Fly by Night

Photographed by Craig McDean for W.

Perret Schaad

Showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this duo has brought us some interesting and very wearable designs. Pastel colour combinations, big mix of fabrics, nice cuts. There is a certain elegance to the work that is present as well in their personal work. There is no website with the collections of the brand as a whole but I was able to view projects from the designers and I recommend you do the same.

A Single Man

Looking forward to see Mr. Ford’s first adventure as a film director.

Rapunzel

Photographed by Lina Scheynus. The place where they shot is quite amazing and intriguing.

Longchamp New Campaign

The new Longchamp campaign with Sasha. I like the turban and black sharp eyebrows.

Kitchenware

An award winning set featured on the latest issue of Wallpaper. Quite minimal, simple lines, 3 main materials, would look great in any kitchen.

Picnic Set

I would really like to have one of these. They are sold on Etsy but currently not available. I have not done a picnic in a while but I absolutely love to. Prepare things, drive outside the city to find a suitable place and just enjoy the nice weather, stare at the blue sky, read, fall asleep, relax. Good thing Spring is not that far away.

Mary had a little lamb

Anja Rubik photographed by Camilla Akrans. Very virgin bride in the meadows. Wonderful light.

We’re perfect with cereals

Design made by Si of this brand of milk. The packaging is great, very retro and the use of Typography is really interesting in each and every bottle. It actually one an award: Roses Advertising Awards 2009. We know just need some cereal boxes that can go well with the milk.

A different kind of luggage

Incredible luggage by Sarah Williams that just graduated from the LCF MA Fashion Artefact. Here is an interview that was done to her about the making and the process of creation of her designs. I personally think they are beautiful.

The interview was taken from the blog StyleSalvage.

“SS: Congratulations on more than playing your part in an exciting MA show (in terms of menswear in particular). How did it feel seeing your finished designs on the catwalk?

Sarah Williams: It was extremely exciting to see my finished collection on the catwalk. As this was the accumulation of many months of hard work and dedication it was very rewarding to actually see them being carried.

SS: What attracted you to the LCF MA course in particular? What was the best thing about your course? And the worst?
Sarah Williams: I was drawn to the MA Fashion Artefact course mainly due to my interest in craftsmanship and I knew that it would be valued on this course. Also the term “Fashion Artefact” is open to interpretation by each student so this offers a degree of freedom in the way which you develop your concept and collection. The course requires complete dedication in order to achieve the amount of work and levels quality which are required. During the course each student is pushed by the course tutor (Dai Rees) which can be hard at the time but is well worth it at the end.

SS: Now on to your collection… it showcases what luxury is and should be, the marriage of the finest materials with craftsmanship and traditional techniques but at the same time offering something entirely new. Was this a key inspiration and motivation for the collection?
Sarah Williams: Craftsmanship was the starting point to the concept which the collection is based on, but it developed to involve many other issues. It is challenging the differences between the artisan and the artist, between design and fashion.

SS: Throughout the whole design and production process three methods of change were applied to the materials used, can you talk us through them?
Sarah Williams: It was based on the theory which Richard Sennett discusses in his book The Craftsman. The three methods of change are Metamorphosis, Anthropmorphism and Presence. Metamorphosis is applied through the change of the traditional type-form of luggage. Anthropmorphism is applied by engraining the collection with human qualities such as integrity and honesty through the use of hand craftsmanship. Presence is applied through the use of branding.

SS: All of your products are, of course, handmade and are either bespoke or limited edition and made to the highest standards. How long did each bag take to make?
Sarah Williams: Due to the nature of production in this project it was extremely labour intensive and therefore required a lot of time and dedication. The use of hand craftsmanship is integral to the project therefore traditional saddle stitch was used in all of the cases which was all completed by hand by myself. Valerie Micheal is quoted as saying “Hand craftsmanship techniques offer innovation and originality because they are not limited by the constraints of machinery.” I completely agree with this statement. When producing using hand craftsmanship the options to you are limitless and this openness to experimentation will inevitably led to new and original possibilities.

SS: You were sponsored by Metropolitan, how receptive were they to your designs and what did they make of the collection?
Sarah Williams: Yes Metropolitan Leather Ltd sponsored the leather for the collection. Roy Winnard the owner and all of the staff were extremely helpful. The dyed the leather specifically for the colours which I required. Roy Winnard was interested in helping as he wants to promote the use of bridle leather in products. Roy is very proud of the collection and is going to display some of the cases when he exhibits at Premier Vision in Paris next week.

SS: As well as using the finest bridle leather, the brass frames were produced by an accomplished metal worker, can you tell us any more about the craftsmanship that went in to them and how you found them?
Sarah Williams: Joe Macneil from Macneil Metalcraft. I worked closely with Joe to produce frames which would live up to the rest of the design and believe that this was accomplished. Due to the unusual shapes and forms each frame had to be produced individually and required a high level of craftsmanship and skills.

SS: I know this is difficult question to answer but have you got a favourite, anything that you were most proud of?
Sarah Williams: It is a difficult question but if forced my favourite would be the briefcase which a small curve. This was the first case which I produced and it is also the one of the most subtle designs. However, the designs which I am most proud of is the “arch” shape case. This design was one of the most challenging to produce and required a massive amount of time and effort. So when it was completed successfully I was very proud of it.

SS: Finally, what would you like to achieve in 2010 and beyond?
Sarah Williams: I am hoping to develop the designs further and make more. Further into the future I would like to set up my own design label and produce bespoke and limited edition cases. I would like to help appreciation for craftsmanship and cultural differences in society.”

I will try to post more images from her designs soon.