Category: Fashion

Gang of Collection by Proudrace

Gang of is the new, Spring/Summer 2012 collection of the Manila based label Proudrace. Pat Bondoc and Rik Rasos – and industrial designer and a T-shirt designer – the people behind the label, started their fashion journey creating a small T-shirt brand which was gradually developed into a full-fledged label with national and international recognition.

This collection, just like the majority of Proudrace’s clothing, is inspired by the 90’s and according to them

it’s a gang of nomadic skaters and their trophy girlfriends.

But it is more than this; it is a game of textures and materials within the simplicity of an achromatic palette, a curiosity with the uniform dressing of various religious groups and a nostalgic look to their teenage youth. Maybe more; but what they also say about their clothing is that,

it’s all about the use of different materials, textures, details and silhouettes to come out with pieces that are unique and subscribes to no particular trend. Proudrace creates hand made minimal pieces and re interprets traditional garments into their own aesthetic.

Photography: Everything We Shoot

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Hila Gaon bridal store

This concept store and atelier for fashion designer Hila Gaon was designed by Karina Tollman and Philipp Thomanek of Israeli studio k1p3 in Tel Aviv.

The gallery-like space features 9 dresses from the current collection, hung in prominent display upon store mannequins (which were custom-made by the architects, based on traditional seamstress dolls). The complete collection, for its part, is stored in a translucent and lit closet along the length of one wall, and the main space is completed by a large dressing room and fitting area that are provided for the bride and her entourage.

I appreciate this design for its lack of fuss concerning the dresses. Dress-shopping can often become a stressful activity and it’s a good thing to have a clear and minimalist space to cancel out distractions and to aid in this choice!

Photography by Ardon Barhama.

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Antiatoms Handbag

Designers Aránzazu Moreno Berriochoa, Sofía Uquillas Zuloaga, and Alejandra Salvatore make up the Madrid based studio Antiatoms, designing and producing corporate apparel with the aim of making the brand’s values visible in each piece.

The Antiatoms Handbag, part of their Paper Containers collection is a particularly interesting piece. Measuring 20.5 x 24 x 15 cm, this beautifully designed and simple accessory gives a slight twist to the common brown paper bag we are familiar with. Instead, the bag uses 100% high quality leather making it an absolute delight to roll and hold.

I really like the subtle branding at the bottom of the bag – ideally located. Also, given the leather material, I think it would look even better over time. What do you think?

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Serpens Collection by Qiu Hao

When two talented people meet, an edgy fashion designer and an unconventional photographer, an astonishing project, intriguing in many levels, originates. The Serpens collection lookbook is the product of the collaboration between the Chinese fashion designer Qui Hao and the Shanghai based, French photographer Matthieu Belin.

Named after the constellation of the northern hemisphere – the reptile, the mythological symbol that represents both good and evil – Serpens is as mysterious, futuristic and compelling as its name implies. An extravagant collection in which the size is the absolute dominant. Oversized clothes touched by the magic wand of minimalism. The use of black and white (evil / good) and the absence of colours add an extra dramatic dimension while emphasizing the simple, geometric lines that hide behind the original idea. An unfinished game between textures and sizes.

The photography concept is working on the same wavelength. Models like mannequins form geometric shapes with their bodies within the photo frame. Again, the absence of make up and the elimination of shadows produce a neutral canvas, where the clothes seem the only thing alive. Bodies like robots, clothing like structures, a rather architectural approach in a fashion photo shoot.

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Less is More: Minimalism in Fashion

Published in 2011, this book by journalist Harriet Walker surveys one of the most wide-reaching movements in fashion, taking the reader through the transformations of minimalist along the decades, ever since Paul Poiret and Coco Chanel in the early 20th century, when women’s clothes became pared down and practical after centuries of complex construction.

Walker argues that minimalism is not an exclusive club for intellectuals, but an egalitarian popular movement, and writing the book led other conclusions:

The process of simplification has underpinned every great progression and movement, not only within womenswear but politically and culturally.

Reviewing the work of designers who, over the decades, have adopted minimalist principles in their work, from Coco Chanel to Donna Karan and Jil Sander; and from the avant-garde style of Japanese masters Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto to contemporary interpretations by Gareth Pugh, Roland Mouret, COS and Zara, Less is More tells the story of an enduring aesthetic that has subtly shaped modern fashion.

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Pirelli Calendar 2012

With the theme of natural feminine beauty, the 2012 Pirelli Calendar was unveiled this week in New York. This edition features Mario Sorrenti‘s work (the first italian photographer chosen in the history of the 47-year old italian calendar), who deliberately chose to not portray the models in an ‘obviously’ sexy fashion, as claimed by him in an interview for WWD:

Originally I thought I was going to do very sexy pictures, and when we got there I realized that I didn’t want the pictures to be sexy at all.

Faithful to this year’s theme, the images are elegant compositions based on a simple formula: the combined textures of the naked skin, framed and enhanced by the natural elements of the Corsica island. Beautifully minimalistic.

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The Minimal Backpack

Brooklyn based clothing company Outlier have designed this incredibly durable, lightweight and waterproof Minimal Backpack. This design is all about the choice of material – the expensive, non woven dyneema. Perhaps not the easiest material to work with, non woven dyneema is a fibre stronger than steel with almost limitless applications. The fibres are bonded together in multi-directional panels. From making racing sails to replacing steel cords on freight ships to aerospace technology, non woven dyneema fibre is tailored to a huge variety of uses.

One of these uses resulted in the roll top backpack, that can be packed down to fit into a jacket pocket. Available in white, the Minimal Backpack could certainly be used on a daily basis, and would no doubt be a worthy, lasting investment. It doesn’t look too bad either.

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Solid Gray

It’s not every day you come across a real innovation in backpacks. Solid Gray is a solid backpack to carry and protect your personal items.

These bags feature a minimal folding hardshell design, EPDM foam lining and straps for keeping your tablet or laptop safe and secure, two interior compartments for keeping small items handy, a built-in document clip – so your papers don’t end up smashed at the bottom of the bag – and a flexible fit, which means your back will like it just as much as your eyes do.

I love it.

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Corter Leather

Corter Leather is a small, one-man operation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Every leather product is 100% hand-made by maker Eric Heins. Whilst browsing the Corter website, I came across several designs, which I think have a minimalist approach to them.

Devoid of typical branding and patterns, what stood out for me was the slim and functional Field Notes Sleeve, composed of vegetable tanned leather, which features a loop at the spine for holding your writing utensil. The natural Classic Bifold featuring seven pockets is a slim, no-nonsense wallet, which has been beautifully stitched. Another distinct piece, is the versatile Folded Bifold wallet with two pouches and inner flaps for extra storage. This piece only has one stitched seam and will darken to an attractive carmel with age.

I have a lot of respect for this craft and with end results like this, they are so very tempting.

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Tromby Bag by Otaat

Los Angeles based design studio Otaat, directed by creative Albert Chu, have produced the stylish and minimalist Tromby Bag. When Albert contacted me after Minimalissimo previously featured the works of Otaat, to inform me of his latest design, I couldn’t resist sharing it with you all.

The long tote bag features a body with two straps – one exterior & one interior, as well as a single inside pocket, which lines the complete interior. One can carry the Tromby Bag as an extra-long tote with a single opening, or as a medium-length tote with a divider making two pouches.

Available in natural and black cotton canvas as well as Japanese indigo-dyed denim, this tote is so very practical.

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