Fresh N Fierce: Study NY S/S10

www.4equalsides.com/

Study NY is a new sustainable line created by designer Tara St. James in Brooklyn NY!

NN- You’ve been in the “game”(fashion industry) for a while now, can you give us a brief timeline of your career from beginning to present?

TS- I started in the industry about 12 years ago after graduating from college.  I spent the first six years of my career working in the denim industry (Parasuco, Dex, Azzure).  Then I moved to NY and started Covet.  After 5 years of building that brand, I split from the backer and started Study on my own.  I wanted it to be a focused, sustainable sportswear brand that wasn’t cluttered with extra styles or unnecessary items.

NN-  Study NY is a creative collective that you recently launched. What prompted you to embark on this journey and can you explain what the collective encompasses?

TS- I have been working with very creative and imaginative people in NY since I first moved here, photographers, graphic designers, filmmakers, illustrators.  I wanted to bring everyone together (hypothetically at first, if not physically) to create a forum where we could work together on projects, and independently on our own work

NN- You formerly worked at Covet as the Creative Director. What are some of the most evident differences working for someone and now being your own boss in regards to creating sustainable fashion?

TS- While it’s nice to have someone supervising and directing the focus of a brand, it’s liberating to work for myself and create only the pieces I really want to put out.  I can focus all my attention on a more edited collection now that I don’t feel I’m trying to satisfy many different people.  I can just make the clothes I want to make.

NN- I was very intrigued to learn more about the unique concept behind your debut collection The Square Project. What exactly did the idea stem from?

TS- I crave constraint and love the idea of self-imposed limits.  I was working with the square shape prior to launching the Spring collection and wanted to see how far I could push the idea.

NN- From the beginning was it always imperative for you to show during NYFW and how did your relationship with the The Green Shows come about?

TS- I had worked with Bahar Shahpar on several projects prior to the Green Shows, so when she was brought on board to be the style director for the shows, she brought me along with her.

NN- Eco-fashion is becoming extremely popular at a faster rate more and more everyday. Aside from the current economic climate,what do you think holds designers back from creating sustainable lines or at least entertaining the idea?

TS- I think a lot of mainstream designers think it is difficult or expensive to source sustainable textiles and production methods.  While that may have been the case 5 years ago, it certainly is no longer relevant.  Factories and textile mills are tripping over each other trying to produce new sustainable products in order to keep up with the trend.  I hope more designers will start to re-examine their products and make an attempt to add at least one new sustainable item to their collections for next season.

NN- I see that you will be showing again this February at The Green Shows, can you divulge anything about your upcoming collection?

TS- Actually I won’t be showing at the Fall 2010 Green Shows.  The first Green Shows were a very positive experience, but they made me realize that if I do show my collection again, it will not be with a traditional runway show and I’d like to use many more outlets than are currently available to me.  So I’ve withdrawn from the Fall shows in order to put together a presentation that more accurately represents the identity of the brand I’m trying to build.

NN- Why are you so passionate about sustainable fashion?

TS- I don’t think it should even be an option any more.  I think all design should be sustainable.  From textile design to architecture, I think we all need to look at the everyday choices we make and products we create and question whether they are necessary.  If we deem them so, then they absolutely should be sustainable

Be sure to check back next week for a really special giveaway sponsored by Study NY!

Photo of the Week

(Vogue China June 09 photo via TFS)

Affordable Plush Accessories: Black Lily

Theres nothing better than a durable leather bag.  And thats exactly what you’ll find among other accessories with Danish line Black Lily. Designers June Maria Carlsen and Inge Kindberg have created an affordable line of  exclusive accessories made from various materials like leather, cashmere, wool & silk. I enjoy that the line offers more than just bags you’ll find snazzy socks, cute scarves, cozy knit hats, swimsuits, even shoes. I’m hoping to see this brand stateside sooner than later, but until then you can browse their site & drool over the current and past collections!

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER THE AMY MARTINO X NUVANY NICE GIVEAWAY, WIN 1 OF 2 GICLEE PRINTS! CLICK HERE TO ENTER ENDS FEBRUARY 11, 2009!

Sustainably Comfortable: Aymara

If you’re a regular visitor here at Nuvany Nice then you’ve heard me talk about the A or Z disorder that I have. For those of you who have no clue what I’m talking about, let me explain. My personality is as such in every aspect of my life basically, very extreme cold or hot, black or white I’m sure you get my drift. Even when it comes to fashion I’m always at one end of the spectrum or the other, rarely can I find a medium. What does that have to do with today’s post, right ?

Well after looking at the presentation of Danish label Aymara’s S/S 10 collection & then looking at the snow outside of my window, I instantly envisioned throwing one of their comfy wool sweaters or cardigans over my bare body. (note the drastic contrast ). The philosophy of Aymara is to produce garments in the place where the material and expertise have its origin. This way, you ensure that the profit becomes those who have the right to it and you obtain a high quality product;you support and enhance. How wonderful is that!  Another thing I love about this line, all of these pieces are transitional from season to season. Basic sillouhettes that I can wear now layered up or alone when the weather gets warmer because of the perforated detail. You can learn more about the wonderful work & awareness Aymara is doing by visiting their site HERE!

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER THE AMY MARTINO X NUVANY NICE GIVEAWAY, WIN 1 OF 2 GICLEE PRINTS! CLICK HERE TO ENTER ENDS FEBRUARY 11, 2009!

Giveaway: Amy Martino Frog Owl & Coogi Giclee Prints

Originality is appealing to me these days, when everything else around seems to be drowning in monotony. A few weeks back, I featured an illustration by Artist Amy Martino entitled Coogi that I just had to have. Unfortunately the print wasn’t available for sale. The other day I received a comment alert & it was Amy informing me that the Coogi print among some of her other works was available to buy via her newly launched e-shop.

When I discover an artist,designer,photographer that I absolutely adore, I feel compelled to shout it to the virtual rooftops and spread the love!  So I am simply elated to be collaborating with Amy on this giveaway. Lets get the good stuff out-of-the-way, BE SURE TO VISIT Amy’s port site HERE & if your interested in purchasing more of her work HERE!

Giveaway:

(1) Frog Owl Giclée Print 17″ x 21″ // (Value $32) //  Gallery quality Giclée print on natural white, matte, ultra smooth, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson K3 archival inks. Custom trimmed with 2″ border.

(1) Coogi Giclée Print 13″ x 23″ // (Value $32) // Gallery quality Giclée print on natural white, matte, ultra smooth, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson K3 archival inks. Custom trimmed with 2″ border.

Rules:

Visit Amy’s site & pick your FAVORITE illustration that she’s done thus far.

LEAVE (1) COMMENT W/YOUR ANSWER (do not forget to leave your email in the space provided)

Gain an extra entry:

Follow Nuvany Nice on Twitter & RT Giveaway: Enter to win 1 of 2 prints by Artist/Illustrator Amy Martino, ends Feb. 11, 2010 http://tinyurl.com/yf8wehq

OR

Fan Nuvany Nice on Facebook

2 Winners will be announced on Friday Feb. 12, 2010, each winning one print. Remember ONLY ONE COMMENT IS NECESSARY!

Be sure to visit both of Amy’s sites Yellow Bird Machine & her e-shop on Society 6!

Dawn Okoro Exhibit Opening

Ethereal: Andersen & Lauth S/S 10

Sometimes a good ol’ google search yields wonderful results. That’s exactly how I was introduced to one of my new favorite  lines Andersen & Lauth! Based in Reykjavik, can you believe as a child I always wanted to go to Norway & Iceland? I digress with randomness, excuse me. Established in 1934 by tailors Andersen & Lauth, the brand continues to maintain the skillful craftmanship that it was founded on.  For S/S 10 head designers Gunni & Kolla drew inspiration from a book they discovered by the late Jackie Kennedy chronicling her summer travels throughout Europe in the sixties alongside her sister Lee. Aptly titled One Special Summer, the collection can be described as                        eclectic,bohemian,vintage-inspired but still embodying current elements.

Although I wasn’t captivated  by every piece in the collection, it was cohesive enough with just a bit of variation that was fitting. Making of a Season is the blog created by the Andersen & Lauth designers to give an insider’s view of what it entails to produce a collection from beginning to end. Hand beading, dying, washing, sketching are parts of the process for their vintage-inpisred S/S10 collection. Most of the collection is handmade and  resemblant of authentic vintage garments. It takes us 60 days, 540 hours to sketch the 500 sketches needed to wrap it up. On top of it you have the research, the thinking, the speck sheets and tech packs,the NOT sleeping and all the footwork needed. It´s worth it. The company goes by a mantra We love What We Do, and after viewing the blog & video short of the collection you will discover that this is genuinely a true statement. To view the entire collection visit www.andersenlauth.com and don’t forget to check out the video short of the collection shoot!

Artist Alert: Q & A With Chris Hobe

Q: Do you have any formal training? At what age did you decide to pursue a career in art & did your upbringing nurture or play a role in your decision?

A: No formal training, I majored in Art my first year in college but my teachers were not into the style of my work urban/street influenced by Graf. I started my career in art when I was 28 I wanted more from my life and did not want to depend on a company for a pay check when I could be out selling my work on my own and creating non-stop. My parents are both artist by nature and they showed me that anything is possible when you utilize your talent and passion for your work.

Q: What do you find most challenging as an emerging artist?

A:The most challenging aspect of being an artist is the fact that you get knocked down a lot and it is how you get back up and continue to do what you love that makes you an artist. Anyone can create a piece of art but an artist is someone who creates and makes people believe in his or her work.

Q: Describe a typical painting session with Chris Hobe?

A: A typical session starting @ 9pm-2am is music playing @ all times LOUD (classic rock, reggae/dub, hip hop, funk) incense burning, paint all over the place (clothes and everything), no boarders or boundaries, my garage/studio is covered from wall to wall with paint cans and art. Never standing still at any point in time always moving feeling the music as my inspiration that fuels the passion and soul in each piece. Sometimes I will get up the morning after a serious session and not even realize the piece that I did the night before!

Q: Are there any newer or past artists that you admire or are inspired by?

A: Artist that influence me are my Mother and Father, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollack, Van Gogh, Goya, Futura, Shepard Fairy, Bansky, and Kaws.

Q: What do you want people to perceive when they look at your work?

A: I want people to feel the passion and soul that is put into my work. Each piece adds to ones soul. You can look at any of my pieces and it will enlighten you and put a smile on your face.

Visit the  Artistic Revolutionary blog to view more of Chris’s work or drop him an email at souloriginals78 [at] yahoo.com for any inquiries!

Photo of the Week

Quan Mai aka GENETICBOI is my new muse! I’m totally enthralled with his creative genius. He’s a model, graphic designer, art director & photographer. He does it all, the shoot above inspired partly by Givenchy’s A/W 09 collection is just a snippet of his work. And yes homeboy made that headpiece! You can view his complete port HERE! I’ve got my eye on Mr. Mai!

*Edit* Please check out Mr. Mai’s wonderful blog as well, I just discovered it via his lovely comment !

Wejetset City Notes: Philly Is Where I Am From

Philly is what 2 hrs. from NYC, yet surprisingly I’ve never taken the time to explore the wonderful city. But thanks to Taj over at Wejetset, when I do I’ll be well equipped with their current issue of City Notes. City Notes is basically a travel guide curated by a professional creative from the respective city.  Joey Sweeney writer/creator of Philebrity, is our tour guide this time around. He recommends all the best eatery’s, sights, places to stay and a few other must have stops while your in Philly. I’ve created a box that stashes all of  my city notes issues for all the excursions I plan on taking when it warms up a bit .  And I think its beyond sweet that city notes are FREE, all you have to do is drop an email with your mailing addy to citynotes (at) wejetset.com and they’ll send you a copy. Be sure to browse the extensive Wejetset travel site while you’re visiting, I’m sure you’ll discover a bit of newness!