Just Fashion.Art.Design.: November 2008

I Need A Holiday

I guess the weekend will have to do.

Old School Photoshop

One of my 2009 resolutions is to learn how to use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator! At present, this is effectively how I operate:

Clever, huh?

Photo credits: http://ffffound.com/image/9f305382955dd541a24dd9886b02695dfe77f200

Madness has recently received a wave of rave reviews, from Teen Vogue to Refinery 29 to Chloe's Chic Conception - and no wonder! This quirky Indonesian label has burst onto the scene with unabashed youthful vigor and dark dramatic flair.

Their designs feature traditional materials like Balinese batik, Javanese liruk and Sumba weaving, carefully intertwined with exuberant embellishments like sequins, feathers and beads to create ornate headbands fit for a queen, statement-making necklaces for your inner rock star and hippie-inspired handbags. Check them out online or at the AlunAlun boutique in Jakarta!

The absolutely lovely and uber talented trio of designers behind Madness - Ajeng Dewi Swastiari, Bonnie Natasha Arif and Vannie Astecat - took some time out to answer a few of my questions. So what are you waiting for? Read on!

How did you guys meet?
We met accidentally in college and we've become partners in crime ever since.

Where did you study fashion?
LaSalle College International in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Describe your label Madness in 3 words.
Surreal, unpredictable, strangely beautiful.

What are your inspirations?
There are many - our nightmares, velvet morning, Indonesian fabrications, 60s-80s culture, paganism, witchcraft, Deborah Harry, PJ Harvey, David Bowie...awwwww...there are too many...we're gonna spend a whole day if we have to mention them one by one! Hehe.

Do you have any future plans for the label?
Open a store in the US, Europe or Australia and collaborate with Martin Margiela or Hussein Chalayan or Alexander McQueen...hahaha! (Actually now we're looking for some stockists for our pieces.)

Thanks girls! I can't wait to see your label take over the fashion universe!

Photo credits: http://project-madnesshome.blogspot.com

Wardrobe Wishlist

This isn't a Wardrobe Wishlist per se but it was too cute not to share with you.

Wallpaper dress, £225

Paper brooches, £19

Paper ballet shoes, £50

All by the amazingly talented textile artist Jennifer Collier.

Photo credits: http://jennifercollier.co.uk

Calligraphically Speaking

I love this non-traditional take on calligraphy by Minted. There is nothing more touching than receiving some beautifully-written snail mail. :)

Photo credits: http://www.minted.com/calligraphy

Bubblegum Pop Electric!

Photo credits: http://www.teenvogue.com/beauty/feature/2008/09/beautifuldreamer_20080908?slide=2

The Point At Which You Had Me

*cue cheesy music*

By Jahan Gerrard.

Photo credits: http://www.jahangerrard.co.uk/index.htm

I Heart Built By You

I didn't know this but Built By Wendy also sells patterns so you can sew your own tops, pants, dresses and jackets! Click here to shop.

Photo credits: http://www.builtbywendy.com

Peter Jensen SS09

I'm not really a fan of floral (I get bad flashbacks of the 90s) but these looks are giving me second thoughts for summer:

Photo credits: http://www.peterjensen.co.uk/

If It's Sweet, It's A Treat

Today I'm catching up with an old friend at The Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney (the world's first cafe devoted to Lindt chocolate) so I have sweet treats on my mind!

Photo credits: http://mypolaroidblog.blogspot.com/

LBD vs. LWD

By Fleur Wood.

Photo credits: http://www.fleurwood.com/

Jump For Joy!

Yeah, trying to get my energy levels up (coffee, tea, for me).

By Evelin Tarunadjaja.

Photo credits: http://www.lovexevol.com/

Eenie Meenie

Choices, choices - a difficulty compounded by the schizophrenic weather we've been having here in Sydney. Fingers crossed that it lightens up for the weekend! Ciao til Monday.

Photo credits: http://content.coutorture.com/2470728?page=0,0,3

Maison Moschino

Maison Moschino [is] a boutique Milan hotel located in a neoclassical railway station that was originally built to serve the Milan-Monza line in the 1840s. Over four floors, 54 unique rooms and 15 suites contrast with their more traditional outer shell, each designed by creative director Rossella Jardini and the rest of Moschino’s creative team. Surrealist and ironic Moschino signatures are incorporated into a fairytale theme for the rooms, based on the idea that to sleep is to dream, and dreams are fairytales that we experience first hand.

Photo credits: http://www.dazeddigital.com/Fashion/article/1355/1/Maison_Moschino

Hey, Rosario

Photo credits: http://www.yutsai.com/

Lisa Cohen

Lisa Cohen is an Aussie photographer who worked as a stylist, producer, art director and editor for 8 years in London before moving behind the lens. She captures the mood of interiors so well! You can find her portfolio here.

Photo credits: http://www.lisacohenphotography.com/

Hazy

Photo credits: http://www.burfitt.com

A Bite Out Of The Poison Apple

Jonelle Maira studied fashion illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York before working as a freelance writer and illustrator. She has since moved on to start her own line of jewelry which she regards as "mobile art". Click here to shop her label, Poison Apple.