WEAR WASH REPEATthe art of KOMBOH

Donning the walls of Nation Toys this November is the works of KOMBOH (aka Michael Mateyko & Hans Thiessen). With a very descriptive theme you can gather that the show will focus on wearable art. There is an assortment of incredible hand screened imaginative and simplistic graphic tees accompanied by some beautifully framed illustrated prints. I have a feeling that both the tees and prints wont be around long and their reasonable price *ahem $30* certainly makes them a great gift idea and hotter than the hottest of hotcakes… I guess if you could wear hotcakes the former would be true.

From my angle the work of KOMBOH epitomizes not only clean contemporary design (with a side of whimsy) but also the diversity to switch from amazing typeset documentation to cute and colourful vector illustration & animations.  I look forward to seeing whats next for this talented duo.  I’ll be sure to post photos of this month’s show.

The opening is tonight: 6pm – 9pm @ Nation Toys & Tees so if you are in Calgary we hope to see you there!

The work of Michael Mateyko & Hans Thiessen.

KOMBOH is comprised of two individuals who realized that working together solved more problems than it produced. Michael Mateyko and Hans Thiessen approach the visual world with the belief that creativity is a process, not a formula. A process that sometimes involves medium-fit, 100% cotton t-shirts.

Go to komboh.com for more form-fitting goodness.

Calgary is now becoming home to more unique boutique stops. The latest boutique stop, espy, is situated in a character building on the main drive (9th ave.) of Inglewood, an eclectic suburb of the downtown Calgary area.

This boutique shop is all about class and fashion; bringing in designer names and fashions that are not typical to the Calgary fashion market. Espy has a so much to offer fashion hungry consumers and offers the latest in fashion and trendsetting.  This is a great destination to go and peruse on a weekly basis to check out the new stock. Take a look at the space which espy occupies… great design and fits so well within the character space. Perfect place to pick up a unique gift, outfit or that one piece to complete your ensemble.

Images are all taken by Alix Broadway and are from the espy website.

espy space during grand opening night.

James, Christy and I at the opening, having some very much appreciated beverages.

espy owners and employees, celebrating and enjoying the grand night.

Ah yes. finally! Bridging the gap between fashion destination stores and pertinent fashion blogs, Holt Renfrew, always creative and innovative with their window displays, are once again proving their worthiness. Commencing with a “Fashion Blog” definition displayed on an introductory window we see that each progressive window is designated a fashion blog and corresponding visual theme. It is well executed and it’s fantastic to see large fashion venues such as Holt Renfrew with an appreciation of the influence of blogging in a fashion context. Not only have they used their store as a venue to show that they’ve got their fingers on the fashion pulse but there is also the opportunity to promote these new online pioneers of fashion. This is a great cross promotion idea and obviously advantageous for all parties.

Click on “more” to see each window, blog and my thoughts!

This blog is one of my favourites. They shows a lot of street style pics of men’s / women’s fashion and runway. They focus mostly on very high-end and innovative fashion, always visually inspiring.

www.jakandjil.com

Great blog! It’s focus is on fashion and culture and formatted with images and brief captions which means it’s very to the point but still engaging. While the inspiration behind this blog is about shoes it’s definitely not only about that. There are images of fashion that follows with the shoes, street pics, and the culture that surrounds it all.

www.seaofshoes.com

While very much involved in fashion, shows and the scenes in which they exists. The blog has a very directed cultural, inspirational approach surrounding fashion, music, and day/night life.

www.bryanboy.typepad.com

I’m excited to see this blog as one of the windows as it has been a favourite in my blogroll for some time now. While it shares both men’s and women’s fashion, it focuses mostly on men’s which is great because there are so few that do. It showcases street and runway fashion…always fun to go through the images and gather inspiration.

www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Wow, this blog’s got it all.  Runway and street fashions, events and parties, arts and culture, and more more more. There is lots to look at on this site and definitely interesting to see the wide spectrum of content.

www.iwantigot.geekigirl.com

This blog focuses on women’s fashion trends and showcases mostly street styles, runway, along with illustrations which are more often than not, overlooked…but oh so important to design.

www.garancedore.fr/en

When dressing in your favourite threads, shoes are the final touch, or, in some cases, the starting point for piecing together an outfit.  Check out these converse with a pixel-like backing. it’s the perfect nerdy-chic-flare to add to any outfit. This addition was made exclusively for Foot Locker and runs about £55 ($100 CDN) and seems to only be available through the Foot Locker UK online store.  Good news is that they ship to Canada!

I’ve heard about this whole “cell phones cause cancer” thing, and I buy it just as much as I buy cigarettes causing cancer. But I still smoke, so I doubt I’ll be procuring a pair of these pants. However, if you are worried about electro magnetic radiation, act now! Distilled has crafted a pair of pants just for you.

You can pick up a pair of these wonders at Bloomingdale’s, or by ringin’ up (415) 558-8395.

Source: Taco Lab Blog

Dover Street Market

Located in London England, Dover Street Market is a very progressive kind of market. It mixes industrial design, lounges, restaurants, and shopping all under one roof. Each area is as unique as the next and brings together different designers and products to create a sense of organized chaos. Because the market offers such a wide range of products it has positioned itself on the forefront of eclectic style and trendiness… I want to go to there.

So I have been on a mission to find a bow tie for everyday use, well maybe not everyday, that would be a little extreme. I’m not looking for some formal event bow tie or any of that biz, but seeking a geek-chic bow tie. I know they are out and about in the fashion world but somehow I think the “Calgary shipment” was forgotten about, and now, I am forever longing for this ultimate accessory.

Any-who, thought I would share with you this pretty swank bow tie I found online for your viewing pleasure. As for me and my venture, if you see me walking down the street sporting a nice n’ shiny bow tie, everything will have worked out real nice. Word!

www.male-mode.com

Who doesn’t love to mix a bit of vintage apparel in with their wardrobe to add a little yester-year flair? Now, what if you had the opportunity to dodge wading-through the mass of retrowear and be given a selection of hand picked gold? Fox Sparrow to the rescue! Fox Sparrow Vintage offers an online boutique that selects stylish vintage combo’s to save you a little time (and money).

This project is the brainchild of dynamic duo Lindsay Sutton and Heather Saitz. You may have been fortunate to enjoy Heather’s recreated, found and vintage photography exhibit in the early days of our Nation gallery. That was a few years back, and as you can tell ambition continues to be one of her signature maneuvers.

For the time being you can find out Fox Sparrow on:

• Their Facebook Group.
• Their eBay Online Store.

You may also happen to catch them live in Calgary at various local events this summer.  I’ve even heard rumours that they may hook-up with local retailers in the near future.

Now you can back to struttin your new threads on the streets and perhaps be shot (photographically that is) by one of the many the fashion savvy bloggers out there.