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BENEATH THE SURFACE: FLORA, FANTASY & FABLE IN SURFACE DESIGN

PORTLAND, OR — NEMO and Pattern People present BENEATH THE SURFACE: Flora, Fantasy, and Fable in Surface Design, May 1st through May 31st.

Opening Reception, Friday, May 1st, 6pm to 10pm, with Music provided by Spencer Product.

BENEATH THE SURFACE is curated by surface design studio, Pattern People, and highlights the work of influential, contemporary surface designers through the mediums of wallpaper, prints, and 3-dimensional objects. The work presented demonstrates how patterns can give dimension to an otherwise flat surface and create a world that pulls in the viewer. Focusing on escapist and fantastical themes, the exhibit features utopian landscapes, folkloric fables, and interpretations of magical inner journeys.

The exhibit includes designers from the U.S, Japan, Finland, Germany, Sweden, and the U.K:

Anna Giertz, Chelsea Heffner, Dan Funderburgh, Deanne Cheuk, Eno Henze, George Moskal, Joanna Bean, Jo Hamilton, Katrin Wiens, Kinpro, Kustaa Saksi, Laundry Studio, Linn Olofsdotter, Marc Curtis, Michael Leon, Mike Perry, Nama Rococo, Osmose, Pattern People and Timorous Beasties

For show details please click here.

About Pattern People:
Claudia Brown and Jessie Whipple Vickery are Pattern People, a surface design studio based in Portland, Oregon. Pattern People creates prints for fashion, products, and interiors. Their designs and illustrations have been featured in “Devils in the Detail” by Page One Publishing, “Patterns” by Drusilla Cole and “Simply Pattern” by Viction:ary. Pattern People Web Site
Contact Pattern People

Laura and Kate Mulleavy, the sister duo behind three-year-old high fashion label Rodarte are not your typical designers. Most noticeably, they don’t drape themselves in fancy designer goods (some of their dresses can cost upwards of $20,000.00). They instead stick with the basics, preferring gray Hanes t-shirts paired with jeans and sneakers. And, an existence in suburban California is preferred in lieu of the fashion mecca of New York City.

Their foray into the esteemed fashion world wasn’t done in the standard way, either. They didn’t secure initial backing for their label from a financier or a fashion conglomerate. Instead, Kate sold off her entire collection of rare records while Laura waitressed until recently. Both still live at home with their parents in Pasadena, California and remain humble despite establishing a critically acclaimed label in three years’ time.

Part of Mulleavys’ success can be attributed to an unwavering work ethic coupled with a wild imagination. The draw inspiration in unlikely places ranging from electronics stores to motorcycle rallies. Perhaps the most amazing part of their story is that neither went to school for fashion design (instead settling on degrees in art history and english). Their design skills are completely self-taught.

Currently, the Rodarte clothing line is sold in 42 stores worldwide and the Mulleavy sisters are regarded around the world as a fashion fairy-tale story. But, behind the scenes, they work relentlessly to innovate and push the envelope with layering and colors.

Some fashion critics bag Rodarte as being too art and concept driven instead of producing wearable clothing. I disagree. Their unwavering vision and dedication to design and innovation makes them stand tall among their peers. The concept of clothing as art should be embraced in this brave new world.

The current Rodarte collection can be viewed on Style.com.

Futuristic fashions ruled the Fall 2008 runways and if these offerings are any indication, it’s time to trade in your gas guzzling car for a lightweight spaceship.

Using the Beijing Olympics as a showcase, the big names in the sneaker world including Nike, Adidas, Puma, Asics and Reebok have developed dozens of new designs to debut with the hopes of hooking the rapidly expanding Chinese middle class (along with legions of ’sneaker freaks’ worldwide) on their offerings.

Strategy-wise, these leading brands are focusing on creating shoes for sports that are popular in Asia like badminton, rowing, fencing and a style of martial arts known as washu. Extra style points are being dished out to Nike’s new equestrian boot that’s bound to leap from the world of horseback riding and onto the street:

Nike’s new basketball shoe (above) is crafted in the trademark Chinese red and yellow and uses a system called flywire to replace thick materials while creating a sort of bridge suspension to hold the foot in place.

The technology in these newly developed offerings are truly groundbreaking and though the stylings are a bit futuristic at first glance, they’re sure to resonate with a wide variety of Olymics sports fans.

Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay aka Justice the French ‘band,’ if you can call two electronic DJ/Musicians a band, have hooked up with Surface to Air to create a clothing line. Justice are now the biggest band on Ed Banger Records and it appears that they are extending the brand…now you too can dress like a French DJ.

Surface to Air was born out of a beat up old loft in Union Square, NY in 1996. Its initial members began to work together as artists, and the space quickly transformed itself into a cultural breeding ground for other new and emerging artists to come and create and exhibit their work in an environment that supported them. This was the birthplace for a new underground movement. With the recognition of the talent that was being displayed by the various members, the interest of the public was piqued, and various characters began coming to the space as a place to witness the new avant-garde in its formation. From Harmony Korine to Donald Baechler to Alfredo Martinez, you never knew who was going to stop by and what would happen when they did. [From their website.]

Daft Punk – Human After All [Justice Remix] [MP3]

One to bookmark. Modern English coming soon.