Archive for October, 2010

technology: sustainable futures – masdar

by MPDClick on October 28, 2010 in a/w 12/13 with No comments

Words by Fiona Jenvey, CEO Mudpie & Mpdclick…

All eyes turn East to the Arabian Desert as the gates to Masdar,he world’s first ‘sustainable city’ open; a technical, ecological and social mini utopia which could influence every aspect of the sustainability of Mankind.

Imagine a city which is cooled by captured desert winds and air conditioning powered by the desert sun with no combustion engines an unimaginable concept for a region which owes its entire wealth to the oil industry. Back in 2007 when the government of Abu Dhabi (UAE) announced its plan for “the world’s first zero carbon city” it was dismissed by many as a gimmick. Partially completed now and designed by UK architects Foster and Partners, the city, a ‘tommorrw land’ called Masdar is a perfect square and raised to catch desert winds. Beneath pedestrian streets, electric vehicles transport the population around through a network of tunnels. Masdar is also home to a research institute focused on renewable energy and sustainability and in the future will be the headquarters of some of the world’s largest clean-tech companies.

Features of this city, which is designed to house 45,000 residents, include wind towers which funnel air cooled by water into the street and photovoltaic panels that power buildings. Masdar Headquarters, the city’s largest office building expects to produce more energy than it consumes. Ancient methods of construction combined with modern technology reduce the heat of the desert by as much as 70 degrees. This cooling system also has other benefits; for example, obesity is a big problem in the UAE because everyone drives to avoid the heat- in Masdar residents can walk down the cooled streets without a problem.

As part of his research, architect Mr Foster began with meticulous research of old Arab settlements including the ancient citadel of Aleppo in Syria and the mud brick apartment towers of Shibam in Yemen. However even with technical brilliance and the sensitivity to local norms, it will be a challenge for Masdar to achieve the rich culture of a real city. Masdar may have cleverly combined ancient methods of construction with technoligy, but will this self sustained society be the start of a new global future or just another Disney Land styled mini utopia for the mega rich leaving those outside in ghettos where issues like sustainability literally mean survival?

Image source: masdar.ae

retail: h&m opens in paris

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


Words by Mpdclick’s Retail Editor…

On 6th October H&M opened its newest flagship store on Paris’ iconic Champs-Elysees – a three-storey, 2800m2 retail space designed by esteemed architect Jean Nouvel. The interior is completely inspired by Paris; achingly chic, lighting descends through holes in the ceiling while a central ‘runway’ of mannequins offers a clear reflection of one of the world’s most prestigious fashion weeks.

“We are thrilled to open this amazing store and to be able to offer the world the ultimate shopping experience where the latest fashion trends and timeless architecture meet“, said Thomas Lourenco, Country Manager of France.

A party held during Paris Fashion Week two days previously helped to fuel the excitement around the flagship launch; Jean Nouvel, photographer Patrick Demarchelier, Nathalie Rykiel, Martine Sitbon, Gaspard Yurkievich, Haider Ackermann, French actress and model Lou Doillon, Elisa Sednaoui, Astrid Munoz and socialites Tatiana Santo Domingo, Eugénie Niarchos and Andrea Casiraghi were all in attendance.

According to a H&M press release, “the idea behind the masterpiece is that of merging the traditional white limestone of Paris with an industrial dark contrast that can be seen in the store fixtures and lighting. The focal point of the store is visible from outside and within in the 11 LED screens that create a moving story from the sidewalk, which interacts with and amazes you all at the same time.”

For further images and videos, please click here.

Image source: hmchampselysees.com

look of the week

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


Words by Assistant Runway Editor…

As always, Tokyo presents us with a quirky & diverse style for this week’s edition of look of the week.

Japan’s exciting capital is well known for its vibrant youth culture, providing us with an assortment of sub-cultures & eccentric styles. Our guy this week styles a classic leather biker jacket with a simple white round neck t-shirt & faded knee length ripped jeans. All over greyscale printed tights are paired with brown leather Dr. Martens for a contemporary touch, adding personality to his outfit.

Our lady of the week adds a smart element to her modern ensemble with a forest green knitted jumper & tailored turn ups in a neutral hue. A tan leather satchel is paired with lace up leather brogue boots and visible white ankle socks- the ‘must-have’ accessory of the season.  

Click here to see the full male and female street style report from Tokyo.

art & exhibition: menasart

by MPDClick on October 27, 2010 in a/w 12/13 with No comments

Words by Trend Journal Editor…

As discussed in a previous Journal entry, Beirut is fast becoming a city to watch. Full of budding architectural projects and artistic endeavours, Menasart art fair is the latest addition to the growing cultural appeal of this historical city.

Dubbing itself as an ‘exclusive boutique-style, commercial’ fair that brings together artists from the MENASA region (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia), Menasart provides a platform for emerging artists with each exhibitor presenting just one artwork – a very intriguing concept for a commercial art fair.

Next years event is planned to be held from 13th – 16th July 2011 taking place at the Beirut International Exhibition and Leisure Centre.

Click here to find out more.

Image source: menasart-fair.com

Technology: New York Transit System goes mobile

by MPDClick on October 26, 2010 in Future with No comments

Words by Mpdclick’s Technology Trend Researcher…
Commuting is a bone of contention for many in large cities – crammed into small spaces on public transport as millions of people shift around trying to get to work is not exactly anyone’s idea of fun. However, in New York, several initiatives have been set up to make the process that little bit easier.
Weeels, an app for Blackberry, iPhone and Android, allows users to input a location and destination and either order a cab or find someone making a similar journey so that the fare can be shared, cutting journey times, fares and carbon emissions.
The Social Bicycle System, or SoBi, is ‘a public bike share system that uses GPS, mobile communications, and a secure lock that can attach to almost any bicycle and lock to any regular bike rack.’ It allows users to use GPS technology to locate a nearby bike and release the lock, providing an excellent alternative to motorised public transport. Being based on bicycles, it is also ideal for expansive pedestrianised spaces, such as university or corporate campuses. It is being tested this autumn around New York, so fingers crossed it’s successful. Finally, Roadify, an SMS-based service, enables people to find and ‘claim’ vacant parking spaces. Currently being used in Park Slope, Brooklyn, it appears to be thriving.
Ideas such as these are a sign of the burgeoning industry that is building up around the integration of social networking into day-to-day lives to aid with simple tasks. Rather than a simple ‘spoon-fed’ system of media consumption from large corporations, social networking offers a more democratic alternative, taking the vast reams of knowledge present amongst members of the general public and providing a platform from which to disseminate it.
Image source: weeels.org

culture & design: seoul – a world capital of design

by MPDClick on October 26, 2010 in a/w 12/13 with No comments

 

Words by Fiona Jenvey, CEO Mudpie & Mpdclick…

At a time when the world’s future points ever eastwards, Seoul reveals ambitions to be a hub of cutting edge creative commerce – a city of design. The Seoul Design Fair 2010 marks the launch of the Korean capital’s creative and cultural ambitions; as for being the creative capital of design, there are plenty of other contenders with government initiatives being realised across South East Asia.
 
This is no empty blueprint. Seoul’s emphasis on design began in 2006 with the launch of the Design Seoul Project, held 17th September to 7th October 2010 and was selected as the world’s design capital for 2010 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. 
 
The most dramatic addition to the city is the new Dongdaemun Design Plaza, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, due to open in 2013 with further plans to include the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, a complex conceived as a visible tribute to design serving as a Mecca for the city’s fashion and design industries. South Korean Fashion Week has experienced an upsurge in coverage this season with their menswear designers welcoming the majority of the limelight including label Groundwave (pictured main), Beyond Closet and emerging womenswear label Johnny Hates Jazz.
 
Other exciting developments within the city include the opening of the Ham River front Park last year. An eyecatching rainbow fountain and planned floating islands will provide public entertainment space for cultural events including music festivals. An international cruise ship terminal also opens in 2012 and a floating hotel is to be completed by 2016 with a further 33 Hangdang renaissance projects to be completed by 2030, anchoring Seoul’s creative position for the future.

Image source: dazeddigital.com / Groundwave

sports: nike turns london into one big game

by MPDClick on October 25, 2010 in Uncategorized with No comments


Words by Mpdclick’s Sports Trend Researcher…

Nike has this week launched ‘Nike Grid’ which has effectively turned London into an enormous games board for the competitive runner. The contest has been advertised on billboards all over the city for the last couple of weeks generating interest between athletes. 

It is an online game that requires registration before participation. The game involves running the city between designated phone boxes, calling in and being allocated points.  Badges can also be earned by registering with Nike Plus which means more points. Speed, endurance and stamina are all measured on the course. Scoring the most points in a postcode will result in the contestant owning that postcode. This then elevates the challenger onto the scoreboard. 

Nike is encouraging contenders to join forces with their university or region promoting a sense of team spirit, points won then go to a greater cause. At the end of the week one proud contestant with stamina, pace and agility will get the glory and be crown the winner.

Get your running shoes on and join the race by clicking here.

Image source: nikegrid.com

events: bench s/s 11 collection

by MPDClick on October 25, 2010 in Uncategorized with No comments


Words by Mpdclick’s Sports Trend Researcher…

Last Thursday Mpdclick had the pleasure of viewing the collection for one of the UKs biggest streetwear brands; Bench. The spring/summer 2011 collection showcased above the store in Covent Garden, London was both creative and commercial. 

The womenwear range consists of three main stories; the first ‘Urbanite’ is inspired by sports luxe with clean lines and draped silhouettes. Graphics have a hand drawn feel, focusing on collage techniques and stripes in a muted colour palette with acacia yellow highlights.  

The second story, ‘Wild Child’ is bright and eclectic inspired by festivals and fun in the sun.  The colours are brave and eccentric with flashes of berry, blue and flame orange, reflected in the quirky and interesting graphics and prints, inspired by Aztec design and Cubism. The highlights came in the form of an all-over animal print legging and relaxed jersey tee with brush stroke print.

The third and final female story was ‘Twisted Wonderland’; a more sophisticated and grown up style with a feminine edge. The palette is subtle with warm undertones as the graphics are dreamlike featuring birds and forest scenes. Silhouettes are fluid with structural details i.e. hook and eye fastens and pleating. The collection as a whole is well rounded, covering every angle; taking any fashionistas effortlessly from day to night.

Menswear was equally strong; designed for the active male who enjoys the outdoors and festival life. The range is split into four phases, all of which can be mix and matched to create an eclectic look.  The first phase ‘Secondary Modernist’ has clean lines and a very trend led feel.  The palette is a series of brown and beige with highlights of gold and cobalt blue.

The second phase in the male collection is ‘Forbidden City’, encompassing the classic ‘Bench boy’ feel with sporty utility elements.  The monochrome palette is infused with primary colours which sit well in the digitally generated t-shirt graphics, inspired by censorship and the music industry.  Key pieces include graphic heavy tees and marl hoodies with off centre fastenings.

The third phase ‘Mystery Trail’ is very much inspired by the great outdoors and the desire to explore. Silhouettes are industrial, littered with innovative details such as unique drawcord fastens and utility pockets.  Particular highlights come in the form of a lumberjack shirt with leather badge and multi-pocket cargo shorts.

The fourth and final phase ‘Industrial Artisan’ is very urban, it features distressed finishes and industrial textures. The colour palette is subtle and earthy complementing the vintage style fastenings such as wooden buttons and leather zip pulls.

Both the male and female ranges stay true to the brands musical heritage and streetwear influence whilst providing a modern twist. A great step forward for the brand moving into spring/summer 2011.

Images: © Bench / Mpdclick

Art: So Paulo hosts the worlds first biennial of Graffiti

by MPDClick on October 25, 2010 in Future with No comments

Is there any end to Brazil’s talent? Impressive economic growth, the World Cup in 2014, the Olympics in 2016; Brazil has it all and is widely recognized right now as the world’s epicenter of great graffiti. Where most of the world has a wildly fluctuating love/hate relationship with graffiti, in Brazil it is much more accepted and acknowledged as art.  

Recently the 1st International Biennial of Graffiti Fine Art took place at the MuBE, the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture. The Biennial featured the work of 66 of the most talented and influential artists in Brazil and the world.

Held inside the gallery space of the MuBE, designed by Iconic Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha, the Biennial showcased large scale panels, murals, 3-D installations and other visual exploration representing a huge scope of trends in global urban art. Artists were invited representing the US, UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Chile, Japan, South Africa, Denmark and the Czech Republic.

The exhibition, brainchild of veteran Brasilian aerosol-fiend Fabio Ribeiro, aka Binho, gathers together some of Brazil’s most exciting urban talent for a month-long exploration of the increasingly thin line between Fine Art and Street Art. Alongside a series of discussions and screenings of classic graffiti films like ‘Wild Style’ and ‘Invasão’, the Biennale brings the work of graffiti artists like Os Gemeos and Zezão in from the cold and places it where many feel it truly belongs: the walls inside galleries like MuBE.

Source: jungledrumsonline.com

Image source: bbc.co.uk

fashion & strategy: retailers drive the trend for conscious retailing

by MPDClick on October 24, 2010 in Future with No comments


Words by Fiona Jenvey, CEO Mpdclick & Mudpie…

The age of ‘conscious’ represents the decade 2010- 2020, and in this era of austerity it is often the small things that count. British retailer Marks and Spencer continue to build on their ‘Plan A‘ initiative by announcing that it will use recycled polyester (PET) to make over 300 million clothing labels a year.

The care labels will bear the message – ‘Recycle with Oxfam’ – in order to encourage customers to use the M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange which gives customers who donate their clothing in Oxfam stores a £5 M&S money-off voucher.

Over £3m has been raised for Oxfam since the scheme launched in January 2008. The initiative is part of the retailer’s eco strategy Plan A which aims to help customers recycle 20 million items of clothing a year by 2015.

Image source: Oxfam.org

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