C O L O R I N S P O -
P A L E T T E N ° 0 3
-
Well, I didn’t write here for quite a long time, and this grey and lazy sunday seems to be the perfect opportunity to drop by the blog and send your way a nice flow of sweet colors! This new episode of the Color Inspo series is dedicated to the emblematic Pantone colors of 2016: Rose Quartz and Serenity.
This soft combination of welcoming and comforting shades inspired me to create a graphic and airy moodboard that I used for one of my SS16 projects.
Just let yourself be transported by this gentle breeze and be guided to a relaxing state of inner peace!
- Chloe
Pictures: (from left to right, top to bottom)
Pantone’s 2016 colors - Sam Rollingson x COS shirt - Rose Qwartz & Serenity by Marie Claire Maison - Hurdle Chair by Dowel Jones - Picture by Axel Oswith via Define Magazine - Paint picture by Brooke Holm via This is Paper Magazine - Set design by Pantone - Lina scallop flats by Loeffler Randall - COS summer outfit - Antidote poster by Carmen Nacher - Leader Bag Co visit cards by Lotta Nieminen.
Find all the pictures and many more via Norden’s Pinterest.
P L A Y T I M E P A R I S -
B R A N D S T O R E M E M B E R
-
The Playtime fair is one of the most popular “rendez-vous” of the kids fashion scene, and I’m always thrilled and excited to go through its doors and discover what’s in store for the upcoming season. It’s a wonderful opportunity to scout newcomers, meet brand actors, designers and illustrators who will shape the fashion industry of tomorrow.
This edition of the fair was pure delight, as always, and the talented people I met there were just the sweetest.
Here’s a little round up of this season’s favorites.
- Chloe
illustration above: Anne Laval for Playtime Paris
Apart from the usual suspects that are Oeuf NYC, Kids Case, Simple Kids, Bobo Choses, Bellerose or Gro Company, some remarquable tiny labels popped up along the alleys of the fair.
_
S C A N D I N A V I A N T R E A T S
Mainio - This fun and quirky Finnish label is a beautiful find. Its laid-back and cosy pieces are designed to go on adventures. Comfortable and easy to maintain, they can be worn all year long, and provide great freedom of movement. Its latest collection, Artist of Tomorrow, is an ode to creativity and showcases bold arty patterns applied to a beautiful range of colors inspired by fall Scandinavian landscapes. (Some pieces are also available for grown ups!)
www.mainioclothing.com
Papu Stories - Here’s another gold nugget from Finland. This young and fast growing childrenswear and lifestyle label is just wonderful. Curiosity, generosity and sustainability are the core values of this brand whose positive vibes literally radiates from their designs. Their arty and naïve patterns are just lovely, and I die for the collaterals they created for their collections (a picture book, and a children’s activity book), it’s a beautiful concept.
www.papustories.com
Mis Crios - I just found out about this Helsinki-based brand, although they have launched their first collection in july 2015 at Playtime. Following the very easy-going philosophy of its fellow Finns designers listed above, but with a completely different style, Mis Crios creates comfortable and high quality garments with a very no-fuss attitude. I love the delicate and poetic main print of the AW16/17 collection as well as the emblematic quilted jacket and dress.
www.miscrios.com
Mainio FW16/17 - Artist of Tomorrow
Papu FW15/16 - Papu on a path to the cottage
Mis Crios FW16/17
_
M E D I T E R R A N E A N W O N D E R S
Well, these two are not newcomers, but they’re too good not to be mentioned!
Tinycottons - You probably heard about this Barcelona-based brand, whose reputation is second to known. Since its debut back in 2012, the playful label stands for unique, creative and high quality design made to last. I love their simple, playful and graphic patterns as well as their efficient and minimal color ranges. Their AW16/17 collection will undoubtedly be a success.
www.tinycottons.com
Motoreta - Also created in 2012 in Spain, Motoreta is undeniably one of my biggest crush of the past two years. Founded by architects Cristina Lopez-Lago and Maria Llerena, the brand offers very simple but sophisticated locally-made clothing, with plain colors and clean shapes. I’m in love with the main pattern they designed for their AW16/17 collection, a beautiful print made of geometrical shapes and delicate vegetals.
www.motoreta.es
Tinycottons FW15/16
Motoreta FW16/17 - Standing Mobile
_
B R I T I S H F A V O R I T E S
Chapter 2 kids - Yep, shoes. I usually don’t write a lot about kids shoes, but this London-based label was two cool not to be part of this review. Chapter 2 designs sophisticated and playful shoes, handmade in their London workshop with refined Italian leathers. Created in very small ranges, every pair of shoes is unique and holds the mark of its maker’s hand. Bobo Choses made no mistakes by teaming up with the label and showcasing the hand painted Monkey shoes in its latest shoot.
www.chapter2kids.com
Camomile London - Also established in the English capital since 2014, Camomile London is a young bedding and accessories brand for style conscious parents looking to create an individual approach to their children's bedroom interiors. Created by Mother and daughter design team Helen and Daniela Boleto, the brand designs colorful and versatile items that can easily and endlessly be combined together, allowing parents the freedom to create individual and different looks and add character to any room. I simply die for their elegant and natural color palettes, it’s seriously gorgeous.
www.camomile.london
Milk & Biscuits - Milk & Biscuits is an Anglo-Chinese children’s fashion brand with a simple aim: to create honest and practical clothes for both boys and girls. That not only look fabulous, but also allow kids to be kids. Their designs are all based on the classics, with a contemporary twist and a special attention brought to comfort. Plus, every season they also collaborate with an artist or illustrator to create unique prints! Really cute and refreshing.
www.milkandbiscuits.com
Chapter2 kids FW15/16 - New Shoes for Mr and Mrs Fox
Camomile London
Milk & Biscuits FW16/17
_
A S I A N D I S C O V E R I E S
Mini Dressing - Ok, THIS is an incarnation of cuteness. This brand creates playful and tender clothes and accessories for little ones that are just charming.
Filled with colorful animals and sweet creatures, this very childlike univers will have you cooing and crooning with delight.
www.mini-dressing.com
Oaks of Acorn - Based both in Hong-Kong and New York, Oaks of Acorn is a beautiful label that designs elegant pieces with refined finishes. Their FW16/17 collection has a very seducing nomadic look, with its natural linen fabrics, folk embroideries and fringed stripes. Their Voyager Backpack is a must!
www.oaksofacorn.com
Mini Dressing bear bag, bear tee and bear socks
Oaks of Acorn FW16/17 + The Voyager backpack from the same collection
_
T H E L I T T L E F R E N C H Y
Minois - Last but not least, I’d like to introduce you to a very young brand that took its first steps this year, at Playtime. This delicate skin care range for babies and kids created by Hélène Fulchi is made of natural ingredients and has the most beautiful packaging you could find on such products. Designed by Luc Borho, the visual identity of Minois is refreshing, soft and full of tenderness, with just a hint of retro. Definitely my cup of tea.
www.minoisparis.fr
H O L Y F I B E R S
-
After months of hard work (and radio silence on this blog), I’m finally ready to spill the beans... I’m really happy to announce the launch of my very own surface design and illustration studio, Holy Fibers!
I’m so overwhelmed with nerves, happiness and excitement... and above all so happy to finally share the news with you! what an adventure it has been my friends... and the good news is that’s it’s just the beginning!
- Chloe
++ Holy Fibers
And for more updates, check the studio’s Facebook page.
L A U R E D E S A G A Z A N -
D E U X M I L L E S E I Z E
-
Ever since Laure de Sagazan founded her namesake label back in 2011, my heart just melted away for her romantic and bohemian wedding gowns. Working with the best lace artisans, weavers and embroiderers of France, Laure creates poetic and flowing dresses with the perfect amount of retro and modernity. For her latest collection, the designer launched a series of glamorous and nostalgic pieces inspired by the golden age of American cinema. SU-BLIME!
- Chloe
In just four years, Laure de Sagazan succeeded in becoming one of the most coveted wedding dress designer in Paris. Mistress in the art of simplicity and retro cuts, her dresses are so delicate and feminine and own this unique french vintage charm that seduced a whole generation of brides. Diaphanous silks, bewitching transparencies, delicate Calais lace and soft cotton guipures are the key elements of Laure’s pieces.
This season, the designer created a beautiful line that pays homage to the golden age of American cinema and its glamorous icones, revisiting their ultra-feminine wardrobe for a very “couture” collection. Noting that many brides already had children these days, Laure designed an exclusive line of elegant dresses for little girls matching the wedding collection.
T H E P A T T E R N P A T H O S -
C A S S I E B Y R N E S
-
If you’re anything like me and have a soft spot for bold and colorful hand drawn prints, then you gonna LOVE today’s episode of The Pattern Pathos!
This post is devoted to talented and sweet lady Cassie Byrnes, an Australian surface designer whose runaway success has catapulted her into the closed circle of the Pattern Superstars...
- Chloe
Well, I bet you probably heard about this young Melbourne based surface designer who has recently emerged as a rising figure of the fashion world. Freshly graduated from Melbourne’s RMIT (only a year ago), Cassie Byrnes already counts an impressive array of projects under her belt, including collaborations with famous local brands, and is just about to launch her own line of patterned products, ranging from garments to homewares and screen printed artworks.
I seriously fell in love with her colorful and spontaneous work where brush strokes reveal a fresh and extraordinary vivid world.
Inspired by her childhood in North Queensland spent outside exploring the local landscapes, Cassie’s work is strongly influenced by nature and bright color palettes.
She likes to describe her work process as “spontaneously organized”, following a very intuitive progression and organic development of ideas, constantly influenced by new discoveries and happy accidents.
“When faced with a design brief, I don’t look for the new; I look back, and guide myself with the inspiration that I’m constantly collecting through everyday life. A very visual person, I will snap until my camera roll is overloaded with images of lines, patterns, colour, composition formed by the environment of my boring everyday life. It could be the smallest detail in one of these images that can influence the direction of an entire project.”
Combining an old and new school approach to pattern design, Cassie always starts by focusing on the production of original artworks by hand and finally complete the design process with the digital processing. This final phase is truly important and must not betray the “arty” component of the drawing (ink marks etc.) to keep this very tactile feel brought by the hand generated aesthetic.
Cassie is also committed into conscious design and claims an ethical stance about the fashion industry (which makes me love her even more!)
“I’m passionate about keeping local business thriving through buying locally made whenever possible. Outside of the local industry, I believe that companies should work to become transparent and be responsible for human rights specifically when it comes to fair labor conditions.
I hope to inspire and educate others about ethically made products and supporting my local industry well into the future.”
++ cassiebyrnes.com
photo credits: Cassie Byrnes and Eve Wilson for The Design Files.
A F E W T H I N G S
-
Hi there! Hope you had a wonderful and relaxing week-end. Mine was full of happy and precious moments shared with loved ones, a sweet break in the midst of this busy times.
Before heading back into a new work week, here’s a few things that inspired me lately!
- Chloé
one: want to give a try to this awesome pear and salted caramel cake
two: looking forward the launch of the latest issue of Mint Magazine
three: I die for this Woolrich white suffolk stripe blanket coat
four: the beautiful Morandi pitchers by Studio by Dark
P L Y W O O D M A D N E S S
-
Primarily considered as a cheap alternative to wood panels, plywood is now becoming increasingly popular in architecture and product design. In addition to its affordable dimension, this material is incredibly flexible, light, strong and easy to use.
Whether used inside or outside, as subtle accents or lining interiors, plywood gives this unique modern, clean and airy look to any room.
Here’s a selection of beautiful spaces that cleverly use this timeless and oh-so-functional material.
- Chloe
photo above: stunning graphic plywood residence via Dezeen
A very appealing camp-style for this to-die-for Topanga Canyon cabin via Tiny House Swoon
Plywood sheets line the entire house of Auckland architect Davor Popadich. Photo by Simon Devitt via Dwell.
Clever plywood apartment in Melbourne via APRIL&MAY
Kirra Jamison’s amazing yoga studio via The Design Files
Scandinavian-inspired kitchen with warm plywood accents via 79 ideas
Beautiful and minimalist Rotterdam kitchen via dries otte
M A P O E S I E L I F E S T Y L E
-
Mapoésie launched its first home collection! This beautiful and crafty series of rugs, cushions, totes and notebooks celebrates Elsa Poux’s geometric, feminine and ethnic style. Earthy tones, graphic patterns and folk vibes are the key elements of this modern and successful line. A must have!
- Chloe
F L O R A & L A U R A -
I N F U L L B L O O M
-
Laura Väinölä is the creative mind behind Flora & Laura, a mysterious flower shop that doesn’t exists... I wrote about Laura a few years ago. I met her while I was staying in Finland, back in 2011, and this discrete-but-so-darn-talented lady made a strong and lasting impression on the young designer I was. One of the brilliant member of the Kokoro&Moi team at that time, Laura has now made her own way in the design world and shares with us the treasures of her flourishing creativity through her gorgeous vegetal projects.
- Chloe
Established for more than a year now, Flora & Laura is the creative structure of Laura Väinölä, a graphic designer with a love for plants and flowers. Specialized in flower styling, Laura creates vegetal compositions for photographs, big public dos or private banquets. Her creations are minimalist, both strong and delicate, dreamlike with a hint of nostalgia and always puts the flowers in the front of the scene, magnifying them. Her unique plant combinations already seduced numbers of Finnish designers and design brands who asked for Laura’s talent, such as Aarikka, Artek, Iittala, Klaus Haapaniemi or Terhi Pölkki.
She recently opened an online shop with plant related items showcasing her own productions or those of other designers (I personally have a soft spot for her clever Herbarium and the sweet Baby Vases!). Even more recently, she did a beautiful and poetic presentation with Satu Maaranen for her latest collection in a courtyard of Finnish Embassy during Paris Fashion Week.
++ floraandlaura.com
Styling by Flora & Laura for Klaus Haapaniemi.
Styling by Flora & Laura for Terhi Pölkki.
Styling by Flora & Laura for Klaus Haapaniemi.
Floral composition for the Best Of The Year design competition.
F O O D I L I C I O U S -
O E U F N Y F W 15
_
The famous brand is launching its autumn/winter collection! For this new range of knitted wonders, OEUF revisits the veggie patch and invites artichokes, radishes, eggplants and many more to happily invest its new line. Fun and quirky patterns are on the menu, with, as always, a very special attention brought to functionality, high quality details and authenticity in design.
A table!
- Chloe
Oeuf is undoubtedly one of my favorite children’s brand. The story of this tiny american label began back in 2002 when Sophie and Michael, the duo behind OEUF, were expecting their first child. As design-conscious and environmentally aware parents, they endeavored to clarify their nursery by choosing a few items reduced to essential products. This commitment to simplify and rationalize their consumption inspired them to create a line of stylish essentials that wouldn’t compromise quality and safety.
Hand knitted and 100% made of baby alpaca wool, OEUF pieces evoke the image of simple, clean and intuitive design. Comfortable, fun and full of malice, their products converted the heart of hundreds of parents and children around the world.
And this FW15 collection is no exception! I die for this foodie theme, its fanciful patterns and its bright palette made of apple reds, pickles greens and mustard yellows. Here’s a selection of my favorite pieces!
E L E C T R I C F E A T H E R S
-
The sculpturals silhouettes of fashion designer Leana Zuniga are everywhere.
In magazines or on the web, Leana’s pieces are celebrated for their unique allure, the richness of their textured cotton and silk fabrics, the natural elegance of their colors and most importantly, the concept of freedom they convey.
- Chloe
Capturing contemporary timelessness and versatility, Leana Zuniga’s pieces are effortless and functional. Meant to be worn in any situations and environments, they can be used as day or night outfit and even, when possible, throughout every seasons. Each garment can easily match each other and assemble in convertible and imaginative silhouettes reflecting the wearer’s personality.
This notion of uniqueness is also expressed through the handmade dimension of the clothes: the natural hand woven fabrics she uses are hand dyed and sometimes even hand painted on request.
I like the perfect balance in Leana’s silhouettes, their underlying divine geometry, the way they sublimate movement and the shaman something they exude.
C O L O R . I N S P O -
P A L E T T E N ° 0 2
-
Here’s to a new round of the color inspo series! This second palette is devoted to scandinavian seashores. As we slowly enter the cold season and as the sailor pants makes its come back on the fashion scene, I was inspired to share with you a new version of the timeless “sailor theme”, darker and more rustic than the usual red/white/navy classic. So, without any further ado, let’s embark for a journey on the Baltic Sea!
- Chloe
In this moodboard, the highly codified palette is replaced by more dramatic hues. The traditional navy blue is combined with burnt reds and deep bordeaux, soften by warm neutrals (such as cream and beige) and brightened up by electric accents of cerulean. All those colors are richly expressed on thick wools and raw linen and used as color blocks or in vertical and horizontal stripes mixed together.
Pictures: ( From left to right, top to bottom)
Creatures Of Comfort resort 2016 - Brook&Lyn woven wall art - The High Gloss Tangent Pitcher - Nordic landscape on Flickr - Ace & Jig FW15 -
G I M M E G R E E N
-
I just can’t have enough green... Is it because, from the second floor of my Parisian apartment, I long for a luxurious garden full of green wonders, or just because the green trend is going on in interior design, overflowing the internet with pictures tinted with emerald? I have no idea.
What I’m sure about though, is that this crave for a return to Nature with a big N is not just about a few houseplants placed here and there. Green is massively popping in our interiors. From genuine indoor gardens to the addition of green furnitures or even high painted walls, the leafy color joyfully blurs the frontier between inside and outside.
- Chloe
photo via bloodandchampagne.com
photo by Norwegian photographer Siren Laudval for Elle Decor
The home of Morgane Sézalory, founder of Sézane, via Frenchbydesign
photo via inside out magazine
photo & styling by Susanna Vento via Varpunen
photo via jeroen van zwetselaar
The apartment of Cécile Figuette photographed by Julie Ansiau for Elle France.
I N F I N I T U D E C O L L E C T I O N
B Y L I G H T L Y
-
Lightly, one of the most successful independent design studios of Melbourne is turning 10 this year. To celebrate its first decade of designing and making, the studio launched a brand new range of tableware, living and lighting called Infinitude. If you’re anything like me and turns out to be a fan of simple and timeless design made of natural materials, these objects were made for you!
- Chloe
After the success of Ligtly’s Minerals and Metallics collection in 2014, Cindy-Lee Davies - the creative lady behind the studio - continues to express her love for these materials with the Infinitude collection, playing and honoring her beloved textural palette composed of metal, marble and minerals. In addition to the finest minerals of black volcanic sand, brass, copper and porcelain, Davies introduced new textures in this collection such as soapstone and new metals.
The result is so damn impressive. The solid and elegant textures of these materials combined to the simple and strong natural shapes of the products give them a kind of mysterious monolithic feel.
My favorite items are undoubtedly the beautiful line of marbled tableware with their refined brass inlay pieces. Gorgeous!
M A U D H E L I N E
-
She’s the sensation of the New York Fashion Week, she has a corner at Colette and Barney, she is THE ONE everybody talks about in the fashion sphere lately and... yes, she’s French. I may be a tad chauvinistic here, but come on, how could we remain insensitive to Maud Heline’s pieces? I seriously fell in love with her elegant white poplin blouses and dresses and can’t stop dreaming about the day I will own one. A girl can dream.
- Chloe
Based in Brooklyn, Maud Heline worked for years in the fashion industry - for Isabel Marrant and Balmain in Paris and more recently for Maiyet in NY - before starting her namesake label about a year ago.
Her quasi-monoproduct range inspired by the origamis of Japanese artist Jun Mitani celebrates simplicity and modernity. Mixing with elegance clean structured lines and romantic finishes, her garments exude femininity and reflects her taste for craftsmanship, art and attention to details.
B R O S T E C P H A W 1 5
-
I’m just totally amazed by the latest collection of Danish leading design brand Brost Copenhagen. Not only the range of products of this AW 15 line is to-die-for, but the minimalistic at times majestic styling of the catalogue is also quite stunning.
The color palette of this season is rich and deep, with nostalgic tones inspired by the Nordic nature while the chosen materials gives a warm and tactile feel to the whole collection. Brost designers managed to find the perfect balance between scandinavian tradition and contemporary design, this will undeniably be a success!
- Chloe
“Based in Copenhagen with roots reaching back to 1955, Broste Copenhagen is one of the leading and long-established interior brands. With a focus on innovation, experience and our well known Nordic signature, (...) Broste Copenhagen is delighted to the continuous design of products which inspire people to decorate their homes the Nordic way.”
C O S x H A Y
-
Went across this beautiful series of pictures from the COS x HAY collection that has been launched a few weeks ago. I just love the styling and I’am really into the color combinations they used. So nice!
- Chloe
