authentis city

Monday, November 30, 2009

Full Circle.

TREND: The Implications of Paper Craft, part II

Photo of a paper garment from David Lauren's exhibition

From cyanatrendland.com

Having started this trend blog with a post on the art of paper craft, I felt totally compelled to round out my 15 blog posts with a follow up. Whether influenced by my blog or not (most likely NOT), David Lauren (Ralph Lauren’s nephew) has created an exhibition that perfectly illustrates my earlier post about the interpretation of the relationship between fine art and fashion. Whereas I ended my first post with images off the runway of “paper crafty” looking outfits, this post reverses the process to demonstrate the influence of fashion on paper craft.

More photos from David Lauren’s exhibition

From cyanatrendland.com

Apparently though, there is already quite a market out there for jackets made from the papery yet highly windproof and water repellant material, Tyvek.

Tyvek jacket From leslie-jordan-inc.stores.yahoo.net

The Gentlemen of Bakongo & The Mori Girls of Japan

TREND: The continuing evolution of style tribes; in particular the dandies of Bakongo and the Mori girls of Japan.

The Congolese Sapeurs
From www.colorsmagazine.com

A Japanese Mori girl
From imomus.livejournal.com

While the concept of style tribes is certainly not new, I think that style tribes are as relevant as ever and continue to be a source of influence and inspiration for fashion designers all over the world today. There are two style tribes that I have come across recently, which serve to illustrate the fascinating balance of individual expression while belonging to a very distinct group.

For the Congolese Sapeurs, haute couture has become a sort of religion where the individual purchases and wears the most expensive, luxurious, extravagant clothes possible while often living in squalor and otherwise barely able to make a living. Considering that the average annual income in the Democratic Republic of Congo is about US$100, it gives a whole new meaning to the concept of “obsessed with fashion”.

Examples of the incredibly stylish yet somehow extremely tough looking Congolese Sapeurs
From cyanatrendland.com

Oh, and check out a side-by-side comparison of a couple of the Sapeurs next to models from Paul Smith's Spring/Summer 2010 runway show.

In both photos...

Left: A Sapeur, Right: model from Paul Smith's SS2010 show

Also from From cyanatrendland.com

Japan has long since been known for its distinct style tribes, and the Mori (or “Forest”) Girls are no different. I liked the description of the Mori Girl style from http://imomus.livejournal.com/462034.html.

“Mori in Japanese means "forest" and a Mori Girl (森ガール) is a girl who looks like she lives amongst cedar and pine trees. She's part Little Red Ridinghood (although she prefers dark blue, dark green or bordeaux brown to bright red), part Marie Antoinette pastoral fantasy, part Alice in Wonderland.”

A look that started two years ago, Mori Girls now number close to ten thousand! Here are some other examples of Mori Girls I’ve found.

Examples of Japanese Mori or “Forest” Girls
From imomus.livejournal.com

Hope Fading Fast.

TREND: The growing disillusionment of President Obama’s promises from his HOPE campaign.

The infamous HOPE IS FADING FAST t-shirt by Freshjive
From www.freshjive.com

In the year or so since President Obama took office, some supporters have begun to lose faith, confidence, and hope in the President’s ability to undo the failures of the Bush administration and restore prosperity to America. While long lasting, positive change requires careful consideration before taking action, many argue that Obama has reneged on too many promises already and that the current administration is acting all too similarly to the one before it. It is no wonder then that companies like Freshjive have begun to openly express their frustrations. Needless to say this t-shirt has caused quite an uproar. Sadly I expect that we’ll be seeing more of these types of objects as economic recovery continues to remain distant.

A badly torn and faded photo of Obama's iconic HOPE sticker From www.freshjive.com

Obamas approval ratings since taking office nearly a year ago From www.rasmussenreports.com

For those interested in finding out for themselves what the President has really done, check out this website which tracks the results of President Obama’s campaign promises.

Art of the Gift Card.

TREND: Retailers are stepping-up their gift card game with clever packaging ideas to offer more value to their gift card purchasing customers.

Target dog wind up toy dragging gift card package
From www.notcot.org

Although gift cards provide the receiver with the option to purchase whatever he/she wants rather than risking the possibility of giving an item that is unwanted, I can’t help but feel like gift cards are just plain lazy gifts. But having seen the clever packaging of gift cards from retailers like Target this season, I’m beginning to come around a little as the fun packaging of the gift cards feels like a very personal touch. A gift card package that you can actually use or play with seems like a far more tangible reminder of the special person who gave it to you rather than merely having a cold plastic card tucked away in a wallet or envelop. Personally, I’d be excited to see some better gift card packages from fashion retailers, especially since clothing is so hard to buy for others. I wonder what a gift card package from Ralph Lauren would look like…hmmm..mm.. In the meantime, here are some neat gift card packages from Target.

Crayons gift card package from Target
From www.notcot.org

A bath salts gift card package from Target
From www.notcot.org

More fun gift card packaging from Target
From www.notcot.org

Augmenting Reality.

TREND: Cutting edge applications using augmented reality can serve a wide range of functions from informational tools to personal marketing tools to artistic mediums of expression.

My first encounter with augmented reality consisted of watching a video of people apparently hanging out next to a large sasquatch dancing on a piece of cardboard, much like old school break dancers used to do back in the 80’s.

Augmented reality sasquatch which users can make their own videos with
Sponsored by Jack's Links Beef Jerky at www.livingsasquatch.com

Upon looking into the strange yet intriguing matter, I learned that what I had seen was something called "augmented reality" which is a “…method of blending digital data with the physical world.” Lately the phenomenon has gained enough legitimacy as a new form of digital entertainment that I found myself reading multiple articles about it in mainstream publications such as BusinessWeek. For those who are unfamiliar with augmented reality, I figured an introduction of the various ways in which people are using it was in order. Take a look.

AS AN ART MEDIUM

Monde Des Montagnes By Camille Scherrer from the University of art and design Lausanne From www.notcot.org

AS A PERSONAL MARKETING TOOL

Business card of James Alliban From www.vimeo.com

AS A CORPORATE MARKETING TOOL

Transformers based augmented reality video From www.youtube.com

AS A REALTIME INFORMATIONAL TOOL

iPhone application which provides real time locations of Twitter tweets superimposed on the screen’s image using the iPhone’s camera From www.flylyf.com

Kiosk which shows the constructed model within the box to customers before they purchase From www.notcot.org

Drawing On Walls.

TREND: The recognition that creativity increases productivity, and should be nurtured and protected as much as possible.

The first time I really stopped to consider the impact that nurturing creativity has on an individual or organization, I was being totally inspired by Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture. (For those who have not yet watched it, please do. Words cannot describe the value I have personally gotten from hearing about this dying man’s attitude and the way he lived his life.) In short, Randy Pausch’s parents let him draw on his walls as a kid which not only inspired him, but more importantly set a tone for the attitude with which he achieved almost all of his childhood dreams later in life.

The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch
From www.thelastlecture.com

Taken a step further, I began to research the ways in which companies foster a creative environment for their talent. Incase and Pixar are two companies that I really admire for their consistent innovation and cleverness. Take a look at how they create an office environment that nurtures creative talent.

Inside the office of Incase
From www.notcot.org

A rare look within the animation studio of Pixar
From www.rottentomatoes.com

The question then becomes: Why are the offices of most fashion companies so stuffy and rigid??

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Urban Field Guide.

TREND: A strong outdoorsman aesthetic for guys this fall/winter season.

Even though Trend Union predicted a male trend towards androgyny and an effeminate look precisely a year ago during my first semester at Parsons, I’ve been noticing that a lot of guys this fall/winter have been wearing rugged, outdoor clothing- and doing a great job of it. I suppose with the help of brands like J.Crew, blogs like ACL, and the always influential Ralph Lauren, men still have the option to look stylishly masculine. It’s my own hope that the trend will continue and that the outdoorsman aesthetic will collide even harder with tailored clothing to produce some really spectacular looks for guys who still want to look like guys, but extremely tasteful, well-put together guys.

All the right elements – Jacque Cousteau red beanie, beard, boots, and backpack.
Photo by me. Soho, fall 2009.

Boots for any environment, urban or natural.
Photo by me. Soho, fall 2009.

The slickest hunter I’ve seen on the streets. All black, all business.
Photo by me. Soho, fall 2009.

Quilted hunting jacket with shoulder pad.
Photo by me. Soho, fall 2009.

Ready for a pheasant hunt…ooorr a trip on the subway?
Photo by me. Soho, fall 2009.

…but the guys at Ralph Lauren still do it the best.
From www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Comme des Garcons.

TREND: Girls dressed in boys clothing.

Lately I’ve been noticing a lot of girls dressed in boys clothing. And although it’s certainly not a first as far as historical trends go, it’s the first time this self-proclaimed-non-fashionable-Cali-guy-New-York-transplant has noticed it and so I’m writing about it history be damned. This time around the androgyny seems to be manifesting itself in many different ways. Take a look to see what I'm talking about.