbed by the handle and it's got a great balance of vintage styling and understatement. Then I realised why I really adore this bag, the palm tree tapestry pattern really reminds me of the Spring Summer '11 Chanel ads, which are perhaps my favourite of the season.

I love the dark moody take on the usually tropical paml trees. The images remind me of an abandoned holiday destination, where only the beautiful Freja remains.

So..I know what i'll be buying with my eBay profits!!

..and a song which makes me happy...

I love Bombay Bicycle Club for a chilled morning but this remix tops it.

BOXPARK

Came across this great innovative shopping space today. I love the industrialism of the architecture, which is created using shipping containers. The space is set to play host to small galleries, new designers and boutique eateries and will open in Shoreditch in August.

See more, including a video which featured an interview with the creator, 'ERE

TOOGOOD

I was urged to take a look at the Studio Too Good website...and now i'm going to pass on this urge.

Here are some of my favourite images of the amazingly creative interior styling, conceptual spaces and exhibition designs.

But please look 'ERE for more.