Henrik Vibskov: Graphic Works

by CH Contributor, 9 February 2010

by Youyoung Lee

Minutes before Danish fashion designer, DJ and artist Henrik Vibskov attended the opening of his latest exhibition "Graphic Works" at Berlin's Pool Gallery (there through 6 March 2010), he answered a few questions for CH. While brushing his teeth, Vibskov opened up about what it's like to be an international multi-dimensional superstar.

There's a lot of emphasis on the three-dimensional "Henrik Visbkov" world. How would you describe that in your words?
It's a different universe sometimes. This time it's more linear, where it looks more clean. Normally it would be a surrounding of a lot of people, and a build up of all kinds of ingredients. It could be more visual installations, or it could be the different identities from uniforms to fashion shows. Also music-wise, we like to create this whole atmosphere. I like quite a bit of colors. It's easier to put colors on paper than it is on clothing. I like when things are very technically advanced. I like to multiply a lot of the same things, like those sticks here [points to a large wooden installation]. I had 3,000 of those sticks. They were produced in Holland, to create a bit dome out of those sticks for a dinner of 70 people. I thought this graphical element might bring something more moody.

What is your general color scheme?
Sometimes I build up a color combination of three colors. I like the classic black and white and then two colors on top, like a force is kicking in. These are copper prints, so it's like the etching [points to two copper prints]. This is a wood print, that's a color combination of five or six [points to one large wood print]. And then a color combination of 10 is also good—10, five, three and then mono-colors are also good.

Who are some of the early artists that affected you in your childhood?
Erwin Wurm, I really like his stuff—a little bit twisted world, based on daily things that are kind of twisted silhouette-wise. What else? Color-wise, we have a very good Scandinavian one named Tel R. He has a really good way of color thinking and has extremely good color combinations.

How does it feel when you are deejaying a party and see kids wearing your clothing?
It was more strange years ago, now I'm a little bit more balanced with it. I was very shy—I really didn't like it, I don't know why. It was worse years ago, now I'm getting better. It's a little funny to talk to a person you don't know, and maybe he or she doesn't know you either, and then he or she is standing in one of your designs.

But that's the ultimate compliment!
Yeah. I'm also very pleased, but it's a little bit strange. Best if I don't recognize it.

Henrik Vibskov: Graphic Works
Pool Gallery
Through 6 March 2010
Tucholskystr 38, Berlin
tel. +49 30 24342462

Picking the brains of Gestalten's book editors and designers, Youyoung Lee reports to Cool Hunting weekly on what inspires them.

Ryan McGinley for Levi's x Opening Ceremony Cords

by Doug Black, 9 February 2010

When Levi's wanted to shoot their first collaboration with downtown retailer Opening Ceremony—a unisex collection of muted corduroy tops and bottoms—they opted for a familiar lensman in Ryan McGinley, who did campaigns for both companies in the past. While officially part of their Spring collection, McGinley chose decidedly autumnal scenes peppered with falling leaves (as well as models).

Inspired by trips to the upstate New York countryside and characteristic of the photographer, the images lend a vibrant adolescent feel to a fabric more often associated with hippies, English professors and Wes Anderson characters.

The first edition in a series of ongoing seasonal collaborations between the two brands, "Cords" will be available in New York, San Francisco and Tokyo stores as well as online. You can see a couple, more familiar, shots from the collection after the jump.

Also on Cool Hunting: The Highfliers by Ryan McGinley

Malmsten x Monocle Magazine: Limited Edition Furniture

by CH Contributor, 9 February 2010

by Richard Prime

Winning his first furniture design award nearly 100 years ago, Malmsten may not have the same name recognition today as Dixon, Newson, Morrison or Starck, but the Swedish woodworker recently received some seriously deserved attention when he teamed up with pedantic design magazine Monocle for a gorgeously simple limited edition table and lamp.

Now run by Carl Malmsten's son Jerk, the classic style, superior craftsmanship and attention to detail still culminate in timeless pieces of design—a reputation so strong Stockholm's top furniture design school bears the name.

Following Acne's sneak peak of its new Malmsten-inspired furniture in Paris last month, this collaboration brings the focus back home. The oak Golvlampa Staken lamp (complete with a patterned shade boasting the Monocle insignia) and Ovalen IV table are on display and up for sale at Monocle's temporary shop.

Also stocking existing Monocle collaborations with equally compelling brands, like Comme des Garcons, Drakes and Porter, the seasonal store is already a requisite for anyone attending the fairs in Stockholm. The Malmsten pieces, adding to the boutique's inventory of carefully edited, well designed objects, just make one more reason to visit.

The Golvlampa Staken lamp and Ovalen IV table retail for £663 and £840 respectively.

Monocle Seasonal Shop
Strandvägen 5
Stockholm, Sweden map
+44 (0) 207 725 4330

Gerlan Jeans Stacked Hat

by Tim Yu, 9 February 2010

London-born but raised in Ohio, Gerlan Marcel made a big splash with her Gerlan Jeans diffusion line during NYC's Fall '09 fashion week by mixing bright colors and bold prints, spicing up an otherwise drab (aka black-and-gray) week.

I was recently reminded of the line when it resurfaced in Beyonce's "Video Phone" music video (pictured in last image) featuring Gaga (which by the way is well worth a look if you haven't seen it already). Gerlan's colors, textile design and illustration all have an amazing neo-'90s look, but I especially like the cleverness of her stacked baseball cap.

Like a modern day Alice-in-Wonderland style mad hatter, Gerlan stacks several baseball caps (featuring a musical clef) on top of one another. Each progressively tilts at an angle to create a slight illusion, as if the hats are in motion.

A bit of a sartorial stretch for most, it's clearly not for playing baseball although it would block the sun no matter where it sat in the sky. We also appreciate the unisex look for those bold enough to wear it. In fact, we think it would probably look best on a tomboy type.

Gerlan admits that the her line, called Peace and Love Inc., was inspired by aliens landing and what would happen if they did. When asked about the hat specifically Gerlan comments, "how do aliens know how many baseball caps to wear."

Taking the all-over print to new heights, be sure to check out the rest of Gerlans stuff on her Gerlan Jeans site.

With Fashion week just around the corner we're looking forward to what she comes up with next, though she won't be showing this time around.

Gerlan Jeans currently sells from Patricia Field stores for now, but her aim is to make them available in malls across America.

Gerlan also founded Prints Please, a NYC based surface design studio specializing in prints "for fashion and the world."

Acne Fall 2010

by CH Contributor, 8 February 2010

by Richard Prime

No other brand could really close Stockholm's fashion week than the city's own home-grown independent super-brand Acne. With recent glimpses of its forthcoming venture into the world of furniture tantalizingly close in Paris, it was time to see what the brand has in store clothing-wise for the chilly months ahead.

Acne based the collection around an aviation theme, citing Amelia Earhart as a central influence. Menswear gave a variety of flight jacket options in different material options. Trousers were cut close and well, as expected from the brand which made its name from its denim options.

An exciting mix of layers and changes of proportion made up womenswear, with a key piece being the shearling jacket. Light and long skirts marked a contrast from recent micro-mini trends, while men's looks had flexibility in the form of long feminine shirting.

In all, the show was a strong way to end the week, which has saw more than a few surprises and comings-of-age from this richly creative part of the world.

See more images after the jump.

Jaime Hayon x Gaia & Gino: Valencia Collection

by Phuong-Cac Nguyen, 8 February 2010

The prolific Spanish designer Jaime Hayon's elegant Valencia collection for luxury label Gaia & Gino applies his talent for refreshing the modern to must-have iterations of classic candlestick and tea-light holders in crystal.

The handmade pieces make an apt addition to the Turkish design studio's line of "affordable yet rare" products. Sandblasting each holder by hand, each incorporates a pattern mixing shapes and clefts designed to maximize light's refractive capabilities and demonstrate crystal's captivating chemical structure.

The interchangeable bases allow for assembly in a variety of arrangements while the varying heights add to the collection's playfully sophisticated tenor.

The candlestick and tea-light holders in the Valencia collection span $55-200 and debut in stores May 2010.

Steve Powers: A Love Letter For You Book and Tours

by Wendy Dembo, 8 February 2010

This Valentine's Day, celebrate love in all forms with a trip to Philadelphia to tour Steve Powers' ongoing graffiti mural project and the source of his latest book “A Love Letter for You.” Over the summer of 2009 Powers (aka ESPO) painted 50 murals on 20 blocks of Market Street as a love letter to and from West Philadelphia in a project dubbed "Love Letters." (Click on images for expanded view.)

Documenting the process and installation of the "Love Letters" adventure, the book explores Powers' fascination with using graffiti to tell a story. To mark the book launch, Philadelphia will play host to a weekend of fun-filled events, including "Oldhead," a gallery exhibit showcasing the project's process and inspiration, a book signing (get a personalized copy for your sweetheart), and a privately-chartered, slow-speed elevated train tour of the murals guided by the man himself, Steve Powers, as your conductor. Tickets for the tour run $40 per person or $75 for two.

If a Philly vacation isn't in your plans, the book makes a good romantic subsititute. As Powers explains, "The love letter book is designed so you can dedicate the book to your loved one. Just fill in the blanks with your name and theirs and let the sweet cement sentiments seal the deal." Order it from Free News Projects.

See more images and tour info after the jump.