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to do, not having done
March 3, 2017 by 11 Comments
“The other designers say, ‘We are burned out….’ Ooh,” Lagerfeld, 83, says in mock sympathy. “You will get burned out—if you take the job only for the check, you’d better do something else. People want the money but they don’t want to work. And they might be a little bit younger than I am, so they need their ‘private life.’ ” Smiling mischievously, he says, “I add collections and it makes them furious.” […]
His work ethic is well-known. “You wake up one day and find at 6 a.m. stacks [of faxes] handwritten by him, and he is announcing an idea for a book project or a Chanel catalog or a Fendi catalog,” says publisher Gerhard Steidl, who adds that most of his artists publish one book a year; with Lagerfeld, it’s typically 20 books and catalogs…“I do everything by instinct. Ninety percent goes into the garbage can, and the rest is maybe OK,” he says. “I am never pleased—I always think I could do better, that I am lazy.” […]
The only invention Lagerfeld hasn’t really gotten up to speed with is the computer: “I don’t have time for the internet,” he says. Instead, he reads at a frenetic pace—and anything that happens to be in front of him. Once, working on a shoot, he found an industrial-supply catalog that had been left behind in the studio by a previous crew.
Though he’s outspoken, Lagerfeld also displays the old-fashioned manners of a courtier, never indulging in histrionics. “He’ll raise his glasses and just say, ‘You are frustrating me,’ ” says Pfrunder, imitating a comedic growl. Nor is he ever heard to complain, a favorite fashion pastime. “It’s very chic to never complain,” says Roitfeld. “It’s an education to work with Karl. When we are doing a photo shoot, he says hello to each person separately—the assistants, the interns. And when we finish he goes to say goodbye and thank you to each person personally. I’ve worked with many photographers and I can tell you, he’s the only one who does this.” […]
“What I like in life is to do, not having done,” says Lagerfeld.
Lagerfeld’s Chanel contract is for life…
~ Elisa Lipsky-Karasz, Karl Lagerfeld Is Never Satisfied (wsj.com, Feb 13, 2017)
Guilty
June 22, 2016 by 10 Comments
I distrust the perpetually busy; always have.
The frenetic ones spinning in tight little circles like poisoned rats.
The slower ones, grinding away their fourscore and ten in righteousness and pain.
They are the soul-eaters.
~ Mark Slouka, excerpt from Quitting the Paint Factory
Art: Hélène Boutanos, illustrator from Paris, France.
Summer 2024
February 16, 2016 by 15 Comments
The host of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be announced on September 13, 2017. On June 23, 2015, Paris officially declared its bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.
The logo, elected by the bid committee, recalls the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower and also suggests a number, 24, to Paris in 2024, but also refers to the centenary of the last Olympics held in Paris in 1924.”
Source: Brand New
The first week of August
August 4, 2015 by 20 Comments
The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses on its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color.
–Natalie Babbitt, from Tuck Everlasting
Notes: Image Source: David Pichler, 3oneseven.com (via Mennyfox55). Quote source: Paper Ghosts
Truth (and not just for the young)
June 5, 2015 by 15 Comments
The Big Bubble
April 23, 2015 by 5 Comments
Alex de Witte is an industrial designer from Goes, Netherlands. His latest works are the Big Bubble and Light Breeze, both lighting objects though very different products. The big Bubble is a very huge light made of blown glass. Each piece is unique (dimensions between 40 and 110 cm). The Big Bubble has won the first price for best product at Design District Amsterdam 2013, The Design Plus award 2014, the Red Dot design award 2014 and a Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum.
Don’t miss more of his collection here: The Big Bubble
Source: Ignant
Now. Now.
March 31, 2015 by 15 Comments
As Robert Frost once wrote, “A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness. It is never a thought to begin with.”
I recommend the following course of action for those, like you, who are just starting out, or who, like me, may be re-configuring midway through. Heed the words of Robert Frost. Start with a big fat lump in your throat. Start with a profound sense of wrong, a deep homesickness, a crazy lovesickness, and run with it. If you imagine less, less will be what you undoubtedly deserve. Do what you love. And don’t stop until you get what you love. Work as hard as you can. Imagine immensities. Don’t compromise and don’t waste time. In order to strive for a remarkable life, you have to decide that you want one. Start now. Not twenty years from now. Not thirty years from now. Not two weeks from now. Now.
~ Debbie Millman, 2013 Commencement Address at San Jose State University
Notes: Quote – Brainpickings via makebelieveboutique. Photography – howtoholdapencil.
Now-you-don’t-see-it, now-you-do.
January 25, 2015 by 17 Comments
Unfortunately, nature is very much a now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t affair. A fish flashes, then dissolves in the water before my eyes like so much salt. Deer apparently ascend bodily into heaven; the brightest oriole fades into leaves. These disappearances stun me into stillness and concentration; they say of nature that it conceals with a grand nonchalance, and they say of vision that it is a deliberate gift, the revelation of a dancer who for my eyes only flings away her seven veils. For nature does reveal as well as conceal: now-you-don’t-see-it, now-you-do.
~ Annie Dillard, Seeing. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. (HarperCollins. 2009)
Credits: Lamp: ronbeckdesigns – “Perch Light :: Umut Yamac” via Your Eyes Blaze Out
Genís is Genius
April 15, 2014 by 14 Comments
Genís Carreras, 27, is a graphic designer and entrepreneur based in London and born in Catalonia. He is the author of a book titled: Philographics. His book is all about explaining big ideas in simple shapes, merging the world of philosophy and graphic design. There are ninety-five designs, each depicting a different “–ism” using a unique combination of geometric shapes, colors, and a short definition of the theory. Find his book on Amazon here. Find his web site here.
Genís is Genius. Period.
See more below:
The tip of a black court shoe peeking through a half-open door
December 23, 2013 by 33 Comments
What do you see above?
Don’t ask me how long I stared at this illustration by René Gruau trying to figure it out.
Consolation was offered when no one else in the household could figure it out either.
And then, I did a bit of scouting…
Shoes (Handmade)
October 19, 2013 by 26 Comments
10+ years ago, Frank Torres, a colleague from work, had suggested that I buy a single pair of hand crafted Italian shoes. His face lit up when speaking about his visit to Italy, visiting shoemakers and speaking of the quality of the product. I scoffed. “Do me a favor. Just do it.” So, I did as he suggested. And, I’ve never looked back. I slide on my shoes each morning and think of that short 3-4 minute conversation with Frank. The form fit and cushioning offers me a magic carpet ride through the stress packed days. Frank, if you’re out there and by some miracle you are reading this post, this clip is my thanks to you. While it’s not of an Italian shoemaker, it offered me similar inspiration. “Yes, Frank. You do get what you pay for.”
Barbora Veselá is London based footwear designer and maker. Her work reflects deep technical knowledge and creative competence. She likes to challenge classic shoe making techniques, yet use them with respect and celebrate its value. Playful and inquisitive thinking brought into old craftsmanship is what makes her work strong and unique. A special construction method has been developed and used across her collection. Multiple layers of leather scrap pieces are added on the last and subsequently sanded down to achieve the final shape and unique colour pattern of the shoe. More shoes displayed here. (Source: barbora vesela)
Pool Party Here This Afternoon
August 23, 2013 by 23 Comments
“Comfortable chairs are set into a pool’s shallow-water section, sometimes called a sunning ledge or a ‘flooded deck,’ rather than around the pool’s perimeter. Similar designs also add a water feature called a ‘bubbler’ that give a soothing or whimsical touch. The design for this Manalapan, Florida, pool is by Marc-Michaels Interior Design.” You can have your own for a mere $275k. (Yes, that’s just for the pool. Home, view, land are extra.)
See other pools @ wsj.com: Home Pools Take on a New Splash.
Right Brain Magic
August 5, 2013 by 16 Comments
This was the external firm’s third pass at showing their creative pitch. The prior two passes left me inspired. But, they fell short. Like that beautiful pair of Italian shoes that didn’t fit just quite right, it was “off” a wee bit. The team came back a week later. I was expecting a tweak. A tuck. A pinch.
He carried Round Three in a large black portfolio. He placed it carefully on the table. He said good morning. And set the stage as to the evolution of the various creative works that had been previously presented.
He slowly untied the strings on the case. He continued speaking. Our eyes moved to the portfolio. He paused for dramatic effect before opening the flaps. And then walked us through his team’s new recommendation…offering a complete overhaul.
Striking colors on large glossy poster boards.
First One. Then another. A third.
Followed by several smaller sizes carrying a similar theme.
Hand-crafted calligraphic lettering tastefully presenting content.
Our eyes drawn to the images…hummingbirds to nectar.
They nailed it.
I came across this video (unrelated to my experience) and it reminded me of the magical moment last week.
Beautiful. Intelligent. Captivating. Genius.
All those Right-Brainers out there, we Left-Brainers applaud you. Bravo!
My Keynote Address from Mike Brookes on Vimeo.
Nick Chase
December 30, 2012 by 16 Comments
Nick Chase was born in Sackville, New Brunswick and now resides in Toronto where he creates his glass art. The piece below is titled “Shields” which is a Blown glass vessel with carved detail to represent the Canadian Shield.
Here’s more beauty by Nick Chase…this piece titled “Sargasso Leaf” [Read more…]
One word.
August 14, 2012 by 23 Comments
Live & Learn 