10 Page Spread Design For The RAWards Winners For Print Magazine & Rawartists.org
Author: Battletag Ouchies
Layout Design – Artist Feature
Editor’s Artist Feature For Seek.me – Dmnology, Graffiti
Audrey Magazine – HAERFEST
- One of the first pieces written for Audrey Magazine.
HAERFEST Will Make You Fall In Love With Backpacks All Over Again – Min A. Lee
Backpacks have a long history stemming from both casual to military use, but as with most accessories, there is always some sort of fashion-focused, mainstream revival. Backpacks generally have most of us reminisce about our early school days or university years of carrying heavy loads of textbooks and papers, but fashion week produced newly inspired designs that work more for style statements rather than practicality. Ultimately, I prefer to find something advantageous to both function and aesthetic, so I revisited the brand Haerfest founded by New Yorkers, Daniel and Tim Joo.
A few years back, I was sitting in a friend’s apartment being introduced to his cousins who, at the time, were in the beginning phases of developing a line of accessories. They graciously shared a little of what they were doing while running back and forth between laptops, working on sketches and what was likely early product development. At the time I wasn’t writing for fashion, but instead science and research so I didn’t think anything about it other than it was amazing to see entrepreneurial spirits at their best. My favorite part of fashion is the beginning, which always starts as a simple idea coated with drive and hope, much like the fields of scientific research. Over the years these two men have produced a luxurious and sleek brand of backpacks, briefcases and small leather goods that outshine the overly sporty styles being carried around.
Their bags are perfect for any environment, and for those women who are enamored with menswear inspirations; carrying around any of their products would even grab the attention of those who prefer more classic, feminine accessories. Created in neutral tones, along with an artful balance of leather and textiles, the most appreciative design feature is their signature single strap construction with a ring and stud system. This provides stability and strength for any degree of handling a wearer may impose on the bag. The use of cowhide leather only adds to the durability, making any of their goods a worthy investment. For those of us who find functionality essential, interior pockets and sleeves offer extra storage and easy access for our personal belongings.
For me, it is wonderful to see the current growth and success of Haerfest since the time I first learned about the brand. My only hope is that their accomplishments and popularity continue to flourish in the fashion industry. – See more plus imagery at: http://audreymagazine.com/tag/haerfest/#sthash.eTFBg8Kl.dpuf
Images From Audrey Magazine Via Haerfest
Layout Design – Claude VonStroke
Two Page Layout Design For Magazine Featuring Claude VonStroke & Dirtybird
Audrey Magazine – Seoul’s Favorite Street Style Photographer Alex Finch
- A few years back I stumbled on Alex Finch’s captivating street style photography, and it became a daily addiction to see what new looks would pop up on his blog and social media sites. With the progression of the fashion industry within Seoul and South Korean designers gaining new levels of recognition, there’s so much movement all-around, I expect that in the coming years SFW (Seoul Fashion Week) has the potential to be considered a prominent stage for international design houses and brands. I truly feel Finch’s work helped bring a broader audience to SFW, as the the styles found outside the shows can be just as compelling. It was very enjoyable having the chance to interview him for Audrey (full interview here).
An Inside Look Into Seoul’s Street Style Trends With Alex Finch – Min A. Lee
Winter trends continue on the streets of Seoul as we move towards the New Year with cozy knits, layers and oversized coats to keep out the biting chill. Looking back over the street trends of 2014, we decided to give you a short reading break from what is “in” for Korean fashion, and instead share a bit of an inside perspective of these flowing fads and beloved street portraits.
With over a hundred thousand followers and thousands of re-blogs daily, Alex Finch’s photos straight from Seoul have captured everyone’s attention on social media to online galleries for Vogue. While he’s out finding intriguing looks, we ask him what is it about Seoul and its fashionable people that attract growing international appreciation.
Audrey Magazine: Compared to other Asian metropolitans, what fascinates you about the fashion found on the streets of Seoul worn by its city dwellers?
Alex Finch: I should start by saying that I have only seriously shot in Seoul, but have been in Tokyo a few times. I think that I like the “fashion with restraint” (don’t remember where I heard that, but I think it fits) that makes for a good selection of photos with variety. Different areas of the city definitely give you groupings of different styles, but I like the variety I see on the streets that I frequent.
AM: You’ve been taking street portraits for quite awhile, do you feel Korean fashion is more about current trend or individual eclecticism?
AF: Again, I think there’s a mixture of both. I hear a lot of people say that Koreans just follow whatever trends are around, but I’m not sure that’s any different to any other nation that falls outside the main fashion centres of the world. However, I have some friends who don’t seem to follow any trends and just make up their own style on the go. I admire that a lot.
AM: Your photos were extremely popular during Seoul Fashion Week, is there more buzz outside versus indoors while runway shows are being presented? Can you share with us how a day goes spent capturing all the amazing outfits being worn at the seasonal SFWs?
AF: First, I should say thank you. Most of the photographers I shoot regularly with would rather be outside shooting the street and what they see more commonly on famous foreign photographers’ websites during fashion weeks, but I did enjoy shooting backstage during this season because I got to speak to the models and try a new style.
AM: What intrigues you more during your street portraits, the individual garments people wear or how they style things as a whole? What makes the image have more impact?
AF: I honestly think it depends. Shooting for this long, I have seen instances of both. When I’m snapping without asking, it’s usually an item that I see, be it shoes or a bag. When I’m shooting a full body portrait, then the entire look makes a difference. – See more of the interview and images at: http://audreymagazine.com/an-inside-look-into-seouls-street-style-trends-with-alex-finch/#sthash.ViKKMYl2.dpuf
Feature Image Via Audrey Magazine & Alex Finch
Fashion Writing – Tommy Hilfiger
Article Written For Tommy Hilfiger SS 2015 Collection For Print Magazine
Since 1985, Tommy Hilfiger has been building his internationally recognized lifestyle brand into what we know it as today. Sometimes collections feel very prep-school cool, but then we enter the spring and summer 2015 designs and we’ve got a funky mix of rocker vibes with his always clean lines, which is definitely pushing for notches above cool now. With some design throwbacks that reminisce more of the 60s and 70s eras of music, Hilfiger goes for something a bit darker, a bit more sharp than before and as what he described his muse for this collection as—”an updated cue from the free-spirited festival gals of today.”
Expert tailoring is never lost on Hilfiger’s work, but we love the deep, darker reds, splashes of black and blue in all its star-spangled glory. Stars were everywhere during this show, from the famous faces who walked for it to the all over starry prints on several of the designs. Despite the rather patriotic palette, Hilfiger does find ways to toss in some purple, green and yellow to balance out the other primaries.
Producing striped pattern looks that feel very laid back and just right for a music festival, everything became a mix of how we’ve always viewed Tommy Hilfiger’s clothing and the youthful, free spirited energy of summer festival trends. Despite somewhat appearing as opposites in a sense, Hilfiger presented them in a very funky and very cool harmony.
If you told us bohemian, music styles could work with preppier, tailored tops and bottoms we would have disagreed, but we just got school by one of America’s most iconic designers.
Layout Design – Kamryn Dame Jewelry
Two Page Layout Design For Magazine Featuring Jewelry Designer Nazy Of Kamryn Dame
Audrey Magazine – Interview With KUMANN’S Yoo Hye Jin
Article Written For Audrey Magazine
Inside South Korean Label KUMANN YOO HYE JIN by Min A. Lee
“Futuristic Folklore” is a befitting title to understanding HyeJin Yoo’s perspectives on spring fashion with her presentation for KUMANN YOO HYE JIN 2015. This isn’t a collection for those who prefer safer, ready-to-wear lines. This is about appreciating symbolism, engineering and a bit of mathematics. Beauty is found within the heavily structured looks with a nod towards today’s science fiction animation and technology printed on pastel jacquards, organzas and cottons. Yes, those are definitely spaceships. If you aren’t into sci-fi, she has equally interesting and provoking designs in neutral to bright shades.
Yoo works endlessly to create masterpieces that are becoming the future we can expect from the Kumann studio, while she continues to build stability for the label. We knew viewing her clothing would bring thoughtful discussion, so we reached out to learn more about this designer that expertly molds together so many contrasting ideas into a well-balanced and fluid collection.
Audrey Magazine: When you became the head of Kumann, how did you want to redefine the label, and how do feel that style translates into your current SS 2015 collection?
HyeJin Yoo: Kumann is the name originated from the early studio of the company. When I decided to start working on the label, I felt that I needed to reconsider the story of the studio, and its original value and identity. I have been re-identifying the brand’s characters in constructive design and original graphic patterns, which are based on different concepts of seasonal collections. Particularly, for spring and summer 2015, I interpret the concept of the future and folklore with specific color arrangements and computer-embroidered spaceship images made in 3D graphics.
AM: With the SS 2015 concept of “Futuristic Folklore,” have you always had an interest in those patterns and sci-fi animation? What inspired you to put the two concepts together as one?
HJY: Sci-fi movies and ideas of cyborgs have been greatly influencing my ideas. I am directing the brand as a high-end boutique, but I do love to mix it up with images and symbols from sub-culture. I have also been very much interested in the theoretical ideas of time and space in a parallel universe, and in Buddhism. Basically, I think that people are very accustomed to a dichotomous way of thinking. Dualism affects our perceptions and languages by dividing things in the extreme, but I think that any of those two extremes could be blended just like other previous concepts, ‘Nostalgic Future’ and ‘Urban Shamanist’.
AM: What sort of emotions do you hope to evoke for viewers and wearers of your designs?
HJY: I am drawing a woman who wears uniqueness and originality of her own. I hope both viewers and wearers have exceptional experiences and at the same time will feel assertive and happy. – See the entire interview and more at: http://audreymagazine.com/inside-south-korean-label-kumann-yoo-hye-jin/#sthash.osq7wgVB.dpuf
Layout Design – Editor’s Favorite Summer Products
Two Page Spread Design For Magazine – Editor’s Favorite Summertime Picks And Favorite Sun Protection Skin Care Line – Coola
Layout Design – Gemini Club
Two Page Spread Layout Design, Editor’s Interview With Tom Gavin Of Gemini Club – Geminiclub.fm
Min A. Lee 