Autumn
Winter
2014
This season Lacoste L!VE goes on a pan-continental, transcendental adventure, weaving between online and offline worlds. It’s a place where the only limits are your own imagination. A place where fantasy and reality combine. A place where digital glitches meet physical stitches.
Here’s an explosion of winter florals. Delicate crystals with a hard edge. Bright winter colors hotter than a glowing coal. Architectural pieces packed with atomic geometry. Looks that dance along the blurred lines between our online fantasies and our real life fictions.
‘Live Fast’. Switch between multiple profiles and diffuse identities quicker than the flicker of a neon light-bulb. Remember: trends tumble into town and roll out as soon as they turned up. Meanwhile, style sticks around.
The outfits are a simple set of instructions. A command line as clear as a bold click on a profile pic.
But breathe easy. Lacoste L!VE knows the way. It’s printed onto clothes as oceanographic maps. Sewn into seams. Set into bold fonts and scrambled. Mixed up in a digital blender ready to be reassembled and endlessly decoded. So how does it look? Here are hip-hop legends and superhero stories. CMYK computer screen colors which pop up and bleed away. Looks for adventurers with an obsessive Otaku eye for details.
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Bugged Out
Let’s get (post) physical. Welcome to a world of copypaste references. Welcome to a world where forging a new identity is as easy as a ‘rightclick save’ or ‘download as’. This season pixels are transformed into prints, poplin, glitchy knits and CMYK tumblr theme tones, the colors flashing against a backdrop of gray and text-select blue denim. Collars and cuffs come in jacquard as well as cut-andsewn mouliné knits, which pop up like half-loaded web browsers. Zigzag tape tops off pockets.
Men — 01
Wrap up when you head out in a laminated technical jacket, or a Harrington jacket worn over check shirting. These are looks worth a thousand and one re-blogs, looks for the wildest digital safari you can imagine.
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Tumble in
The digital orb holds a great amount of hidden gems and oddities. Drifting on the endless flow of Tumblr is probably the easiest way to find them. For this new season, Lacoste L!VE used Tumblr to go and get lost in the depth of the internets and returned to the surface with flashy colors, screen bugs fantasies and net-art in mind.
digital aesthetics Words — Micha Barban-Dangerfield images — Google Image Search
Launched in 2007 by the 19-year-old web prodigy, David Karp, Tumblr is flying high in the digital arena of social platforms. Instinctively, one would say that Facebook is the champion of the 2.0 self-publishing frenzy. Nope. Tumblr now enjoys more regular visits than its digital peers, with hordes of users and followers and not less than 20 billion page views a month. What makes Tumblr the blue eyed boy of the microblogging ecosystem is not only its rough-hewn and super easy interface but also its mess. Tumblr is part of an archiving revolution. If in our early years we had to spend hours on a laborious mission of cutting images from magazines and catalogues to roughly stick them and devise a home-made collage, the blogging and self-publishing phenomenon allowed us to file ideas and excitements. In that way, Tumblr set itself apart from other social platforms as it is all about icons. Tumblr became one of the most fascinating space of inspiration as it embraces a cavernous range of visual miscellaneous going from art, lifestyle to sensual compilations. Those mash-ups of short media, brain waves and visual collages participate to an ever-growing stream of posts that makes the whole thing deeply addictive as it forces anyone into an endless scrolling madness. But by making access to an enormous amount of “stuffs”, Tumblr greatly influences fashion, trends and creation.
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Lazing about through Tumblr and getting lost within its meandering abysses comes down to receiving an
enormous amount of information and iconic references belonging to different universes and making connections between them. The constant flow of posts pushes viewers to absorb dozens of visuals a minute which doesn’t leave enough time to give more than a few seconds of attention to each one of them but enough to consume and ingest them. In a few seconds it is possible to see a famous picture of a Paolozzi’s work, a GIF of Miley Cyrus, an interior design image and a Kate Moss’ shot from the 90’s. To a novice eye, this combo might appear like a total mess. But through those aggregation of references, Tumblogs actually create new aesthetics by assembling random things which common thread simply relies on the fact that they are good. It is this hybridization of influences amassed in a same collage that make Tumblr so specific and attractive. By allowing people to curate their own pages and give the world to see their multi-rooted inspirations, Tumblr enable new forms of creation and reference. The immediacy of Tumblr’s contents certainly plays a tremendous role in this phenomenon. The platform came out right in the time when seeking for creative inspiration and information was not (only) about opening a contemporary art book or searching in specific databases, but about losing one’s bearings in the net and the tremendous amount of infos it comprises. Tumblr makes thousands of giant moodboards available to anyone and therefore spreads influences and trends all over. It epitomizes an hyper-connected world in its visual nature.
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What is interesting about Tumblr is that beyond being a great phenomenon itself, it consists in many movements and communities that intertwine and entangle themselves within a same unique platform. And beyond materializing moods and inspirations, it also seems to be the podium for new forms of aesthetics. A large number of Tumblrs are devoted to specific and coherent themes or promote lifestyle tastes and design trends - the content being the matter. But there is also a “meta-tumblr” phenomenon enabled by the curative possibilities of Tumblr. It seems like the latter gained its success by allowing the inflow of super-curated pages with great search of visual identities and where the signifier prevails over the signified. It is how Tumblr became the digital scene for net art, 3D and cheap-taste cultures with slightly ironical contents and which renewed or reinvented new forms of aesthetics - everything being disposed to arouse creativity and spawn new trends. Tumblr, as a profane space of curation and interest is also a great territory of influence which imbues creations of all sorts. By continually accumulating colossal volumes of datas and palettes of inspiration, Tumblr is a great digital gem which allows anyone to grasp the world through images and invariably fuels inventiveness.
Cap — RK3586 WAL Shirt (worn) — CH4372 AU8 Shirt (waist) — CH4440 XLW Pants — HH727L WAE Watch Borneo White — 2010653 Shoes Trajet — RH WHT 001
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Cap — RK2586 WAL Blouson — BH2225 TA6 Shirt — CH4430 MYE Pants — HH727L UW1 Shoes — Broadwick HI RH WHAT 001
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Cap — RK3586 WAL Sweater — AH2648 N31 Shirt — CH4426 UY8 Pants — HH783L LXP Shoes —TRAJET RH WHT 001 Fanny pack — NH1158LB 630
8 Sweater — AH2636 MZ8 Sunglasses — L711S 001
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Polo — PH3675 T87
Sweater — SH2941 RWA Polo — PH3673 GM2 Pants —HH783L LYN Bag — NH1154LB 630 Shoes — TRAJET RH WHT 001
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Neon Otaku
Bow to the Eastern sun, but don’t expect a tan. This winter, a stronger glow emanates from banks of LCD screens. From the black and white slogan scarf to the printed crocodile skin pieces, everything is designed to catch the eyes of the most discerning street style Sensei. Quilted details run all through the looks, from the French terry and sweats to the zipup bomber jacket. The cotton wool Milano mix knits, fishtail parka, and laminated wool duffle coat provide an extra layer of protection when you venture out. A Japanese neon all-over print mixes bright scarlet red, deep burgundy, white and azure blue. Elsewhere it’s all about metallics, monochromes and indigo dobbys.
Men — 02
An oceanographic map print crops up on a warm hooded down jacket as well as knit hats and sweaters. Cargo-style pants provide extra space to store essential personal effects if you’re planning on jumping ship for Japan.
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Images — Mothi Limbu
Mothi Limbu
What are the underlying themes that drive you, whether in art, photography or artistic direction?
Interview — Chloe Rhys
What guides my work is a constant search for harmony in situations where theoretically there is none. Making improbable mixes, bringing opposites together. Things that are wonky or absurd are sources of inspiration for me and allow me to express myself, with much humor. What is your background? What was the defining moment in your life when you decided to make a career in art and design? I am self-taught. I grew up in the French Alps where I spent a lot of time snowboarding and drawing instead of doing my schoolwork... When, around the age of 18, a snowboard brand offered me the opportunity to create the visuals for their boards, I realized that I could perhaps live out my passion for illustration, without having to have gone down the classic path of design school. I immediately started working for them and it was really at this moment that everything began for me. Can you tell us a bit about your collaborations with Lacoste L!VE so far? Our collaboration started with the Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Lacoste L!VE quickly trusted me, bringing me in to work with the team on the key prints of the season. It’s such a great experience working each team member, especially thanks to their great graphic culture and the fact that they know exactly what they want. We’ve worked together on all of the following collections!
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Lacoste L!VE’s aesthetic DNA is made of people like Mothi Limbu: unparalleled creative talents who tell amazing stories through design. Born in 1979 to half-French and half-Nepali Birmain parents, Mothi’s cultural heritage has cultivated his taste for opposites and for the improbable. His work oscillates between order and disorder, love and illusion.
Before working with the brand, I knew Lacoste of course for their classic polo shirts and link to the tennis world with Roland Garros, Wimbledon etc. But, Lacoste L!VE, for me, is the green crocodile’s trendy little sister. It’s a brand
that cultivates openness and imagination without denying its origins. So what do you have in store for us on this new Lacoste L!VE collection? For the Fall/Winter 2014 collection I worked with the Lacoste L!VE on the idea of an original print that would be made up of scattered letter, something in-between the influences of sign painting and comic books. We also worked on a snakeskin print that uses thermographic printing in order to add texture and realism to the print. I love textiles as a medium for my design. The idea that clothing has several lives and travels around the world fascinates me. I love its popular dimension and the fact that it is strongly reflective of its era.
Your work seems so contemporary, yet so rooted in traditional themes and aesthetic. What is your relationship to this duality? My artwork is always about the improbable, and mixing together different time periods. For example, in one of my recent photography series I wanted to create “traditional” still-life images that would feature everyday objects questioning the contemporary era and ways of life. A good example of the harmony I want to create can be found in a tennis themed still-life photograph in which I replaced the tennis balls with lemons, rendering the composition absurd and humorous. I enjoy combining elements that naturally would not have been associated, creating a kind of balance. What is your relationship to humor in your work? Humor is the key to my work. Through humor, you can communicate serious ideas, not by minimizing their importance but by rendering them slightly more accessible, lighter. I am also very attached to the small details that most of us do not pay attention to. I love when I’m able through these details, to convey something amusing.
Sweater — SH2941 RWA Polo — PH3673 GM2 Pants — HH783L LYN Bag — NH1154LB 630 Shoes — TRAJET RH WHT 001
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Hat — RB3595 STN Blouson — BH2450 MW5 Sweater — AH2650 STN
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18 Cap — RK3587 8VM Coat — BH2728 KH4 Sweater — SH2930 08A Shirt — CH4438 CPE Pants — HH2727 031 Shoes — DK GREY/BLK 2B6
Blouson —BH2324 T75 Shirt — CH4425 MWB Pants — HH783L LYN Shoes — TRAJET RH LT BLU 1F2
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Blouson — BH2310 T81 Pants — HH727L WAE Shoes — DKGREY/BLACK 2B6
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Polo — PH3676 RUN Sunglasses — L711S 001
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Superhero Verses
Inspired by undercover superheroes and mid-90s rap legends, bold wordplay and bolder illustration “this is how we chill from 93 until”. Gear up in relaxed fits and oversized shapes, from the padded work wear jacket to the functional cargo pants, hooded zip ups, shirts tied around waists, sporty Varsity jackets for kids who aren’t prepared to sit on the sidelines. Caps-lock colors pop with a warm winter palette, backed by heavy materials: thick canvases, toasty flannels and checked knits. Cut and paste vintage lettering appears in an all-over print on shirts. Comic book colored stripes pop up on a polo with caviar shading. East coast preppy chinos are worn over West coast lace-up sneakers.
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Remember - first excel, then prevail. It ain’t hard to tell.
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The
super-heroes imagery
There are two fundamentally geeky yet passionating subjects : super-heroes and typography. When the two collide, the result is an atemporal graphic and fantastical universe. Designs, logos and letterings are the key bedrocks of the superhero genre which over time have shaped and codified a whole graphic language. This season, Lacoste L!VE celebrates super-heroes and immerses us in the a world of super powers, vintage letterings and heroic colors.
Words — Micha Barban-Dangerfield Illustration — Jordy van den Nieuwendijk
elements of his identity and powers. The “S” emblem on his chest represents the notion of hope in his mother planet, Krypton and the yellow background illustrates the Solar energy that he draws his superpower from. The same applies to other super heroes like Batman or Spiderman.
Being a super-hero is not that easy and requires a few fundamentals. But as they first appeared in “pulps magazines” during the 30’s, super-heroes were not necessarily super-humans. Like Popeye or the Phantom, their particularities displayed a great sense of bravery and a deep belief in justice and order. Yet, there were no super-reality or extraordinary powers as those characters were archetypes of fully human moral crusaders but they retrospectively appear as proto-heroes. It is in 1938, with the first appearance of Superman, that super-heroes became semi-gods and transcended human condition reviving greco-roman mythology and modern philosophy. The name “Superman” itself comes form the Nietzschean terminology of the “Übermensch” developed in Thus Spoke Zarathurstra. It is also the arrival of Superman, which was the first comics to have its own title and character, that triggered the codification and the assertion of super-heroes distinctive graphic identities. Costumes, logos, designs and letterings became paramount aspects to the super-hero’s genre.
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Superman was probably the most evident pioneer of the movement. One of his main distinctive features is his costume which enables him to preserve his double identity and the symbol which appears on it. More than a simple ornament, it convenes the essential
The Batman’s logo is particular as it depicts the fact that the character doesn’t have super powers but does have a vast arsenal and a fine intellect that helps him fight evil. The black bat on a yellow background symbolizes the dichotomy between the light and the dark, but also symbolizes the greyed line between the two and summons the human fragility of the hero. Also, his strength comes from his obsessive fear of bats, animal that he embodies each time he goes to spread justice and order. In regards to Spiderman’s insignia, it is probably one of the most obvious. Made out of a spider and a net, there is no question about what it translates. In this way, the superhero emblem plays an essential role in building his universe, history and character. Like a brand logo, it withstood the test of time and insures the immutability of the super-hero. When comics reach the point of “reboot” that entails restarting a whole comic story from its very beginning, the emblem always stays the same as it shields the longevity of the character and his powers.
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Though, not only emblems but also the letterings and fonts used in superheroes comics’ titles have a prominent role in the graphic universe and language of the genre. Comics were first sold in newsstand racks and only the top section of their covers were visible, namely the titles. They were therefore greatly invested and reflective as they eye-appeal was the major selling point. Often three-dimensional and “telescoped”, they are the epitomes of the stories and greatly influenced the codification of superheroes comics. Some of them can be very eloquent such as the Wolverine’s, slightly soaking, which expressly recalls and suggests the character’s claws. It is also with the comics’ guru zz and his work that it is possible to fathom the value of superheroes’ titles design. As he carried the genre beyond the cartoon schemes and raised essential plastic questions, he was the first one to integrate titles within covers’ illustrations and make it an integral component of comics design techniques. Fonts come here to support the dramatic and heroic nature of the comic and graphically conveys and condenses the superhero’s main attributes. It is a whole science that came out of the super-hero genre. Vintage telescoped letterings, flashy colors and dramatic designs travelled through time and are still the scenery elements of our super-powers fantasies.
Hat — RK3589 SR6 Blouson — BH2323 T9Y Sweater — AH2640 SX5 Shirt — CH4436 WTU Pants — HH783L LXP Bag — NH1153LB 633 Shoes — CROXTON WA TAN/DK GREEN 9A3 Watch Borneo — 2010652
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Hat — RB3594 166 Blouson — BH2312 T82 Shirt — CH4428 MYK Pants — HH2727 QLD Scarf — RE3608 SP7 Gloves — RV3613 SUE Shoes — CROXTON WA TAN/DK GREEN 9A3
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Cap — RK3589 SR6 Sweater — AH2634 SU4 Polo — PH2943 RRU Pants — HH7159 UKM Bag — NH1188BL 635 Shoes — KHK/BLK 5E5 Watch Borneo — 2010652
Sweatshirt — SH2939 RWB Shirt (worn) — CH4428 MYB Shirt (waist) —CH4425 Pants — HH783L LYN Shoes —KHK 1X5
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Cap — RK3589 SR6 Jumper — SH3745 B07 Shirt — CH4364 QRN Scarf — RE3608 SP7 Pants — HH783L LYN Shoes — TAN/DK GRN 9A3 Watch — Borneo 2010652
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Polo — PH3677 NA1
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Digital Paradise
Welcome to a land of infinite opportunity. Welcome to a browser window opening onto an online paradise. Buggy floral prints, a lemonyellow lipstick motif and screen glitch-inspired graphics will have you spinning like a loading wheel in a homemade, home-coded, fantasy land. A sporty dress meets a sweatshirt and skirt in an exploded floral. Colourful-candy-contrastedcollars and pockets are worn over cigarette pants, and sit alongside a fluid blouse. Why not add mouliné knits and a sukajan jacket in French terry to the mix? Log on, drop out, drop in.
Women — 01
This season’s color scheme features citric acids and fresh blues, with touches of neon yellow and light pink. It’s a softly clashing delight, muffled cymbals over bass beats and digital bleeps.
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Imperfect beauty:
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Words — Chloe Rhys Images — Florence Tétier
Glitch Art
A sub-genre of digital and net art, glitch art invites the viewer take a different look at digital bugs, and to appreciate the beauty in error. In honor of Lacoste L!VE’s use of glitch inspired patterns in this collection, we delve into the culture behind the movement.
Glitches allow us to create a sort of human link to our technology. We seem to often forget that all of the programs and hardware that we use are man-made or have even been touched by hands before us. Errors are part of being human, and noticing that technology isn’t perfect, in some ways creates a connection with the engineers and factory workers who created them, adding some humanity to these cold, glowing interfaces. The current trend towards “perfection” in digital devices as in digital imagery can also make us nostalgic for a time when our communications were imperfect, and glitch art seems to bring people closer to this experience of their past. Which is often why the imagery is often associated with the “retro” digital aesthetic. Just as we can appreciate the uniqueness of something handmade, the bumps and imperfections of a wood carved object for example, glitch art is a sign that we are starting to become just as enamored with its digital counterparts.
The technical definition of a glitch is: “A short-lived fault in a system” and derives from the German glitschig, meaning ‘slippery’. Glitch is used to describe these kinds of bugs as they occur in software, video games, images, videos, audio, and other forms of data. The art community’s attraction to glitches draws from numerous reasons: as a process, glitch art deconstructs digital technology, exposing the technical systems that are at play. For example, “data bending”, which is one of the techniques in which one can provoke glitches in a file, allows the artist to virtually “touch” and enter into contact with the original code, at a machine level - exposing themes such as error, obsolescence, randomness, memory and nostalgia.
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Glitches are for the most part the result of bad communication or a translation error in a data transfer from one environment to another. Many situations can produce them: a scratched DVD, a corrupted video streaming file, a software crash from insufficient memory, an old VHS tape, a defective digital camera… These bugs result in producing altered shapes on the screen, creating art pieces akin to ready-made and found object art.
An artist can thus also provoke these situations deliberately, by for example corrupting the file code or even by manipulating the workings of the hardware. There are four main visual characteristics of glitch: fragmentation (parts of the image are moved around and the colors are modified), replication (visual repetition of one part of the image), linearity (the result of pixels interlacing) and digital complexity (a manifestation of the immense series of code behind any digital file). Many comparisons have been made between the form and aesthetic of glitch art and other artistic movements. Upon first glance, the color blocks and low resolution of glitch art is reminiscent of the geometric forms in modern abstract art, particularly the rectangles of De Stijl or Mondrian and the expressionist work of Klee, Kandinsky or Rothko in their way of avoiding direct visual representations of figurative reality in favor of spontaneity and the study of form and color. The number of digital artists working with glitch art has been growing as the movement gains momentum. Max Capacity, Kim Asendorf, Anthony Antonellis and Yoshi Sodeoka are the some of the spearheards driving the glitch art world.
The Western ideal of beauty usually salutes things that are perfect, pretty, lasting, or spectacular. Glitch art can thus be more easily correlated with the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, stemming from Taoism and Zen Buddhism that honors the simple and the unpretentious (wabi) and the beauty that comes with age or much use (sabi). In this view, simplicity, naturalness, and fragility are valued. Wabisabi, like glitch art, values the beauty of all things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Glitch is the beauty of things unconventional.
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Sweater — AF2604 LBL Polo — PF4626 2CQ Pants — HF2709 24D Shoes — BARBDOS MID RH DK RED 112 Watch TOKYO — 2000697
Cap — RK3589 SR6 Jumper — SH3745 B07 Shirt — CH4364 QRN Scarf — RE3608 SP7 Pants — HH783L LYN Shoes — TAN/DK GRN 9A3 Watch — Borneo 2010652
Sweatshirt — SF2860 C50 Shirt — CF3368 2XB Skirt — JF3369 C50 Shoes — BARBDOS MID RH LT TAN C21 Clutch — NF1094LM 290
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38 Cap — RK3586 WAL Blouson — BF2251 T97 T-Shirt — TF2861 08A Pants — HF3009 WAE Shoes — BARBDOS MID RH LT TAN C21
Sweater — SF4192 SNG Skirt — JF4363 166 Bag — NF1091LM 625 Shoes — BARBDOS MID RH LT TAN C21
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Sweater — AF2602 RYG Polo — PF2858 MEL
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Crystal Minds
There are no melting snowflakes this winter. Instead it’s hard gemstones glinting in the light. Shapes are loose yet structured, ranging from a wool coat, an interlock dress and the rich burgundy down jacket to the dress and tees. The palette is duly inspired by diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Bright, and neon cherry shades with electric blues, blacks and neutral gray, alongside metallic print accents. Cabochon appliqué work adds some extra shimmer to the pieces. An intarsia crystal design pops out of a soft sweater, with a printed interlocking pattern on a comfy navy t-shirt, a diamond quilted terry and iridescent lurex tripes. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and crystal provides a reliable range of lovers.
Women — 02
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Crystal clear: Magic, mysticism and minerals
Text — Chloe Rhys Photography — Estelle Hanania
Who has never marveled in front of the beauty of a crystal chandelier, or held one up to the light to see the beautiful multicolored prisms it reveals? But beyond the sheer beauty of this diverse mineral, many believe that crystals also hold mystical and magical properties that even science cannot explain… Lacoste L!VE’s creative team pays homage to the rich heritage of the crystal through some gemstone-inspired key pieces in this season’s collection.
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Crystals are everywhere In physics, the term “crystal” describes a solid substance with internal symmetry and a related, regular surface pattern. To put it bluntly, a crystal is an array of atoms or molecules that are arranged in a geometrically regular shape. These geometric patterns are called lattices and come in 7 different forms. Crystals are everywhere. They cool our drinks (ice), season our food (salt and sugar) and run our watches (quartz)... But, gemstones are crystals with a certain extra something. Although we tend to think of them as individual rocks, many gemstones arise from the same minerals. The only differences between them are the structural idiosyncrasies and mineral impurities that imbue them with their trademark colors. Energy and Balance
From the ornate elaborate chandeliers of Versailles and royal crown jewels to the new age hippies of Sedona, Arizona, crystals continue to fascinate and adorn us. For centuries they have been noted to have magical connotations whose explanations are partly shrouded in mystery and partly in mysticism. Light and Reflection The healing powers of gemstones may lie in their ability to attract, hold and reflect energy and light. Creating ways of reflecting and refracting light became an increasingly important consideration for artists and designers from the mid 18th century, when developments in glassmaking allowed cheaper production of lead crystal, known for its light scattering properties which lead to the popularize the crystal chandelier.
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But the origins of their use go back much further in time. The first evidence of crystals being used by man dates back 75 000 years where the mineral Limonite, was discovered to be one of one of the earliest man-used materials, and can be seen in Neolithic cave paintings and pictographs. The next historical evidence we have of human use of crystals appears in ancient Egypt, where minerals served as pigments, like Malachite with its beautiful creamy green tint. The stone was ground up and used as eye shadow. Also, it was reputed to have anti-inflammatory properties that could heal eye infections, all the while serving as makeup.
One of the most common and yet rarely discussed alternative therapies is the use of crystals and gems for healing. Even though it is almost impossible to find any studies exploring their benefits in the treatment of medical conditions, they have been used around the world for centuries. Different cultures have used crystals for healing over time, including the Hopi Native Americans of Arizona and Hawaiian islanders. The Chinese have traditionally attributed healing powers to microcrystalline jade, and some eastern cultures believe that emerald will strengthen the memory and increase intelligence.
In holistic medicine, the healing properties of gemstones and crystals are used as tools to help rebalance and recharge our energy fields. People who believe in the meaning of healing stones may carry crystals and stones around with them for healing protection and grounding, each one holds its own powers and properties. Often people will put crystals around their living space or office. They are meant to neutralize negative energy. Certain crystals and gemstones are also believed to have a protective effect against the negative thoughts of others. Others, when worn or used regularly, are believed to enhance mental and psychic abilities. Beyond science? But, how can we explain the use of crystals and precious stones in healing? The answer is not necessarily scientifically proven, but has much to do with vibrational frequencies. Those who swear by crystal healing believe that as humans, we express a number of different vibrational frequencies that can be affected both by dissimilar as well as similar vibrations. Gem crystals apparently emit vibrations that can interact with the different “chakras” of our body, affecting our mental and physical state in a positive way. Who knows, perhaps the powers of crystal healing is just one of those unexplainable mysteries of our universe? Or perhaps it is the musings of placebo-affected hippies. But, scientifically justifiable or not, nobody can deny the innate beauty of these natural formations.
Coat — BF2706 08A Sweater — AF2599 HJ3 Pants — HF3006 LM8 Shoes — BROADWICK HI WA RED 047
Blouson — BF2247 T9E Dress — EF2713 WAL Shoes — BARBADOS MID RH DK RED 112
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Cap — RK3590 031 Jumper — AF2592 WE4 Sweater — AF2586 WE4 Pants — HF3009 DRD Clutch — NH1094LM 290 Wallet — NF1093LM 026 Shoes — BROADWICK HI WA BLU 125
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Cap — RK3590 031 Jumper — SF4193 NM9 Top — QF3887 F9F Scarf — RE3598 9M0 Skirt — JF4363 166 Shoes — ARBADOS MID RH DK RED 112
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Cap RK3590 031 Blouson BF2706 FTJ Sweater SF2845 08A Skirt JF2897 08A Bag NF1092LM 624 Shoes BROADWICK HI WA RED 047
Polo — PF2862 031
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Floral Winter
Birds singing in the dark. Mist on mirrors. Icicles on noses, and cheeks as red as roses. All broken by a sudden splash of neon paint on raw ice. This winter Lacoste L!VE has gone bright and bold and floral. Keep the frost out with the long-sleeved tee, the padded fishtail parka in deep navy or an floral sweater and a hooded fluorescent orange down jacket.
Women — 03
Add a sporty touch with the letterman button-up cardigans and jackets. Contrasting neon details appear on super-soft woollen fabric, angora knits and fruity, floral brights. Pleats also pop up on a bright orange dress. This is femininity with a cool wintery edge. Take a stance. Make a statement. Acclimate don’t hibernate.
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Hélène
French textile designer and illustrator, Hélène Georget collaborates with Lacoste L!VE for the second time this season. For this new collection, she was given the challenge of designing a floral yet winter pattern. Portrait of an enthusiastic and greatly talented artist.
I can’t just send them designs and let them get by with it. It is way more interesting to exchange, get on the wrong track, and start again until we get the perfect result. I don’t necessarily have an expert knowledge of the brand’s codes, I just try stay true to the collection and immerse myself in it. Can you tell us about the floral pattern you created for this season, its “story”, its inspirations?
Interview — Julie Jalabert
Images — Hélène Georget
Georget Can you tell us a bit about your background? I’ve scribbled since I was a little girl. After I graduated from high school, I wanted to learn classical and technical drawing. I first studied at an art school in Lyon where I was taught animation and illustration, but I wanted something different, I wanted to give volume to my drawings. The narrative side of my approach didn’t interest me that much. I developed a real passion for decorative arts and I wanted to exploit design in a different way. I then moved to Paris and followed a course in textile and fashion design there. How did you end up designing patterns for prêt-à-porter? Pattern design came really naturally in my artistic method and was in line with my desire not to follow an idea of ‘narration’, fashion is the perfect space of creation for that! The artist Sonia Delaunay really inspired me. The way she uses shapes, solid colors and rhythms. It appears to me like an alternative and sensitive form of narration, as well as visually clever. Subsequently I’ve been fortunate enough to start collaborating with accomplished, open-minded and deeply creative artistic directors. The projects have just accumulated since then. So you first started working as a freelancer?
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Yes. I couldn’t see myself working for only one client, one style. The beginnings were harsh of course.
I was completing a lot of independent work: fanzines, illustrations for magazines, screen-printed t-shirts. I needed to gain experience, and make the most of every single opportunity that Paris could offer me. I was completely workaholic and was incapable of declining any project, even the most half-baked one. But after a while they became more and more serious and professional, and I am very happy about everything that’s happening to me now. It is the second time you collaborate with Lacoste L!VE. How did it all start?
It is always quite exciting and challenging to create a floral pattern for winter. It implies a shift of codes as it pushes to consider design in a new light. The idea of a simple and “naturalist” pattern seduced me. They are quite rare at the moment. We wanted an “old school” result, a woodblock print, something quite raw and natural. The dark color looks like a background and gives an impression of a swarm in the flowers and plants. I have drawn my inspiration from the great XXth century English designer William Morris. In his graphic methods, he used to work a lot on floral patterns. It is incredible to see how much his work remains relevant and timeless. Any up and coming projects? I have quite a few orders and I am currently working in collaboration with an interior designer. I would like to concentrate on my personal projects but I’ll have to wait to have some more time for that!
I discovered the line of Lacoste L!VE a few years ago and I thought I would really like to work with them. I like everything about it: cuts, colors, powerful and simple at once. The line displays a rare coherence and perfectly lends itself to textile design. Things happened in a simple way. I sent them my portfolio, they replied and I soon joined the team! We completed the first collaboration for the 2014 Spring and Summer collection. Everything went really well so we decided to do it again for this season! How does a collaboration between a textile designer and a brand work? The collection’s universe and “story” are always already defined. They send me visuals, a palette of colors so I can start researching. Once we agree on the style and the atmosphere we want, I submit some interpretations that we refine together. It is a real dialogue.
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Hat — RB3594 166 Dress — EF2596 MC1 Shoes — DELYA RH DK RED 112
Hat — RB3594 166 Blouson — BF2247 TA9 Sweater — AF2598 C50 Sunglasses — L710S 800
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Sweater — AF2600 SEF Shirt — CF3367 T76
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Hat — RB3591 MDM Blouson — BF2248 HJ2 Shirt — CF3367 T76 Pants — HF3006 24D Shoes — DELYA RH DK RED 112 Watch — TOKYO 2000699
Blouson — BF2250 166 Sweater — AF2600 SEF Pants — HF3006 24D Shoes — L!VE CHELSEA DK RED 112
60 Shirt — CF2712 C50
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Artist Series
62 Steven Harrington Los Angeles-based artist and designer Steven Harrington is known for his playful and psychedelic style, which is inspired by California’s mystique landscape, and its thriving mix of cultures. He had the opportunity to exhibit his work going from screenprints to sculptures all over the world. Harrington also co-founded both the acclaimed design agency National Forest and the Pop Art brand “You&I”
Hisashi Okawa Hisashi Okawa, also know as “Ponchan” is a Tokyo-based illustrator and graphic designer. Born and raised in Hyogo prefecture, Japan, he has been inspired by various kinds of visuals such as cartoons, illustrations, graphic design, art and fashion since his childhood. While contributing to books, web sites and fashion brands, he has been presenting his works at solo and group shows.
Viktor Hachmang Viktor Hachmang is an illustrator and designer from The Hague, the Netherlands. His work is a mix of a wide variety of influences, ranging from sixities Japanese psychedelic posters, through 1980s postmodern design. He likes to combine different ways of image making and his drawings often allude to famous artists and artworks.
Kustaa Saksi Kustaa Saksi – Finnish born, now Amsterdam-based artist and designer – creates kaleidoscopic landscapes fusing organic shapes with vivacious imagery and vivid colors into radiating new world psychedelia. Often paradoxical and playful, the surreal Scandinavian motifs teem with inspiration and delight the senses.
Jordy van de Nieuwendijk Jordy van de Nieuwendijk (1985, the Netherlands) studied illustration at the Graphic Lyceum in Rotterdam and graphic design at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. He currently works on freelance, collaborative & autonomous projects from his home studio in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Paul Windle Brecht Vandenbroucke Brecht Vandenbroucke (1986, Belgium) makes drawings, paintings, sculptures and stories. He had solo exhibitions across Europe (France, Holland, UK, Switzerland, etc.) and made his comic debut in 2013 with “White Cube”.
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Paul Windle lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. He has a particular affection for fun, mystery, adventures, camping, art making, Mexican food, and more. Paul is currently interested in drawing tough guys, dinosaurs, baseball players and skateboarding dogs, and is always looking for places to draw them.
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Creative Direction Monsieur L’Agent Art Direction & Layout Ill-Studio Photography Charlie Engman Stylist Jean-Paul Paula Production Scott Hardy Texts Chloe Rhys Micha Barban-Dangerfield Jethro Turner Julie Jalabert Contributors Estelle Hanania Jordy van den Nieuwendijk Florence Tétier