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.
Since Halloween is just around the corner, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some incredible photographs by Phyllis Galembo. Her book Maske is a stunning collection of photographs, in which she documents ceremonial and ritual masks of the Makishi people of Zambia.
Masks and the rituals of dressing up are an integral part of Halloween celebrations. We can only dream to infuse this much whimsy and creativity into our own costumes and lives.
Happy Halloween xo
Inspired by African masks we did our own slightly psychedelic take on subject with our Neon Voodoo collection of leggings and tank tops. Both are currently on sale and limited quantities are available.
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
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.
Sure, some people would argue Andy Warhol was the single most important artist of the 20th century, and at times I could be one of those people. But, if I really think about it, for me it’s all about Jamie Reid. He is my Andy!
He took elements of Warhol and pop art, infused it with doses of situationism, social commentary, dissent and a heavy dose of black humour and created a style so new and revolutionary that it literally became the visual language of a new and exciting subculture, aka Punk.
First gaining notoriety in the late 1970’s as a designer behind the Sex Pistols, his work has influenced everything from fashion, contemporary art to modern magazine design. In a way his work has completely changed the way we see the world around us. That is a very rare thing to do.
All hail a true Culture Shifter.
Jamie continues to live and work in England.
Our flag ship concept store front – Platform is finally open. It will function as our primary showroom and design studio as well as the first flag ship location for our own brands Some Product and Le Monde Gris. In addition we will carry an exclusive roster of quality local and international brands. Current line up of brands includes Assembly New York, Coco and Breezy, Skim Milk and Cast and Combed jewelry.
We were very intent on making the shop a truly fully unique shopping experience. Everything from the stackable topographic tables, crystal shaped change rooms to the giant LED lit emojis was designed by us specifically for the space. Rather then looking at any trends in retail we felt very strongly about staying true to our own individuality, dreams and imagination. In many ways the space was designed as an art installation that also functions as a store.
Pictures below show various design features and give a great feel, however to get the full experience, please visit us in person. We would love to see you! xo
Platform – 430 Homer St. – Vancouver
Fiorucci is an Italian street wear brand established in 1967 and it flourished in the late 70’s and much of the 80’s. Although the brand is still around in some form, it really is a shadow of it’s former self. In it’s heyday it was one of the coolest names around. Combining pop culture, art, and fashion while infusing it with a sense of fun and sex that was never really done before. Fiorucci was was affordable, street and cool long before any of todays’ “fast fashion” brands ever existed, and it’s attitude was always pure sass!
Some Product would probably not exist without Fiorucci. I can’t think of many other brands that have had a more significant influence on our aesthetic and approach to design. We have always aspired to make products that are fun and functional with a reverence for pop culture.
Enjoy some very amazing vintage Fiorucci print ads, and an absolute must is this gem of a news clip about the original Fiorucci shop in New York. Watch it here.
TACK-O is where it AT!
I recently got an email with this beautiful collection of images from our last major look book campaign with the incredible team of Martina + Reem. More then just frequent collaborators, they have become our good friends. Their enthusiasm, joy and love of their subjects and the process of photography itself, can be clearly seen in all their work. This particular group of images is no different. Not merely satisfied with shooting a look book, they went back into the original shoot, found previously unseen and unused images and re worked/re imagined them into this very magical and slightly surreal collection of photos. Enjoy.
xo
Photos by Martina+Reem
Hair & Make Up by Vanessa Wong
Model Ja Pace
Styling by Dave & Cat at Some Product
All clothing provided by Some Product. Crown by Dandi Wind. Bodysuit with wings by Monika Valyi. Jewellery provided by JA LO VES and Used House of Vintage. Vintage skirt by Sonya Jang.
Helmut Newton is just one of those people whose work I have had a love affair with, practically my whole life. Really, what’s not to like? Beautiful people, photographed beautifully, in beautiful and seductive settings. His photographs are a sort of an affirmation of life. They seem to be saying – “Yes, life can be beautiful and glamorous, and that’s just how it’s supposed to be!”
La vita é bella
We lowered all of our online retail prices ( due to the strength of the Yankee $$$ )… To mark the momentous occasion, we played around made some psychedelic looking images.
These kinda make me think of Garbage Pail Kids cards. Siiiiick! xxx
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