Graphically speaking...

We hope you are all enjoying having a wander around the shop. We had an overwhelming response from day one with over 500 visitors, and already packing up our first orders as we speak!

One of the most important aspects of what we're working on, is getting well-deserved recognition for the designers contributing their work, so all this week we will introduce you to each designer, a bit about them, where they studied, the inspiration behind their work etc.

So in no particular order, today allow us to tell you a bit more about Kayleigh Hadley and Lucinda Ireland, two of our graphic/print designers...

Kayleigh, a recent graduate from Wolverhampton University caught our eye at this Summer's Free Range exhibition for her experimental hand-rendered approach to her designs.

The process of creating things by hand is what she enjoys about design, and why she decided to pursue design in the first place. Her approach is not about creating something perfect, it's about having the freedom to create without restrictions...

Part of her collection for Look Like Love surrounds a specific year in her life that she remembers fondly, and the music she was listening to. The sketchy style reflects the style of the songs, and the age she was when they were released...

Since graduating from Nottingham Trent University this Summer, Lucinda literally hasn't stopped. Fresh from winning the New Designers Hallmark Cards Award, she has also exhibited her work at the recent London Design Festival.

Thankfully, she did manage to make time to see us, and we are delighted that we have a selection of her work featuring in the shop...

Lucinda has always been interested in typography, and was lucky enough to learn the ropes at Grantham College before studying Graphic Design in Nottingham.
Her inspiration comes from pretty much anything around her, with a particular love of old signage, and typefaces, the craft of typography is very much at the forefront of her mind, an exciting prospect for a next generation typographer in an industry saturated by digital effects...

Want to see more of their work? ...Click Here... Or hit the Shop button on the right-hand side...

Time to Shop...

Well it feels like a long time coming, but we've made it, our little on-line shop has opened to the public!

We have a fantastic selection of products from a number of featured graduate designers from all across the UK, and we see this very much of a celebration of the incredible talent that does exist from all corners of the country.

Over the next few weeks we'll be adding more product images, we just didn't anticipate how long the shooting and editing would take, so bear with us as we embellish, and prettify the existing range, and hopefully add even more pieces too.

We'll be launching Product of the Week, with an individual feature on all our contributing designers, a bit about them, their inspirations, and what they see themselves doing over the next few years.

Fundamentally, we want support, nurture and promote emerging creative graduates and part-time designers, we need more small enterprises, and hopefully we will inspire more designers to take the decision to continue with their passion of being creative, and not simply shelve it once graduation is over...so it's time to shop...look, like and love it!

Watch This Space...

 

It's been a good few weeks since our last post, but if you've been following us, then you'll be aware that we are working non-stop to get the launch of our on-line store up and running.

As a mini-breakaway from all the madness, we wanted to re-introduce you to one of our first graduates, Feben Vemmenby, who featured in our post A Sneak Preview... back in May.

Feben has been extremely busy over the last few months, and has just launched her own website, showcasing her latest collection, Window Blues.

We are currently in conversation with Feben about featuring her work through the shop, which will be a fantastic opportunity to own a one-off/ limited edition piece from this talented, up-and-coming fashion designer, she's certainly one to watch...

Re-Quoted...

Lucinda Ireland just popped by to say hello, and to deliver some of her work, so to whet your appetite, just a smidgen, here are her printed quote cards that will be available to buy in a couple of weeks time. We have sets of three which include all the quotes above, and at just over A6 they are a perfect gift for any time, for anyone...oh yeah and maybe we'll buy a set for us too!

Too Cool for School...

We've been busy taking collection of some lovely bits and bobs to launch the on-line shop with in a couple of weeks, the to-do list is looking reasonably manageable, fingers crossed, with a photo-shoot pencilled in this weekend...

We couldn't wait though to show you just one of the products available from the very talented Holly Mansell. I'm sure you can remember we featured her work when we were scouting around Free Range a couple of months ago in the post, Vintage Finds.

Holly then invited us to her graduate fashion show, her work being one of the finale collections, so we've been keeping in touch for some time now, and this weekend, we collected her small accessories and illustrated greetings cards, (her clothing to follow, so watch this space...)

The vintage inspired theme continues with these fun ankle socks embellished with vintage buttons. Each pair being completely unique they have a touch of humour, and will add an individual note to any outfit...we're thinking mid-length pleated skirts with these lovelies will suit us just fine!

I would go out tonight...

We're really excited to be featuring work by CM Carter on the shop, and for all you lucky lot, here's a preview of the collection of prints which will be available to buy in a few weeks time...

In an homage to Morrissey, CM Carter had taken lyrics and interpreted them into illustrated pieces of art. Our personal favourite, 'I haven't got a stitch to wear...' but we kind of what all of them, but will resist!

There will be five different prints available in all, here are three to whet your appetite!

Nature vs. Nurture...

We've been having a little less time than usual on the blog over the last couple of weeks, things have been pretty hectic juggling our full-time day jobs & the imminent launch of our on-line shop, but somehow we are still managing to function...just! Our to-do list may be growing, but our commitment to our likes & loves continues...

Now it may not be immediately apparent that we have showcased the next graduates work before, but when we met with Liva Cabule last week, it was obvious her talent doesn't fit under any one genre. We featured her fashion illustration back in July, & loved the darker side to her interpretations, but her other work has a much more considered approach using block colour & stylised graphics, it reminded us very much of the work of Saul Bass. (The 50's & 60's from furniture to print, being another love of ours!)

We are very excited & pleased to say that we will be featuring some of her work in the shop, from the one-off illustrated book you see above, to limited edition screen-prints, which will be revealed at our launch...