Saturday, August 13, 2011

ALEXANDER McQUEEN: SAVAGE BEAUTY

   Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) was one of the most influential, imaginative, and inspirational designers at the turn of the millennium. His fashions both challenged and expanded the conventional parameters of clothing beyond utility to a compelling expression of culture, politics, and identity.
   Focusing on the most iconic and acclaimed designs of his prolific career, The Costume Institute organized this year's most-talked-about exhibition "Alexander McQueen: Savage beauty". It was held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 4–August 7, 2011. Exhibition included Costumes from Central Saint Martins Postgraduate collection of 1992 to his final runway presentation, which took place after his death in February 2010. It featured approximately hundred ensembles and seventy accessories from Mr. McQueen's prolific ninteen-year career.

The Romantic Mind

“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”
—Alexander McQueen



Romantic Gothic and Cabinet of Curiosities

“People find my things sometimes aggressive. But I don’t see it as aggressive. I see it as romantic, dealing with a dark side of personality.”
—Alexander McQueen


Romantic Nationalism

“The reason I’m patriotic about Scotland is because I think it’s been dealt a really hard hand. It’s marketed the world over as . . . haggis . . . bagpipes. But no one ever puts anything back into it.”
—Alexander McQueen


Romantic Exoticism

“I want to be honest about the world that we live in, and sometimes my political persuasions come through in my work. Fashion can be really racist, looking at the clothes of other cultures as costumes. . . . That’s mundane and it’s old hat. Let’s break down some barriers.”
—Alexander McQueen


Romantic Primitivism

“I try to push the silhouette. To change the silhouette is to change the thinking of how we look. What I do is look at ancient African tribes, and the way they dress. The rituals of how they dress. . . . There’s a lot of tribalism in the collections.”
—Alexander McQueen

Romantic Naturalism

“I have always loved the mechanics of nature and to a greater or lesser extent my work is always informed by that.”
—Alexander McQueen



 Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Andrew Bolton (Author), Solve Sundsbo (Photographer), Tim Blanks (Contributor), Susannah Frankel (Contributor)





 

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Roche Bobois



Roche Bobois is the story of the two families, the Roches and the Chouchans. In 1950, Jaques Roche purchased the old Alexandre Dumas theater on Rue De Lyon and built two stores. His sons, Philippe and Francois, joined the company and together established the development strategy. They began to distribute the very best contemporary furniture, which was heavily inspired by renowned designers such as Pierre Paulin and Marc Berthier. At this time, the Chouchans were selling furniture in Paris on Boulevard Sebastopol at "Au Beau Bois" which later became Bobois.
     In 1960, Francois and Philippe Roche and Patrick and Jean-Claude Chouchan got acquainted at Copenhagen Salon. They met and together designed their first catalog which launched the National franchise. The adventure was just beginning. In 1961, they designed their first nationwide advertising campaign in Elle Magazine. Sales boomed, and through this success, the adds proved benefits of combining their resources and their names. From this point Roche Bobois gained its own identity and became a brand name.
1960 Minvielle
1962 Poul Cadovius 
1964 Paulin bedroom
1966 Ball chair and Pastilli armchairs
1968 Sacco armchair

 In the 1970, the power of television sparked a profound shift in the household and a sofa was "must-have". Sofas became the core of the "Les Contemporains" collection.

1971 Lounge sofa

1972 Player sofa

1972 Bambole sofa

1974 Paysage sofa

1976 Plateau sofa

1979 Divin Divan sofa


In the 1980s, Roche Bobois expanded its collection with the creation of  "Les Provinciales", a collection that would rethink traditional French furniture.                                                                                                             
1980 Diagonale wall unit
1983 Brooklyn sideboard
1984 Informel sofa     
The 1990's were characterized by a trend to fuse ethnic influences. Roche Bobois responded to this trend with the creation of collection "Les Voyages".

1990 Fleu De fer
1991 Eureka composition

1995 Mah Jong sofa

The beginNing of the 21st century at Roche Bobois was marked by two significant events: A global expansion with more stores in an even growing number of prestigious cities of the world, from the former Lupari Palace of Bologna to the futuristic buildings of Montreal. The group is presented in 40 countries through a constant rising network of more than 240 stores. And the development of a richer partnership with designers and architects who conceive and create with Roche Bobois.

2000 Metropolis collection
2002 Ping pong collection

2003 Cometa sofa
 The Roche Bobois group is considered today as the world leader of high end furniture design and distribution in addition to its elite positioning as a pioneer creator. Each model results from a close collaboration between Roche Bobois, the designers and manufacturers, a concept that characterizes the brand's strength and originality. As a true testimony to its dynamism, Roche Bobois launches every six months an exclusive new collection and proudly runs among the most talented furniture brands with an upscale international reputation.
A Roche Bobois furniture piece is above all furniture with a unique character, inspired by multiple personalities. Each furniture piece is exclusive and truly created for you.

2006 Dukmi console

2006 Vertigo collection

2007 Envergure sofa

2008 Flap bookcase

2008 Fosille bookcase

2009 Rythme sofa

2009 Saga collection

The 2009 Spring-Summer

The 2009 Spring-Summer

The 2009 Spring-Summer

The 2009 Spring-Summer

2010 cadence sofa
Jean Paul Gaultier For Roche Bobois
Jean Paul Gaultier For Roche Bobois

Jean Paul Gaultier For Roche Bobois
Jean Paul Gaultier For Roche Bobois
Jean Paul Gaultier For Roche Bobois
Jean Paul Gaultier For Roche Bobois
Jean Paul Gaultier For Roche Bobois

Jean Paul Gaultier For Roche Bobois
Jean Paul Gaultier For Roche Bobois

Elegant by nature

Elegant by nature


Elegant by nature

Elegant by nature
Elegant by nature 

Emanuel Ungaro For Roche Bobois

Elegant by nature

Elegant by nature

Mixculture
Poptimism
Purespace 

Sculpturism

Rythme Sofa by Missoni Home
Ultramobile
Ultramobile

Collection "Les Provincales"
Collection "Les Provincales"
Collection "Les Provincales"
Collection "Les Provincales"
Collection "Les Provincales"

  Collection "Les Provincales"
Collection "Les Provincales"
  Collection "Les Provincales"/by Kenzo  

  Collection "Les Provincales"/by Paul Smith  
Collection "Les Provincales"
Collection "Les Provincales"

Collection "Les Provincales"
Collection "Les Provincales"