Author: Igor

Contributor Profile: Joke De Wilde

Joke De Wilde is a Belgian photographer currently living and working in Antwerp. Joke has collaborated with us twice, documenting the studios and work of textile designer Hermine Van Dijck and multi-disciplinary team Going East. She also helped us find nice businesses and places for our Antwerp City Guide.

Read our interview with Joke below this selection of images from her work.

www.jokedewilde.com

How did you become interested in photography?

This is a really difficult question! It’s not that photography is some kind of calling, it’s more about wanting to pause life sometimes. I want it to stand still and enjoy every detail of it. That’s what I’m able to do with photography. Especially the gestures and body language people use from the moment they stand in front of a camera. I guess it’s something I’ll never get tired of.

You work across different photography fields. Do you have a favourite?

Portraiture is definitely my favorite. I love, as I said before, to photograph people especially non-models – they use their bodies in a different way. The small details, like hands and eyes, are the most interesting. I always use an analogue camera, it pushes me to look at things into more detail – I know how daylight is going to react on film and I love the colors. I hope this makes my work come together as one.

What are your main inspirations?

Body language, memories, childhood, nature and my home.

You live in Antwerp, how does the city influence your work?

It influences me in many different ways. I love living in Antwerp and I try to look at the city in different ways over and over again. I don’t understand when people say they get tired of their hometowns. The nicest moments are those where we find new inspiring places and people in a city where we have lived for 10 year. Living here gives me the feeling of safety and, at the same time, it pushes me to go out there and explore – this is the perfect combination to get inspired and be creative.

Are you working on any photography project at the moment?

Not anything in particular, mainly images trying to capture every moment of my life at this point. Becoming a little family this winter was very inspiring and eye opening. Sometimes the most beautiful images are standing just in front of us, and these are the ones I’m looking for right now.

August 17, 2015
LAW Magazine

LAW (Lives and Works) is an independent bi-annual magazine based in London. LAW is concerned with documenting the overlooked and portraying the beautiful everyday, giving people a sense of belonging and recognition. We visited LAW studios in Hackney and photographed Editor-in-Chief John Joseph Holt and Creative Director Joseph Prince in their working space.

Photographs by Jack Johnstone.

www.law-mag.com

August 10, 2015
Why You Don’t Need Video Subscriptions as Much as You Think You Do

In this day and age of high-speed internet connectivity and affordable computers, it’s easy to catch up on the latest shows and movies thanks to video subscription services like Netflix and Amazon Video. However, are they as crucial to your daily life as you think they are, or are they just being a nuisance?

In this article, we’re going to take a look if you really need video subscriptions or if they’re just forcing you to spend money you could be saving.

Photo via Unsplash

Regular television still has great programs to watch

It’s probably been a while since you’ve looked at a UK TV guide or seen a schedule for cable channels, but many of the latest and greatest shows are still exclusive to television and won’t come to video subscriptions for a long time if ever.

There are plenty of fantastic shows on regular television broadcasts including news and sports. While video on demand is a great way to watch specific shows and movies, there’s still a lot to watch on regular television.

Video subscriptions are surprisingly limited

Sure, if you’re on a movie binge and you want to catch the latest films from the past few years then Netflix is a fantastic option. It seems like there’s a massive selection of things to watch and you’ll be able to get your money’s worth. However, once you’ve had the subscription for a few months, it really starts to show just how limited your video subscription service is.

To make things worse, choices are often limited by regions as well. For instance, what you can watch in the United Kingdom is drastically different from the choice you get in the United States. In addition, movies tend to come and go as “exclusives” which can make you want to keep your subscription for longer.

Video subscriptions are also fairly outdated

While some shows are fantastic and exclusive to their platforms, most films are actually somewhat outdated. This means that you’ll be able to catch up on old films, but there’s nothing recent that you can watch unless it wasn’t popular and went straight to a video subscription service.

This means that if you’re looking to watch films, you’ll have a surprisingly limited library to pick from and this isn’t such a great choice for movie lovers.

You don’t own any of your movies or shows

Sooner or later, Netflix is either going to be taken down or the licenses for certain shows will be stripped away. This means that you’ll end up in a situation where the shows you love are no longer watchable and you’ll either need a physical copy (such as a DVD or BluRay) or you’ll need to hope another video subscription service has it.

DVD and BluRay copies can be relatively cheap, especially during sales periods, and you can always buy them second-hand from sites like eBay. In short, if you really want to preserve your favourite films and watch them at any time, owning them is the best option.

August 9, 2015
Minimalist Home Design Tips

If you feel like the interior of your home has become crowded and overwhelming, it might be time to consider a new design approach. One style that more and more people are turning to is minimalism. By decluttering and embracing open spaces rather than an abundance of things, you make your space feel more intentional and less overwhelmed. It can change not just how your home looks but how you use it too.

This might be the solution that you’ve been looking for. If it’s a design style that you are looking to implement, we’re going to run through some tips that will help you get it right in your home. It’s relatively easy to do, but there are some things you should know and understand before you get started, so read on now.

Pick Timeless Furniture

First of all, you should think about what kind of furniture might best suit a minimalist home design. It should be timeless and relatively adaptable. That way, you’ll be able to ensure the home looks and feels suited to your minimalist aims. Trendy and ostentatious furniture doesn’t really fit with the minimalist ethos, so that’s the kind of thing you should stay away from. Remember, fashions and new trendy styles are popular for a while and then times changes and they look outdated. You should aim for the opposite of that.

Use Texture

Using texture is a good idea as well. Just because you’re designing your home in a minimalist way, that doesn’t mean that you have to accept a complete lack of texture. Instead, you should embrace textures and use them to shake things up and offer variety to the design of your home. You can add a simple rug that adds a new texture to your floor space (check out this list of recommended condo flooring for more ideas). There are many ways in which you can get this right, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.

Get the Lighting Right

Getting the lighting right is really important and it’s something that you should work on. You want the home to feel light and airy because that’s what the minimalist aesthetic is all about. First of all, you should focus on natural light because the more of that that you have flooding into the home, the better it’ll be for the overall appearance of your interior space and its functionality. Using plenty of lamps and lights is important so you’re not left with any dark corners.

Image Source

Aim for Clean Lines

Generally speaking, you should look for clean lines when designing your home. Minimalism is about keeping things simple and organised and it pays off when you get that right. You’ll notice that everything feels clean and structured and you won’t be overwhelmed by clutter and possessions that take up too much of your space.

Keep Photos Simple and Meaningful

By keeping your photos simple and meaningful, you’ll be able to keep things minimalist while also maintaining some visual stimulation in your home. And, of course, photos are important because we all love to surround ourselves with snapshots that are important to us. Find good frames and use custom photo mounts to improve the overall aesthetic of the photos as you prepare to display them in your home. And be sure to find the right spot for them.

Find the Neutral Palette That Works for You

Selecting the right colour palette for the room is important as well. You want it to feel simple and not too overwhelming. Most people who design homes with a minimalist aesthetic in mind choose white and other neutral colours that don’t make the space feel too heavy and overwhelmed. But this is something that has to work for you, so explore the options and find the way forward that you feel is best for your home.

Keep Things Fluid and Adaptable

Finally, you should remember that it’s always best to keep things adaptable and fluid. That way, you will have the option of making changes and switching things around later if you decide that that’s the direction you want to go in. Things don’t have to be set in stone right away. It’s much easier if you allow yourself the scope to change because it should be easy to do that with a minimalist design.

When you get your minimalist home design just right, you’ll feel like you’re living in a space that’s calm, relaxed and spacious. That’s why so many people are now turning to this design option and you should too. Make use of the ideas above and you’ll soon be able to strike the right balance in your home.

August 2, 2015
Autumn Knitwear Outfit Ideas

From oversized, chunky knit sweaters that keep you cosy on chilly mornings to finer, lightweight tops and cardigans that act as the perfect trans seasonal pieces, as summer turns to autumn we have our knitwear favourites on high rotation.

Whether you’re looking to invest in some new knit pieces to see you through the change in season, or some inspiration on how to breathe a new lease of life into your existing staples, we’ve curated some autumn knitwear outfit ideas to help you build the perfect fit to suit any style or occasion.

Knit Dress

A knitted dress is versatile, easy to wear and can be found in a range of silhouettes, colours, textures and styles. Look for a chunky knit in a mini length and pair with knee high leather boots. The shorter hem means you’ll avoid feeling drowned in the heavier finish and baggier fit and the knee high boots balance your silhouette. If a longer length is more your personal style, look for a midi dress in a finer knit that hugs your figure and opt for a staple block shade for the ultimate capsule piece.

Image: Tigerlily

Knit Cardigan

A cardigan is the ideal piece for layering; something that can be taken on and off while the days are still warm or to keep you cosy as temperatures drop later in the season. An oversized cardigan that finishes just below your knees is great for pairing with a top and skirt combination. Complete your outfit with a pair of western inspired cowboy boots and coordinating bag for an everyday autumnal ensemble. For a more polished look, opt for a cropped cardigan that buttons up – wear it buttoned as a top with a flowing maxi skirt and fine gold accessories or undone and layered over a mini dress and finished with boots.

Image: Tigerlily

Oversized Knit

A slouchy, high quality oversized knit is a must have in every autumn and winter wardrobe. Comfortable, easy to throw on and effortlessly cool, it can be worn for days at home, sitting in front of a roaring fire with a good book or taking an afternoon walk along the coast. Keep your look casual and pair with your favourite jeans or with a textured mini skirt and boots for a relaxed day to night outfit.

Image: Tigerlily

Cropped Knit Sweater

Much like the versatility of a cardigan, a cropped knit sweater can be worn on its own with jeans, breezy wide leg pants, high waisted printed skirt or layered with a mini or midi dress to perfectly suit the occasion and weather. Look for a cropped style that finishes around your waist to elongate your silhouette and explore earthy autumnal colours of deep brown, ocean blue and burnt orange.

Image: Tigerlily

From a chunky knitted mini dress paired with leather boots for a stunning evening outfit to a slouchy yet cosy oversized sweater and jeans that prioritises comfort, knitwear pieces will undoubtedly be the foundation of all our autumn fits. Explore different textures, silhouettes and colour palettes to find the perfect pieces to add to your new season collection, or experiment with new ways to wear your trusty wardrobe favourites.

July 19, 2015