Category: Studio

  • Antonio ‘Tj’ Guzzardi by Tatanja Ross

    Antonio ‘Tj’ Guzzardi by Tatanja Ross

    As big fans of exquisite hand-lettering and vintage-inspired typography, we were instantly smitten with the photos of the Melbourne-based studio of traditional sign painter Antonio ‘Tj’ Guzzardi.

    The images were taken by Tatanja Ross for her Tête-à-tête series, which she started as part of a publication project at university and since then it took on a life of its own. The general idea of the book was to create a catalogue of creative spaces around Melbourne and give an insight into the lives of their owners through the aesthetics of their spaces.

    The name Tête-à-tête came from the idea that Tatanja was visually creating a private conversation between these people and the space they surrounded themselves by, as well as a small conversation with her as she got to meet them and photograph their areas. She visited homes and studios, with a range of participants from students to freelance artists and small working studios.

    Don’t forget to check Tj’s blog and Instagram to see some more of his amazing work and keep up to date with his projects.

  • Studio: Mr. Simon

    Studio: Mr. Simon

    Recently we were introduced to the work of Valencia-based independent graphic and product design studio Mr. Simon.  In the words of its founders “the purpose of Mr. Simon is to develop projects based on a solid concept, considering that aesthetics are also important“. With a simple and synthetic approach, Mr. Simon uses experimentation as a tool to explore innovative communication methods.

    We like their use of materials and finding new, original ways of approaching traditional products. Below are some of our favourite projects from the studio.

    Dos Pavos, the studio’s take on the traditional piggy bank, is made of a cylindrical solid base of wood, that acts as coin stopper, and a ceramic piece that rises in height as the piggybank is filled in with money.

    Today Calendar (Hoy) purpose is not to measure time as a standard wall calendar but to bring our attention to the present and picture frame Tallo combines a solid block of wood with elastic bands, allowing you to hold photos in an interesting way.

    www.mrsimon.es

  • Bookshelf: Garoa

    Bookshelf: Garoa

    Garoa is a bookstore founded in Zarautz, in the Basque Country, northern Spain. It doesn’t only focus on selling books but offers alternative activities like concerts and art exhibitions to bring more traffic through the door and get more people interested in ‘analog’ reading.

    Garoa is a really creative business and the team running the store is truly multidisciplinary – in the basement of the bookstore you’ll also find a web consultancy specialising in online strategy.

    Thanks to film photographer, Mikel Citores Rodriguez,  who sent us the shots of the space and its founders.

    www.egaroa.com

  • Studio & Shop Visit: Common People

    Studio & Shop Visit: Common People

    A couple of weeks ago, Barclaycard Freedom Rewards contacted us to invite us shopping at one of the local businesses in our city. We chose Common People, a Scottish menswear label which just opened its first flagship store in Edinburgh last August.

    Common People was founded 3 years ago by Kestin Hare, former Head of Design of English label Nigel Cabourn. After working in the industry for 10 years, Kestin decided to move back to his hometown, Edinburgh, to start his own brand.

    Common People focuses on quality, craftsmanship and local sourcing while creating affordable products as the same time. With a small team of three designers and a brand manager and designer, Common People has already made a name for itself in the Japanese and South Korean markets, and is now planning an expansion in the UK.

    The label’s customers are people with appreciation for premium quality and an interest in local sourcing and production, who show a support for British brands. These values are reflected in each of Common People’s designs – with pieces completely made in England and Scotland – and also with the label’s collaborations with other British brands.

    If you’re in Edinburgh, don’t miss Common People store on 46 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge. During our visit and after a few minutes checking all the amazing pieces on the racks, we decided to take home with us a pair of petrol blue brogues similar to the ones on the photos below!

    www.commonpeopleclothing.co.uk

  • Studio Visit: Emily Millichip

    Studio Visit: Emily Millichip

    For a while now, we’ve been wanting to visit Emily Millichip’s studio. We met this Edinburgh based designer at the Stitch Lounge and really liked her aesthetics and the bright fabrics she uses in her designs.

    Emily’s studio is based at the Art’s Complex, which used to be a colossal office space now converted into studios for local artists, designers and start ups.

    We spoke to Emily to find out what inspired her to become a fashion designer and know more about her favourite places in Edinburgh. Read the interview after the photos.

    When did you first start designing? Also, who or what inspired you to become a designer?

    I started designing in my early twenties, mainly through an extreme hatred for all of the clothes that were in the shops. Things have improved in the UK but for a while there seemed to be a misconception that the country was populated by 16 year old supermodels. I was really into the style of the 1950s and was ordering clothes from California. Eventually I thought that it would be cheaper and easier to learn to make the clothes myself. It was also probably the result of getting a ‘proper’ degree and doing a string of horrible jobs in admin. I decided I needed more colour in my life and waved goodbye to being able to pay my rent on time.

    What do you draw inspiration from?

    I am inspired by high trash, interesting people, crazy grannies, reading, adventure, music and cheap red wine. When I have time I look at personal style blogs as I find them much more relevant than fashion magazines which bore me to death. I also like to go on solo camping trips and get drunk on rum and concoct new plans around the campfire.

    When you’re designing, what woman do you have in mind?

    I am always designing for myself. I tend to imagine an amazing scenario I want to be in and then go about making the outfit I would need for such a scenario. This involves a lot of imaginary trailer parks and trips to Mars. Frequently it involves ridiculous Hawaiian prints, silver sequins and pink wigs. In reality though I have mostly made some great outfits to go and buy milk from the shop.

    Tell us about your favourite places in Edinburgh.

    My favourite places in Edinburgh are all of the beautiful old graveyards, Portobello Beach, little old man pubs and anywhere in Leith. Leith is amazing. Why would you want all of the dignified grandeur of the New Town when you could have the chaos of Leith?

    www.emilymillichip.com