Category: Design

Summer Outfit Tips To Embrace Your Style

Summertime is the perfect time to let your personality shine through in your fashion choices. With the warm weather and relaxed vibe, there’s no need to dress like everyone else. In fact, following the trends too closely can make you look like a clone of everyone else. So this summer, take a chance and wear something that expresses your unique style! In this blog post, we’ll give you tips on putting together outfits that reflect who you are.

Via Pexels

Be Confident:

The most important thing about fashion is that you feel good in what you’re wearing. If you don’t feel confident, it will show in your body language and affect how others perceive you. So no matter what you choose to wear, make sure it’s something that makes you feel good about yourself. One way to build confidence is to wear something you know you look good in. Whether it’s a new dress or your favourite pair of jeans, if you feel great in it, others will take notice.

Experiment:

Fashion is all about experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try new styles or silhouettes. It’s the only way to find out what looks good on you. The best part about summer fashion is that there are so many different trends to try. From crop tops to maxi dresses, there’s something for everyone. So go ahead and experiment with your style this summer. You might be surprised at how good you look in something you would never have thought to try before. And don’t forget, the most important thing is to have fun with your clothes. After all, fashion is supposed to be fun!

Be Unique:

One of the best ways to stand out from the crowd is to be unique. There’s no need to dress like everyone else. It’s often more stylish to dress differently. So when you’re putting together a summer outfit, try to find pieces that are unique and different.Alternatively, you could check out vintage shops, thrift shops, or online retailers specializing in unusual clothing that has been upcycled with fantastic prints made using direct to garment printers. One great way to be unique is to embrace your own personal style. If you’re a tomboy, don’t try to dress like a girly girl. And if you’re usually pretty conservative, don’t try to dress like a club girl. Be true to yourself, and you’ll always look stylish.

Accessorise:

Accessories are a great way to add personality to your summer outfits. If you’re unsure about what to wear, start with a basic outfit and add some fun accessories. Off-the-shoulder dresses paired with strapless bras for summer and statement necklaces are a great way to add some personality to your look. If you’re looking for something more casual, try pairing a printed t-shirt with some denim shorts and strappy sandals. Add a hat or sunglasses for a touch of glamour. Additionally, don’t forget the power of a great handbag. It can really pull an outfit together and make you look put together.

Summer is the perfect time to try out new trends and have fun with your style. With so many options available, there’s no reason not to experiment. So be bold and try something new this summer!

August 18, 2016
Vanguards Magazine

Founded by James Roberts and Hugo Ross, Vanguards is a new magazine exploring and celebrating Scotland’s rich and diverse design and manufacturing tradition. We visited James and Hugo at the magazine’s studio just before the first issue was launched and we chatted about what made them start their own publication, what makes Vanguards different from the rest of independent magazines and their plans for the next issue.

www.vanguardsmagazine.com

Magazine photos by Peter Dibdin.

How did you meet and how did you decide to start a magazine?

We met at Edinburgh University – day one of first year. We’ve both just managed to finish a 5 year degree in Fine Art but have developed passions in design, fashion and manufacturing.

In the winter of 2014 we visited Laurence Odie, a Shetland knitwear manufacturer, and learnt about his incredible products and his factory’s incredible history. We wanted to tell his story, and educate people like ourselves, interested in quality clothing and fashion. We wanted to demonstrate how much of a significant player in the knitwear industry he is. Laurence promised us that there were far more untold and equally interesting stories out there in Scotland. Vanguards magazine is the culmination of a number of these stories, celebrating honest, thoughtful and quality brands.

Why did you decide to focus on Scotland’s design and manufacturing tradition as the topic for the magazine?

Our passion and interest will forever revolve around design and manufacture – sharing that common interest in the first year of university, is the reason we became friends. Vanguards is most definitely a product of its circumstance – that fact that we are studying in Edinburgh, has everything to do with the magazine’s focus on Scotland. We are just incredibly lucky that Scotland has such a rich history and has an abundance of stories, brands and individuals to celebrate.

Could you take us through the different features readers can find in the first issue?

There’s a great mixture of stuff in issue 1, from classic Scottish brand, Mackintosh, to an article on Loch Duart, a salmon fish farm on the north coast. We wanted to stretch the terms design and manufacturing as much as we could. So design can mean the work of textile designer, Bernat Klein (whose daughter is interviewed in the first issue), or it can mean the design of one of Black Isle Brewery’s organic beers. We also choose the word manufacturing to mean both the small scale, like Trakke’s bags, to the larger scale like Mackintosh’s raincoats. All the stories celebrate the brands and their products, whilst also using that as starting point to discuss issues like unsustainable manufacturing, or why we don’t buy into our own amazing knitwear, like Laurence Odie’s!

What makes Vanguards different to other independent publications?

For a long time we were trying to identify our opportunity within the niche creative independent magazine market – although it is something we are realistically still working on – we strive for our features to be well rounded for our readers, and perhaps offer some meaning, instead of just offering well curated aesthetic photographs. We also think that our focus on one country over a prolonged period of time (instead of just one issue) sets us apart from other travel magazines. We really want to get to understand Scotland and share that with our readers.

You’ve just graduated from Edinburgh College of Art, what’s next? Are there any plans for issue #2 that you can share?

We’ve been building Vanguards for the past 18 months, there are definitely enough features and stories out there for a second, third and even fourth issue. It is our ultimate desire to keep the dream going! Issue 2 is being discussed and we’re hopeful for its release in December. We’ll keep pushing the writing and the visuals, and have some really amazing brands we want to feature.

We also want to collaborate more with the brands we feature to make limited edition products. To go with issue 1, we’ve produced a line of jumpers with Laurence Odie which really are the best jumpers we’ve worn!

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August 16, 2016
Backyard Pergolas: 5 Practical Uses

Extending your indoor living space into the outdoors is really simple to do. A patio, fire pit, pool, paver walkways, and a garden are just a few of the ways that your outdoor space can become a more usable and functional part of your home. Being able to enjoy the outdoors gives you more options for entertaining guests, personal leisure time, and it can even promote better health and reduce stress. Pergolas are another great way to dress up your backyard. Not only are they beautifully simple structures, but they’re also surprisingly functional. Their slim profile and open roof have made them a prized stand-out architectural piece for thousands of years. There are many practical uses for backyard pergolas, and this article will cover some of them. If you’re looking for reasons to install a pergola or spruce up the one you currently have, keep reading.

1. Comfy Seating Area

Adding a 12 x 16 pergola for yard seating can make for a beautiful backyard centerpiece. Creating a shaded area for outdoor seating is perhaps the most popular use for a pergola.They allow for sunlight to penetrate the slatted roof while providing enough shade to make the area more comfortable and cooler in the warmer months. You can use it with your patio or deck or just out in the yard wherever it pleases you most. Pergolas do a lot to tie a space together while adding some visual dimension to a flat space. The seating area you create can include lounge chairs, armchairs, hanging pod seating, outdoor tables, and more. How you arrange your seating and the type of seating is totally up to you. For larger gatherings or when you want a more enclosed feel, pavilions can serve as an excellent complement to pergolas. Together, pergolas & pavilions tend to provide flexible options for designing outdoor seating areas that balance openness with shelter, depending on the mood or occasion. When placing a pergola near a heavily wooded area or a steep drop-off, you may want to consider adding slats to whichever side could lead to potential problems.

2. Pool Accessory

The versatility of a pergola as a pool accessory is hard to beat. They’re beautiful and give your pool an elegant and resort feeling. Whether you choose a stained wood or colored vinyl, pairing your pergola to your in-ground pool decor is going to stand out. It’s nice to have a relaxing area to lounge poolside, entertain guests, and get out of the sun. It will add some vertical texture to the hardscape while being a fully functional piece, providing some much needed shade. What makes pergolas such a great fit for a pool is its ability to blend into the natural surroundings. Adding climbing or hanging plants are a great way to even better integrate your pergola and nature. A pergola is even the perfect place to grill poolside. You can even attach speakers or a television to it to add to teh entertainment factor.

3. Outdoor Kitchen or Bar Covering

Outdoor cooking spaces are always going to be in style for a foodie who enjoys the outdoors. Not only are they useful, but they are also more beautiful when paired with a pergola. Even though food always brings people together, the pergola may be a strong contender for the focal point of the backyard. Whether you opt for a traditional flat roof or a more eye-catching arced roof, they’re destined to change the entire mood of the backyard. In fact, you might even think that you’re in the yard of a brand new home. Depending on the size pergola you choose, it will either be the focal point of your outdoor kitchen or bar, or just provide the framework for the boundaries of your great new cooking space. Either way, your yard is always going to be the preferred gathering place amongst family and friends.

4. Hot Tub Covering

Hot tubs are great for relaxing after a long day. And when you add a pergola to the ambiance of the hot tub and your backyard, you’re in for an absolute treat. If you’re looking to add a little more privacy to your hot tub with a pergola, simply take advantage of some custom add-ons. You can add a retractable sidewall or two, incorporate a lattice to one of the sides, or add a half wall. Little touches like these or even sheer curtains can dress up your pergola quite nicely to make your hot tub feel like something at a spa. It’s an attractive finishing to a luxurious soak. Other ways to create a different vibe around your pergola and hot tub pairing include string lights, television, or stereo speakers. There’s no limit to how you dress your pergola. Smaller pergolas will frame the hot tub, and larger ones will create a more private space for you and guests.

5. Privacy Solution

Everyone needs a little privacy, and a pergola is one of the more practuacl solutions to creating a little more privacy in your backyard. And yet, it is one of the least utilized privacy options. It may seem counterintuitive to choose a pergola as a privacy solution because they are typically open, but they do provide some shelter and make it more difficult for prying eyes to get a good look. Adding a privacy wall or two to a pergola or curtains or retractable shades will give you the extra privacy you’re craving. You have the ability to make it as private as you need it to be while also providing some structure to your backyard. A privacy fence is nice, but a stylish and classic pergola is going to do more for your backyard space than any fence will. Alternatively, you can add fast growing shrubs or bushes nearby to further seclude the area.

There’s a lot that can be said about backyard pergolas. They are truly functional pieces of outdoor excellence. You can have one constructed to meet your needs or you can buy a kit. If you go the custom route you’ll be able to pick the material, post design, paint or stain color, and floor type. There are other add-ons that you can include to make your pergola fit your needs however practical or aesthetic they are.

August 11, 2016
Olivia Fiddes

Originally from Edinburgh, Olivia Fiddes makes ceramic objects and homeware from her studio in London. What makes Olivia’s pieces unique is that they’re solely made using meticulous hand building techniques. We chatted with Olivia to find out more about her interest in ceramics, her design process and future plans.

www.oliviafiddes.com

Product photos by Ben Seeley and studio photos by Alex McLuckie.

When did you get interested in ceramics? Do you remember the first piece you ever made?

My first experience of ceramics was during A Level Art, when our very optimistic teachers asked everyone in the year to make a life-size self-portrait bust out of clay. This had very mixed results. Mine was OK but didn’t look anything like me. My mum has it looking at you right when you walk into the house and puts tinsel on ‘my’ head at Christmas. Whilst this didn’t go amazingly, I loved the process and working with clay. A few years later I started pottery evening classes because of my interest in clay and it went from there.

All of your pieces are handmade, please tell us a little bit more about this process and the different techniques you use.

Everything I make is ‘hand built’ which basically means, in pottery terms, that I don’t use a wheel, moulds, or slip cast. This is quite a traditional way of working as it requires very little equipment. I mainly use my hands and just some small tools. Some of the techniques I use are: coiling, slab building and pinching. These are techniques that you can be taught in a few evening classes but I suppose the hard bit is getting pieces how you want them, being neat, and making two pieces that look the same. It’s a slower method of working but I think it’s this that makes the pieces unique and more expressive. Everything is a one-off when it is hand built which I love.

You use reclaimed clay to create your pieces, are there other measures you take to ensure your business is as sustainable as possible?

It’s important to me that I don’t waste. Especially with clay, there is no excuse for it as you can always give it new life. That is why I use the reclaimed clay from the other ceramicists at my studio. The shared studio I’m a part of, Turning Earth, is very environmentally conscious, from the energy companies they use and the packaging we provide, so it works nicely.

5% of the profits from each piece you sell go to Survival International, could you tell us a little bit about this organisation?

It’s a charity I used to work for and have been very passionate about for years so I wanted to make it an in-built part of what I do. Survival campaigns for tribal (or indigenous) peoples’ rights which are often disrespected. I find it crazy that to this day tribal peoples are regarded as ‘primitive’ or ‘other’ when it simply isn’t the case. It’s these discriminatory attitudes that enable people, governments and companies to continuously take advantage of them and violate their human rights. Hopefully my spreading the word and contributing, even in a very small way, will mean one or two people will change their perception about tribal peoples. Please visit their website.

Do you think there has been a change in the way people consume design in the recent years?

I think being able to make your own website and online shop quite easily and cheaply has really changed the way people consume design. I think people are now much more likely to buy from independent designers or businesses because it’s much more common and trustworthy – which is great! Although, I think things like Pinterest and Instagram mean that massive waves of design and style trends sweep internationally now. You often see the same things over and over again but this is a good incentive to stay yourself and different.

What are your plans for the upcoming months?

I’ve got a lovely series of light coloured pieces coming out on Bonjour Supermarket, curated by Johanna Tagada. I’m so delighted to have been able to contribute to this beautiful shop. We’ve also got some new collaborative ideas up our sleeves.

I will be going to LA for a couple of weeks at the end of the month for some work and a bit of lazing around! When I get back I’ll be exhibiting work as part London Design Festival (19th-24th September). My studio, Turning Earth, will be holding another incredible sale to coincide with the end of this on Sunday 25th September which I’ll be taking part in too. I hope you’ll join us!

After this, I’ll be working on special ranges for some shops and also organising some hand building workshops which are due to start in October in London and Leicestershire. I’ll be posting info and dates for these on my website and Instagram soon. Come along and try your hand at ceramics yourself!

August 9, 2016
Local Heroes – Studio Visits pt.2

Last week we talked about Local Heroes, an exhibition about Scottish design taking place at Edinburgh Airport during the Festival in August. We’ve been commissioned by Local Heroes to document the spaces and processes of all the designers involved. Here are the remaining 5 designers and the products they’ve designed exclusively for Local Heroes.

Local Heroes – 1st to 31st August at Edinburgh Airport
www.localheroes.design

Design studio Instrmnt, known for their minimalist products, have worked with RISOTTO studio to create bespoke risograph packaging for their Instrmnt 01-D watch.

Glasgow-based Trakked have designed two new backpacks for Local Heroes in bright blue waxed cotton fabric. The bags are 100% made at their workshop in the centre of the city and designed to be the perfect adventure companion.

Womenswear designer Rebecca Torres has created an exclusive swimsuit for Local Heroes with the idea of offering something unexpected that visitors to Scotland can take home and can be enjoyed by residents leaving Scotland for summer sun.

Gabriella Marcella from RISOTTO Studio is known for her colourful artwork. For Local Heroes, she has created a set of 3 beach towels featuring vibrant tropical motifs.

Design studio Warriors have designed a poster that champions Scottish inventions, discoveries, innovations and design.

July 29, 2016