Inspiring Collaborations

Mon mari and I put together the following list of creative 'couples' we admire...

Because of their unique genius,  their successful careers and their peerless contribution to the world of art and design.  Don't you wonder where their secret lies?  
I am sure I forgot other couples/partners/collaborations/special friendships etc... so feel free to suggest who else should be part of this list.  

1.    Isabel and Ruben Toledo:  Cuban-American fashion designer + Cuban-American artist, husband and wife.

2.    Ricardo Scofidio and Elizabeth Diller:  Interdisciplinary Architects of the 21st Century: Firm: Diller  Scofidio + Renfro, not sure if they are married, so I will say partners. 
3.    Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch:   Artists/designers in New York City:  Firm: Roman and Williams,  partners.
4.    Charles and Ray Eames:  20th Century American designers, husband and wife.
5.    Penelope Cruz and Pedro Almodóvar:  Spanish actress + Spanish film director, muse and mentor.
6.    Anthony McQueen and Isabella Blow:  British fashion designer + British style-icon/magazine editor,  friends and collaborators.
7.    Philip Treacy and muse Isabella Blow:  Irish-British milliner + British style icon, friends and collaborators. (Photo by Donald McPherson, 2003)
8.    Paul and Julia Child:  American painter/photographer/poet + Cooking expert/TV Personality and author, husband and wife. 
9.    Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Bulgerian-American artist + French-American artist, collaborators.
10.  Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo:  Mexican artists, husband and wife.
11.  Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner:  American abstract-expressionist artists, husband and wife.

There is no fog in London...

Ok.  So I meant to have my Mad Men post up Monday, but I was super busy.  
I had another idea prepared but then I discovered London Fog's 2010 ad campaign with the gorgeous Christina Hendricks and I had to post it.  She looks great, she kept her  'Joan'  style and well it was just a matter of time.  Mad Men created an entire episode around London Fog back in Season 3 (Episode 1: Out of Town) so perhaps this is London Fog's way of  returning the favor.  


For more pics click here...and is that Los Angeles' Union Station in the background?  I miss L.A.

Thank you Paul Giambarba.

Mad Men makes me smile, hysterically laugh, sigh and at times vey upset...but I am completely enamored with the cast, writers and overall concept. One of my favorite aspects of the the show is the very intentional & historically relevant 'product placement.'  A couple of weeks ago in Episode 2, Season 4 ( year 1964-65 ) I was very pleased to see that POLAROID made this season's script. Polaroid's automatic 100 series cameras were very popular in the 1960's and in the year 1963 the first color instant film was released.  
Paul Giambarba designed the packaging for the entire automatic 100 series line...and really for its evolving look well into the 70's...and recently he took part in the packaging design for the Impossible Project's re-launching of instant film.  Thank you Paul..I salute you! 
For more Polaroid fast facts, read here...


Stay tuned for another Mad Men inspired post next week...Check out Kelly L. Water's (mon amie) blog HALCYON DAYS for her Mad Men inspired posts..

"We came to the conclusion that Polaroid would be better off if we didn't paint ourselves into a corner with a logo that might be appropriate for a few years, then less so as time went on. The first order of business was to create a brand name image that people could remember and correctly pronounce: Pola-roid, not Poy-la-rode. Next, we should have signage at every retail outlet that was clean and classy."  Paul Giambarba

Hat...sombrero...chapeau!

Photographs from my Pinterest board, Beyond Couture.
Ok...so I meant to elaborate a few days ago about this addictive little project I have created for myself... I call it 'Beyond Couture' because I am interested in gathering unique photographs that go beyond "trendy fashion." Images that cry out craft & one-of-a-kind and that illustrate how the art of 'dressmaking' has evolved through other disciplines.  I have so far discovered that this artistry has shaped photography, architecture, sculpture, contemporary art installations, cinema, performing arts...etc...and I find successful "interdisciplinary" influence extremely stimulating.  Funny enough...I have discovered that I am especially attracted to the creative use of 'hats' or 'head-pieces' and here are a few examples...If you are curious for more check out my Pinterest board HERE.


From top to bottom: [1. Designer: Bahar Alipour (2009 Graduate from the London College of Fashion);  [2. John Galliano, 2004-05;  [3. Isabella Blow with Chinese Garden headdress by Philip Treacy, 2005 AND Frida Kahlo with a typical Frida head piece.  [4.  Korean Pop-singer BoA with head piece by Graham Tabor, 2009-10;  [5. CuldeSac and Studio Marisol, 2010 AND From fashion exhibition 'Gone With the Wind' in Holland Museum, 2009 AND Anthony McQueen AW 2010;  [6.  Louisa Brooks, 1920 AND Vivienne Westwood 2006 exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art;  [7. Graham Tabor headpiece AND 'Lady Grey' Vogue Italia, 2010 by photographer Tim Walker;  [8. Photograph by Steven Meisel.

Even a brick wants to be something.

I usually read about the latest design news from magazines such as 'Frame' or 'Mark' but I recently stumbled upon the online journal CONTEMPORIST, which is like The Daily Candy for artists and architects.  One of my favorite finds this week was the 'Brick Plan' collection for the brand Yii, by Taiwanese designer Rock Wang and craftsman Pei-ze Chen.  Yii was developed by the National Craft Research and Development Institute in the Nantou County of Taiwan.  This institution has managed to successfully cultivate local Taiwanese craft through contemporary innovation. . . just look at their brick transformations!


Louis Kahn would be pleased...he once said, Even a brick wants to be something.


Images borrowed from official Yii website.

  

Phenomenal Women

I have been collecting photographs of women I consider Phenomenal. Some names: Dame Vivienne Westwood, Louise Bourgeois,  Kelly L. Waters,  Julie Delpy,  Marilyn Monroe,  Sofia Coppola . . . check out more HERE.

...Now you understand  Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, 

'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. 

Phenomenal woman, That's me.  

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou.