Archive for September, 2010

look of the week

by MPDClick on September 30, 2010 in s/s 12 with No comments


As Milan Fashion Week comes to an end, Mpdclick review all the inspirational street style captured at the event with our favourites highlighted here in our Look of the Week.

Our first lady caught our eye with her statement maxi skirt which delves into a world of vintage inspired patchwork prints, perfectly reflecting an aesthetic explored within Mpdclick’s spring/summer 2012 trends. Neutral tones of taupe, cream and gold are lifted with delicate pastel shades of mint and salmon, a great transitional piece for those inbetween seasons. A smart pin tucked shirt is knotted conveying a versatile smart casual look.

 

 

The ‘70s inspired John Lennon look is channeled here with his choice of circular glasses rugged facial hair and shabby chic locks, subsequentlly coinciding with Lennon’s 70th birthday anniversary. The rest of the ensemble relects minimalism with an oversized white tee, shimmer fininshed longline collarless jacket and skinny jeans while lace-up boots and the leopard print briefcase carry a strong ‘80s undertone.

We also had to feature this lovely lady (pictured below) who shone out from the crowd. This stylish lady conducts the geek chic look with effortless femininity sporting a statement pussybow neck tie, oversized specs and sock & t-bar pump combo. The staple camel trench anchors the vibrant turquoise and yellow shirt dress; another great transeasonal outfit taking summer into early autumn.

Click here to see the full male & female street style reports from Milan Fashion Week.

Plus, dont miss Mpdclick’s comprehensive Milan Fashion Week runway coverage.

film: avatar 2

by MPDClick on September 30, 2010 in Future with No comments


Words by Mpdclick’s Cinema Trend Researcher…

The world’s oceans have forever mystified and wowed us with its power and remarkable inhabitants. The continuous discovery of new creatures great and small shows that the mystery of marine life is never-ending. Over the vast span of his career, director James Cameron has always conveyed a great interest in the ocean and all its glory with ‘The Abyss’ (1989) and a few documentary shorts: ‘Ghosts of the Abyss’ (2003), ‘Aliens of the Deep’ (2005) and ‘Volcanoes of the Deep Sea’ (2003), which were all results of several deep sea expeditions made for both research and personal interest. This inspiration was further spotted in his 2009 epic 3D film ‘Avatar’ and now the oceanic influences will be taken even further in ‘Avatar 2’ (due for release 2014) as Cameron prepares to take moviegoers into the depths of Pandora’s oceans.

In 2003, James Cameron embarked on his second expedition to the wreck of the Titanic (described below), which has been quoted as the “site of his greatest inspiration”, some six years after he wrote and directed the eponymous film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

“With a team of the world’s foremost historic and marine experts and friend Bill Paxton, he embarks on an unscripted adventure back to the final grave where nearly 1,500 souls lost their lives almost a century ago. Using state-of-the-art technology developed expressly for this expedition, Cameron and his crew are able to explore virtually all of the wreckage, inside and out, as never before. With the most advanced 3D photography, moviegoers will experience the ship as if they are part of the crew, right inside the dive subs. In this unprecedented motion picture event, made especially for IMAX 3D Theatres and specially outfitted 35mm 3D theaters across the country, Cameron and his team bring audiences to sights not seen since the sinking 90 years ago and explore why the landmark vessel more than any shipwreck continues to intrigue and fascinate the public.”  – IMDB

A couple years later in 2005, he teamed up with NASA scientists to produce a documentary on their exploration of the Mid-Ocean Ridge, which is a submerged chain of mountains that band the Earth and are home to some of the planet’s most unique life forms. One can’t help but wonder if this particular expedition may have prompted some of his inspiration for the hybrid creatures of Pandora, such as the Hammerhead Titanothere (a combination of a rhinoceros and a hammerhead shark).

In ‘Avatar’ (2009) some of the fantastical creatures and plant life of Pandora appeared to take their movement & colour inspiration from marine life such as jellyfish (the seeds from the Tree of Souls, pictured below) and Christmas tree worms (the Helicoridians).  Even some of the lighting effects and the concept for the Tree of Souls were inspired by the bioluminescence of Cameron’s night dives. The Neural Network of Pandora (pictured main), although is inspired by the neural network of the brain, bears an incredible resemblance to the effect of light shining through water.

Recently, Cameron announced plans to have a two-man multi-million dollar submersible built to take him to Challenger Deep at the base of the Mariana Trench; the deepest most treacherous spot in the world’s oceans, some seven miles beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean.  This trip has only ever been accomplished by two other explorers – Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh – to date and from their own words “it was a pretty hairy experience”. This new expedition will be a part of the pre-production process for ‘Avatar 2’. 

The significance of this expedition does not simply mean the possibility of another awe-inspiring movie from the legendary director, but also the prospect of a wealth of marine research not yet gathered due to the treacherous depths.  It also fuels an Mpdclick theory of a greater interest in the world’s oceans.  As global warming progresses, ice caps melt and sea levels continue to rise causing concerns for coastal areas. Experts are hard at work in attempts to find a solution to how humankind and our world as we know it can survive the power of the sea. 

For more information about initiatives surrounding rising sea levels, a project-soon-to-be-exhibition called ‘Rising Currents’ is an interesting starting point. 

“The ‘Rising Currents’ project was inspired by a study conducted by the 2007 Latrobe Prize team. The study, On the Water: Palisades Bay, explores the New York/New Jersey Upper Bay region’s need for “soft” ecological solutions to reduce water damage from flooding and storm surge, rather than “hard” systems such as concrete dams.”  – archrecord.construction.com. Read more about the project here.

Image source: Swissmadevfx.com

print and textiles: snoozer looser

by MPDClick on September 29, 2010 in s/s 12 with No comments

Sonia Tay’s of Snoozer Looser demonstrates how to be ethical and affordable, yet extravagant in design.  Her heavily embellished one-off pieces, made out of vintage fabrics collected since a teenager are distressed and worn with an approach of refined luxury.  The result is a collection of dreamy, graceful clothes that are effortlessly cool, spiked with keen colors and playful prints.

For this season, prints of ornate scissors and birdcages adorn the garments, adding quirkiness to Sonia Tay’s designs. Combined with a subtle, pared down and practical colour chart, in a blend of rich reds and blues bringing her prints alive adding a distinct character. Tay’s dying technique is a very individual process, hand crafted for each order resulting in the garments varying from one another creating exclusivity within her work.

Using organic cotton, peace silk and incorporating vintage trims and fabrics, Tay’s creative background shows in every artfully dyed trim and embroidered detail.  Every piece is individually crafted with love, care and attention while also having an eco-conscious approach to fashion, an ethos echoed within one of Mpdclick’s trends forecast for spring/summer 2011.

london design festival highlight: food marketo

by MPDClick on September 29, 2010 in Future with No comments


First showcased at this year’s Milan Design Fair, FoodMarketo, a cafe-come-design store, was a sure fire hit at last week’s London Design Festival. A project between magazine Apartamento and DesignMarketo (a unique platform for up-and-coming designers to sell their products), FoodMarketo invited international designers to respond to a brief on the theme of coffee.

Specially commissioned products from designers such as Jochem Faudet, Mischer Traxler, Sibylle Stoekli and Jackson Lam were showcased in an atmosphere of conviviality, where visitors are invited to sit down and have a cup of coffee, make new friends and ultimately discover what the store has to offer.

FoodMarketo, follows the trend of stores and projects like the Super Natural exhibition, which encourage people to immerse themselves in a completely new environment where they can buy new products, meet new friends and learn new things with special workshops. This is a trend that will become ever popular as consumers seek different retail experiences and favour local authentic products over the mass produced.

Discover FoodMarketo in full alongside Mpdclick’s highlights from the London Design  Festival here.

(Image source: Mpdclick)

 

 

Jochem Faudet

Mischer Traxler

Arabeschi Di Latte

Jackson Lam

Sibyelle Stoekli

Jochem Faudet

Mischer Traxler

 

 

technology: electrolux design lab at 100% design

by MPDClick on September 28, 2010 in Future with No comments


Words by Home & Interiors Editor…

Electrolux, the global leader in home appliances, presented their highly anticipated concepts for this year’s Design Lab Contest at the recent edition of 100% Design in London. Under the theme ‘The 2nd Space Age,’ applicants were asked to consider  how people will prepare and store food, wash clothes and do dishes in homes of 2050, when its predicted that 74% of the global population will be living in the urban environment.

The eight finalists presented an array of awe-inspiring and innovative products including Daniel Dobrogorsky’s The Kitchen Hideaway, a virtual reality kitchen which can be accessed through a special helmet, transmitting thoughts to robotic chefs who will then prepare a visualised meal in a real kitchen.  This device not only replaces the need for kitchen appliances, but also saves space through creative thinking. Another energy and space saving device is Yurily Dmitriev’s Bio Robot Refrigerator, which cools a biopolymer gel through luminescence that morphs around groceries to keep them fresh, thus allowing the fridge to be 90% self-sufficient. Finally, Clean Closet by Micheal Edenius uses molecular technology to clean clothes, replacing the need for a laundry basket, washing machine and drying cabinet, all this without using any water at all. Discover the eight entries in the image gallery below.

(Image source: Central image: Electrolux, Images below: Mpdclick)

The Kitchen Hideaway by Daniel Dobrogorsky

Bio Robot Refrigerator by Yuriy Dmitriev 

Eco Cleaner by Ahi Andy Mohsen

Clean Closet by Micheal Edenius

Dismount Washer by Lichen Guo

External Refrigerator by Nicholas Hubert

Elements Modular Kitchen by Mathew Gilbride

event: rurban revolution network evening

by MPDClick on September 28, 2010 in Future with No comments


Last Wednesday, Mpdclick were invited to the Super Natural exhibition in Brompton, London, for LS:N Global’s latest network evening. The event, which was hosted by designer Faye Toogood and The Future Laboratory, explored the topic of ‘the Rurban Revolution,’ the trend for consumers getting in touch with the countryside, through community related DIY projects, co-operative stores, foraging, guerrilla gardening and taking on rural hobbies.

The evening was filled with eating, drinking and debating, while five expert speakers talked us through their various projects and designs: Kieren Jones, founder of the Community Commerce Project, discussed the remarkable story of how he created a personal micro-factory after a meeting with a lady who swapped him chicken and eggs for a chicken coop.

Faye Toogood of Studio Toogood explored the theme of Englishness through a unique installation featuring a dedicated wild mushroom plot, temporary café and the studio’s first furniture collection ‘Assemblage.’ The authentic collection is based around the use of three simple elements – wood, brass and stone, with unique designs including a spade chair, binocular bags and stone table.

Francesca Sarti from the Arabeschi di Latte architectural studio talked about the companies various cooking workshops around the world and  demonstrated the Coppa dell’Amicizia, a convivial tea-cup with six spouts for six people to drink from (which was available for sale at the nearby pop-up café come design store Food Marketo).

Patricia Michelson from La Fromagerie presented a variety of cheese samples and highlighted the importance of “place, terroir and provenance,” while all guests were treated to a special champagne tasting session and talk by Alan Strang from Laurent-Perrier.

The highly successful event is in synch with the themes of conviviality, authentic design, experimentation with form and function and the re-investigation of humble materials, which Mpdclick has highlighted as key trends from the London Design Festival.

(Image Source: Mpdclick)

design: aldo lanzini’s the drop

by MPDClick on September 28, 2010 in Uncategorized with No comments


First seen within Missoni’s spring/summer 2011 show, worn by the show’s ushers, Aldo Lanzini’s knitted mask creations wowed the audience with the highly surreal aesthetic, setting the scene for the acid coloured geometric collection Missoni offered at Milan Fashion Week.

An installation featuring Aldo Lanzini’s creations is currently on show at Milan’s Le Case D’arte art space exploring the theme of ‘waiting’. The exhibition is “composed of unpublished works that are inspired by archetypal images and personal narratives on the theme of waiting. The viewer is invited to move in an environment consisting of visual elements, sound, tactile and olfactory that amplify the atmosphere of suspended time.”

An intriguing theme that is grabbing the attention of many creatives; this conceptual endeavour into Milan Fashion Week will raise the designers profile further more.

Click here to visit Aldo Lanzini’s official website.

Image source: aldolanzini.eu

technology: solar impulse

by MPDClick on September 27, 2010 in Future, s/s 12 with No comments


Words by Fiona Jenvey, CEO Mudpie

Following our water inspired trend for spring/summer 2012, indications that are assuring our future in the coming environmental age will be about using a combination of sustainable initiatives in intelligent ways. 2020 and beyond will be a time when the ‘new normal’ will not be about the economy as it is today, rather about the environment and a time when we utilise our natural resources in an entirely sustainable and circular way.

Take the ‘Solar Impulse’ prototype airplane which is solar powered and initiates the start of a trend for a much more inteligent way to fly. With 12,000 solar cells built into its wings, the ‘Solar Impulse’ is a prototype for an aircraft intended to fly around the world without fuel in 2012. The propeller plane is powered by four electric motors and designed to fly day and night by saving energy from its solar cells in high-performance batteries. With an average flying speed of 70 km (44 miles) per hour it is not a commercial option, but it is the thinking behind the concept which is key to the future. Bertrand Piccard, one of the Swiss pilots behind the project is best known for completing the first non-stop, round-the-world flight in a hot-air balloon in March 1999, another notable step forward in the travel industry. The three main sponsors in developing this technology include Belgian chemicals company Solvay, Swiss watchmaker Omega, part of the Swatch group and German banking giant Deutsche Bank.

Imagine the age of the environment when goods are shipped by solar and wind power and the factories that make them utilize natural energy from the sun; a source of power readily available to manufacturers in Asian countries in particular.

Image source: Inhabitat.com

film & technology: augmented reality creating future world

by MPDClick on September 27, 2010 in Future with No comments


Words by Trend Journal Editor…

Architecture graduate Keiichi Matsuda’s has created an extraordinary film imagining an immersive future world in which the environment can be changed at just the click of a button. The film was recently presented at London’s 3-D Film Festival at the Barbican centre to a highly receptive and keen audience.

The graduate believes “The architecture of the contemporary city is no longer simply about the physical space of buildings and landscape, more and more it is about the synthetic spaces created by the digital information that we collect, consume and organise; an immersive interface may become as much part of the world we inhabit as the buildings around us.”

An intriguing concept that can be fully utilised by brands whose focus is the online platform; creating ‘brand’ concentrated environments to creatively convey the brands message and lifestyle concept. 

Click here to watch Keiichi Matsuda’s film on Youtube.

Image source: www.keiichimatsuda.com

art & design: tatiana plakhova

by MPDClick on September 26, 2010 in a/w 11/12 with No comments


Words by Mpdclick’s Art & Design trend researcher…

Russian graphic designer Tatiana Plakhova creates complex patterns which come together to create vibrant, organic artworks. The basis of Tatiana’s images are built through connected lines and dots creating the structure of each design and pattern.  Little is known about Tatiana and how her work is constructed, making each piece even more interesting. 

For Plakhova’s recent ‘Biological Project’, Tatiana’s inspiration derives from botanical images and microscopy photographs, which is clearly visible in each piece of work in the series. The shapes and vectorised complex patterns within the images are vibrant and eye-catching, making each individual sector stand out, appearing to have come undiscovered organisms out of the depths of the ocean. Each piece looks scientifically structured yet organic in aesthetic, as though looking through a microscope.

Tatiana Plakhova’s use of enhanced natural colours echoes the concept behind one of Mpdclick’s forecasted trend for autumn/winter 2011/12 which sees intelligent interfaces of the natural environment push the boundaies of mainstream fashion.

Click here to view more of Tatiana Plakhova’s work.

Image source: Behance.net

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