The Fox is Black

11 October, 2023

—

Graphic Design

Gretel Gives 90s Outdoor Brand Mountain Hardwear a Tough New Visual Identity

Gretel may have pulled off one of the strongest brand identity redesigns of the year. They have managed to Mountain Hardwear, a mid-90’s granola-feeling outdoors brand, and made it feel like a cutting edge tech outerwear company, all without losing it’s primary identity. This is no small feat. Gretel worked closely with Mountain Hardwear to create an all-encompassing brand identity that captures the perfect balance between being wild and wise.

Let’s start with the logo and typeface they created. It’s incredible to me that they were able to keep the look and feel of the original logo, that sort of clunky yet charming 90s energy, without it feeling off or wrong. They then worked with SuperContinente to develop a typeface inspired by “hard outside with a soft interior, which was a reoccurring theme in wood type from the late 1800s.” Because of course! And thanks to an expanded color palette, the brand now feels bold, tough, and adventurous, like it could tackle anything, which is the point.

There’s a true sense that the team at Gretel had so much fun working on this project, and that the folks at Mountain Hardwear truly trusted them. The rebrand is totally comprehensive, from soup to nuts (get it?) and there doesn’t seem to be any detail that wasn’t considered.
11 October, 2023

—

Fashion

An In-Depth Look at the Brilliance of Daniel Roseberry

It was September of 2019, I was visiting Paris for the second time, and Schiaparelli, the famed couture house, was debuting a new collection from their recently appointed creative directer, Daniel Roseberry. I had just came from seeing Emily Bode showing a small collection of Bode at an American’s in Paris event, and I wandered over to Place Vendôme to see what Roseberry had dreamed up.

What I saw was astonishing, to say the least. At the time, I wasn’t super familiar with Schiaparelli, or the visionary work brand founder Elsa Schiaparelli had done. Nonetheless, I could tell this was something different. It was high fashion mixed with absurdity, with whimsy. It was meant to be fun and playful and gorgeous.

Rachel Tashjian this week released a fantastic look at the meteoric rise of Roseberry, who since that debut collection has continued to do marvelous work, continuing to show everyone that his bag of tricks runs deep. Funny enough, I think it’s actress and director Natasha Lyonne who sums up what makes Roseberry’s vision so special:

“Really what you’re talking about is world-building,” Lyonne says. “How do you break space-time and how do you do it in a way that is comedic, but that sort of transcends that, so that people can meet you at whatever level you’re at?” There are jokes and existential inquisitions for viewers versed in quantum physics and a beautiful relationship for those who aren’t.”
9 October, 2023

—

Graphic Design

Metal Meets Mushrooms in This Bit of Branding from Luca Devinu

I feel like most creatives, like a moth to the flame, are intrinsically interested in certain things. For example, whether or not you eat them, you probably think mushrooms are kinda’ cool. They come in interesting shapes, wild colors, can look both cute and horrifying, they’re incredibly versatile. This is why I believe I was immediately entranced by this mark by Luca Devinu for Anastasia Kristensen new album, Cordyceps Disco.

It’s wild how he was able to combine the essence of like a Swedish/Nordic black metal band vibe and marry it with the cute little mushrooms. It’s nothing like I’ve ever seen before, and I love it.
3 October, 2023

—

Films

Watch The Trailer for Sofia Coppola’s ‘Priscilla’

The trailer for Sofia Coppola’s much-lauded Priscilla dropped today, which is based on Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me, which tells her side of the famed romance. The cinematography and the colors of the film look absolutely beautiful thanks to the close collaboration with cinematographer Philipe Le Sourd. Very much looking forward to this.
2 October, 2023

—

Magazine

Sablos Magazine Brings a Fresh Eye to The World of Travel Magazines

In February 2020, editor Saul Taylor envisioned a groundbreaking magazine for the travel industry. Despite the unexpected disruptions of that year, we now celebrate the realization of that vision with the arrival of Sablos magazine. Led by Taylor, formerly of Wallpaper* and Monocle magazine, Sablos brings together a diverse network of influential figures who are actively shaping a more creative, positive, and responsible world. With their expertise in writing, photography, and illustration, these contributors, spanning the globe, proudly support established creatives while nurturing emerging talents.

Sablos’ debut issue is filled with captivating interviews featuring inspiring individuals who play a pivotal role in travel and have deep connections to their cherished destinations. It’s funny, I was actually reminded me of the bars Sips here in Barcelona, the third best bar in the world, thanks to Sablos. If you enjoy traveling, eating, and discovering new places in the world, you’ll definitely appreciate what they’re doing.
2 October, 2023

—

Food & Drink

Charming Parisian Pita Sandwich Shop Dizen Makes the Most of A Small Space

Came across this cute little spot called Dizen out in the Pigalle neighborhood of Paris that serves a traditional Israeli street food called sabich, which in Hebrew stands for its initials (SBH) – salat, beitzah, hazilim (salad, egg, eggplant). While the food looks amazing (I could eat pita sandwiches every day) it’s the charming, odd little space that I really love. It has a 60s/70s influence with the curvy entrance walls, baby blue color palette and super simple order signage. I even think that clearly unmovable drainage pipe is super charming, they’re clearly making due with the space they have. Plus the branding is on-point with a funky mix of typefaces, I’m super into it.
29 September, 2023

—

Photography

Explore the Saturated and Raw Photography of Thais Varela

I discovered by chance the work of Madrid-based photographer Thais Varela, who’s high-contrast, super saturated work immediately caught my eye. When I look through her photos they give me that feeling of the early to mid-90s editorial feeling, thinking Raygun magazine covers. And those colors, the richness and depth there, as well as the deep dark tones, everything feels so dreamy. Seeing Varela’s work makes me want to pick up a film camera, though realistically, my photos wouldn’t be half as great as hers.
29 September, 2023

—

Music

Purelink Releases ‘Signs,’ a Perfect Album for Calm Mornings

One of my go-to waking up in the morning, soothing ambient chillness records has been the new record from Purelink called Signs. I tend to put albums on repeat, listening to them over and over to get a better sense of the overall narrative, and this one works great for that.

Listen on
Open in Apple Music Open in Spotify Open in Bandcamp

“Distilled from extended compositions prepared and performed across 2022 in Chicago, Kansas City, New York, and Los Angeles, Signs captures their chemistry at its most liquid and immaterial, mapped in mutating systems of glitch, glass, rhythm, and space. It’s music alternately subdued and subterranean, elevated and remote, attuned to the flickering sentience of outer spheres.”

The other thing I’ll point out is the cover art by Ezra Miller (not that one) who has created what I would describe as a serene bathhouse vibe. This really comes to life in the video below for the track “4k Murmurs” where these inky washes of movement come to life, reminiscent of delftware plates, sumi ink, and weather patterns or fishes swimming in schools.
29 September, 2023

—

Architecture

Tel Aviv Fishmonger Yama Displays Fish Like Precious Gems

Baranowitz & Goldberg Architects have worked their magic on Yama, a decidedly unique fishmonger in Tel Aviv, creating a space inspired by dazzling jewelry stores. The transformation is remarkable, with a sculpted ceiling that mirrors the graceful shape of a ship’s bottom, reminding visitors of the enchanting connection to the sea.

The display counters resemble the sleek form of a fish fin, while the charming clay-red refrigerator drawers are used to keep the fish fresh. The color palette throughout the store pays homage to the vibrant graffiti-covered walls of the neighborhood. It’s worth mentioning that despite the store’s luxurious appearance, the architects have skillfully used simple materials like concrete flooring, plaster, and paint-finished metal to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Even small touches like the entrance door handle features a charming coral motif, adding an extra touch before you set foot in the space. If this was in my neighborhood you know I’d be visiting at least once a week.
27 September, 2023

—

Design

Kustaa Saksi Exhibits His Psychedelic Textiles at the Helsinki Design Museum

I’ve been following the career of Kustaa Saksi for more than a decade now, and it’s astonishing to see how far his work has evolved and transformed over the years. Saksi is a Finnish artist who describes his work as “specialising in graphic storytelling through patterns, textile art and installation.” It’s a fair statement as his work transcends a lot of typical descriptions, containing an alchemical mix of graphic design and weaving.

Most recently, he opened a new exhibit at the Helsinki Design Museum titled In the Borderlands, which includes a wide selection of his textile art works, created with jacquard weaving technique between 2013 and 2023. His work now feels like the intersection between organic fractal pattern making and traditional weaving and tapestries, things you don’t naturally put together, and that’s what makes them exciting. I’m absolutely certain these have to be incredible to see up close in person.

In the Borderlands runs until 15 October 2023.
27 September, 2023

—

Music

Eartheater Charts a Brutally Beautiful Path with Her New Album, ‘Powders’

I first heard of Eartheater thanks to Kyle as he would play her singles throughout the day, her music and harmonies throbbing through the apartment. Now, her new album Powders is out and it’s such a fascinating evolution of her sound. For me, it’s somewhere between 90s pop and trip hop, with distinctive bass lines, floating strings, hints of acoustic guitar, and electronic drum beats that feel familiar in a comfortable way. Hints of Morcheeba meets Massive Attack, perhaps. Her distinctive vocal styling though makes this all her own, creating a beautiful sound that’s underpinned by a dark eeriness.

I would highly recommend the single “Pure Smile Snake Venom” as well as and “Face in the Moon” to listen to first if you’re curious. And yes, there is a cover of System of the Down’s “Chop Suey” on the record, but I’ve gotta say, it’s not for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Listen on
Open in Apple Music Open in Spotify Open in Bandcamp
26 September, 2023

—

Photography

Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari Photograph Thom Browne for The New Yorker

The New Yorker released an immense article by Rachel Syme profiling American fashion designer Thom Browne and his slow burn career and the world he’s built. It’s a really great read, he has such a unique mind and POV, and honestly, he’s probably the most inventive American fashion designer. What adds even more emphasis to the story are the accompanying photos shot by the never-boring duo of Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari.

Cattelan and Ferrari have such a unique, oddball point-of-view of the world, which really does feel like it has a kinship to what Browne is doing. Which manifests in these hyper-real (their distinct style) editorial that gives a Looney Tunes feeling to suits and garments that cost thousands of dollars. It’s absurdism at it’s best, rather than falling into a realm of being corny or trendy. I hope they collaborate on more projects.