the traditions of East and West coming together

Were did we find these cuties? In the Nepal Projects; an initiative launched by MENU provides fair employment and future opportunities in one of the world’s poorest countries by combining traditional fabric working skills with a current Scandinavian design aesthetic.

Its production takes place in the Kathmandu area, where it employs hundreds of weavers, tailors and other local craftspeople. The design process happens in collaboration with various designers. The Stockholm-based Taiwanese design duo Hung-Ming Chen and Chen-Yen Wei at Afteroom designed these teddies. 

Afteroom is an advocate of the traces of time. Their mission is simply to create beautiful products which will add value over time – design to grow old with. The inspiration derives from an intriguing interest of forms, senses, proportions, materials and cultures. The philosophy pivots around simplicity and honesty.

“Nepal Projects grew from our desire to use Menu as a platform for making a positive difference. Many young Nepali women from poor families risk being lured into prostitution. Through education of children and employment of young women we offer a sound and viable alternative. The Nepal Projects is our way to celebrate great craftsmanship, while helping vulnerable workers secure a better future for themselves and their families.” – Bjarne Hansen, owner & founder of Menu A/S.

BALANCE by Nadine Fumiko Schaub

In need of a new set of scales? How about trying something else.

Balance is a project by Swiss/Japanese designer Nadine Fumiko Schaub, created as an alternative to cheap and replaceable kitchen appliances. It is made entirely of durable and natural materials such as wood, porcelain, brass and marble stone that has been locally crafted. These scales doe not have a display, instead it relies on human touch to tell if the weights are balanced.

 

photo credit: http://www.nadineschaub.ch/?p=948

New coffee talk added

we are back! follow us on INSTAGRAM.

SHAPES BySju | Ozzie Pullin

Shapes is the latest collection of the London based designer Sju Smatanova for her hat label BySju.

Director // Editor // Ozzie Pullin
Production Company // Partizan
Executive Producer // Jenny Beckett
Producer // Lucy Rogers
Dancers // Nico Migliorati & Rob McNeill
Model // Hannah Noble
Music: Hugo “Loverboy”

FLY THROUGH

This piece of art is opening today!

@dezeen

project bags girls

one project  |  two bags  |  three girls

High quality materials, beautifully produced bags with meticulous attention to detail and minimal aesthetics…

Three friends’ desire to create the perfect bag is what started the PBG brand. It’s name is made of the initials of the three words that describes this group of girls at that point in time:  – one project, two bags, three girls.

http://projectbagsgirls.com/category/bags/

MAKERS: ELAJEDIOVA

The Czech label ELAJEDIOVA makes beautiful handmade satchels. Find out how pieces of leather are transformed into these unique pieces.

http://www.elajediova.com/

IN NEED OF JEWELLERY? PRINT IT!

 

So it seems 3D printing is gradually revolutionising the way things are made – even in fashion! This beautiful statement ring was designed by Giorgio Badalacchi from MOBO Architects, exclusively for WonderLuk – London based eshop offering a nice range of 3D printed jewellery designed by selected artisans.

You can choose your size, colour and material – nylon, silver or gold. Depending on the finishing technique, its texture can be smooth or more grainy…

 

MADE IN CORK

It seems cork is having its moment in fashion and design. It found its way to interior design, being used to create various types of textured walls, tables, chairs, or table decorations. Similarly, fashion designers use this material to give natural structure and character to its pieces. Except for its natural character, cork has another great feature – it is entirely sustainable! The bark from which cork made renews itself and trees do not need to be cut down to harvest it.

ADAISM

Designer Annett Bourquin who is behind ADAISM label takes inspiration from her time spent in Japan and years of traveling the world, creating simple and considered objects calling on minimalist concepts and natural fabrics.

MATT & NAT

MATT & NAT are committed to not using leather or any other animal-based materials in their designs. They have been experimenting with different recycled materials such as recycled nylons, cardboard, rubber and cork.

PELCOR

Portuguese brand – PELCOR – focuses entirely on cork and creates a range of accessories including clutches and even dog collars and leashes.