http://www.psfk.com Your Go-To Source For New Ideas And Inspiration Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:52:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.psfk.com/2009/01/pop-up-store-in-china-showcases-local-designers.html Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:39:52 +0000 Last month we talked about  branded pop up stores in the US – and now we’re turning our attention to how the concept has taken on a creative manifestation in China. As opposed to a large brand setting up a pop-up store, dysemevas is a design boutique run by Dee Poon that sells clothing, accessories, jewelry and tableware by China-based designers.  Set up in Hong Kong for 6 weeks, the store went through a few transformations during the six weeks including changing from a casual T-shirt and jeans store to a more formal store featuring designer suits and jewelry. DeeRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/01/jeff-staple-on-the-accident-at-psfk-conference-asia-2008.html Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:40:57 +0000 At the PSFK Conference Asia 2008, Jeff Staple, Founder and Creative Director of Staple Design and Reed Space, talks about his “accidental” career path. Jeff went from hand-silkscreening tee-shirts in school to heading a global design, consulting, apparel and retail operation in 11 years— on his own terms. He speaks about lessons learned and knowledge gained in the process. For tickets and/or information about our upcoming event in London, go to www.goodideassalon.com]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/01/more-designers-opting-out-of-runway-shows.html Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:26:36 +0000 As we reported back in September, there’s suddenly a whole new world out there to fashion designers who may not have the cash or the desire to stage an expensive runway show. The pervasiveness of the web and accessibility of high quality multimedia equipment/tools have made it possible for designers to reach a much wider audience at a lower cost, both to the environment and to their bank accounts. For a while, this practice of shunning the catwalk was limited to underground, avant garde designers constrained by small budgets. But by the end of 2008, more and more mainstream fashionRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2009/01/made-formail-to-order-fashion.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:16:34 +0000 Everybody loves getting their monthly mail delivery of movies and magazines, so why not clothing? Swedish clothing designer Karolina Svensson at Orkan Lia is offering a subscription-based service that delivers custom tailored outfits for each subscriber. Svensson’s designs are inspired by 1950s and 1960s prints & textiles with a contemporary flair in cut and color. While certain sizes may not be available, the service extends to men as well as children. Pricing is reasonable considering each piece is custom-fitted, with subscribers getting around a 20% discount from her retail pay-as-you-go clothing. Dresses range from $85-$125, skirts at $70-$85 and topsRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/12/the-creator-class-at-psfk-conference-asia-2008.html Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:16:47 +0000 At the PSFK Conference Asia 2008, Piers Fawkes (PSFK) sat down with leading experts in Asia’s creative community to explore the emergence of a new generation of multi-skilled creative minds.  These young individuals feel they can turn their hand to multiple product and service offerings, often challenging the way established industries operate. Focusing on how this ‘creator class’ leverages the internet to hone their skills and market themselves to a greater audience, the panel, including Brian Tiong (B-Side), Paul Tan (POOL/AWE50ME), and Jason Anello (Yahoo!), explore how agencies and companies can collaborate with this unique group of talented individuals. (apologiesRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/12/whats-your-inspiration-psfk-talks-to-christiane-celle.html Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:31:35 +0000 Like fellow Frenchwoman Colette Roussaux, Christiane Celle has mastered the art of curation. Each piece in her Calypso boutiques is an instant classic–easy, chic, and versatile. Her latest project, Clic Gallery, marks a shift from fashion to photography. This Noho store, opened in October 2008, has already earned a reputation for its careful selections and eclectic taste. You can find photography books from publishers such as Verlag Schaden, Rizzoli, Phaidon, Taschen, TeNeues, and Steidl, as well as small independent publishers,  signed trade titles, limited editions and artists editions with signed prints. Last month, Clic St Barth opened near the banksRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/12/goodone-a-renaissance-fashion-brand-with-a-conscience.html Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:19:20 +0000 More than 1 million tons of textile waste are thrown away every year, 50% of which is reusable. Goodone clothing company, based in East London, are doing their part to see that one person trash is another’s treasure in a truly economical way. They make one-off products by deconstructing recycled and fair trade clothing and reconstructing them into a brand new item. Good One also offer their consultancy to brands and retailers wishing to re-work their waste whether it be in to new design, sourcing, production or sustainability through their specialist skills and expertise in the fashion industry. And, onRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/12/psfk-talks-to-abe-burmeister-co-founder-of-outlier-tailored-performance-clothing.html Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:11:30 +0000 With cycling’s recent surge in popularity as a commuting alternative, it was only a matter of time before the clothing caught up. We spoke with Abe Burmeister, co-founder of Outlier, on the line’s inspiration, futuristic textiles and good ideas for public transport in 2009. Describe the inspiration behind the line. Was it born out of necessity? Absolutely. I just couldn’t find the clothes I needed when I wanted to ride my bike on the daily. I was destroying all my jeans, and I couldn’t ride to business meetings out of fear of getting caught in the rain or ripping upRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/12/nest-design-with-a-conscience-in-shanghai.html Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:28:34 +0000 Located in Shanghai’s trendy Tianzifang area is a boutique that may change your impression of design and manufacturing in China.  The NEST design collective and store “is dedicated to contemporary product design, high quality craftsmanship, and responsible manufacturing.” Among the current group of designers featured at the Nest are bambu, who produces housewares out of bamboo and other renewable resources and Wobabybasics, a sustainable baby clothes brand made from 100% certified organic cotton and handwoven. In addition to the concept store, NEST hosts regular DesignerTalk evenings with topics such as “Defining Responsible Manufacturing in China.” NEST]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/11/psfk-talks-to-stylebibleph.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:26:00 +0000 StyleBible.ph is the online voice of Preview, a leading fashion publication in the Philippines. The site is also in the process of building a well-curated online collection of independent homegrown clothing and accessories. Recently, PSFK got a chance to chat with Managing Editor Isabelle Andaya on the Philippines’ place in global fashion as well as on some leading and emerging talents that are shaping the local movement. So what is Philippine fashion’s place in the world? I would say that the number of people interested in fashion in the Philippines has grown and we are slowly discovering our own styleRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/11/kate-moross-for-safe.html Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:57:41 +0000 NY based designer Rebecca Turbow‘s Safe clothing line (designed with emotional and physical security in mind – all soft greys and teals and simple, clean lines) has tapped UK wunderkind graphic designer Kate Moross to create a windbreaker type jacket in soothing grey and yellow. Just 50 of the jackets have been produced, each labeled individually. At $150, it’s a great way to get your hands on something so unique – Turbow is a pretty in-demand designer, and Moross has great street cred, having designed for Top Shop and Animal Collective, among others. Safe]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/10/manilas-designer-food-movement.html Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:12:45 +0000 Weddings are a big deal in Manila – the success of most high profile fashion designers here rely heavily on how skilled they are at making wedding gowns. Two of the country’s most reputable designers, Rajo Laurel and Frederick Peralta, have been leveraging their reputations for matrimonial chic on a line of designer wedding cakes for local bakeshop chain Red Ribbon. An article from The Philippine Daily Inquirer provided some color commentary: Fabric and music were among Laurel’s inspirations for his cakes. His “Bossa Nova,” layers of fondant that remind one of a woman dancing, takes its cue from flirtatiousRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/10/10-leading-creators-from-south-east-asia.html Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:46:21 +0000 As part of PSFK Conference Asia, we presented the Singapore Showcase with AWE50ME. The showcase profiled 10 of the most exciting members of the new emerging ‘Creator Class’ of multi-skilled talents and their ambitions. These young creatives have innovatively redefined their genres in New Media Design, Mutant-Creativity, Recyclism, Cross-Over Art, 8-Bit Music Producing and Photo-Documentary Making. AWE50ME is a creative community space where unique individuals share their vision with each other. It’s an active black book of exciting people across Asia living their passion and creating the scene around Art, Design, Music, Photography, Fashion, Video, Events and Popular Lifestyle Culture.Read more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/10/mujis-chronotebook-for-better-day-planning.html Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:31:06 +0000 PSFK friend Jack Cheng points us to this lovely notebook from Muji: the “Chronotebook,” a day planner that offers the same functionality as your cluttered Dayrunner, but through a simpler, smarter design. The Chronotebook features the face of an analog watch in the center of each page, the AM clock on the left hand side and the the PM one on the right. Users can then map out their day visually by filling out time slots around the clock. Jack Cheng explains the beauty of such a simple planner: [With a typical day planner] you have a day and dateRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/10/comment-on-the-creator-class.html Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:38:43 +0000 I’ve finished my presentation for Friday’s PSFK Conference Asia – and one of the last slides comes from a comment that was left on the site the other day. Gabriel Amadeus said: “[Creator?] Hey, that’s me! Not that I am successful at it or anything, but I much prefer to be a jack of all trades instead of specializing in “vector illustration”, “interactive flash”, or “band posters”. “In the past week I’ve designed flyers, banners, screenprinted shirts, welded a homemade bakfiets (dutch cargo bike), organized a scavenger hunt, planned a freakbike booth at the Oregon Manifest, and applied for aRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/09/bullseye-bodegas-target-markets-good-design-at-low-prices.html Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:20:50 +0000 The past four days at four sites around Manhattan, Target opened their Bullseye Bodegas, four popup shops to feature the products from its 22 designer partnerships. Each store featured an edited selection of fashion, accessories, beauty, and home products all with an average price of $25.00. A number of the collections like Anya Hindmarch’s handbags are being previewed at the Bodegas before they go on sale at Target stores later this fall. Visiting the four sites, we noticed each was busy, even early in the morning. The obvious route might have been to open some sleek white minimal shops andRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/07/zaha-hadids-architectural-rubber-shoes.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:35:43 +0000 What’s stylish, highbrow, totally sexy, and (at least looks) extremely comfortable? That would be Zaha Hadid‘s newest creation, a pair of gorgeous and intriguing rubber shoes, designed in collaboration with Brazilian shoemaker Melissa. The shoes will be available only at London’s Dover Street Market, and will be arriving in eight different (we envision neon) colors in September. via Core 77]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/07/in-fashion-shows-for-brands-rather-than-newest-lines-may-be-the-answer.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:33:52 +0000 If fashion is moving away from seasons and schedules, where does that leave the fashion show? What used to be a first-look for buyers, editors and top-tier clients has been pushing up against pure spectacle for some time. Last October, Fendi shunned the tents and used the Great Wall of China for their catwalk at a cost of approximately $10MM. Potentially, shows could become brand-centric showcases, rather than product-driven events. Parties, concert tours, installations or hybrid commerce/event formats connect more viscerally with audiences — including a wider range of customers. Shifting the focus from product to brand would also createRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/07/rags2riches-social-sustainability.html Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:50:30 +0000 Rags2Riches offers designer accessories based entirely on recycled materials – but that’s not why people are talking about them. It’s their commitment to social good that’s setting them apart, the company pairing up the impoverished people of Payatas with some of the Philippines’ most reputable fashion designers (Rajo Laurel is the first one so far) to help elevate the area’s standard of living. Payatas is the main waste dumpsite of Manila. People who live in Payatas have been known for their ingenuity in the face of desperation. They scavenge through piles of garbage for raw materials to make new products.Read more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/06/event-fourth-annual-renegade-craft-fair.html Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:13:29 +0000 We’re excited to check out the fourth annual Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn’s McCarren Park Pool this weekend, where DIY crafters and artists from around the world will be showcasing and selling their wares. The first Renegade Craft Fair was held in 2003 in Chicago’s Wicker Park, and now the DIY event travels to San Francisco and Brooklyn, setting up shop four times a year. According to RCF’s organizers, it is “the biggest, best and the most well-known of all the DIY craft fairs out there”. While we can’t confirm that, we can say that last year’s was great –Read more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/05/times-nod-to-street-luxury.html Fri, 23 May 2008 20:28:13 +0000 Agenda Inc recently pointed out that three luxury players, including Karl Lagerfeld, made Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world this year. Why Karl? It appears that between brunches with his boy toy posse, Lagerfeld has been turning fashion on its head. According to profiler Zaha Hadid, designer of the Chanel Mobile Pavilion, “the initial context of his work demanded a kind of radicalism. Before Karl, we all looked to couture for inspiration and direction. Now, through his work, fashion originates from the street, the media—anywhere.” Thus Lagerfeld has contributed to the health of the oftenRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/05/voices-from-the-street-fire-walk-with-me.html Mon, 19 May 2008 13:09:31 +0000 Group blogs have proven popular within the street culture community. Since Honeyee, we’ve seen a slew of others come and go. The latest group blog to launch is called “Fire walk With me” and comes courtesy of Black Lodges, Steven Vogel’s online editorial project. Having quite literally written the book on the subject, Vogel has amassed a network of industry heavy hitters.With perspectives from people like Brian Siswojo (852), Bob Kronbauer (Mumble Magazine), Dave Ortiz (DQM), Erik Brunetti (Fuct), and many more, “Fire walk with me” broadcasts the creatively diverse and global voice of the streetwear community. While content isRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/04/damien-hirst-t-shirts-for-product-red.html Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:20:37 +0000 This past February, Sotheby’s auctioned off a ton of original work by contemporary superstar-artists like Andreas Gursky, Takashi Murakami and Jeff Koons, with proceeds benefiting The Global Fund AIDS relief program. Damien Hirst has since released a limited number of t-shirts featuring prints of the original work done by these artists for, well, a lot less than the original work went for (with proceeds still going straight to The Global Fund). Available at Damien Hirst’s website: Other Criteria [via highsnobiety]]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/04/jeff-staple-on-the-development-of-a-nike-considered-sneaker.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:05:14 +0000 At the PSFK Conference New York 08, Jeff Staple of Staple Design talks about the process he went through to develop new shoes for the Nike Considered range. He discusses how a company that doesn’t come from the green arena can make moves to get sustainable and avoid the backlash. Transcriber Notes: The project was code name Ecotech, environmentally sustainable shoe. Richard Clark was getting no love from Nike. You have a $15billion company with 2000 shoes with no regard to the environment at all. So if we set resources to make one shoe to save the environment, what doRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/04/karl-lagerfeld-grand-theft-auto-road-warrior.html Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:55:22 +0000 Karl Lagerfeld has been up to some crazy stuff since taking the helm of Chanel, jumping head first into more arts initiatives and marketing campaigns than we can keep track of. We’ve reported on some of them, such as the microsite where you can tour Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment, the documentary film following the designer’s every move, and the collaboration with Zaha Hadid on a mobile art museum. But for new media marketing folk and video game fans who don’t really follow the fashion industry, today’s Lagerfeld news might be the most interesting. It’s just been announced that the designerRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/04/rei-kawakubo-designs-for-hm.html Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:39:54 +0000 We’re big fans of Rei Kawakubo and the fashion empire she’s built without ever compromising her crazy creative visions. She’s kind of like the godmother of modern Japanese fashion. Constantly breaking the rules, her Comme des Garcons label and its various offshoots somehow continue to sell, allowing Kawakubo to take ever more chances. So we were pretty delighted to hear that this fall, Kawakubo will be the guest designer for H&M, producing a line of men’s, women’s, and even some children’s clothes. There will be a unisex fragrance in the mix too, which isn’t surprising given that fragrance is oneRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/03/nike-adidas-strive-to-localize-design-in-china.html Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:39:13 +0000 With the upcoming summer Olympics in Beijing and a growing consumer market, sportswear brands are fiercely battling it out in China to find the right mix of Western and Chinese elements in their designs. The Wall Street Journal profiles the efforts of Nike and Adidas, two of the biggest players who are experimenting with new design elements such as Chinese characters, images, colors and athletes to find that uniquely “Chinese” style. Nike has recently introduced a new line called 1984, which commemorates the first year China participated in the Olympics under the Communist government. Nike is also playing on nationalisticRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/03/dkny-taps-paul-pope-for-illustrated-narrative-fashion.html Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:01:29 +0000 Back in October, the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that its next exhibit would feature comic book superheroes and explore their relationship to fashion. Taking this theme and running with it, DKNY hired celebrated graphic novelist and manga illustrator Paul Pope to collaborate on a capsule collection. The resulting designs are interesting — not quite what one would expect from DKNY — but very cool. From the press release: The line fuses the world of comics and fashion by creating a cohesive narrative which emerges through prints and graphics on clothing to create a truly uniqueRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/03/fashion-industry-hearts-branded-entertainment.html Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:10:23 +0000 In WWD yesterday, there was an interesting look at how the fashion industry has embraced branded entertainment in recent years. While fashion in film is nothing new, lately there’s been a sharp rise in both indie labels and mainstream fashion houses producing their own shorts to serve as marketing vehicles. Some of the more well-known, highly publicized examples of this include: Kate Moss in a slinky, ethereal black-and-white Agent Provocateur series called “The Four Dreams of Miss X” Prada’s animated short called “Trembled Blossoms” that debuted at NY Fashion week, and features wood nymphs and bugs that metamorphose into sandalsRead more...]]> http://www.psfk.com/2008/02/young-chinese-designers-set-up-shop-in-shanghai.html Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:45:19 +0000 Chang Le Road in Shanghai is known as the place to find fashionistas and young hipsters in China. And driving the new fashion trends are young, entrepreneurial Chinese designers who have set up boutiques or joined together into design collectives along the tree-lined street in the former French Concession. In an interview with the International Herald Tribune, Lorraine Justice, head of the school of design at the Hong Kong Polytechnic, describes this new wave of Chinese fashion: “They’re not totally Italian with high drama and not Japanese with understatement over strong basic structure…The Chinese deconstructionists are unique. There is aRead more...]]>