Friday, February 26, 2010

Interview - Jeff Staple

Jeffrey Staple of Staple Design

Staple Design for New Balance Pigeon sneaker

Staple Design for New Balance Pigeon White sneaker

Staple Design Airwalk sneakers

If you're around this weekend in Melbourne and have an interest in streetwear culture and/or designer SNEAKERS (aka runners), Buffet is probably right up your alley.

Buffet is an industry tradeshow, public expo and trade/retail marketplace with a focus on streetwear and urban style / culture, and will also incorporate discussion forums with some incredible local and international designers over the next three days. If you're a retailer, streetwear industry hot shot or just a die-hard sneaker lover, chances are there'll be something to tickle your fancy...

Speaking of industry hot shots... it doesn't get much more impressive than NYC streetwear guru Jeffrey Staple - entrepreneur, clothing and product designer, founder of super cool New York design studio Staple Design, and owner of retail store Reed Space.

Staple Design have collaborated on some incredible projects in the last few years - designing sneakers for Nike, New Balance and Converse, and co-branding everything from Lomo cameras to a Kia car. But it was Staple's 'Pigeon' design for the classic Nike Dunk sneaker in 2005 which really got tongues wagging, and propelled Jeff Staple to a new level of design super stardom. Taking inspiration from the manky birds that fill New York City, Staple designed this limited edition shoe in brave salmon/pink, white and grey tones. This unexpected new colourway was a runaway success - and it's launch incited a now infamous ruckus in Manhattan - not to mention some pretty heavy-handed crowd control care of the NYPD. Jeepers. What is it about guys and sneakers?

Jeff Staple is currently in Melbourne, and will be leading a discussion forum tomorrow at The Factory in Melbourne's CBD! For all info and bookings, visit the Buffet website. Meantime - have a little read about him in this interview below. He also writes a hugely popular design blog. OH and he is tweeting some hilarious things since he landed in Melbourne...! ie: "2 questions for u Melbourne: 1) Do ppl have jobs? Cuz theres lots of ppl chillin outside on a thurs. 2) Where do u hide the ugly people?". Awww!! Nothing like an enthusiastic tourist. Keep the compliments coming and you'll make many friends here buddy! :)

Tell me a little about your background – what path led you to what you are doing now?


Hmmm…it’s just a long series of accidents that led to me where I am today. There was no plan. No business proposal. I just had a passion for what I believed in and worked my ass off to maintain it. And some luck of course.

You run a creative agency, a clothing line and a retail store. Oh, and and you write an excellent blog! You must be pretty busy! How do you structure your time to juggle all these projects and still stay one step ahead of the pack?


I try to be super efficient with my communications. I try to have technology work to increase my productivity. But at the same time, I am not enslaved to technology. And most importantly, I have an incredible team. Without them it would be impossible.

Reed Space retail store

After famous collaborations with incredible brand such as Nike, New Balance, and Lomo cameras, you must get so many requests these days. How do you decide who to work with, and what do you look for in a client when starting a new creative collaboration?

It’s important that I have respect for the company… and that the respect is mutual. The synergy between Staple and Company X has to be there as well. It’s actually quite difficult to articulate. It’s 51% gut feeling. 49% actual reasoning.

Staple Design's Lomo camera

Staple for Timberland

Your Pigeon design for Nike was insanely popular and set a new benchmark in limited edition streetwear – what is it with boys and sneakers!? Why do you think this particular launch was such an incredible success? Did the response surprise you?


Yes I definitely did.
 I chalk this up to simply the planets aligning. I often say if you put the same parties and elements together today, the results would not be the same. The series of events that led to the Pigeon release was really a stroke of insane occurrences. I agree with you, it was a benchmark in the era of sneaker culture. That event opened the floodgates. But to recreate it would be impossible today.


How is your business structured? – ie how many staff work with you at Staple Design, which tasks do you still handle personally, and which significant tasks do you outsource?

There are 18 people working at Staple and Reed Space. I touch almost every aspect of Staple Clothing, Staple Design and Reed Space. I think I have a good balance of touching projects and also letting my team take full accountability. I don’t over micromanage. But I am also not absent. It’s that combination of trust and guidance that I try to maintain.

What does a typical day at work involve for you? 


Wake up at 9am to hit the gym. Workout for an hour. Shower. Eat. In the office by 11. The typical workday is anything but typical. Because of all the things we do, I don’t know what's going to hit me. I spend the next 8-9 hours letting issues wash over me like a wave in the ocean. I put out fires. Massage egos. Check balances and balance checks. Not much design happens unfortunately. A lot of emailing, chatting, calling, meeting and running around. Then 8pm-9pm comes and I go have a bite. Usually out. Usually with a close friend or work colleague. Then at 10pm I go home with my laptop and its right back to work. Typically till about 3am. The midnight hours are when design work gets done. Nothing to really bother me here so I can focus on creative things. It’s also usually at this time that I assign tasks to my team; sending them these late night emails that they take care of when they come in the next day.

What would be your dream creative project?


I’ve been so blessed that I can die now and be very content. There’s nothing more I dream of. In fact, I hate dreaming. Honestly.

Kia / Staple Design collaboration

What are you looking forward to?


Retirement. We’ll see how long I can do that for.

NYC Questions

Your favourite neighbourhood in NYC and why?


The Lower East Side. It's the last neighborhood in NYC that actually feels somewhat like a “neighborhood”. It’s quiet, creative and laid back. I live here.. Staple Design Studio is here. And Reed Space is here. My whole life is with in 4 walking blocks.

What/where was the last great meal you ate in NYC?


Haha…I’m a food snob AND I live in Manhattan. Every night is a great meal. That’s how I reward myself. So tonight I went for BBQ at Georgia’s on Orchard Street. Yum!

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Having brunch at Gemma in The Bowery Hotel. Say hello to Karim, the manager and tell him Jeff sent you.

New York’s best kept secret?

New York’s best secret? We’re not actually all that cool.

Queues and campouts for the New Balance / Staple sneakers!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Humble Vintage


Some Humble Vintage bikes

The very fabulous Humble Vintage guide for casual cyclists!

Always love a hand-drawn map...

The Humble Vintage is seriously the most simple yet brilliant 'why didn't I think of that?' idea ever. But unfortunately you didn't think of it, Matt Hurst did. :) Luckily he is so so nice and likeable and super cute to boot so you really don't have to be jealous.

The Humble Vintage is simply an affordable, hyper-local Melbourne-based vintage bike hire service. You just make a booking by calling Matt, go to an allocated pick-up point (St. Kilda, Fitzroy or the City), and collect your sweet vintage bike to ride around glorious Melbourne all day. So brilliant, so green and so effortlessly cool.

$30 per day includes your bike, helmet, lock, light AND, the icing on the cake - a super gorgeous printed riding guide and map, entitled 'Melbourne for visitors and casual cyclists'! So beautifully designed, and SO retro cool it is somewhat painful. Matt was inspired to create one of those old fashioned folded maps you might stuff in your back pocket in the olden days. Like, in the era of Mary Poppins or Oliver Twist or something. Such an inspired and perfectly executed little idea!

Not surprisingly, the Humble Vintage maps alone now have a cult following all of their own, and whilst they come free with the bike hire service, you can also buy your own copy ($2!!) from Metropolis, The Thousands Shop, The Paperback, Readings on Acland Street and Meet Me at Mikes on Brunswick Street. OR send a few stamps to PO Box 361 East Melbourne Vic 8002 and Matt will send you one! 'Cause that's just the kinda guy he is :)


So I am sure you are dying to learn a little more about lovely Matt and the inception of The Humble Vintage...? Here goes! -

What is your own background and what inspired you to start The Humble Vintage?


For the past five years or so I’ve worked in publicity and marketing for arts and cultural venues in London and Melbourne. I’ve also travelled a lot, and went looking for bikes to rent in each major city. Around a year ago I was searching for my next job but also started looking at what bike rental options were in Melbourne. As with overseas, I wasn’t able to find what I’d been looking for if I was a visitor, so I thought I’d start my own.



When did you launch and what response have you had so far?

I rented my first bike in August '09… the response has been wonderful, and far more positive than I expected. Obviously I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t think it was a good idea, but I’ve still been surprised by it all.




How do you work the logistics of running the company - do you meet your customers face to face? Are there specific drop-off points? How on earth do you squeeze all these things in around other work!?

At first I was individually meeting each renter personally, on street corners or in parks or cafes. It was fun sometimes and a nightmare at others. As it got busier I was looking for a way to not ‘be there’ all time. Now I’ve got three pick up points, 1000 £ Bend in the city, Idaho Vintage in St Kilda and the Fitzroy Fat store, where people can pick up from. It works well for the most part, but not being there also opens up a new set of challenges. So I’ve finally got my own little office on Flinders Lane, and do rentals from there when I can.



The hand-drawn maps you make for your customers are brilliant - such an inspired idea which really sets The Humble Vintage service apart from the crowd! How did the bike maps idea come about, and how do you make them look so great!?

At the start I was literally drawing on people’s maps whenever they asked for advice, but I wanted to make my own. Playing around with Illustrator and producing the map and guide became a perfect personal project, I was just learning and getting carried away as I went along. Regarding it’s actual feel, they’re printed on my friend’s old Risograph, in black and white with the riding routes dotted out in red, like someone has drawn on the map for you. The stock is recycled and unbleached and has a lovely grain. I actually wouldn’t mind it on an even darker stock, and it sure doesn’t look good on regular photocopy paper.





What's next for The Humble Vintage!?



The main goal with the guide is to make it a quarterly publication with its own following - it’s not just for people who rent bikes from me. It is definitely written with them in mind, but it’s also an interesting read for the local bike rider, or visitor who isn’t one. I’ve got lots of ideas for the next issue or two, I hope it will be bigger and better and all that stuff.



I’m also looking for a few other places I can take the bikes, having pick up spots in St Kilda and Fitzroy is great, but a couple more would be good too. Maybe Docklands, South Yarra, Daylesford even.

Aww who wouldn't wanna hire a bike from this guy? Photo of Matt Hurst by Scottie Cameron, courtesy of City of Melbourne, from the fabulous Hot Spots Summer 2010 guide. (Thanks Penny!)



The Humble Vintage bookings can be made on 0432 032 450!

Visit The Humble Vintage blog for more details...


Ps) there is another great and slightly more in-depth interview with Matt over here...

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Melbourne Home - James and Victoria's North Carlton apartment

Bright and cheery kitchen in the North Carlton home of architects James and Victoria, and baby Louis!


James and Victoria's have such a beautiful collection of original artwork. Top image - Prints by Charles Blackman on the left, George Baldessin on the right. Bottom image - Framed artwork - collage by Joanna Ruchel, painting on the right by Walankura Napanangka, Bird sculpture in the centre by John.V.Babui (Ngaruwana Jirri Inc. Nguiu, Bathurst Island).

Prints, as credited above, by Charles Blackman and George Baldessin. Victoria's treasured basket with woven feathers, made by Tjanpi desert weavers, artist unknown.

Oooh I am super excited about today's Melbourne Home! How effortlessly lovely is it? This is the apartment of my dear friends James and Victoria - young architects with a brand new little bub in their lives! Little Louis is only a few months old, but this young family already seem so relaxed and at ease in their gorgeous little 2-bedroom apartment in leafy North Carlton. When I visited recently Louis gurgled so happily on his back in the loungeroom, flashing me endless gummy smiles whilst I chatted to Vic and dashed about with my camera! It seems Victoria and James have slipped so comfortably into their new roles... and Louis is such an enviably smiley and gorgeous baby! I hope I get one that cute!

James and Victoria's place is light-filled and faces North, with views across North Carlton's beautiful Victorian rooftops. The pair designed and managed the recent interior renovation themselves, and seem to have done something quite magical with the limited space... I guess you would have to say this is a 'small' home - but truthfully, once inside, there is just something very clever going on that really makes this compact little apartment feel generous and roomy! I think it may have something to do with that brilliant fixed table / bench which links the kitchen and living areas. It is a really clever, slick layout which has a kind of Japanese-ness about it... I could just imagine a family in Tokyo living in these minimal surrounds, perfectly finished with sleek, warm timber cabinetry and clever storage tucked into every nook!

Thankyou so much to James and Victoria for letting me share these shots of their beautiful home... And thanks also Victoria for the delectable cake you made me when I visited! Man... If I keep getting homemade cake every time I visit a new home... I think my health may seriously suffer this year! (But it was soooooo tasty!).

Top image - painting on left by Tatali Napurrula, print on right by Mary Anne Purlta.

Brazilian sculpture of the favelas by an unknown artist (this one belongs to Victoria's friend Alice . but seems to have found a happy home in Victoria's study nook!)

LOVE this study nook... Such an elegant use of space. Where is the clutter in this home? Seriously. Where!?

Oooh the obligatory extreme wide angle real-estate agent shot... just to give you a proper idea of the layout!

Clever storage and lovely details

Love the red butterfly chair... and of course that fabulous view across North Carlton! It's so pretty - even on a rainy day...

Main bedroom - painting by Adam Lee.

Custom cabinetry follows through in the bathroom... love how it floats off the floor like that. Nothing like a shadow-line to get me excited :)

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Australian Design Museum Exhibition

Top - Mark III + IV carbon chairs (original prototypes), 2008/09, Blakebrough + King. Bottom - Double Dutch side table and Harvey chair by Khai Liew. All pieces pictured here are included in the Australian Design Museum Exhibition opening in Sydney tomorrow.

Habit Chair (original prototype), American Oak, by South Austrailian designer Takeshi Iue

Designer, retailer and design curator Sarah King (aka Sarah K) is one of those insanely efficient and driven creative people who seems to have about 5 fulltime jobs on the go at any given time.

Sarah and her partner Ben Blakebrough design furniture under the label Blakebrough + King, and in 2006, opened their tiny museum-like design store Arp in Hobart... a brave and much-loved local design hub which served as a showroom for Blakebrough + King's own work as well as a showcase and meeting point for local designers. Whilst in Tasmania, Sarah also created the Hobart Design Index.

Last year Sarah and family moved back to NSW... and it wasn't long before her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for Australian design inspired more design-based projects! Here Sarah launched the brilliant SOHI publication with fellow TDF fave Rebecca Wolkenstein (blogged here)... and then of course there was her FABULOUS Pop Up Co Op design store in Bowral at Christmas-time - an inspired collaboration with master-crafter Tamara Maynes, and Monique Germon of *Public Office.

But it appears Sarah K is just not quite busy enough, because this month she's launching yet another stellar side-project! The Australian Design Museum Exhibition is a slice through Australian design in all it's forms - it brings together a highly collectable range of work by Australian furniture and industrial designers, graphic designers and crafts people, and all pieces in the show are prototypes or limited editions. Sarah has worked tirelessly to curate this diverse pop-up museum-style show - a first of it's kind for Australia, because unlike many design exhibitions of this kind, all pieces are available for sale! It's a brilliant opportunity to view a fabulous cross-section of Australian design, and to perhaps purchase a beautiful, functional piece of local design history that will increase in value over time. If you are in Sydney you should surely pay a little visit... (I am going this weekend!)

The Australian Design Museum Show
Shapiro (view the catalogue and price-guide online)
162 Queen st
Woollahra
NSW

Opens Wed 24th Feb (tomorrow!).
Exhibition Runs Feb 25th - March 7th 2010
Open 11.00AM - 5.00pm daily.


Man. I have a suspicion that Sarah K must wake up at about 5.00am everyday. And I thought I had a problem with side projects! :)

PS) Sarah's previous home in Tasmania is in this month's Inside Out magazine (styled to perfection of course by everyone's fave interiors stylist Megan Morton).... AND what's more, Inside Out's intrepid blogger Lee Tram Lam just posted a great little interview with Sarah about the show yesterday!

Left - Peek Freans poster by NSW artist Donald Fish, 1956 (reissued 2010 as silkscreen on archival paper). Right - Hopscotch artwork by Mark Gowing, Show and Tell 2008, silkscreen on archival paper. (both pieces available in limited editions of 10)

Elliot the Bookscreen (original prototype 2008) and Siena the Book Block Table 2010, both by Samantha Parsons of Studio Sam.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Monocle

The Monocle retail store in London

...and another one in LA!?

I know this is completely unforgivable, but until yesterday, I had never purchased a copy of Monocle Magazine. Shocking, huh!? What can I say - I read too many magazines! You have to draw the line somewhere!

Launched in February 2007, Monocle is an unmistakeably global publication covering international affairs, business, culture and design. Monocle headquarters is in London - with offices also in Tokyo, Sydney, Zürich and New York. It's painfully brilliant - the content is so incredibly rich, intelligent and diverse, coupled with a fabulous restrained layout and design, including the most impressive illustrations by international superstars such as Always with Honor (US), Satoshi Hashimoto (Japan) and New Future Graphic (UK). I guess that's what you'd expect from Tyler Brûlé - founder of *Wallpaper Magazine, and director of acclaimed branding, design and content consultancy, Winkreative. Sheesh. Over-achiever alert.

Illustrations for Monocle Magazine by acclaimed Japanese illustrator Satoshi Hashimoto

BUT what I didn't realise until clicking through the February issue yesterday, is that Monocle also has a seriously amazing online presence... the website is just brimming with extra goodness to uncover, including the Monocle Weekly - a weekly podcast hosted by Monocle's editor in chief Tyler Brûlé, and a huuuuge library of web-based films spanning every possible subject. I liked this little film about Kyoto's '9 hrs' capsule hotel... and they've also posted a succinct little report covering the recent Design Miami 2009 (the news reportage-style voice-over kind of puts me to sleep - but the visuals and Q&A's are worth watching!).

Editor Tyler Brûlé records a podcast for the Monocle Weekly

You could lose yourself for hours on the Monocle website. It is quite awesome. And it kind of makes you feel like you're on holiday somewhere very cultural and interesting. If you have any procrastination time left over after perusing The Design Files each morning (thankyou!), you should totally bookmark Monocle.com :)

Friday, February 19, 2010

Interview - Paul Barbera

All photographs by Paul Barbera

All photographs by Paul Barbera

All photographs by Paul Barbera

All photographs by Paul Barbera

All photographs by Paul Barbera

You guys all know who Paul Barbera is. You know because I maaaay have blogged his brilliant Where They Create project more than once in the last 6 months...!! I am not usually into such repetition... but TRULY it is just so insanely great, showcasing the workspaces of creative people across the globe in such a unique and effortlessly natural way. I am not sure how Paul finds all these incredible places to shoot... but each image somehow feels as though it were taken by a close and trusted friend - personal and genuinely insightful, though always tinged just slightly with a kind of dark, voyeuristic curiosity! Magic.

Paul is a Melbourne-born photographer - he completed a fine arts degree at the VCA in 2004, and it is incredible to think that in only 6 years since then, Paul has already earned himself a respected reputation both at home and overseas. He got his first big break with a job for Marie Claire Lifestyle at just 24, and has since worked for a string of high profile publications and clients - including Australian Vogue Living, and the always fabulous Elle Decor (UK and Italian editions).

What is also truly inspiring is Paul's commitment to spanning his career across multiple continents! Currently he divides his time between Melbourne and Amsterdam, also working often in other major cities across Europe. I am absolutely baffled by how he manages to make this work(!!) - however in his answers below, Paul insists that it is manageable if you really commit to working hard, meeting lots of people, and being totally clear about your vision...! Wow... he makes it sounds so simple! I am convinced there must be more blood, sweat and tears involved that he isn't letting on!!!

A huge thanks to Paul for his time with this interview, and of course for all the incredible images.. for more please visit Paul's fabulous folio site and of course Where They Create! Love your work!

Tell me a little about your background – what path led you to what you’re doing now?

My dad was a Vespa mechanic who migrated to Melbourne from Italy and in his spare time, he took photos with his Rolleiflex and made pieces of furniture and metal sculptures. He never had any formal training, but he had a creative side that he passed on to me and my brother, Daniel, who is now a furniture designer. However, I didn’t discover my photographic skills until I was 16. I went on a trip to Egypt with my father and he gave me a Minolta to use. Until then, I struggled at school and did not know what I wanted to do in life.

All photographs by Paul Barbera

You completed a fine arts degree at the VCA in 2004 – how does a fine arts graduate navigate the perilous world of commercial photography!? (Especially in Europe!?) What was the big break that helped launch your career?

I would say Europe responds to and respects those who have a fine arts background and/or have a clear vision about their work, as it gives you a stronger voice and allows you to contextualise your work. However, in terms of practical and technical experience, I learnt these skills through assisting photographers so in the early days of my career, I actually did not use much of my fine arts training. It was not until I started to work as a freelance photographer and wanted to balance commercial work with my own photographic projects that I turned back to what I had learnt at the VCA to find my feet.

My first big break came at 24, when I was asked to shoot an editorial for Marie Claire Lifestyle. I had not done much interior work before, but the then editor, Karen McCartney, liked what she saw when I sent her a polaroid of a chair I had shot for a designer. I also got a similar break from the design firm Fabio Ongarato Design, who asked me to shoot a campaign image for the Melbourne Underground Fashion Festival and that sparked my interest in working with fashion and people.

You work between Melbourne and Amsterdam – and everywhere inbetween…(!!) seems like a brilliantly inspiring lifestyle for any young creative… How do you make this work?

Everything is possible, but you need to make the decision that that’s the lifestyle that you want. You can build your life around constant travel, but it’s not all smooth sailing. It gets hard to pay bills on time, and make commitments 6 to 12 months in advance. Sometimes you get offered a job, but you happen to be on the other side of the world, and you miss that opportunity to work with a new magazine or client. This just happened to me recently when Lafayette, a department store in Paris, wanted to book me but the timing did not work out.

To make it work, you have to focus your time and energy establishing yourself in a new place. Some places take longer than others. But the younger you are, the easy it is to do because you do not need a lot of things, you can live cheaply and have less responsibilities. The irony is that you also might not have your vision or visual communication worked out either. But I think it is very possible to live between two or more places - just be humble about what to expect, work hard, meet lots of people, be clear about why you’re there and your vision, and everything should fall into place.

Where might we have we seen your work? What have been some favourite shoots / clients / publications?

My work is mostly focused on space, interiors and natural light, which is how I approach Where They Create. But I also work in studios and on location with film lighting, which is very controlled and very constructed. I just shot actor Kodi Smit-McPhee in this way for Black Book.

A couple of years ago, I photographed the wine labels for Moorilla Estate. I worked with an amazing team of people including choreographer Phillip Adams and the members of Ballet Lab. You may have also seen the campaign I shot for Wolf Blass a few years ago, of a woman holding an eagle.

Moorilla Estate photos featuring the members of Ballet Lab

And in the interior/natural light direction, one of my favourite collaborators is Frank Visser from Amsterdam. I think he’s a genius with colour. Marcel Van Doorn is another amazing stylist. Both are good friends of mine and I enjoy working with them.

All photographs by Paul Barbera

Magazines that I have been published in include Elle Decor (UK), Elle Decor (Italy), Bloom, Vogue Living (Australia), InStyle (Australia), Grazia (Italy) and Inside (Australia).

In the last couple of years I have started to delve into books, but unfortunately, they are only available in Europe. I shot a coffee table book called Metropolitan Luxury, which featured the work of celebrity Dutch interior designer Eric Kuster. I was able to visit some amazing villas in Bali, Spain and south of France. I also shot a cupcake book, called Happiness is a Cupcake. It was a completely different process as we were working out of a kitchen and living room of a gorgeous apartment in Amsterdam (it had been converted from an old school). It was not my usual subject matter and I had to be talked into it. However, I was sold on the idea that I was shooting mini interiors, and I have to say I really enjoyed it.

All photographs by Paul Barbera

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

If I am not shooting, I normally start my day at 8am at my local cafe for an hour of thinking, writing out my things to do for the day. I love writing lists. Then I will head back to my studio where I live and work from--I built it with my brother a few years ago. I could spend most of the day editing, as I always have at least 4-6 stories that need editing for Where They Create or any other number of jobs waiting to get out. I shoot more than I have time to put work online...in a way, shooting is the fun easy bit, it’s the editing, backing up and admin stuff that takes up my time.

I will normally have a hit of ping pong during the day just to have a break.

I also seem to spend a lot of time following up emails. In the evenings, if I am not entertaining or going out, I might keep working till late.

All photographs by Paul Barbera

Where do you turn for creative inspiration – travel, local and international design trends, magazines, books or the web etc?

Travel is number one. I also love love love blogs. In fact I run a little site just for myself where I keep a lot of links of interesting work. It’s called Stuff People Send Me. I haven’t really shared it with people, but it’s out there if anyone is curious about it.

I also enjoy talking with people with diverse backgrounds. A priest on a train to Belgium gave me an idea for my next project. Walking (and only walking) through the red light district of Toyko gave me another.

All photographs by Paul Barbera

Which other photographers, artists or creative people do you admire?

Hedi Slimane, Tim Walker, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Tim Richardson, 3 Deep Design, Matthew Herbert...to name a few.

What would be your dream creative project?

To do more books that will ideally let me travel for 6 months of the year. Further afield, I would like to try my hand at DOP work one day...

What are you looking forward to?

My Dutch summer and planning my move to the states next year.

All photographs by Paul Barbera

Melbourne Questions –

What is it that brings you back to Melbourne when you could easily settle down and base yourself solely in Europe?

Family, i think this is the main one, I also have great friends here... culture, food... summer. I like getting the best of both worlds.

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

I had dinner for friend who had returned to Australia for a short visit from Amsterdam. We went to Gills Diner. I definitely indulged myself with the pork belly.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

I will go to Collingwood farmer’s market with my partner and mum once a month, otherwise I sleep in until 9. I try not to work but sometimes I can’t help myself.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

Yarraville... I am a little biased as it is where I spend most of my time, but it’s got a great mix of food (I have a coffee everyday at the Corner Shop) and the Sun Theatre is great place to watch a movie.

All photographs by Paul Barbera

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Upon a Fold

Upon a Fold - brand new Sydney-based online store of papery goodness.

Gorgeous little hand-folded hearts which Upon a Fold have been sending out with all their early orders!

From the pop-up book collection...

Awesome little 'Play More' notebook from Holland - on the back of each lined page is a printed pattern resembling familiar sports equipment.. so that when you crumple up your note in frustration, it takes on the form of a ball for you to shoot in the closest recycle bin!

Oh my goodness.

Upon a Fold is seriously the most gorgeous brand new Australian online store - specialising in all things PAPER. It is truly the most beautifully curated collection of papergoods - lots of stunning paper products from Japan... just so much papery goodness I can't even tell you - you have to go see for yourself! It is truly divine.

Upon a Fold realises a life-long dream for Sydney-based graphic designer and paper-lover Justine Fahd. Justine has scoured the globe to source the most brilliant collection of stationery, pop-up books, cards and unique paper gifts and accessories.. as well as a carefully selected collection of publications covering papercraft and Japanese folding techniques... it is such a perfect collection all in one place. I am SO impressed!

The Upon a Fold website is also ridiculously cute, designed of course by Justine, and built by Melbourne based web gurus Inventive Labs.

... and you'll be pleased to know that Justine has also spent time building a GORGEOUS little blog which is just as delicious as the store... it is really excellent and totally bookmark-able in its own right.

I don't think I can make it any clearer. Just get over there and check it out! OK?!

'Jewelgraphy' diamonds card


Match post-its for bookmarking pages...



Pop-up signed artwork by Dutch paper artist Ingrid Siliakus