Monday 29 April 2013

Interview: Peter Jensen


                                                         OUT OF THE ORDINARY

I was lucky to get hold of the charming Danish Designer Peter Jensen for a quick Q&A. His signature might be oddity and a pretty strangeness on the surface of his collections, but after digging into his treasure chest I found a limited edition Tee Shirt cooperation with Opening Ceremony, and the fact that the brilliant filmmaker/actress Lena Dunham is sporting his garments on and off stage! Please use a few precious moments to absorb his inspiring thoughts.


 
Portraits of the designer: Paul Bliss


Herrbergquist: Your garments are often embellished with naive drawings of animals. Do you have a pet or favorite animal who inspires you?

Peter Jensen: No, not really, i can't say that i do. I do really like dogs all sorts of dogs. I think, that dogs brings out the true person in you, they can smell if you are evil.


Q: Rare patterns and odd combinations of colour and fabrics are also frequently present in your work. What are you inspired by right in this moment?

A: Right now a few things one of them being Paulette Goddard.




One of Peter Jensen´s muses: factory worker turned lottery millionaire Vivian Nicholson exclaimed "Spend, Spend, Spend " when she was asked how to mange her newfound fortune in 1962, which inspired his A/W 2013 collection. Who wouldn´t feel  lavish with this statement on the chest?


Odd colors, precise tailoring and rare fabrics turns into desirable outfits in his "Arne" A/W Pre 2013 Collection,  a very fine pipe smoking gentleman by the name of Arne Jacobsen serves as inspiration, hence the name. I would love to take a turn in those glittery shoes.

Q: I am in love with my Peter Jensen for Harris Tweed shoes that you made with them a few years back. It must have been inspiring to work with such an old, traditional company?


A: Yes it was great fun to work with an old fabric mill like Harris tweed, which does great things new and old. I love the quality of Harris Tweed.

My coveted Peter Jensen for Harris Tweed, purchased from Surface To Air in Paris a few years back.

Q: Lena Dunham was recently spotted in one of your fox sweaters? Congratulations! How did this come true?

A: Yes,thanks i love Lena, I got to know her when we worked with her mom Laurie Simmons for the SS10 collection. She is great and is doing so well for herself. We also did some looks for "girls" and we did her dress for the grammys this year.


Q: Many of your sweaters, tees, shawls and bags can easily be worn by men and are even defined as unisex, and I presume you have many male fans? What is your favourite garment from your own collection that you love to wear?


A: Well we do do a mens collection every season, but it is true that i try more and more to make it unisex. I think, this is the way for fashion at the moment.
I love this black canvas blazer from the SS08 "mink" collection, it makes me feel thin and stand up right.

                                     

                              Pure Pink Unisex Fine Waffle Crew Neck Sweater - Aqua Blue Peter Jensen Tee                              


Q: You studied in England, at Central St. Martins, but you are originally Dansih. What do you covet most from your Danish background that is also visible in your design?


A: Yes i did my MA at st.martins and is now head of the MA menswear pathway. I did my BA in Copenhagen and a tailoring degree in Aarhus.
I don't know what it is about what i do that is visible as coming from Denmark, but i can't run from the fact that i was born and rise in Denmark, which much have some kind of influencing on my work.
Maybe it has a "hyggelig" feel to it or it makes people happy when they wear it, i'm not sure.


                          "Hyggelige" (aka nice/cosy) look book shoots: Rabbit Scribble Tee - Rabbit Rainbow Tee

Sunday 28 April 2013

AT EASE IN DUNGAREES

                                                 Orange Overall

Spending my weekend in dungarees made me wonder what designers does men`s overalls these days?
This slouchy vintage cotton canvas version is the perfect garment to loosen up with funny games in the countryside.

Ever since Marky Mark made them infamous in the period of his iconic CK ads they have only appeared occasionally on the catwalk from designers such as Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs to name but a few.

FASHION IN MOTION from my favorite spot in the garden.  Vibrant orange looks striking against the clear blue sky.
 



Vintage cotton canvas Dungarees, Uniqlo plaid flannel shirt, silver and orange Adidas sneakers.

Monday 22 April 2013

Interview: Richard Haines


                                                Richard Haines - WHAT I SAW TODAY


 


Richard Haines captured by Michael Adolfsson & ´WAS A LITTLE COOLER THIS MORNING´, Wednesday August 27, 2008.


When browsing through Richard Haines blog "What I saw Today" I get impressed by the way he uses his eyes and pencils to create instant drawings - looking like they were sketched with the speed of a camera lens. I see a striking resemblance to artist Egon Schiele with his compositions, subtle color sense and in the beautiful way he captures movements. You may have seen him at The Selby or some of his collaborations with the likes of London Sunday Times, J Crew, In Style Magazine or Prada to mention a few.
Get inspired from his humble and thoughtful answers to my questions and by viewing a small collection of his work! For more, visit his blog here

Herrbergquist: What has been your proudest moment so far in your career as an illustrator?


Richard Haines: There have been many proud moments. I think overall I was very proud and happy when I realized I could make enough money from my art to pay my bills - that was pretty major.
Once when I first started the blog I was in a store with my daughter and someone came up and asked if I was Richard Haines, and they loved my work. My daughter and I were pretty stunned and it was a great moment because I wanted my daughter to see that I could rebuild my life and do something I really loved.

"IL PALAZZO" A BOOK OF ILLUSTRATIONS COMMISSIONED BY PRADA, 2013

Q: Tell me about your favorite collaboration?

A: There have been a lot of great collaborations - each in different ways. The people at J Crew really gave me my first big opportunity, so that was amazing. And working with Prada was fantastic. They both are different companies but have the same level of commitment and intelligence to what they do. I feel fortunate to work with companies like that.

Q: Do you have a favorite drawing from your archives?

A: I have a few that I really like looking at - and they are very atmospheric. One is two guys walking in Bushwick at around 4:am. Another is of a guy walking through the snow. They remind me of certain moments in time, and have certain memories, which is why I enjoy them. 

Q: When did you start drawing men in their outfits in the streets?

A: I am not sure when exactly. I was designing men`s clothes before I started the blog and switched careers to become an illustrator, so it`s something I´ve done for a while.
When I started my blog I originally was thinking of making it a kind of men`s fashion report - a trend report for menswear, but then there was so much I saw on the streets that it became easier to just draw what I saw instead of put things together as stories. It think it`s a really interesting time in menswear, and I am glad to be documenting it.


´AND NOW SOMETHING MELLOW´, thursday september 4th, 2008 & ´WHAT I AM LOVING NOW´, Sunday April 25, 2010

Q: What do you find inspiring?

A: I´ve always been really excited by pop culture - starting when I was a kid with the beginning of music like Rolling Stones, Warhol, the "mod" look.... and I find living in Brooklyn gives me the same kind of excitement - I love seeing new ways people put them selves together, new restaurants, parties, hearing new music. It fascinates me, and drawing it is a way of recording it, of processing it and capturing it.


Q: What is a day in the life of Richard like?

A: Well nothing really starts without coffee, so after that it´s pretty standard - answer work and personal emails, spend too much time on facebook, instagram etc. Then I usually have an illustration job I´m working on, so I tackle that while I have the best natural light in my studio. 
If I´m not working on a specific job I like to go out and explore - maybe meet a friend for lunch, check out a new store, and then inevitably see someone I´ll want to draw, so that will bring me back to my studio.
Evenings I like to see my daughter, or friends for dinner, or maybe occasionally an event or opening. If I stay I´ll watch a movie on netflix or hulu+. There are so many movies we have access to now - it`s endless...


´HOMECORE MONDAY´, January 28, 2013 & ´WHAT`S THAT OLD RULE OF THUMB´, Friday March 27, 2009

Q: You seem to have a very keen eye for men`s fashion - what is your favorite piece of garment from your own closet?

A: Right now I`m really into Acne Jeans. The cut is just perfect - I feel great whenever I put them on. I have a few pairs of slippers form Stubbs & Wootton - they´re very glamorous. I think my all time favorite pair of Church suede wingtips I got around 1981. I still love wearing them - it`s a testament to good design and quality!





                                            ´THE BOYS OF BUSHWICK´, Friday April 29, 2011

Wednesday 17 April 2013

MY BOY LOLLIPOP

                                                                                 UNDER THE PINK
                                                    Maybe I was not wrapped in a blue baby blanket when I was born?
The rosa study of our house is the habitat of my inspiration. 
I admire the many variations of pink in the architecture spread around Oslo. I love how the saturation of pink was caught in a cinematic light on a glowing afternoon, creating a perfect backdrop for a self portrait.
Loving the rosa typography found on covers from my piles of magazines. Vogue Hommes Spring-Summer -99 dressed in Fuchsia fonts and L`Uomo Vogue December -98 embellished with flamingo.

As a "pink-collar worker" I wear my favorite pink Bottega Venta suit pants with a pin stripe Levis Strauss shirt at my desk with pride. Pink suits men too.
Handicraft and macaroon hues collide in this exquisite Comme des Garcon shirt. Rei Kawakubo never seem to care about any rules whatsoever!

Thursday 11 April 2013

Channel Orange

GLORIOUS GALOSHES
My sartorial rescue when the weather is humid are my vibrant Galoshes from excellent Norwegian Design Company SWIMS. They cover up any shoe with style. And if the orange silhouettes on runways from Salvatore Ferragamo and Gucci to Dries van Noten slipped your mind, please give Orange a second try. The future is juicy.

I had to cover up my Prada brogues with a pair of bright orange SWIMS galoshes due to the moist weather. They set the tone for the rest of my outfit with a mix of orange and blue hues. I love the resemblance to the Prada lace up rubber covered shoes from this autumn/winter collection. Feels fresh and modern.
I love to pair my favorite Helmut Lang denim jacket with classic pieces from my wardrobe. A long time companion that turns more beautiful after every wash it is given.
Papaver colored washed out canvas jacket from H&M, Helmut Lang pale blue Denim Jacket, Our Legacy pinstripe shirt, Corneliani Wool Tie, Axcent watch.
Impeccable views for a walk on the pier. 




Saturday 6 April 2013

DRESS-UP

                                                                       PARKAS  PLAY
When packing down my winter wardrobe I started to play dress-up with my favorite jackets by turning them inside and out for a fresh take. I guess that is a habit which attribute from studying design when The Belgian Six and their deconstruction tendencies where a huge inspiration! I also used to love how  Björk tore out the lining of dresses and wore them as couture for her Debut cover pamphlet.
The resemblance of an Alexander Wang Parka is obvious when using this 10 year old beige Charhartt jacket on the reversed side. Complete with black, shiny, argyle padded satin sleeves, cream white teddy fur in body and hood, and facing from beige, worn in cotton canvas. I feel ready for the darker hoods of Oslo next winter!
ACNE Jeans tuxedo pants, NIKE hightops (purchase from the lovely Ege Sücan`s very own Vintage store in Istanbul), fair trade black V-neck.


Little did I know about the vibrant red parkas in my closet when turning my black Diesel Parka inside out.
Complete with argyle patterned padded satin lining and teddy fur collar along the hood. The black details look so fierce against the shiny red surface. Two in one - convertible is fun!
Burnt sienna Whyred pants, Orange plaid Uniqlo shirt and petrol and orange Nike sneaks. Ready to glow. 
   

 
  






Thursday 4 April 2013

All hail HAIK with us!

HITCHHIKE WITH HAIK
Please promise to check out brilliant Norwegian design collective HAIK, from the hands of the utmost talented Siv Støldal, Harald Lunde Helgesen and Ida Falck Øyen. I felt honored to attend their personal order party yesterday for a preview of their upcoming collection. I simply could not leave without these lovely loafers, a collaboration with the classic makers of the Aurlandsko along with several other items. Yes: this particular shoe will soon be available in Oxblood, Navy and several Brown hues along with several other rare styles. But make sure to browse their site for lavish shawls and desirable garments. Sigh...! Spring is in the air!

Today I felt an instant urge to jump into the shoes, ride my bike and breathe in the fresh air.

Look how they glow in from the beams of the sun. ACNE JEANS, HAIK loafers, KVARDAG socks, COS jacket, FSC BARBER gloves, Embroidered Cotton Silk Shawl.