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.