Nathalie du Pasquier

Today inspiration comes in the way of fabulously colorful patterns created by Nathalie de Pasquier- one of the founding members of the Italian design and architecture collective Memphis, during the early 1980s.

Postmoderntastic!

More from Reform

Here's a selection of cool graphics I found on Reform a while ago...

 

All images via Reform.it

Batman x Lazy Oaf

It's usually a delight when geek meets fashion. Do you like Batman? Ha! Of course you do! So you're gonna LOVE this:

London's label and retail space Lazy Oaf created a capsule collection for Spring/Summer 2012- inspired in vintage Batman imagery, to coincide with the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises this past summer.

I checked, and there are still some pieces available, so hurry up!

Batman x Lazy Oaf 

All images via Lazy Oaf

Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na... BATMAN!

Kenzo Reboot

CASE STUDY: Reinventing Kenzo

I was going through the September issue of Wallpaper* the other day and stumbled upon this great article [included below]- on how Humberto Leon & Carol Lim have completely transformed and modernized Kenzo. They were both appointed as the brand's creative directors last year, as many of you may know, and have since made of Kenzo one of the coolest, most vibrant brands out there. Mixing the brand's traditional codes with their California backgrounds. And bringing on board their retail expertise- running the coolest of cool boutiques: Opening Ceremony.

So if you're interested in fashion 

and/or branding, I suggest you read this:

The Big Brand Reboot
Wallpaper* Sept/2012

This article is like a crash course in...

- Fashion Branding 101:

Brand Identity: Logo, Show Invitations, Website, 
Retail Space/ Event Design/ Product Extensions/ 
Collaborations with: Designers, 

Photographers & Graphic Artists.

- Coolhunting 101:

Basically: 

-Know who the cool creative kids are and get them to: 
1.Be the new creative director/ 

2. Collaborate doing cool stuff for the brand. 

- Smart collaborations with other brands.

Lets take a closer look...

\\The Logo//

They tweaked the original bamboo logo, (although keeping its shape) 

giving it neon stripes. This way the brand can play with the letters 

across products and graphics.

Frame from Quentin Jones' Fashion Film:

Wool tops on Kenzo.com:

\\The Website//

It's colorful. It's graphic. It's fun. It has videos. 

It's young & urban, though still communicates luxury.

There's definitely an Opening Ceremony [website] vibe here too...

\\Advertising//

Spring/Summer 2012 Campaign

Designed by Juan Gatti

This ad campaign was created by Juan Gatti, an Argentinian-Spanish art 

director who, amongst other things, is responsible for many of the amazing 

graphic titles and posters of Almodovar's films. As a HUGE fan 

of Almodovar myself- and in a big way thanks to the super amazing 

graphics nonetheless, I couldn't help but smile.

-

Do these ads remind you of 80's-Benetton ones? Maybe it's the green,

 red & blue...  Also, I feel like the models are going to start 

performing RENT any moment now. Maybe that's just me...

Images via mfilomeno.com

Fall/Winter 2012 Campaign

Shot by legendary 80's photographer 

Jean-Paul Goude 

Images via Oystermag.com

\\Collaborations//

Kenzo x Vans

Summer 2012
These images were ALLOVER the web this summer!

The sneakers incorporated the colorful mesh print 
directly from KENZO's S/S 2012 collection:

Images via Style.com

And if you though the brand wasn't 

taking full advantage of this print....

Well, there is MORE!

In the way of tech accessories goodness.

Sold, of course, at Humberto & Carol's shop:

Opening Ceremony. Retail masterminds these guys! 

Autumn 2012
The second series just came out in August:
With floral & stripe prints based on the 
Pre-Fall '12 collection:

I want, I want. The blue & red ones!
Images via Kenzo.com
Women's Pre-Fall 2012 Prints:

Images via Style.com

Kenzo x New Era
A continuation of the Pre-Fall 2012 prints & the Vans collaboration. 
AND of smart product extensions with urban brands.

Images via Kenzo.com

Bijoux

Humberto & Carol got jewelry designer Delfina Delettrez 
to create these fun walnut &orange-slice earrings, 
bracelets and necklaces for the A/W 2012 collection: 

(Watch out MARNI!)

Image via Opening Ceremony

\\Fashion Film//

Again, who's the coolest girl doing Fashion Films right now?
Quentin Jones. There's no-one cooler than her.
I'm like a super fan of her work by the way!

"If you don't consider every element,

your message gets lost" -Lim. Wallpaper* 9/12

\\ Collections //

Some of my favorite Kenzo looks so far:
RTW S/S 2012

It's all about color-blocking, volume & prints.

Love Love Love!

Pre-Fall 2012:

I seriously have the BIGGEST crush on these looks!

AND the booties. They are amazing.

Also love how they keep on bringing

 all-red looks on every season.

RTW A/W 2012

Images via Style.com

Elegant, urban, young, sophisticated.
It manages to be all that, all at the same time.
Kenzo is so hot right now. So hot right now!
Carol Lim & Humberto Leon 
+ Kenzo works brilliantly!

♥

And in case you're wondering: yes, I did study 
Communication Design, Brand Management 
& Coolhunting. That's why I get so excited 
when great branding happens.

;)