Fashion designer Justin Oh has recently brought out a line of canvas bags ready for summer. They’re available in two sizes working as well for shopping, the gym or a weekend away. Justin assures me that they are fully washable which is even better. Classic and stylish, these aren’t just a one-season item, just like […]
One-minute blog of interesting things
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As a working contemporary artist I visit many exhibitions and shows, but sometimes it is the things I see that are part of daily life that capture my interest. My one-minute blog of interesting things reflects the fact that although we are increasingly time-poor, there is creativity all around us. Email me at info@carolinebanks.co.uk with your name and email to receive a weekly post that only takes 1 minute to read.
Jewellery by Alice Cicolini & Fernando Jorge
As I’ve said before , I am not normally of an acquisitive nature but some things just get to me. One person whose work I lust after is Alice Cicolini. Her exhibition of new work along with fellow jeweller Fernando Jorge was at Somerset House and visiting was an experience in itself. The mix […]
Pulse London 2011 Part 2
Other companies I wanted to mention include interesting prints with that English holiday feel by Betty Boyns, appliquéd and embroidered home furnishings by Lisa MacDonald at Molly Mac, lovely prints at Prey and cute salt and pepper pots by Takae Mizutani. Lots of other interesting exhibitors but, as ever, I have only picked out a […]
Pulse London 2011 – Part 1
Pulse, the home accessory and gift fair is an eclectic mix of products. It’s mainly small businesses, many just starting out. Here are a couple of first-time exhibitors. Flock Follies, Jayne Tarasun’s new venture, includes these bird feeders. The transluscent plastic cubes (recyclable) have irregular cutout shapes, only accessible to small native birds. They can hang […]
Clerkenwell Design Festival – Part 3
More designers and lighting products this time. I’m becoming increasingly interested in lighting – some of the most exciting work is being produced in this area and it’s one where energy-saving technology has really impacted on design: A simple idea by Liquidesign which can be adapted to all kinds of situations. www.liquidesign.co.uk Also seen Vitamin […]
Clerkenwell Design Festival London 2011-Part 2
I have to share this wonderful poetic piece by London Fieldworks. It is of course purely theoretical – the poor little birds would fall out of most of these houses. Important note – birds will only nest in boxes made from our native wood. I was told this by a UK birdhouse designer and builder. […]
Clerkenwell Design Festival, London 2011-Part 1
Yes, it’s the second one and even better than last year. The House of Detention, a former prison with dank underground cells had a selection of new design companies showing their wares. One find was Graphic Relief, www.graphicrelief.co.uk . Eric Barrett and Mark Dale create moulded concrete wall tiles and panels up to 2 x […]
Out of Town’s show of Iconic American Clothing
Those lovely men at Out of Town have just launched a collection of classic and vintage American workwear. I’m sure a lot of it will have already been snapped up since the opening last week as there are great products and ideas, particularly for menswear design. Here are some photos from the opening night: Loved […]
Collect London 2011 – Steffen Dam
I do think this man is a genius and was delighted to see that the Victoria & Albert Museum has bought one of his pieces. This one in fact. He remains true to a very particular aesthetic which resonates with me. I know I blabbed on about him last year but here are a couple […]
Collect London 2011 – textiles
So, the next installment. Anne G Loland, another Scandinavian maker, showed this exquisitely delicate piece which looks like a shredded print at first glance but pay a little more attention… That’s mind boggling, isn’t it? A sturdier piece (you couldn’t get much more fragile than the above) was a digitally woven piece by Galleri Format’s Kari […]