Tag Archives: art

 
December 4, 2016

Roman Polanski film posters

Bitter Moon - France

Bitter Moon – France

Polish born film maker Roman Polanski has been one of my very favourite directors ever since seeing “The Tenant” at the age of 14. That movie profoundly shaped my world view and its’ emotional impact was undeniable.  As with most of Polanski’s films, it is the pure emotion of them that really stays with you long after the film is over. That is  all one can really ask of an artist.

A few years ago, I was in Krakow, Poland and stumbled upon and exhibit of Polanski’s film posters from around the world. Not only are the films great, but these posters also capture the golden age of film poster design from around the world.

Knife in The Water - W. Germany

Knife in The Water – W. Germany

Fearless Vampire Killers - Italy

Fearless Vampire Killers – Italy

Cul-de-Sac - Finland

Cul-de-Sac – Finland

What? - Norway

What? – Norway

Repulsion - Japan

Repulsion – Japan

Rosemary's Baby - Poland

Rosemary’s Baby – Poland

Rosemary's Baby - Poland

Rosemary’s Baby – Poland

Chinatown - W. Germany

Chinatown – W. Germany

polanski-poster

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November 12, 2016

The transgressive art of Pierre Molinier

French born artist Pierre Molinier holds a special place in my heart. He was fully charting his own unique course and vision with plenty of wit, humour, beauty and total and utter commitment. Using photography and collage he redefined self representation and explored his fantasies. Read more about his life and practice

pierre-molinier-photomontage-pour-le-chaman-et-ses-crc3a9atures-1970-via-drouot 349344 pierre-molinier-exhibition-at-richard-saltoun-events-i-lobo-you6 molinier-web5fff pierre-molinier-autoportrait-c3a0-la-poupc3a9e-1970-via-galerie-verdeau

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September 27, 2016

Pater Sato

 

Pater Sato (real name – Yoshinori Sato) was a Japanese artist and illustrator specializing in airbrush technique in the 1970’s and 80’s. This style was very popular at the time, especially in Japanese commercial art. His elegant style and the pure sexiness of his images really sets him apart from his contemporaries. From the very first time I saw these images, I was hooked.

This particular series – SatoMasochism (1980) is absolutely some of his best work. I have no idea where this was actually published (my guess would be Penthouse?). Absolutely love the illustrations juxtapozed with bits of saucy literature!

 

peter-sato-10 peter-sato-9 peter-sato-8 peter-sato-7 peter-sato-6 peter-sato-5peter-sato-1peter-sato-11

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June 30, 2016

Tadanori Yooko = LOVE

Tadanori Yooko is a genius master of graphic art that seamlessly blends Japanese sensibilities with western pop art and design. His work is absolutely unique, visionary and an absolute inspiration for myself as a designer.

There is just so many ideas literally bursting out of every one of his images. You can read many articles about him and there are many images all over the internet readily available.

This post is about a particular body of work from 1968 called “XSex”. On a recent trip to Tokyo, I visited the famed Gallery 360 in Harajuku. While talking with the owner, I expressed my love for Tadanori Yooko’s work. As soon as we finished our conversation, he briefly disappeared into an adjoining room and emerged holding a large hardbound portfolio. He laid it out on the table and basically said – What I am about to show you is very rare and very few people have seen this full collection of prints in real life. As he slowly opened the case and started pulling out these bright, acid coloured silkscreens, I was literally washed over in waves of joy and excitement. I can sort of compare it to seeing that glowing suitcase from Pulp Fiction and actually being shown the contents. These prints are really something.

I managed to snap a few pictures with my phone. Barely.

x

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March 1, 2016

The Grace Jones spell

 

FullSizeRender-2

Last September I got a chance to see Grace Jones in LA at The Hollywood Bowl. The show and her on stage presence was easily one of the really great performances I have ever witnessed. Well in her 60’s at this point, Grace Jones was as dynamic and mind blowing as ever. Wearing nothing more then bikini bottoms, some incredible head pieces and white body paint, she was a true force of nature. No need for giant video backdrops or armies of dancers. It was just about as captivating a performance as I have ever seen.

 

About a week after, I started to sketch ideas that were very much inspired by Grace’s “body paint outfit”. These water colour sketches eventually made their way into some new graphics for our leggings. This new mini collection release features three designs in the spirit of the one and only – Grace Jones.

drawing-for-leggings

FREEHAND MYSTIC 

FREEHAND-full-size

SYMBOLISM

Symbolism-FULL-size-images

FUTURIST PATTERN

Full-size-Constructivist-all-images

Lois campaign 3 Lois campaign 2 Lois campaign 1

All clothing: Some Product

Photos: Some Product

Model: Lois

2016

 

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October 24, 2015

Pierre et Gilles – a saccharine deception

 

Pierre et Gilles are French romantic and artistic partners that have been working together for close to 40 years. That alone is a reason to admire and love them. But there is more. Much more.

They create some of the most gorgeous, whimsical and provocative art in existence. The always slightly surreal and dreamlike mixture of photography and painting featuring famous and anonymous people is instantly recognizable and distinct.

The work is deeply rooted in popular culture and fuses themes of erotica, religion, sexuality, theatre and myth. Each portrait they create is infused with colour, wit and is a great reflection of the subject’s personality.

The creative process is precise and meticulously rehearsed: together the duo draft a project – first as a drawing, and then as an actual mise en scène where the use of a myriad of objects and accessories brought from their travels results in a rich theatrical spectacle, highlighted by their use of dramatic stage and lighting effects. Pierre and Gilles create their stunning costumes themselves, and they choose the make-up and hairstyle with the help of experts. Once the set is ready, Pierre photographs it and Gilles retouches the unique print with layers of paint.

At first glance, their photos have an almost kitsch, pseudo religious look to them, but once you dig deeper under the saccharine exterior, it becomes apparent that there is an enormous amount of “edge” and humour in everything they do.

The very first two professional portraits they ever did were of Andy Warhol and Iggy Pop for the very cool French magazine called Facade. That’s pretty much all you need to know. Since then, they have also worked with an absolutely amazing array of artists including, Marc Almond, Nina Hagen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Boy George and many more.

Most recently, they did a cover for one my favourite current fashion publications – “Fuuucking Young” featuring Lucky Blue Smith.

It’s difficult to even express how much of an influence their work has had on me and on Some Product as a creative entity. Having loved their work for so long, I think it’s safe to say that their approach and constant re-invention of popular culture is very much part of the ethos of what we try to do on a daily basis.

xo

JPGPortrait large_pierre-gilles-womanPierre-et-Gilles-Susie-Bick-1994 tumblr_lwfjljI5ym1qf793zo1_500 tumblr_m3inzsSfaf1rndga6001_pierre-and-gilles_theredlist 800_Pierre et Gilles postcard_Le Petit Communiste_Christophe1990-1 1989-le-diable-marc-almondCROBeutWcAArxdA

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October 12, 2015

PEACE OUT – Aubrey Beardsley

 

One of our all time favourite leggings releases is called “Dark Sixties” featuring the artwork of the one and only – Aubrey Beardsley. The title refers more to the feel of the design which reminded us of the more dark and mysterious aspects of the “hippie” generation.

Aubrey Beardsley was a Victorian era English illustrator and along with Oscar Wilde, a leading figure in the aesthetic movement.  He produced a massive body of some of the most elegant and unique artwork ever during his brief lifetime. He was only 25 years old when he died, which makes his accomplishments that much more mind blowing.

His craftsmanship and style were an obvious influence on 60’s counter culture pop and poster art. We wanted to release a legging that somehow paid tribute to that lineage. This Beardsley image perfectly encapsulates a certain late 60’s vibe of sexuality, drugs and a certain darkness seeping into the mainstream consciousness.

Images below are a selection of of Aubrey Beardsley’s work, followed by a couple of examples of psychedelic poster art from the late 60’s that clearly bear his influence.

The process of creating and designing these leggings, was fairly involved and required us to actually re create by hand, additional panels of line artwork that had to perfectly match the Aubrey Beardsley look and feel. Harder then in looks. We wanted the image to flow from one leg onto the other as a fluid drawing would.

dark sixties - hailey12645151_1 erda 6b77ecdb0c3482af52a17c2c87c16015albert-in-search-of-his-ideals-1897 not_detected_245638 the-comedy-of-the-rhinegold-aubrey-beardsleyjimi-hendrix-and-jefferson-airplane-1 ahynhmv3lpy0jhvkdsyuno3vo1_500

 

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January 22, 2015

Platform – New Work and New Shop!

Some new graphic work that will be slowly making it’s way into our new collections of leggings and tops… as well as wallpaper panels inside the change rooms of our brand new shop about to open in Vancouver called Platform.

It will be a progressive multi-brand boutique for men and women. More info to come soon! xo

Shop Platform Shop Platform Shop Platform Shop Platform

 

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December 31, 2014

Some Product x City Trash

This is the last project and post of 2014, but many years in the making: City Trash.

I originally had an idea of collecting trash from the major cultural (art, fashion, music etc.) capitals of the world and somehow compiling it into something tangible and new. The idea for the trash was to be “city specific”, meaning that a particular piece of trash, whatever it maybe, originated in that city. After choosing some of the cities, I decided to send emails to various friends or acquaintances living in these cities and asked them to start collecting. Amazingly, almost everyone I asked actually sent me gift packets of garbage. Some were great, some were very average. Over time I visited most of these cities and did a bit of collecting myself. Then the stuff sat around in boxes in bags. I had no idea what to do with it or maybe just too lazy to start.

Eventually, I had an opportunity to participate in a group show, where different designers created pieces of wallpaper curated by Jonathan and Anita from Rollout. I did the first collage piece using some of the trash sent to me from Paris. (Image below). At that time, I also decided to slightly break away from just sticking to only collected trash and add a few bits and pieces of  more identifiable imagery from a particular city. I called the process “cheating”. However, I felt this imagery that was, by no means not all encompassing, helped to somehow ground the collages of actual trash. I chose these “cheat” items randomly from things I had around my house or studio. In one-way or another they all represented or reminded me of the city where they came from. These images are not meant to be “the last word” on the iconography or culture of a city, but rather and glimpse or the feel of a city in a particular time, thru a specific set of eyes and sensibilities.

Some Product produced a limited edition of the City Trash leggings and they will be released early in 2015. We have other interesting plans for these graphics as well as many new projects planned for the upcoming year. As always, Some Product – the brand, is a work in progress, and that’s how we like it.

These huge collages took a long time to collect, photograph, scan, mask out, clip and compile. A debt of gratitude to all who were involved and helped in this project in no particular order: Sabine, Chisa, Megan, Tyler, Natalia, Rene, Amy, Ann, Loraine, Yeni and Javi

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Happy New Years!

xoxo

City Trash - London

Paris

 

City Trash - New York

City Trash - Tokyo

City Trash - Los Angeles

Ann in City Trash - Tokyo leggings

Parker in City Trash - Paris Leggings

First attempt at Paris Trash wallpaper at Rollout.ca group show.

 

Get the full collection here.

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September 20, 2014

Jeff Koons: The Master of Pop Shmaltz

I say this in the most sincere and reverential way possible. The Jeff Koons retrospective at The Whitney is easily one of the single best art shows I have ever seen. His ideas, humour and attention to detail is incredible and he literally redefines and elevates the idea of pop art in his practice. His art is brash, explosive, fun and inspiring in many ways.

Seeing his work as it relate to physical space was particularly fascinating as we are right n the middle of designing our own art/retail space. There are some very similar interests and obsessions that we seem to share.

The show is absolutely a must if visiting New York City. It runs until October 19, 2014.

Koons Retrospective Jeff Koons Retrospective at the Whitney Museum Koons Retrospective Jeff Koons Retrospective at the Whitney Museum Koons Retrospective at the Whitney Museum Jeff Koons Retrospective at the Whitney Museum Koons Retrospective at the Whitney Museum Jeff Koons Retrospective at the Whitney Museum Koons Retrospective at the Whitney Museum Jeff Koons Retrospective at the Whitney Museum Koons Retrospective at the Whitney Museum

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