Lubalin is in the air x

It's finally arrived!
We've been waiting for years for a book that celebrates this incredibly influential designer and typographer and were beside ourselves to hear a few months ago that the brilliant folk at Unit Editions were to release a limited edition deluxe monograph.

After waiting patiently it arrived today and we couldn't be more impressed - oohs, aahs and possibly a few squeals were heard throughout Fitzroy as we were met with the book's brown packaging. The book itself is beautifully laid out and comprehensive, intricately covering Lubalin's career in full and sharing working drawings of some of his most iconic work.

We've become huge fans of Unit Editions. We first picked up 'Wim Crouwell - A Graphic Odyssey' (which they have also created an app for & is well worth checking out) last year when we were at the Design Museum in London and have been getting their insightful and beautifully crafted works shipped over to our fair shores ever since.  We've even set aside a bookshelf in the library of our new studio (pics to be shared shortly....!) for what is bound to be an on going infatuation.

If you get the chance, grab a copy of this stunning book celebrating the work of an incredible designer.

Hussein Chalayan @ Musée des Arts Décoratifs? Oui merci!

On a recent jaunt to Paris I was beside myself to learn that (for once...) our trip would coincide with an event I'd been longing to see - the Hussein Chalayan exhibition at Les Arts Décoratifs.

One of my favourite designers, Chalayan's innovation not only integrates but celebrates fashion, design and architecture as a symbiotic creative whole. The visual and conceptual complexities of his work defy what many believe fashion to be and were a strong reminder of what makes me truly passionate about design.


Being such a big fan of Chalayan's work for such a long time my expectations of the exhibition were very high.... they were met, and they were exceeded.

Much of Chalayan's work deals with the body in relation to time, movement and displacement and the labyrinth style navigation through the space echoes this thematically.
Hussein Chalayan's artistic direction of the exhibition on a whole is fiercely evident. You enter a universe created by an artist who's social, personal & creative statements are communicated through design as a multi-sensory experience.

Unfortunately unable to live in Hussein's created world at the Musée, I settled for being able to take the stunning hardcover book back to Melbourne with me. A great reference, the book is well designed and gives great insight into the artist's distinct process.


As with all things brilliant this exhibition was the collaborative work of a talented many. To be specially noted though are:

Exhibition Curation Pamela Golbin with Bernadette Caille
Exhibition Design by Zoe Smith (ZS Architects),
Lighting by Michael Pounssamy
Graphic design by Studio Frith (see 'Aide a la Visite' below using Chalayan's wonderful illustrations)



If you're lucky enough to be in Paris between now and November 13th GO! See it, be inspired, be amazed by this amazing creative and his incredible body of work.
If not so lucky visit here.
Laura
NB: Initial two images from Hussein Collection located at 'Les Arts Décoratifs' website.

Pashley - the sexiest bikes in history....ever

Oh it's finally hit - the REAL summer. The kind of summer that makes for a lot of lying about on weekends, too close to melting to move. The kind of summer that doesn't necessitate an umbrella every time you walk out the door! Realistically there's only been a week or two of such a Summer - but lets embrace it while it's here shall we?

Let's talk timeless, functional, stunning design that's perfect for such weather .... let's talk Pashley bicycles!

These classic styled, hand built bicycles hail from Stratford-upon-Avon in the UK and maintain the same design and attention to detail as the originals created back in 1926, yet are coupled with contemporary modern components.

After many many months of pining, drooling and pressing our noses up to the new Bakerlite Trading store in Port Melbourne (then yet to be open) the kind owner Stephen gave into our impatience and let us have a test ride - infatuation turned into immediate love. And so it came to pass that a handsome Guv'nor and a beautiful Princess Classic joined the Grosz Co. Lab team


Now, we're not really of the 'lycra set' that seems to be gracing Melbourne more and more each day, and we could attempt to list all kinds of specs that we wish we understood, but really don't... so we won't. What we do know though is that these bikes are an absolute joy to ride. Doing the kind of work that we do, it is easy to get absorbed in projects and realise we haven't left our little cave of design for days, so anything that encourages getting us into some fresh air surely is a great thing - and has proven to be inspiring also.

The Grosz Co. Lab favourite lunchtime bike journey: The Fitzroy studio to the Collingwood Children's Farm


It's an amazingly short journey from über-urban Fitzroy to this little 'Spot O' Country' 5km's from the centre of Melbourne. Nestled next to the Abbotsford Convent and Yarra Park Bend. The farm is perfect for a nap under a shady tree, a chance to nurse a baby lamb or a visit to the Farmer's Market (on the second Saturday of each month.) We love escaping to here in the middle or at the end of the day and can often be found, sketchbooks in hand, under a tree or chatting to the goats and pigs.


For an appropriate soundtrack for your journey we recommend The HotRats cover of 'Bike' (by Syd Barrett) check it out here or download the album here.

If you're in Melbourne and want to check out a Pashley for yourself contact Stephen at Bakerlite Trading. For elsewhere in the world visit the official Pashley site for a list of world wide traders.

Joyeux Noël

This year we decided it was time for a 'flocking' good festive season.
All the best from the Grosz Co. Lab team.

Elkha - the first Co. Lab

Elkha, along with being Grosz Co. Lab Director Laura Camilleri's fashion label, was also the first 'Co. Lab' between Ben and Laura that sparked the beginnings of Grosz Co. Lab.

Having control of all branding and art direction for Elkha from the beginning has meant that the integrity of the brand has been maintained whilst also allowing it to evolve effectively as the label has grown over a number of years and incorporated new elements such as a Made to Measure and Menswear line.

Having such a close relationship to the garments has meant that Laura's art direction of the Elkha photography is always strongly informed by concepts and imagery that make up her inspiration for each range.

Spring/Summer 2007/08

Autumn/Winter 2006

When first starting the label Laura was determined that the Elkha brand needed to be something which represented the tactility of the garments along with her family background in European design and tailoring. She knew the person to help bring this to fruition was Ben Grosz. It took many long conversations and sketching sessions over many strong coffees (and a few glasses of wine) to develop the logo and refine the use of the embossing element, but once the finished product was in hand it felt well worth the careful consideration.


The impact of the logo and the embossed business card was only truly realised when suddenly multiple emails a day from across the globe came flooding through requesting Elkha business cards for collections and details of the design and print process, along with more information about the label in general. It was then discovered that this was all sparked by an image of the business card that had found its way online and that we still have no idea who shot and how it got out there (please feel free to drop us a line if you happen to be said mystery person....).

To this day, years after the first print run, requests regarding the card are still made daily. A big statement for the worth of investing in high quality, memorable print!

The mystery image...

For more Elkha related images from past seasons etc. feel free to check out www.groszcolab.com.au/elkha or visit www.elkha.com.au

* Photography for the 10/11 Winter range pictured above was shot by Emma Clohesy and the beautiful deer mask was created by Carrie Rouillard at Sans Souci Studios in the U.S

It's the future now.... yesterday.

The Grosz Co. Lab site has gone live this week - finally. We had to light a bonfire under our respective asses to get it up .... busy doing other people's identities!
A very big thanks to Nick at Walker Multimedia who was happy to patiently move things down 4px and right 7px on our behalf.

If you'd like to check it out head to www.groszcolab.com.au

Support Scent

It's not very often that a product really makes you feel all warm inside, but this concept is genius really - we were grinning from ear to ear when we found out about it.....

Being a studio that is passionate about braille and tactile signage, we were so excited to hear about the brilliant Support Scent concept that was developed by Guide Dogs Victoria in collaboration with Kit Cosmetics, and with packaging design by the talented Beci Orphin.

Support Scent breaks down the traditional barriers of visually reliant forms of support such as ribbons and wristbands by creating a fragrance that can be purchased and worn to show support for the vision impaired community and raise awareness and funds for Guide Dogs Australia. And it smells good too! A unisex scent that has been developed in France with floral and fruit notes yet with a fairly woody base*

Not only do the funds raised go to support Guide Dogs Australia, but even more importantly, every time you wear this scent you are communicating your support in an accessible way to blind and vision impaired people. A Braille letter has been scented and sent to blind and vision impaired people so as they can recognise the scent if they smell it out in the community and thus recognise your support. Now blind and vision impaired people are not simply told that that the community supports them, now they can sense support first hand - possibly for the first time ever.

As we said before - GENIUS!

And.... a vial only costs $5 online or from Kit stores. Buy one for yourself, your friends and family and support not only a great cause but a great idea!

Find out more at www.supportscent.com

* (apologies, we're sure Luca Turin could articulate it far better than we can .....)