Monday 28 June 2010

Bloody Good

The sun is shining, the skies are blue, and it's time for the graduate degree shows - how inspiring!

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By far the best graduate show that I've seen this summer is D&AD's New Blood showcase - which highlights the most interesting new talents in advertising, design and illustration from around the country. It's always stimulating to see what the new generation is producing, and the direction that they are taking - and this year there was a particularly strong group of work that fused retro and modern styles to make work that was completely contemporary.

Take Matthew Bromley's work. Elements of skate-punk, graffiti and comic strip are mixed with a mid-century palette and graphic style to make something very fresh.

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Plus - he made life size masks. Always a winner.

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Then there's the more obviously retro-referenced work of Robert Fresson and Edward Tuckwell (both graduating from the exceptionally good Illustration BA at Falmouth).

Robert's work is beautifully intricate and very English. This image immediately makes me want to go on a picnic.

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On the other hand, Edward's pared down graphic style pays perfect homage to Film Noir.

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This book jacket of his is so beautiful I'd like it on my wall.


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Someone else obviously inspired by classic Americana is Aaron Alexander from Staffordshire University - this packaging for fireworks may well have been my favorite thing in the whole show. Far too nice to blow up.

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Finally - huge compliments to Simon Cook (that's his stand at the beginning of this post). His website Stone and Spear is packed with fantastic things. Charming, naughty and with the most brilliant use of colour - his work gives me the thrill of the new that you always hope to get at graduate shows.

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With talent like this, blogs like grain edit are going to have the time of their lives. I can't wait to start seeing these guys work on billboards, books and products.

Sunday 20 June 2010

Vintage Transformation

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I passed this shop three times on three different days last week, before finally and excitedly finding the door open. Yves Andrieux and Vincent J Albert have been busy opening their second Parisian boutique, on the left bank. While this one which also houses their atelier is in the Rue Charlot. They specialize in transforming all kinds of vintage textiles into tempting goodies, from mens and womens wear to accessories and home furnishings.

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Gaudy printed 50's curtain fabrics are contrasted with military surplus, all around the atmospheric boutique the raw materials are piled up and used to create levels to display and frame the innovative products.

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These Patchwork floor cushions and tote bags are made from old army kit bags.

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A collection of t-shirts with appliques of chunky vintage lace and crochet. Unfortunately (for me) they only come in womens sizes.


for more information www.yvesandrieux-vincentjalbert.com

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Heucheraholics

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I can't find out much about Heucheras, but each year at Chelsea Flower Show these seem to be more amazing colours, these ones were all snapped at Heucheraholics stand, for which they won a silver guilt medal this year. They only sell these amazing colourful leaved plants. I though it would be very cool to plant a whole bed of different colours to create a colour range in the soil !

Sunday 6 June 2010

Fooding Milan cont.

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Our second foodie post from the Milan furniture fair, are these two contrasting but equally gorgeous table services. The dutch 'total table project' presents two design visions for contemporary dining,on the left by Scholten & Baijings and on the right by our friend Kiki van Eijk. To realize the designs, the Audax Textile Museum Tilburg (table linen), Royal Leerdam Crystal (glassware) and Koninklijke van Kempen & Begeer (cutlery) joined forces to present a complete table setting.