Filed under: Camapign, chanel, Karl Lagerfield, Uncategorized | Tags: black and white photos, Chanel, Chanel Spring 2012, French Riviera, gymnastics poses, Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, Joan Smalls, Karl Lagerfield, Saskia de Braum, Spring 2012 Campaign
After a brief hiatus, I find inspiration and a reason to remind myself why I love the design world so much. This time my inspiration is the Chanel Spring 2012 campaign, photographed by Chanel’s Creative Director, the “one and only” Karl Lagerfield, himself. The images, featuring models Joan Smalls and Saskia de Braum were shot on the beach of Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, in the French Riviera.
The photos, captured in black and white, embody an effortless take on high luxury, with the gymnastics poses taken in Chanel Spring Collection. What maked these black and white images so beautiful is how they highlight every detail, line, and shadow; while capturing the movement of the scene. Smalls and de Braums high bone structure and body angles amplify the clothing. The perfection in these black and white photos is the portrayal of the contrast and balance of shadows. The shadows bring the objects in motion to life, from the waves in the ocean to the pleats in the clothes and the clouds moving in the sky, there is not a single details that is unnoticed.
These shots are mesmerizing. They remind us that beauty does not always have to be in vibrant amplified Photoshop colors, but can also be as simple as black and white. What a stunning campaign. This campaign and Karl Lagerfeld’s creative genius reminds us that no matter what our opinion of Karl is, his creative vision is undeniable.
Filed under: red carpet, runway, Uncategorized | Tags: Adrien Brody, autumn winter, Autumn/Winter Menswear 2012, gary oldman, Golden Globes, golden globes red carpet, hollywood royalty, menswear collection, Milan, Prada, The Red Carpet, willem dafoe
The Award Season 2012 has officially begun, with last nights Golden Globes, and it was anything but exciting. While Los Angeles was hosting this years stars on the Golden Globes red carpet, yesterday, the real carpet to be seen at was in Milan. Prada’s Autumn/Winter 2012 Menswear Collection Show, fittingly dubbed, “Prada Presents: Il Palazzo. A Palace of Role Play,” showed those designer of the Golden Globes, exactly how the walk on the red carpet event should be designed.
The "Not so Thrilling" Red Carpet
The "awe-inspiring" take on a red capet.
The show was all about the theatrics. The runway was turned into a huge court, a massive 20- by 35-meter carpet in red, white, and black printed pattern, which was strutted on by hollywood royalty, with actors, such as Adrien Brody, Tim Roth, Jamie Bell Gary Oldman, and Willem Dafoe. This Red Carpet was so much more inspiring than the boring Red Carpet of the Golden Globes. Don’t get me wrong, I can certainly appreciate a classic red carpet. But, sometimes design can stand for a change and a time for a revamp. Prada offered awe inspiration and even a whole new approach on how to represent the elite at red carpet events. Forget the Golden Globes, the Red Carpet at the Prada show was the carpet to be seen on.
Filed under: holiday window, New York City, Uncategorized, window displays | Tags: antique collection, Bergdorf Goodman, Carnival of Animals, color coordinating, David Hoey, holiday windows, time periods
Number One (#1), The Best of the Best………….Carnival of the Animals
Bergdorf Goodman
Topping the list of the best of design of the New Year is Bergdorf Goodman’s holiday windows, The Carnival of the Animals. Bergdoorf Goodman’s turned 5th Avenue, at 58th Street, into an animal escapade. While animals have consistently been a trend this holiday season, Bergdorf took it to a whole other level all together, with their artistic production and proved once again why their holiday windows have become a holiday icon. It took talented window artist, David Hoey, and his entire team nearly two years to create the holiday windows of 2011. The collecting of the antiques, building, and production of these windows were all a result of a team of visually genius artists who, were dedicated to making us all be swept away off of our feet into a land of wanderlust.
Her Suitors were all animals
Oh, to be glamorous!
The exhibit turned Bergdorf’s into an outdoor museum of art. Every single possible detail was covered, from the hand painted backdrops to the swarovski filled corners, there were no missed opportunities to design. In fact, a closer look into these windows, and little messages will appear. Such as painted notes written in latin, that the window was in deed the result of the work of artists. The display took on different time periods, voyages, and styles. Whether it was an ice-cold wintry setting or a tropical paradise, the variety of scenes proved to us all that no matter our setting, beauty is all around us.
- The lady who loved birds, costume, and theatre.
An Atlantis Paradise
The art of color coordinating was truly reflected within this exhibit. The effort in creating a monochromatic antique collection worked magnificently. But, also the pairing of colors, like the tall model and the giraffe all designed in green and white was a delight. While looking at the black and white zebra display, I actually had to question whether or not I was color blind. Only a design team this passionate about their craft could have even conceptualized creating such an exhibit.
Everything is in black and white.
The tall model and giraffe
The outstanding collection of antiques.
A night at the ballet, so magnafique!
This bride & groom took full advantage of these windows
Even the city that doesn’t sleep, New York City, came to a halt, to take a look at the windows. Proving the influence that the art of fashion has on all events, a wedding party took full advantage of getting married during the holiday season and utilized the windows as the background for their wedding photos. As a designer, a holiday without Bergdorf Goodman’s holiday windows, would be like a Christmas without Santa, for a child. Clearly, Bergdorf Goodman proves why time and time again, their holiday windows are the best.
Filed under: Harrods, Jenny Packman, Swarovski | Tags: harrods, holiday, holiday windows, swarovski, U.K.
Number Two (#2)…….A Swarovksi Christmas
A crystal forest
Harrods U.K was one of the top windows of the holiday. Making its appearance as second best on our count down for the holiday window design of 2011, Harrods department store became a crystal forest and took its window shoppers to a fantasy of decadence and fairytale. In this all white forest the crystal trees were human and a various stories of emotional tales were created. No matter the emotion, it’s visually expressed best in a world that is bejeweled.
Trapped inside of a crystal gilded birdcage
"If only I could fly away"
A spectacular holiday scene, "Marie Antoinette" style
A melancholy scene of mixed emotions
Sweet Embrace at winters eve
Behind the veil, "to have it all and still be lonely"
The dancer that got away
Filed under: chanel, holiday window, holiday windows, Paris, Uncategorized | Tags: Chanel, holiday windows, Karl Lagerfield, Paris, Printemps
Numéro Trois (#3)…….Karl in the City
Printemps Paris: Chanel Christmas Windows
Karl Lagerfield and Vanessa Paradis at the revealing of the Chanel holiday windows at Printemps Paris
Over the past couple of years Printemps Paris has cordially invited an influential designer to decorate their holiday windows. For the decoration of the 2011 holiday windows, the house of Chanel was the designer of Printemps choice for this honor. In designing their holiday windows, Chanel celebrated their icon, Karl Lagerfield and created a sophisticated tribute of his influence throughout the world.
Karl in Beverly Hills
All eleven of the windows exhibited at Printemps reflected the global status of Chanel. Each window featured a major city, such as Los Angeles, Tokyo, Berlin, and Paris. All of the landmarks and elements specific to that city were designed in relation to with the Chanel symbols (the little Karl Lagerfield’s or the brand’s trademark double C).
Karl in Tokyo
One spectacular highlight of these windows, was how they were all in motion. In the Beverly Hills scenes, the airplanes model engine was spinning. In the Berlin Ballet, the ballerina’s were dancing. And, of course in Paris, the miniature Karl’s were all taking photos around the Eiffel Tower. Just as in fashion, the windows were non-stop movement.
Karl in Russia
“Personality begins where comparison ends.” Karl Lagerfield
Karl in Paris
Filed under: holiday, holiday windows, New York City, window displays | Tags: 5th Avenue, circus, elephants, holiday windows, Louis Vuitton, louis vuitton luggage, monkeys, New York City
Numéro Quatre(#4)…….Le Cirque
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton’s flagship store on 5th Avenue, had an entirely different spin on their holiday windows with their circus theme exhibit. The trend in 2011′s holiday window design was to incorporate animals. Louis Vuitton has always been a trendsetter with animals (see Scenes by Jp post, Inspiring Design) and out of the box creativity in luxury design exhibits. But, instead of following what all of the other fashion houses did this year with having animals tell a holiday tale, they took an entirely different approach. Better yet, their windows became a show stopper.
Walking the high line of design
The circus theme was a perfect way to present the wide variety of Louis Vuitton’s products. The acrobats showcased the chic clothing and elegant shoes. The display was captivating and only made you want to get a closer look. But, what was so beautiful about this display was the consistency of orange & cream colors throughout and how perfectly they worked to as a backdrop to the star of the show, the Louis Vuitton dressed circus performers.
All trapeze artists should be dressed in VuittonIt's a Balancing Act
The accessories were props of the show. The products were subtly incorporated into the exhibit, as a part of the whole circus act. Whether it was fabulous luggage or Über chic sunglasses the products were complimented within this display.
No monkeying around, this is serious fashion!
An unconventional holiday window stands out from the crowd. By being fun and exciting, there was no need for any reminder that we are celebrating the holidays. Looking at these windows, what could be celebrated is originality.
Filed under: holiday windows, Uncategorized | Tags: 5th Avenue, carousel, holiday windows, jewelry, pony, Tiffany & Co., Tiffany's, white christmas
For the last 5 days of the 2011, Scenes by JP is bringing you design inspiration to bring in 2012!
- The official holiday ornament of 5th Avenue.
Finding design inspiration is always a favorite way in welcoming the New Year. Holiday Window Spectating in New York City is not just for holiday shoppers, it has become a sport. Imagine fighting through thousands of shoppers and window gazers for a glimpse of the best holiday windows. Of course, the streets do slow down early in the morning or late at night. But, to embrace the experience of the holidays there was no better time to get a look than during the rush of it all. For the next five days we will countdown the most spectacular windows of the holiday:
Beginning with……. numero Cinco (#5):
Tiffany & Co.
What little girl hasn’t dreamed about having breakfast at Tiffany’s, pretty ponies, or riding a carousel. Tiffany & Co. gave us what we all want a beautiful fantasy. No matter whether you want to ride on the pony or not, there is no denying that Tiffany’s holiday windows were a show stopper. The jewels came alive as they were impersonated in this dazzling window exhibit. How lovely!!!
The jewels have all the fun.
What was so fabulous about Tiffany’s holiday windows are how the jewels truly became the main characters. The beauty of the object of perfection told a story as Tiffany’s flagship store became a carousel in the snow. Everything sparkled and glowed. What was most appreciated was how the size of the props within the exhibits were all within ratio to the stones. There is truth that sometimes the best things come in smaller packages, and the window designers at Tiffany’s was mindful of that.
A "white" christmas, with sparkling streets
The stories were plenty. The smaller dimension of the props were used well in creating a story. The story to be told was how the jewels would enjoy the holidays in New York City. The entire window exhibit was a glow and made you desire a “white” christmas.
It's a merry-go-round
Additionally, what was so wonderful about the Tiffany’s window design was how there was not one waste of space. Even the exterior of the windows were part of the story. There was no denying that Tiffany’s holiday window made a fantasy come to life.
