2012 has proven a fantastic year for creative talent everywhere, and we know 2013 is going to be even better. Before we embark on 2013 however, we at FUSSED take a look back at some of our favourite designers, illustrators, artists, film-makers, and photographers from this year.
Fashion Design: LEVER COUTURE
FUSSED featured this innovative brand back in July. The woman behind the brand is Ukrainian born designer Lesya Verlingieri. Her beautiful cuts, gorgeous styling and blend of luxury and sensuality mark her out as one exciting designer to look out for next year.
Website: Facebook.com/LEVER-COUTURE
You can read FUSSED’s blog post on LEVER COUTURE here.
Euler’s images above were created by a fascinating process called wet-plate collodion. It was a nineteenth century photographic technique invented by Frederic Scott Archer which requires the photographic material be coated, sensitised, exposed and developed in just fifteen minutes. This short space of time means that the photographer needs a portable darkroom in order for the technique to be successful. Euler’s use of this century-old technique proves both fascinating and historically deceptive.
Website: Janericeuler.com
You can read FUSSED’s blog post on Jan Eric Euler here.
Illustration: Abby Diamond
Abby Diamond’s creature illustrations proved a hit among FUSSED bloggers and readers alike. Her stunning use of colour and extraordinary detailing lift the animals off the page, instilling them with a sense of vitality and energy.
Find more of her work on: Society6.com
You can read FUSSED’s blog post on Abby Diamond here.
Art: Helen Musselwhite
Helen was featured in one of Industry Expert posts in which we asked her all about her work and industry. Having worked for the likes of Nokia, Cadbury’s and Stella McCartney, Helen’s beautiful paper sculptures are a commercial success. Not only this, the strong craftsmanship and exceptional detailing of these sculptures make for artworks visually and conceptually stunning.
Website: Helenmusselwhite.co.uk
You can read FUSSED’s interview with Helen here.
Film: Ashley Ray Pearsall
New Yorker Ashley Ray Pearsall’s beautiful film short Embrace captures the expressive performance of professional dancer Megan E. Martinez. Two works of art in one, we loved the interplay of reality and motion graphics in the short: a 2D experimental masterpiece.
See more of Pearsall’s work at: Vimeo.com
You can read FUSSED’s blog post on Ashley Ray Pearsall here.
Merry Christmas from everyone on the FUSSED team!
Art Music Photography
Natalie Smith
Jess Wong
Few objects signify Christmas as obviously as the decorated evergreen. Even though its primary association is now with the anniversary of Christ’s birth, for centuries societies both pagan and religious have taken this kind of tree to represent eternal life. But regardless of the sanctity of its origin, no cultural symbol can resist the revisionist and critical forces of art.
The top image, by Art Music Photography, depicts an eerie and indistinct version of the evergreen. Notably, the overwhelming gloom effaces the greenness whose permanence associates the evergreen with eternity, and the only visual clue that this is a tree at all is its conic shape and its lights. With these distortions and omissions, how different does this tree really look to the late capitalist skyscraper surging into the darkness of a winter sky? In this image we note the presence of an increasingly commodified season at the expense of associations with timelessness and perpetuity. The garish lights, no longer identifying this picture as transcendental, are like the blurred final visions of life. Contrary to the so-called Christmas spirit, it elaborates a dark eschatological vision.
Legitimate as it is, this use of the Christmas tree is rare. More often, artists play with the fun, fantasy, and family associated with the winter solstice, and these qualities are visible in the other images I have chosen.
Websites:
Society6.com/artmusicphotography
Society6.com/scarlettveith
Facebook.com/jesswongdraws
In a recent blog, we introduced Mark Goldenberg, a graduate from The Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, whose work oozes the engineering aesthetic influenced by the college. His work inspired me to look further into other students work from the college, and upon this, I discovered the work of jewellery designer Mulika Nir. Her work boasts the same structural and architectural influences, creating stunning pieces that are delicately engineered, but also bold and contemporary.
Mulika's final project at the college was entitled 'Precious Little', which suggests a sense of the 'one-off' piece, something to be treasured by the wearer. This is clearly an important philosophy within Mulika's work. “The source of my inspiration came from observing characteristics and elements in the circus world, and which integrated with my childhood memories throughout the process.” This inspiration is reflected in the playful nature of the pieces and the bold colour palette, whilst still being beautifully crafted. The childlike element is also portrayed from within the design process - “In developing this collection I aimed to create fresh and unique items while using simple materials such as paper, tape, paint and brass” - much like the materials a young child would enjoy using.
Mulika is also interested in the way jewellery and the wearer interact and how jewellery can move and change as we move in everyday life. These questions arise from Mulika's deeper consideration of her designs that is not just visual, and this must partly have been encouraged by her studies at Shenkar. The college is helping to nurture some fantastic designers and it is great to see fresh, innovative techniques within design that go deeper than simply what is aesthetically pleasing. We will be keeping an eye out for this year’s graduating class for sure.
Website: Mulikas.com
Images: Artsthread.com
Max was one of our first features on the FUSSED blog. His film-making prowess in his short film, ‘The Chair’ shone through when he reached a finalist position in The New Forest Film festival. Since then, Max has been working on a new short film: Thyme.
‘Thyme is about Shaun whose grey, bland job dominates his time and overshadows his friends, family and his main passion, cooking. Shaun is forced to reconsider how he spends his time after discovering a mysterious Kitchen Emporium full of unusual ingredients.’
Below, you can watch an exclusive trailer of the film which is set to be on the festival circuit in the new year.
The search for an unusual gift can sometimes be a hard one, with the high streets seemingly offering the same products to us desperate last minute shoppers every year. Many are turning to hunting down gifts online where there is a whole new world of offerings. In celebration of this and all things festive, FUSSED has hand-picked the Top 5 gifts you should be buying this Christmas for anyone who favours something a little bit unique.
Reid Peppard:
FUSSED covered designer Reid Peppard and her intriguing taxidermy work this year, and if you loved the piece, you can buy her beautiful, unusual designs online at Rpencore.com where she has a whole range of taxidermy jewellery pieces from canary skull casted necklaces to crow tongue bracelets.
Amy Lawrence:
Still on the jewellery front but if you are one for something still beautifully crafted but a little less edgy, Amy Lawrence designs creates stunning knitted jewellery that is contemporary but still with a handmade feel. It is also very reasonably priced and available at Etsy.com.
Lazy Oaf:
Described as notoriously colourful, cartoon-focussed and always with an element of weirdness, brand Lazy Oaf is a London based company with a great website that you can browse for hours. There are so many great gift products but one of FUSSED's picks was this 'Arty Animal' t-shirt, sure to be a hit with all art-lovers and indeed all FUSSED followers. Check out the t-shirt and everything else on offer at Lazyoaf.co.uk.
Maria Holmer:
After a wonderful year for London and indeed Britain, why not celebrate with one of Maria Holmer Dahlgren's quirky designs. Her aprons highlight some of London's biggest landmarks in a beautifully quirky and illustrative way and are perfect for those who plan to be in the kitchen this Christmas. Her designs are available on Scandiliving.com
John Burgerman:
Lastly, for something that can provide hours of fun for anyone and the opportunity to get back to basics and away from the computer or TV screen this Christmas, designer John Burgerman gives us 'Burger Mash' colour-in wallpaper. You can make any room truly unique and have a good time doing it. This and his many other products through brand Burgerplex are available at Burgerplex.com.
It's getting quite last minute now so get shopping for something that will get people talking over their Christmas dinners this year.
Every year, fashion graduates spill out into the industry from universities all over the country, all competing for their dream jobs and hoping that all the tireless hard work was worth it. Some who graduated last year may already have found that perfect job, others may be on their way to it but FUSSED is always looking for new, emerging talent and so have picked five designers who are definitely one to look out for as we head into 2013.
Shubham Jain:
With so much competition in the industry, it is so important for designers to make their own innovative mark on design and bring something that is new and refreshing. Shubham Jain from the Royal College of Art showcased her graduating collection this summer that took traditional garment details and super sized them, giving us stunning prints enhanced by tubing frogging and fastenings.
Website: RCA.ac.uk
Jacob Birge:
Jacob Birge, from Edinburgh School of Art, proves himself not just a fashion designer but a craftsman with a clear vision of what his design style is. His collection 'Symmetric Strategy' features garments constructed like armour, accessorised with huge statement head pieces that can not fail to be noticed.
Website: Jacobbirge.com
Ria Thomas:
It is wonderful to see a knitwear designer who clearly considers the origins of knitwear and the traditional methods of which it is all based upon. Ria Thomas' pieces are stunningly detailed and technically complex and do not need any enhancing through accessories or statement pieces, they speak entirely for themselves.
Kayleigh Elizabeth Horn:
Kayleigh Elizabeth Horn from Winchester School of Art has an amazing attention to detail and combinations of fabrics that are sublime. Her sport – chic style collection has many influences, even a subtle aviation theme running through it, and her muted colour palette allows the fabrics to be fully appreciated.
Website: Kayleighhorn.tumblr.com
Chloe Jones:
Lastly, Chloe Jones from Bath Spa University has already given herself the best start in the industry, picking up two of the three most prestigious awards at Graduate Fashion Week this year. Her moody, atmospheric
collection creates air of mystery as it makes it's way down the catwalk and her unusually loose silhouettes for womenswear establish her as brave in terms of her design choices which is, of course, one of the most important attributes to have in the industry.
Website: Chloevictoriajones.com
Keep an eye out for all five, they are sure to be names you will see around in years to come!
The designs above are a collection of pieces from the AW 12/13 collection of Mexico-born designer. Andrès Caballero. Currently residing in Milan, Italy, it is clear Andrès has been influenced by the sharp, sleek, sophisticated nuances of the fashion capital. A colour palette of burnt oranges, brandies, greys, and blacks make this the perfect wardrobe for those autumnal and wintery months. In addition, the materials used including tweed, cuoio leather, and cashmere among others mean this isn’t just a collection that looks great, but also feels great; not to mention warm!
The collection is part of Andrès’s wider brand San Andres Milano, set up in 2006 with his Italian production business partner. You can find out more about the brand here: Sanandresmilano.com
All images from: Notjustalabel.com
The work above is of Melbourne artist Matthew Dunn. His grainy comic book aesthetic makes for art work which is both commercial and edgy. His works are undoubtedly sinister, the picture of the school girl with an axe behind her back being one of the prime examples. Blood almost seems to spurt from the page as the girl’s black eyes look on with little conscience for the no doubt gruesome murder she has just committed. Indeed, in the latter two images at least, Matthew takes our stereotypical visions of innocence and cuteness, and turns them on their head to reveal a dark inner psyche. His comic book-style artworks appear to tap into that Christopher Nolan new version of graphic art novels. No longer about tongue-and-cheek whams, bams, whooshes and pows, comic book art is taking on a whole new aesthetic where gore, violence and the sinister take pride of place.
Check out more of Matthew Dunn’s work on his website: Matthewdunnart.com
Name: Nathaniel Shields
Age: 21
Occupation: Photographer
Inspiration: Philippe Halsman, Doug Aitken, Akos Major, Josef Koudelka
If you follow us on Facebook, you might recognise Nathaniel’s name and work from our recent ‘Silence’ competition. Nathaniel, along with other entrant Xana Murell, won the competition in which we challenged artists, photographers, illustrators, and designers alike to create a work which would encapsulate ‘Silence’. Something normally signified by sound, we were intrigued to see just how entrants would convey silence in a visual format…
How would you say your winning entry for our Facebook competition encapsulated the theme 'Silence'?
I have always imagined that the smoke looks like a person’s noiseless cogitation. When you find yourself in a silent situation the brain tends to fill itself inanely with thoughts and inner monologue as if to drown out the silence.
Much of your work includes some kind of X-ray aesthetic. Why is this?
The aesthetic came from the multiple-exposure technique; where, multiple photographs are essentially overlaid to create one image. By over-exposing parts of the photographs, I was able to achieve a selectively layered effect that often resembled x-rays. I was particularly interested in how the combining of often juxtaposing images created a stronger narrative in the final photo.
What is the thing you most enjoy about photography?
How easy it is to experiment with. It’s not like a painting, where hours are invested in a single image that may turn out to be rubbish. I can take hundreds of photographs, adapting and fine-tuning as I go.
Describe your style in three words.
Ephemeral, minimal and explorative.
What is your method of working? How do you get from concept to finished product?
I don't really have a concise method. Projects usually start as an idle curiosity that I’ll experiment with and expand on. I very rarely start with a fully formed idea or concept that I wish to convey. The multiple
exposure project for example started just as an experimentation of the technique itself, and developed with no foreseeable goal as I pushed the technique as far as I could.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
I hope I end up in some sort of creative career. Possibly, an architect but really I’d be very happy with any sort of creative lifestyle.
It is clear to see that Nathaniel has creativity in bucketloads. His photography demonstrates not only a wealth of originality, but also a drive to challenge himself and experiment.
See more of Nathaniel’s work at: Flickr.com
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