studio africa and designer laurenceairline

While doing some trendresearch, I came across this really cool African designer. I actually stumbled upon it thanks to a great Diesel+Edun initiative called Studio Africa. It is a platform celebrating and promoting creativity in Africa. Studio Africa was born out of the Spring 2013 collaboration: a denim collection born in Africa and entirely sourced an manufactured in Africa, using the finest cotton from Uganda. The collaboration goes beyond fashion to discover and be inspired by a cast of creatives fueling innovation across Africa. If you want to know more about this online platform please visit their tumblr page.

One of the Studio Africa creatives is Laurence Chauvin-Buthaud of the brand Laurenceairline. She is a rising menswear designer from Cote d'Ivoire. All her collections are produced by locals at the Laurence Airline workshop which serves as a pole of creation and a centre for teaching couture sewing techniques. The concept behind her brand is based on how fashion and ethnic cultures can successfully collaborate to create possibilities for the future.
As a designer she is inspired by people living in their clothes rather than a constructed fashion influence. She says: "It is the attitude and spirit that an individual gives a garment through the way that they wear it."
Her spring/summer 2013 collection is a fusion of local fabrics in carefree masculine silhouettes. I am especially keen on video that represents this collection. Starting very soft and playful, but gradually becoming more mysterious and clashy: a good representation for Laurenceairline's SS13 collection.

SS13

SS13

SS13

AW12

AW12

For more info about Laurence Airline or Studio Africa check:
www.laurenceairline.com
http://studioafrica.tumblr.com/
http://www.diesel.com/diesel+edun/

amsterdam fashion week - jacob kok paradise

jacob kok - paradise

Jacob Kok is a dutch designer (and winner of the dutch version of tv show: project runway). This flamboyant designer is well know for it's creative, out-of-the-box, egdy designs. Jacob presented his new collection 'paradise' at the Amterdam Fashionweek, which is in full swing. The collection is inspired by the popular game 'The Sims' because of his fascination with the digital revolution. To him this is a true paradise with unlimited options, yet to be discovered.



For more info about Jacob Kok:
http://cargocollective.com/jacobkok

marketing at it's best: microsoft hires young designer

Andrew Kim is a young design student (at the Art Centre College of Design in Los Angeles) who played his cards well. He proposed an extensive rebranding for Microsoft and it's many many products and put it online last July.
His rebranding concept eventually went viral, giving the degree of 'genius' this is not so hard to believe. So Microsoft decided to do the only thing that seemed logic: they hired the guy.
I absolutely love what he did to the brand: he got rid of all the layers of dust that were piling onto Microsoft and got back to it's core-values and a bit of 'cool' on the side of course ;)

Google synthesizer

Google honours Bob Moog's (electronica pioneer and inventor of the moog synthesizer) birthday with a special synthesizer doodle. Google has placed this doodle on their homepage. It's interactive so it allows you to play and record your own songs. If you think you're on to something sweet, you can even share it with your (social media) friends.

if you can't wait to get started visit: www.google.com

inspirational footage part two

inspiring flyer design

Inspiring artwork on flyers: 

Amsterdam versus Antwerp

One of my favorite things to do is wondering around in a random city. This could be my hometown (Amsterdam), a small town village i have never been before, or ofcourse somewhere abroad. Whenever i can i completey submerge myself in all there is to see. Coming across a lot of restaurants, bars and stores i always find myself collecting cool pieces of artwork. Here are a few, i wanted to share with you.

A trip to Antwerp, part one: Cous cous cola

This week i went on a daytrip with a close friend of mine to Antwerp, Belgium. It was great. So here's a little 'Antwerp love part one'.

COUS  COUS COLA
Abdembi Ben Hadach combines arabic exotism and western modernism in an exclusive collection of fashion & shoes for him and her, plus unique objects, jewellery, handbags and many other finds. A part from the good concept, the design is also great! 

More info:  http://www.couscouscola.be/index.php
Or visit the Cous cous cola concept store:

Schoytestraat 2/4

2000 Antwerpen

Open from tuesdays till saturdays

concept store

flyer front

flyer back