Vitra Design Museum’s Post

In case you are in the area and interested in the intersection of brand and design.

I’m excited to share that we’ve been selected to present at the Fourth International Artefacta Conference in Helsinki this February 2025.   Our paper, “Determining the Future: Pre-Creation Accessioning and the Documentation of Design Process”, aligns with the conference’s focus on artefacts and material culture. The paper explores pioneering curatorial strategies we’ve developed in collaboration with the Massimo Osti Studio, challenging conventional museum accessioning practices.   Museums tend to accession garments long after their production, once their aesthetic, societal, or critical value has been established. However, rapidly evolving design, production, and consumption practices—exemplified by the rise of direct-to-consumer models and limited edition drops—demand a more immediate approach, one that preserves the full spectrum of a garment's relationship to these processes and its connection to production and culture.   In 2022, after discussions with Lorenzo Osti, the Westminster Menswear Archive (WMA) launched a unique project to document the design evolution of the newly founded Massimo Osti Studio. Even before the first garments were conceived or designed, WMA decided to accession a sample from each production piece created during the Studio’s foundational year in 2024.   Our paper will examine the innovative curatorial strategy employed by the WMA, showcasing the determination of the creative and industrial processes of garment production while intentionally avoiding the imposition of curatorial or donor biases. By embracing the uncertainty and unpredictability of this approach, the WMA sought to document a dynamic and evolving narrative, highlighting the complexities of contemporary fashion and material culture. #ArtefactaConference2025 #MaterialCulture #CuratorialInnovation #FashionArchives #MuseumAccessioning #ContemporaryFashion #MassimoOstiStudio #FashionDocumentation #DesignProcess #WestminsterMenswearArchive

✨ “A window to infinity, painted black.” ✨ Imagine an artwork that doesn't just decorate a space, but tells a story of exclusivity and global impact. This black artwork is more than just an aesthetic presence: ARTƎCONOMY® is a piece of the universe that you can own, and it will be yours alone, forever. Every time we sell this iconic artwork, we make a gesture that goes beyond that: 10% is shared with all previous collectors FOREVER, as a tribute to the connection and trust that binds us together. And it's not just that: part of the proceeds, 100 CHF, goes to charity, to leave a mark even where art doesn't reach. Made of recycled carbon fiber (for the first time in the world patented by us), ARTƎCONOMY® is a symbol of sustainability and innovation. The deep black becomes a canvas for reflection, an invitation to lose oneself in a timeless dimension. Whether in the heart of an office, a hotel room or showroom, or as an exclusive piece in a private collection, it is the accessory that redefines the essence of any environment. For those who are ready to own the one piece that is identical to the rest of the world, yet unrepeatable. ARTƎCONOMY® – The Art Without The Artist...🔳 Find us on www.arteconomy.ch discover how ARTƎCONOMY® can transform your collection. 🔗 Be Unique, Be Iconic, Become our collector #Arteconomy #innovation #art #luxury #charity #Investment #Sustainability #artwork #revolution #ContemporaryArt #fibercarbonrecycled #ArtCollectors #InteriorDesign #icon

Picasso+ JW? One of the most striking features of Picasso's style was his ability to break down objects and figures into their basic shapes and forms, and then reassemble them in unexpected ways. This approach, known as Analytic Cubism, allowed him to explore the subject from multiple perspectives at the same time. There is a "Picasso" in fashion as well. JW Anderson started making very good, though not specifically avant-garde, collections back in the early 2000s, similar to Picasso with his realistic paintings up to the 1900s. However, starting in the mid-2000s, the idea behind JW's design changed and took, in my opinion, a few different directions: Re-shaping the items of clothing. Many would argue that the real "Picasso" of fashion is Margiela, who took apart and reassembled suits, coats, etc. However, JW brings an endless element of innovation on a cultural level, much like Picasso. Margiela was a loner as a designer, and his innovations didn't connect to the social climate of his time (they are more relevant now), contrary to Picasso and JW. Plus, both Picasso and JW are big fans of ceramics. :) Another special feature JW possesses, apart from being a "Picasso," is the unique way he connects his work with the social and cultural movements of our time. Some designers are not looking for inspiration every season; there are hundreds of ideas in their minds, and we can call them "discoverers." Nego, JW, Kim Jones and Prada are examples. Usually, these people are collectors (the first three) or intellectuals (Prada, Albert Kriemler of Akris). When you have money (LVMH), desire, and curiosity, the sky's the limit. You can do endless collaborations with your favorite artists or companies (remember the Christmas ornaments collaboration between Loewe and Suna Fujita?), run the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize, and collect pottery. I think potteries have an advantage in this competition, similar to how some think the Westminster Dog Show favors the terrier group. :) Anyway, Loewe's "Crafted World" exhibition is currently open at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre, and it is supposedly amazing. It includes objects made by finalists for the LOEWE Foundation’s Craft Prize and works by artists who have inspired certain designs over the last several years.  The space was created under a division led by Ellen van Loon, OMA's lead architect.   It's time to go to Shanghai! #wwd #bof #fashion Loewe

The trade shows might be over...but the real show is just beginning. From Milan Design Week and Clerkenwell Design Week in Europe to AIA and NeoCon in the United States, the voice of the design community echoes around the world 🌎 It's clear there's been a need for a revolution in the way we sample as designers and architects. The old way of sampling is costly and painful, both for design professionals and the environment. At Swatchbox, our goal is to be the change we'd like to see in the world which is why we set out to streamline the sample ordering process by bridging the gap between manufacturers and designers. #MilanDesignWeek #ClerkenwellDesignWeek #AIA #NeoCon #Swatchbox

This design melds minimalist aesthetics with futuristic functionality, showcasing crisp white tones throughout. The streamlined silhouette, structured panels, and precision detailing suggest a blend of athleisure comfort and high-tech inspiration, likely drawing from urban explorations and aviation gear. | Join 10,000+ fashion designers on The New Black AI. #fashiondesign #clothing #manfashion #aifashion #aiclothing #aifashiondesign #ai #aifashionweek #fashionweek

Behind every designer's collection lies a world of inspiration waiting to be unveiled. From the timeless strokes of Art to the intricate tapestry of History, here's a glimpse into the diverse sources that fuel their creativity:- 1. Art: Drawing from artistic movements and expressions for innovative designs. 2. History: Infusing elements of the past into contemporary fashion narratives. 3. Architecture: Translating architectural marvels into wearable art forms. 4. Nature: Harnessing the beauty and diversity of the natural world in design motifs. 5. Tradition and Culture: Celebrating heritage through fashion that tells stories of tradition. 6. Future: Pushing boundaries and envisioning tomorrow's trends. 7. Personal Experiences: Crafting designs that reflect individual narratives and journeys. 8. Travel: Capturing the essence of global cultures and experiences in fashion. 9. Fantasy: Creating dreamlike designs that transport wearers to otherworldly realms. 10. Stories: Weaving tales and emotions into every stitch and silhouette. 11. Personalities: Drawing inspiration from iconic figures and their unique styles. 12. Craft and Techniques: Honoring craftsmanship and embracing innovative techniques for unparalleled creations Each of these inspirations serves as a wellspring of creativity, shaping collections that resonate with meaning, beauty, and innovation.

Talk #3 : "WE NEED LESS OF THE SAME AND MORE OF THE SPECIAL !" Creativity was again a big focus of the discussion during our third talk in #NewYork 👇 💥 This introduction statement could actually be our tag line at Watchmakers United considering how we feel independent watchmakers are really driving creativity for the whole industry and major brands are simply reinterpreting their own designs over and over. But here again, creativity is seen differently whether you manage a design studio like Cedric Turk (Label Noir Genève) or own your small workshop like Bastien Vuilliomenet (Lundis Bleus). And they see their missions differently as well : 💙 Bastien : "The first mission of LUNDIS BLEUS was to make metiers d’art and other artistic techniques finally affordable. Bringing new customers into that field of watchmaking, and not reserving these crafts to the HNWI. I customize pieces based on the desire of the customers but I have to stay cohesive to my brand’s DNA. I have to look at the pieces I do for customers and be proud of them as if they were my own creations" 🖤 Cedric : "Our mission is to continue the story that the brands have written and most of the time, they use Label Noir as an excuse to do things they would love to do but cannot really do themselves because of their history. This way, they do not confuse their traditional customers and we bring them new ones." #creativity #design #bespoke #independentwatchmaking #watches Maison Jean Rousseau Maximilien ROUSSEL-GALLE Vincent Vuillaume

A recent conceptual campaign for Maison Margiela exploring movement and energy within the confines of a 2-dimensional space through patterns, repetition, and the emergence of form. The cyclical nature of human activity creates a repetitive dance, establishing a narrative of motion, texture, and progression as compositional elements. #design #multimediadesign #graphicdesign