Inspiration from India
In my work as a stylist, I get very inspired by traveling. And one of my favourite places is India. I always get so surprised by the way Indians use colours. There are colours everywhere – and even the dirt is red. It’s fascinating and almost overwhelming, how even in the slums you will find doors painted shocking pink or bright blue and women, though very poor, are dressed beautifully intensely coloured saries – red, purple, green or yellow.
The contrasts that exist in India between the beautiful and the ugly, makes me see things from a different perspective.
What also fascinates me are all the small, independent shop keepers, you find on every street corner in every city, big or small. The shoe-makers are sitting, legs crossed, on the pavement working flat on the ground repairing everything from flip flops and sneakers to wedding shoes. It seems like they can fix every type of shoe. Next to the shoe-makers you have the watchmakers and the guys who grind knives. In India the old trades are still in business, whereas in Denmark, they are a dying breed.
I like the idea of going to a specialist to get a personal and qualified service you would only get from someone who is a specialist in their own field. I like it so much more than walking into a big warehouse where I’m just an anonymous customer.
Still, there is a rising trend of small, specialized shops popping up all around Denmark. I so wish, it’s more than a trend. Because, there is nothing more satisfying than visiting and buying something from a shop owner, who is dedicated and passionate about his or her products.
And that’s why, I simply love visiting the tailors and fabric shops in India, where every shop-keeper gives you their full attention and will present their products to you with pride and passion. The same sort of passion I love to experience from the exhibitors at the CPH Kids Fashion Fair.
It increases my creativity and makes me feel much more aware when doing my styles for photo shoots.
Finally a beautiful classic bicycle for kids!
I recently came across a beautiful bike for kids. Most kid’s bicycles look the same, in bright colours with some kind of logo-prints and plastic attachments. And rarely do they have an aesthetic appeal. But this bicycle from Velorbis is different. It has the characteristic fat tires, and the classic look you never get tired looking at. The Velorbis bicycle is black, elegant and has the same features you find on a classic “grandma” bicycle. A premium, quality bicycle for sure.
The bicycle is designed and manufactured by a strictly Danish company also called Velorbis. The guys running the company have a passion for excellence, and focus on design and high quality features. And one of the best things, seen from an aesthetic point of view, is that the bicycle has no stickers or plastic components.
The company already has a wide range of Velorbis bicycles for adults out, and this spring the Velorbis bicycle for kids will be in the shops. I’ve been enjoying the comfort of my Velorbis and had the great pleasure of lending the first kids bicycle for the photoshoot for Luna magasin. I just can wait to buy one for my daughter.
Check it out on www.velorbis.com
3 trends to watch
In my search for trends I found the website trendwatching.com. It offers 12 consumer trend guidelines for 2012 and I find some of the trends quite interesting.
One of the consumer trends is called ‘Dealer-Chic’, a continuing trend from last year thought to increase. ‘Dealer- Chic’ covers the trend of hunting good deals. The dealer-chic’s have no shame in chasing a good deal to a good price – rather it’s a thrill and a skill to be proud off. In US they have Groupon.com to help the dealer-chic’s find good deals. In Denmark, we have websites such as Downtown.dk, Groupon.dk and Sweetdeal.dk, all of which offer a variety of super good deals.
The second trend I find interesting is called ‘Eco-Cycology’. Basically, it’s a trend where companies are taking back used products and recycle them into something constructive. The growing eco-awareness among both consumers and brands and their willingness to find new ways to accomplish a cleaner and more eco-friendly way of living, is hopefully more than just a trend.
The third trend that really caught my attention is called ‘Flawsome’. And this trend suggests that 2012 consumers want their brands to be more humane, meaning that they must show their flaws. Consumers want their favourite brands to be honest about their flaws rather than hide them. Which makes good sense, since none of us consumers consider brands to be flawless, in the first place. A statement from consumers of 2012 could be: ”We want brands that are honest about their flaws, that show empathy, generosity, humility, flexibility, maturity, humour and, dare we say it, character and humanity.”
Read more at http://www.trendwatching.com
Trends installations at CPH kids – by guestblogger and stylist Quinee
The Good Life
I have been commissioned to build three trend stands for the CPH Kids Spring/Summer 2011 fair. Three stands that express the trends of the times and, as a necessity, relate to the economic and environmental crisis we are in the middle of. Though to me, trends right now are not about death, destruction and Judgment Day. To me, the trends of the times are about unspoiled hope, imagination, and striving for closeness, responsibility, happiness, freedom, and security.
This will characterize the three trend stands, which have been given the headlines:
Maritime
Clothes with meaning
Nostalgia
And common to all three stands is their focus on the story of ‘The Good Life’.
Maritime
The maritime is symbolized by the horizontal stripes. From the classic blue and white to many other color combinations. It reminds me of beautiful days by the sea, sun in your hair and lots of time for exploration and being together.
It is adventure and curiosity in full bloom, a fresh breeze and sun on your nose. Combined with worn jeans, it is rebellious and with polka dots charmingly wry.
Clothes with meaning
The times reflect an increasing need for inner peace, happiness, and authenticity. The good story must be told, and there is a demand for designs that take a stand and take responsibility.
This means a more complex designer role in order to meet the demand of a greener fashion world. Organic and sustainable design mingles with recycling and handicraft with a unique and often humanitarian production history. But the seriousness has to be softened with a twinkle in the eye.
Nostalgia
The crisis makes nostalgia flourish in dusty and gentle colors such as gray, rose, blue, green, brown. A time without the worries of the modern era and with room for imagination, closeness and innocent secrets as a counterpart to the technology that otherwise fills up our everyday life. Classic toys and literature are gaining ground again.
Flowers and soft colors are in vogue. Explore boxes and cases full of creative craftiness and give yourself free rein.
See more at CPH kids
Where I have done a few inspiring installations. Get good ideas for the shop windows or your next buy.
Sustainability – by guestblogger & stylist Quinee
The other day I found myself contemplating ‘sustainability’. I had been chatting with a friend about ecology, sustainability and a better future for Mother Earth. In my everyday life I’m fairly good at turning off the lights and not letting the water run when I brush my teeth and I do make an effort to buy ecological. I’m no fanatic, just conscious.
That night as I’m tidying my kids’ clothes, I come across a pair of new socks with a big hole in the heel. It’s there because my son often finds it tiresome to put on shoes, if he has taken them off but has to go and pick something from the garden or the schoolyard.
As I head for the kitchen to dump the socks in the bin, I remind myself to go to H&M to get another supply of socks, underwear and pants for my son. Long ago I decided not to buy expensive clothes for my son, because he’d ruin it or wear it out within a week or two. But as I’m thinking this I start to remember, how I as a child got my big sister’s hand-me-downs.
LECTURES ON EXPENSIVE CLOTHES
My mother would buy quality clothes like blouses from ‘Nørregaard paa Strøget’ and Oshkosh-overalls. I recall how my mother made nice patches or did fine needlework on our clothes whenever a hole appeared – something I don’t remember ever having done with my kids’ clothes. In stead I take the convenient short cut and throw it out. “It hasn’t cost much”, is my main excuse.
But, when I DO buy expensive clothes for my kids, it’s a different story all together. Firstly, I lecture my kids that clothes like this do not come cheap and that it’s possible to mind your clothes without taking the fun out of playing. Secondly, I make sure to check the “expensive” clothes for holes or loose threads before the damage is done. And I do so, because I find that the quality of more expensive clothes stays intact after several washes, whereas it only takes a few washes to make off-the-peg look old and worn.
QUALITY VS. CHEAP
So, as I stand there by the bin weighing the holey socks in my hand, I ponder; does it count for sustainability to buy clothes of such quality that you can hand it down to siblings or even the next generation? I mean, not only eco-clothes are sustainable. Seen in a broader perspective buying a quality T-shirt that will last longer than three cheap T-shirts is both good business and a clear evidence of sustainability.
That’s why I find it OK to teach children to take care of ones clothes as well as books, toys and electronic gear. I clearly remember how I wore my big sister’s hand-me-downs with pride. And, when my own kids were small they too wore hand-me-downs – without protests. But as they’ve become more conscious and accustomed to new “threads” I seriously doubt, they’ll appreciate second hand treasures.
This winter will be the BIG test. I’m making it my project to learn the fine art of needlework and mending holes in socks and trousers. And while I sit there pricking my fingers with the needle, I’ll remind myself, that in long run buying quality clothes is better for both my own economy and the environment. But winter is far away, it’s summer for now, and I have no desire to pull out needle and thread right now and be “sustainable”, and that’s why the holey socks end up in the bin – once again.
UNTIL NEXT TIME..
Remember to drop by the photo shoot at CPH kids where I’ll be styled the georgious models from 1kid.
WHY not? Post from stylist and guestblogger Quinee
Why not?
I’m the lucky “owner” of two children Uma-Luna aged 7 and Luka -Louie aged 11.
Especially Uma-Luna has since she was quite small, was very particular about what she dresses her little body in. This has led to considerable discussion between mother and daughter until the day I let go and put myself on side. Instead of ‘butting’ in, I took the time to time to look at her little rituals and the fruits of her efforts. And I must say I was equal parts happy, surprised and inspired.
When I compose a style for work it is done from a mixture of feelings and knowledge, whereas my daughter’s clothing rituals is done solely by heart. What a joy!
Without determining whether the color or style fit together, she turns everything upside down and creates her own unique style. Patterns, colors and materials are mixed at best Japanese Harajuku style – everything based on her personal enthusiasm. And why not let enthusiasm be the driving force?
It’s ok to stand out
In my adult life, it is nice sometimes to be reminded that the world does not fall apart, just because it is turned upside down. Furthermore I feel that my lack of involvement in her choice of clothing rubs off on more things than just clothing, she is gaining strength and belief in her own choice and will be confirmed in the fact that it is ok to stand out.
We now have calmer mornings where I only get involved if something is too hot or too cold, before I send her off to school knowing that she once again has inspired my work.
Hooray for kids !
Summer vibes from Quinee
About Quinee:
Quinee Balsov is a kids’ stylist and has styled kids for many years. She has worked for a wide range of Danish kids’ magazines and is a regular stylist for CPH kids.
Prices excl VAT of 25% are: 2.500 DKK sign up fee, 1.300 DKK per m2, 50 DKK/m2 marketing fee
Prices include basic lighting (3 spots/9m2), parkingcard for duration of the fair and set-up/dismantling, tickets for buyers, staff access, possibility for exposure in our wide marketing approach.
