Tradition dictates that January 1st marks the beginning of each new year. A new year that brings opportunity for a fresh start.
For me though, the new year and ensuing opportunity for a fresh start occurs about this time every year. I always look forward to the end of August, because that is when the onslaught begins.
That is when super size fashion magazines featuring the latest trends for fall begin to flood my mailbox. I remain giddy for about a week, knowing that at least one brand new, beefy, fall fashion issue will be waiting for me when I get home.
I truly look forward to studying each page (even the ads) for inspiration on ways to update my wardrobe. As I open every cover, I begin to formulate a plan for ways to revamp my current clothing and identify key pieces to purchase- – all in an effort to start fresh.
Yes, these pages will undoubtedly feature the same basic pieces (shirts, sweaters, slacks, skirts, and shoes) that were featured last year, and the year before, and the year before, etc. But every year, they are presented in a different way. The current fall fashion issues look different than their predecessors because the designers behind every highlighted outfit saw things in a different light. They let their creativity and self-expression guide their designs. Design is often the result of seeing things in a different way- an end product of self expression and creativity.
Evidence of such self expression will abound at the IMA Design Center, opening October 11th.
For example, Alessandro Mendini certainly saw the corkscrew in a different light when he designed the now iconic ‘Anna G’ version in 1993. Who knew a corkscrew could look so feminine? Similarly, there was certainly nothing new about a baroque style armchair in the early 2000s. That is until 2002 when Philippe Starck envisioned a version made entirely of polycarbonate. Voila- the Louis Ghost chair.
Finally, in what is perhaps my favorite example- Fiskars. You know, they make the orange handle scissors that we have all seen a million times. What you may not know however, is that Fiskars is actually a town in Finland. A beautiful town that is primarily inhabited by tremendously talented artists and craftsman. One such craftsman is Olavi Linden. Olavi began his career making violins, carving each one by hand. One day however, he too must have seen the value of crafting something in a new way. He had a vision of how hand tools could be designed and manufactured in a way that would make each one easier to use, and more aesthetically pleasing than the others in existence at the time. The results have been pretty amazing.
Now, I know absolutely nothing about gardening, but I do know that the aluminum PowerGear Bypass Pruner (designed by Mr. Linden) is just about the coolest looking tool of any kind that I have ever seen. This too, will be available at the Design Center.
People continue to ask me if the Design Center will sell art. Art in the traditional sense, i.e. paintings? No.
But art- – yes. Because design is art. And these objects of design are pieces of art that you can take home –pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional. In other words, each object is a piece of art that you can use.
In speaking about this very topic, Max Anderson (The Melvin and Bren Simon Director & CEO) said ‘Why separate examples of creativity based on whether they have a gold frame around them?’ in a recent issue Indianapolis Monthly.
I couldn’t agree more.
August 20th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Frankly, there has been very little modern design on offer in Indianapolis. If the IMA design center fills that gap, it would be a huge benefit to the city. Will the Indy public go for it? We’ll see.
BTW: I’ve got those Louis Ghost chairs for my dining room table.
August 20th, 2008 at 7:40 am
I am so envious! I love those chairs!!
December 26th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Hey there,
Great Blog!! I personally loved your pics …. Must admit you have a great sense of style. Keep up the good work.
PS: I have initiated an idea to create a fashion and style blogroll where bloggers from the jewelry, fashion, style and beauty could participate.
All you need to do is to add my blog link to your blog and i’ll do the same.
That way, we could have a mutual partnership and we could refer visitors to each other’s blog.
Please let me know if you would be interested.
Thanks!
Barbara and Ellen
The Gals at SoHo
http://sohoaccessories.blogspot.com
January 9th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
The ghost chair has really come down in price over the last few years, I think they are really a design that is within reach now. What’s great about these chairs is that they really do not take away from anything that is set on the table or sitting in the background. So in a nature setting the ghost chairs are awesome and non distracting.
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