Narwhal Presents: That Hideous Strength

Our friend Lauchie Reid currently has a solo show on down the street at Narwhal Art Projects.
His magnificent oil paintings, depicting an almost eerie, depression-era community will be up until June 6, go see them!

Click here for more information.

KERN: A Retrospective

Our friends at Studio Gallery on College are currently presenting a retrospective of New York based photographer and stalwart of the 80's East Village Underground scene Richard Kern's work. The exhibition opened last night with a party featuring a screening of several of Kern's short films and a performance by Toronto metal band Dentata.

Tonight at 7pm, Studio hosts an exclusive live artist talk between Kern and famed Toronto artist and filmmaker Bruce LaBruce after which there will be a Q&A and book signing. We will be heading straight there as soon as we close the shop, you should join us!

Studio will be hosting some other Kern-related events throughout the month of May, CLICK HERE for more info.

Music at the shop: Buzzcocks re-issue

On a recent visit to our neighbours Rotate This, Sydney picked up the deluxe re-issue of Buzzcocks' first full-length studio release Another Music In a Different Kitchen and we have been playing it at least once a day.
Aside from including the original album (an undeniably seminal punk/post-punk piece), this deluxe version includes the associated singles, the full 1977 Peel Session, some demos and a live 1977 show at Manchester's Electric Circus.
An interesting little fact about the album title is that is was sourced from a collage work by the artist Linder, who was a radical feminist, created the famous cover art for Buzzcocks' single 'Orgasm Addict' and is worthy of a post all her own...

Linder's collage for the cover of Buzzcocks' 1977 Orgasm Addict

Coming Soon: Label Under Construction

Though we are thrilled about the selection we currently have in-store for S/S 2010, we can't help but eagerly look forward to Fall. One particular reason for that, is the arrival of a very special Italian line called Label Under Construction.

The designer, Luca Laurini is a very private and reclusive man whose attention to detail is astonishing. Recently, Planet Magazine was granted the opportunity to give Laurini his first ever interview—a must read!

"...Let’s say that I am doing something that is a cross between garment design, art, and architecture, things that are in the real world, my world.”

CLICK HERE for the article.

good design is... good.

A recent topic of discussion at the shop has been how a love for good design transcends specific design fields. For instance, an architect can appreciate the care that goes into the construction of a quality garment just as much as s/he can appreciate the construction of a building.

After all, good design is good design no matter what the object (or image) is.

A prime example of this is our client and acquaintance John, who, with his partner Juli, owns the fantastic Scandinavian furniture shop Mjölk (pronouced 'Mee-Yelk') in the Junction. The store is abundantly stocked with superb examples of a modern Scandinavian æsthetic.

The pair also have a beautifully comprehensive design website called Kitka on which they share the many ways in which good design enriches their life. We were flattered recently to be featured on the site ourselves after John purchased an M.A + travel bag*. The photos they took of the bag showcase the beauty and quality of the bag perfectly.

The M.A+ travel bag as photographed by John and Juli of Kitka Design.

Every photo on the Kitka site is beautiful and does a tremendous job of pulling you in to the subject matter, definitely worth a 'browse'! (click here to see original post)

*Come visit us in-store to see our selection of Bags. Aside from M.A+ (Italy), we carry also carry Julius (Japan, available soon online) and Billykirk (USA).

SPRING SUMMER 2010 NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Spring Summer 2010 is now available online at www.shopsydneys.com

Accessories from M.A+, Augusta, The Viridi Anne and Dries Van Noten will be posted very soon.

Check out the long awaited Jil Sander limited edition Foujita print t-shirt.

Technique Focus: Woodblock Printing

The current Dries Van Noten collection (S/S 2010) is texturally rich with tonal jacquards and global prints. One fabric print technique in the collection that we find particularly interesting is Woodblock Printing.
This ancient process involves hand carving patterns into wood blocks that are then coated with ink (or paint) and applied to the fabric surface like a stamp. It has been used for centuries in both fabric and paper embellishment—from fashion to home décor (the French are credited for first using in on wallpaper).
Our buy of the Dries Van Noten collection this season includes two brilliant examples of this technique: a cotton jersey tank with a tonal navy and black print as well as a sophisticatedly shaped short-sleeved jersey polo featuring separate prints on the body and collar. They are the perfect pieces to round out the minimal genius of the streamlined suiting and shirting that are undeniably unique to Dries.
Come visit us and have a look!