THE CREATIVE ISSUE Inspiring people, projects, mood boards and more JANE BIRKIN Singer, actress and muse ME & MY BICYCLE Snapshots from the road in South Africa FIRST AID KIT Out of the woods and into our hearts
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YEN GUEST ILLUSTRATOR
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stacey rozich
This issue's Guest Illustrator gives us the lowdown on Seattle and talks Fleet Foxes and 30 Rock. How would you sum up your style? A visual narrative brought to life. Folklore from around the world is re-imagined through the lens of bold patterning, texture and colour that reference indigenous costumes and legends. Where does your inspiration come from? It comes from all over the world. I started with a curiosity about my father’s background (Croatian) and it led me down a rabbit hole of Eastern European culture that completely drew me in and amazed me. Such stark and haunting images of headdresses and masks complemented by intricately embroidered patterns were a theme I started to see in a lot of cultural traditions, not just in Europe. I began to branch out and investigate the weavings of West African nations and the blending of spiritual folktales as a way of life in Pacific Northwest and Southwestern Native American tribes. Religious iconography and cult imagery always work their way in. Is there one animal you always want to draw? I'm quite partial to deer and goats. There’s something about a horned, clovenhoofed creature that illustrates beautifully. There are so many lovely angles on them that it makes them an aesthetic goldmine. What was it like making the Fleet Foxes video clip? Amazing, life-changing, difficult, hilarious; so many things. I was in a really intense design program when I got the opportunity. I knew I couldn’t turn this down but I also knew it was going to be extremely challenging with my school schedule of 6+ hours a day of class, five days a week. And the set-up was in Portland, Oregon
(three hours south). So I sucked it up and did my schooling during the week and busted my ass to drive down to Portland almost every weekend for several months. I was a big ball of stress, but I was at a heightened state of creativity and I can see today how it has strengthened my work ethic and production skills. You love 30 Rock, who is your favourite character? Kenneth Parcell. I love his simple Southern sensibility! I got hooked up with a personally signed headshot of him. It has my name on it and it’s hanging in my kitchen so all can see what a crazy fan I am. You’re based in Seattle, is there a good creative scene there? The scene is disjointed but has a lot of wonderful people creating amazing things. I think there is a lack of space to showcase work, which lends to the disconnected feeling. What one thing should tourists see in Seattle? There are so many things to see, none of which are the Space Needle! Drive by it and enjoy, as going up to the observation desk is pretty but a huge rip-off. Visit any of the amazing restaurants. The food culture is wonderful and almost always local, or catch a ferry to one of the islands. I could go on forever! I do have hometown pride. ✪ Check out Stacey's work at staceyrozich.com.
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YEN PHOTO ESSAY
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me & my bicycle
Two South African bike enthusiasts travelled the country snapping and chatting to people who ride. PHOTOS STAN engelbrecht and nic grobler
Photographer and publisher Stan Engelbrecht and graphic designer Nic Grobler had known each other for a few years before they realised they had a shared interest in all things two-wheeled. Engelbrecht says that over dinner one night, “we started talking about our love for bicycles and discovered that we each had an idea for a bicycle related project. The very next day we photographed our first cyclist”. And thus, The Bicycle Portraits were born. The idea was to create a book that would "give South Africans (and the world) a glimpse into each other's lives through their love of, or mere use of, the bicycle.” They also wanted the project to encourage more South Africans to give bike riding a go, as they’re both passionate about finding alternative modes of transport to cars. They hope that by showcasing the cyclists who brave social stigma, unsafe roads and the threat of crime, other South Africans will be inspired “to take their freedom, independence and health into their own hands by giving commuting by bicycle a try". After the launch of the books, they'll focus on African Remedy, a project for which they travelled around collecting remedies, wisdom and superstitions.
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Elliot Baso 17.12.2010 / 10:29am 8th Ave, Somerset East, South Africa "My age is 75. I’m old, man. I’ve been riding for years – I used to deliver groceries for the shops and all that nonsense. So it’s been years. My son bought this bike for me. He’s in the baai [bay]. I’ve just been to the off-sales to buy myself a bottle. Now that I’m home, I’m going to drink it and sit still at home. I only get a bottle when I have money. When I don’t have money I also sit still at home! Ha, ha! But this bike helps me, he helps me to town and back. He helps me like that. But I only cycle to town and so on. Not out of town – my legs don’t want to. When I was young I used to cycle to Cookhouse."
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YEN INSIDER
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pinned to the board
Three creative ladies show us what's currently on their inspiration board.
Marissa Fleming Wedding photographer and part owner of wedding gift registry What do you do? As a wedding photographer [for The Simple Things Studio] I'm the lucky one entrusted to capture a couple's "Big Day". Not only am I busy clicking away, but I’m also my own in-house location scout, photo retoucher and album designer. At From the Owl [gift registry], my job is to look after the creative side of the business. I was a graphic designer in a past life so I’m our in-house designer, photographer, buyer and social media ninja. How often do you change your board? Whenever I find something that I think will spark my imagination. Sometimes there may be inspiration on there for a certain project that I’m doing but once the project is finished I'll swap it with something new. What influences your work? As a photographer, it’s the simple things – from a long grassy field to a beautiful landscape and the couples I work with. As a wedding registry owner, I'm obsessed by amazing and original products – anything that makes me go, "Ahh, that's awesome". At the moment I’m drawn to lots of products from Denmark and Mexico. What do you do when you are in a creative rut? Being active really clears my mind. I love to go to the beach or gym. A clear mind helps separate the good ideas from the bad. Are there any items that are always on there? Our owl drawing to remind us of the dream we have and how it all started.
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thesimplethingsstudio.com, fromtheowl.com
I love this Basil Bangs umbrella – a summer essential. t I reminds me to go to the beach for some “me” time
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This page: Asos dress, $198. Kate Sylvester glasses, $320. Matina Amanita for Sretsis headband, $POA.
YEN FASHION
Prada earrings, $580. Kate Sylvester necklace, $175. Opposite: Prada
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jacket, $4,290. Friend of Mine shorts, $330.
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This page: Adidas jacket, $150. Scanlan & Theodore turtleneck, $140. Sara Phillips skirt, $365.
YEN FASHION
Opposite: Scanlan & Theodore jumper, $400. Josh Goot pants, $495.
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Zimmermann shoes, $494. Mania Mania necklace, $360. Thurley necklace, $59.99.
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YEN MODE
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a fashionable home Brooklyn designer and book lover Samantha Pleet takes us on a tour of her apartment.
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PHOTOS ANNA ROSE
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9 TO 5 I design clothes. For the last six years I've had my own namesake women’s ready-to-wear label. Each day is exciting, filled with new adventures and lessons. The clothes are made out of cloth from the finest mills around the globe and sewn in New York City with rigorous attention to fit and construction. Each piece from the collection tells a story, and my job is to dream that up! HOME SWEET HOME I feel as if I live in a big greenhouse since my apartment has two huge walls of windows on opposite sides. I have combined natural and reclaimed elements with quirky Modernist pieces to warm up the minimalist architecture of my building. THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY. There are a lot of young, energetic, creative people, and so many amazing restaurants, coffee shops, and stores to hang out in. Every day you notice something new pop up on the block. It’s definitely an exciting time to live here. Brooklyn is amazing because it has everything you expect from a great city with a thriving culture, inspiring diversity and an old-world charm. In addition, it is just across the East River from Manhattan, which is among the great metropolises of our times, which we have a great view of. BOOKWORM I can’t fall asleep without reading first. I have accumulated lots of books to prove that fact. I like to escape into books by authors like J. D. Salinger, Miranda July, George R.R. Martin, and Trinie Dalton, as well as the art and science books that I find fascinating.
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