The recent winter 2012-13 runway shows have illustrated the chaotic creative times we live in with fashions as diverse as never before; from the tight and strict day-dress to the art deco evening dress, to the grandmother's dress, to newer folded and constructed volumes.

One direction seems to have consensus though and that is the call of the wild. A need for wandering clothes is felt with eccentric and at times romantic outerwear, with blankets, sheepskins and furs and heavy sweaters, worn with hiking boots and walking shoes. A comeback of ponchos and cover coats that will collect the dust of the country roads in Australia, will sweep the snow of the Himalayas and will clean the asphalt in our metropoles. A carefully constructed carefree style of wrap around and throw on pieces that have so much flair that they seem to be made for sweeping us out of reality. The movement of the garments are in constant equilibration, shifting from shoulders, balancing from hips. The oversized blanket shawl is going to be a best-selling item.

At the same time military grey-coats are parading the catwalks, equally majestic and sweeping, making a bigger, tent-like silhouette; balancing from the shoulders with magnificent stand-up collars and well-designed sleeves; all worn with boots.

These boots are made for walking and therefore have flat plateau or flat soles all together. They are inspired by Mongolian, American-Indian or military influences yet can also borrow from heavy-duty mountain gear with coloured beaded laces and greased leathers. Other interesting footwear is designed to look like pilgrim shoes with buckles (Marc Jacobs) or variations on the moonboot.

So far the designers that are seduced by this newer and freer sense of fashion are Michael Kors, Rag & Bone and Paul Smith. The coming week will show us some more additions I am sure.

Lidewij Edelkoort

When you love someone, you always try find a way to show it, to find a way to link yourself to that person… but sometimes, you don’t find that product that can symbolise your love for your alter ego.

Philippe Airaud french established designer tired of searching after this special product made this extreme simple ring for his second half. Following all the enthusiastic compliments he received on that one, he launched a few months ago his concept called 0,88.

0,88 is the maximum resistance with the minimum thickness. It exists in white, pink and yellow gold.

It is a unisex ring, you can wear it on your little finger, on your thumb or wherever you want.

This ring can be given from a daughter to a mother, from a friend to another friend, from a boyfriend to his girlfriend.

Or it can just be bought by oneself as the simplicity of this last one is everything we want and need nowadays.

The good news is that the 0,88 collection will soon have a little sister.

Follow us for more information.

Charlotte Bjorklund

do it yourself has become the motto of our time governed by the recent financial crisis. forced by lack of funding, through the labour crisis and absence of creativity in the fashion market the consumer has decided to take things into his own hands initiating his own spirit

in creative and intuitive thinking. resourceful and with a sense of humour the world has begun re-cycling waist, re-using pattern, re-kindling knitting and reviving haberdashery.

in all cultural spheres; art, design and public space, architecture and landscaping the use of festive ribbons, neon’s, laces,rick-racks, pom-poms and knitwear has become a major movement, as if celebrating the home made and improvised on a larger scale.

the retail environment offering these creative tools and textiles will sell one of a kind ready-mades and do-it-yourself hobby packs as well as miscellaneous ribbons, pearls, fantasy yarns and highly creative textiles. the ambiance will be like a lively atelier where clients learn how to design and knit, to patchwork and embroider, to create jewelry also.

in japan, for years now, tokyu hands represents this major trend and we see the popping up of 3D design which will enforce this movement such as on markerBot industries.

Sophie Carlier

www.makerbot.com

www.tokyu-hands.co.jp

it is a know fact that food trucks, also called curbies, have invaded the sidewalk curbs on Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice, CA. The phenomenon seems to grow even more as all types of foods rival now, served by happy entrepreneurial youth who travel from road to road with their kitchen-equipped vans. A nomadic solution to make some cash while offering varied delights such as meat balls, organic veggies or all-potatoes dishes to weekenders strolling from Venice Beach to the cool design stores in this hip part of town. Local stores are overwhelmed by this tide of colorfully graphic painted RVs that block the view and leave shoppers with greasy fingers.

The phenomenon also exists in New York city where freshly baked waffles from Belgian Wafels & Dinges are selling like hot cakes from a truck near Union Square joining the orange Mud truck coffee people in this US cities food truck frenzy. You can now even call a 1-866 number for a up-to-the-minute truck location of Wafels & Dinges.

Success is guaranteed for quick on-the-go snacks flying out of the side of cartoony looking food trucks; especially with this irresistible smell…

Here is to the freedom of driving your own business along busy areas searching for random customers. A vertical example of integration that travels the road horizontally to distribute from place to place.

Quite obvious for food and drinks-related products, this smart distribution system can be developed in other types of activities, a far cry from the ambulant repair workers from the past who would wander through neighborhoods searching for clients, or from the ice truck honking its presence in the neighborhood.

One can imagine miscellaneous products or services from repair to haircutting and more to be offered. An independent way to produce and distribute, especially in this uncertain economic climate where jobs are hard to find, where mass-made products come from doubtful sources and brick and mortar commercial spaces are hard to afford.

Emmanuelle Linard

www.wafelsanddinges.com

www.onmud.com

for more than a quarter of a century muji, the japanese multi-store brand, has dedicated itself to the designing, production and retailing of everyday ordinary things with a dedication to minimal form, tactile materials and evident function. they have never wavered from a strategy of pure form and absence of colour. they have created a unique relationship with their often young clients the world over. it has permitted many students and starting families to make house in a simply beautiful and sustainable way.

they never give in to the pressure of price and explain their followers that they will design and produce the goods with the best possible quality for the best possible price; which is obviously rarely the cheapest pricepoint. however their dedication to streamlining the collection and minimalising the goods has brought along a decent relationship of quality and price. they are the perfect example of the current striving of the middle market.

now they open up to the world with a new keyword: found. muji has decided to become not only a producer yet also a retailer with the introduction of a project which is trying to find something nice and beautiful for everyday life from all over the world. hunting for treasures.

in this new shop called found the consumer can discover beautiful anonymous designs from india, africa, china, the netherlands and france, mixed and mingled with the original muji design goods. we are anxiously waiting to enjoy this very new collaborative shopping concept for the 21st century!

Kaori Leyasu

Yayoi Kusama's life have taken her from rural Japan to the New York art scene to contemporary Tokyo. Well-known for her repeating dot patterns, her art encompasses an astonishing variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, film, performance and immersive installation. A must see at Tate Modern!

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