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FORD vs FERRARI

 

Not just for Motor Rollers.

My friend Anup asked me for a film recommendation.
“Ford vs Ferrari,” I said.

So,
if you’re looking for a film recommendation,
you don’t have to.

That’s all folks.
Cue the music.

ps.
If you’re thinking
“Wait a sec, isn’t that film called something else?!”
You’d be right.
Depending on which country you’re in,
it’s also called Le Mans 66.

pps.
This post was not sponsored by The Walt Disney Company, nor Netflix.

 

Watch the Trailer

REFLECTIONS IN STORYLINES

 

“Have you noticed?”

The reflections in storylines.

There’s a point,
when your minds wide open,
to the world around you,
and patterns appear.

Especially when the things
you’ve been studying,
keep appearing.

As if they’re asking the question.

Ever since I started researching story structure – Joseph Campbell, Christopher Vogler, Dan Harmon etc etc – there’s a beautifully simple sense of joy when I notice elements of the structure play out in a film I’m watching, or a book I’m reading.

Knowing the structure of something,
recognising elements of detail,
allows you to appreciate a product
a little more.

Noticing the reflection
of the beginning,
in the ending,
brings a smile.

As if they’re asking the question.
“Have you noticed?”

 

‘Movement’ open toe bootie.

COUTURE – SS24 VALENTINO – A SELECTION

A selection from the recent SS24 Valentino Couture collection.
The shades of colour feel fresh, and mature.
Bold, and classic.
As much as I love zooming in to see the detail of the garment, or the heel of a shoe, it’s also interesting to pull back and see the collection at a distance.
To see how colours pop, or profiles flow.

Watch

INTERLUDES

This is my kind of collaboration.
Eclectic and Soulful.
My friend William Watson, and his friend Ebi Kagbala, are Death To Tennis, and they’ve been cultivating a series of interludes with musicians from New York City and Seoul.

Styled in Death To Tennis.
Rhythm their own.
Unique.

I’ve been listening to them for the last few days,
and this one is one of my faves.

Watch / Listen

 

TROPICAL CLOGS.

Inspiration is everywhere, weaving its way around the world. Floating in the ether.
For anyone and everyone to reach out and catch.

And it’s interesting to see where similar sources of inspiration eventually re-appears, and on what.

How inspirations can begin in a similar place and go on such different journeys.

Through the minds of different people, and appear on different materials, on different products, with different brands and in different markets.

For a recent project, I designed a tropical inspired print to brighten up the days of those who work in healthcare, and their patients.

A print that would embellish the Toffeln clog’s that nurses love so much.

After all, images of nature’s beauty can inspire health benefits, no matter how slight.

My trip to Hawaii in 2001 came to mind.
Tropical flowers felt right.

The clogs launched a few weeks ago.

While Oscar de la Renta’s gorgeous new dresses (atop) might not be suitable for the ward,
Toffeln’s tropical clogs certainly are.

They’re Clogs with a cause – check out their charitable side. 

And on the weekend, you could wear both! 

Comfort, elegance, and charity.

 

WOODTURNING BEAUTY.

A year ago I probably wouldn’t have imagined being so inspired by the art of woodturning.
And then I came across some artists creating vessels with a intriguing aesthetic.

Initially, the work of Greg Gallegos (above left) who’s based in Michigan,
and then more recently found Ash & Plumb (above right)
who are a bit closer to home in East Sussex.
Watch them craft

 

LOEWE SS24.

While watching the Loewe Women’s SS24,
this detail and craftsmanship,
the elegant choice of colour,
stunning.

The music was delicious too.
See the show

 

AND THEY’RE NOT THE ONLY ONES.

“First sentences are doors to worlds” wrote Ursula Le Guin.

They create a sense of intrigue, distinct to any other.
Otherwise why would you read on?

They prod at the door of curiosity.
Inspiring thought and provoking a sensation of what might come.

And while those first few words can inspire desire to read on,
the rest of the story needs to deliver.

There’s a parallel, I see, in designing product.
Integrating an essence that captures the imagination.

More than a USP.
More than a tie-up with celebrity.

It’s about creating a spark.
A spark that delights and delivers.
Something unique that tells a story.

From the thread of ideas to the sources of inspiration,
to the materials chosen and the place of their creation.

To the colours and textures,
and the patterns
of play.

To the prices we hold
and the values
they convey.

If your product had an opening line,
what would it be?
And where would the story go?

All shoes are stories.
And they’re not the only ones.

SUPERBLY REMARKABLE

Love this innovative fresh take on a fashion show.
KidSuper – Breathing Life Into The Inanimate – SS23. Check out his store here.

 

DON’T JUST WRITE WORDS. WRITE MUSIC.

“Don’t Just Write Words. Write Music.” said Gary Provost

Wisdom from other disciplines and genres can shine a different light.

A shift in perspective can open doors. And create movement.

In Provost’s 1oo Ways to Improve Your Writing, he talks about the rhythm of writing. About the effect of long and short sentences. How they feel. The balance between the two allows the reader to rest. Space. To breathe. And how, in the right moment, you can carry them on a curious journey with detail and texture that raises the temperature, speeds up the heart rate, driving blood through their veins with enough anticipation that they can taste passion on the buds of  their tongue. 

Before delivering the essence of the message, with a line that illustrates the importance of balance, and rhythm.

A pearl of wisdom with a wider relevance than the written word.

Don’t just design stuff.  Design Harmony.

Image originally found via Swissmiss