Puff and Flock

A Very Intricate Pencil Rendering

2012-01-29T23:36:00.000Z

Robb Godshaw, Personal Pencil Production Plant 2010 (polymer clay, no.2 graphite lead, lead dispenser, extruder, toaster, stamp, aluminum foil tape and eraser) Vija Celmins, Eraser 1967 (balsa wood and acrylic paint) Mama, where do pencils come from? Robb Godshaw's pencil-making machine offers a whimsical explanation that evokes the endearing misunderstandings of an origin

The journeys of our discarded clothes

2012-01-24T10:24:00.002Z

'The Bargehouse' is an incredible building close to Blackfriars Bridge on the South side of the River Thames. A four story warehouse building, it is now a gallery and event space. With it's crumbling and atmospheric interior, it was a perfect space for an excellent exhibition at the weekend (20 -22 January 2012) 'Everything Must Go', which followed the journey of worn clothing as it is sold for

Custom fabric designs for Tsemaye Binitie

2012-01-21T19:15:00.000Z

Last week, I finished these handmade rubber applique embellishments and sent them overseas to the London-based fashion designer Tsemaye Binitie, who is putting the final touches on his A/W 2012 collection. In the next couple of weeks, I should have images of the finished garments and am eager to post those here as soon as that happens. Tsemaye launched his namesake fashion label in 2010 after

How to Know How Things are Made

2012-01-18T08:36:00.001Z

If the closure of textile mills and shipbuilding yards correlates with the decline of artisan skills and craftsmanship in the US or the UK, do we want to see domestic manufacturing return? In conjunction with the upcoming presidential election campaign in the US, our national media is casting a spotlight on trends in production. It seems that, this time around, the prospect of "insourcing" is

The Origami Architect: Joyce Aysta

2011-11-29T05:29:00.000Z

The Japanese word 'origami' derives from the two root words 'oreru' (to fold) and 'kami' (paper). Most of us would imagine the simple, geometric boats and frogs that are made with colorful squares of paper, but Joyce Aysta takes the concept of origami to a new level with her intricate designs. From her studio in downtown Los Angeles, Joyce runs a daily production of handmade cards. The

Fancy a nap?

2011-11-18T13:01:00.001Z

Jo Angell has created super-soft velvet eye-cushions printed with a selection of her original designs in rich colours. The linseed filled pillows gently help your eyes to close and cut out the light. And relax.... Jo has been selected to sell her designs at a new area in Spitalfields Market, E1 near Liverpool Street (details below). Saturdays 19 November and 17 December, 11-5pm. Pop by and

Pattern Futures for the Body

2011-11-14T00:41:00.000Z

Who says that surface designers have to work in furniture, interiors, or fashion? A series of innovative products have been getting lots of attention in the cosmetics industry. Lipsticks shaped like cats, nailpolishes that are magnetically patterned, and now lip tattoos are phenomenally successful products. As we experiment with different ways to earn a living through practicing our craft, it

Re-telling: a dive into magic realism

2011-11-13T13:23:00.003Z

[extra]ordinary wallpaper by Aurélie Mossé Do you feel like having a dive into magic realism? On the 12th and 13th of November 2011, Cork's guest house will exhibit the work of contemporary artists exploring such dimension. The Re-telling show is organized by Anna Crudge and Nora O Murchu as a part of the World Ends residency programme and will feature the work of Ciara Dunne, Aurélie Mossé,

Bohemian Like You - contemporary illustration exhibition

2011-11-02T11:30:00.005Z

Puff & Flock good friends' The Somethings Lab and Green and Fay are happy to present “Bohemian Like You” a playful illustration exhibition inspired by the image of the modern bohemian.It’s 2011, distances and journeys are shorter than ever, we are used to travelling more often, for work reasons, for inspiration, for a getaway, just to visit a friend, or why not to make new friends?If you are

CSM in the NY Times

2011-10-19T16:30:00.010+01:00

Yesterday, an article appeared in the New York Times' Style section about Central Saint Martins moving to its new Kings Cross building. Since we're all CSM grads, I wanted to link it here.From the article: The dean of fashion and textiles, Anne Smith, said: “What is really fantastic is the mix of all disciplines from drama students and fine arts. I think the student community will be much

ISEA Istanbul 2011

2011-10-15T06:19:00.001+01:00

Istanbul's Bosphorus: a great place to discuss electronic arts!Closeby, at the Istanbul Museum of Archaeology, a lion's glazed eye gazes from the Ishtar Gate.I recently got back from the International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA2011), which was in Turkey this year. It will be in New Mexico next year (they really do know how to pick magical settings) and if you're interested in going, you

Magnetic Materials for Claudia Ligari's Fashions

2011-10-03T03:04:00.010+01:00

It's been awhile since checking in at the P&F blog - where to begin? The past few months have contained lots of inspiration and new projects. Los Angeles is full of creative stories that I hope to share here. Additionally, it would be great to report on some talks and workshops I've done abroad. (This past week, I returned from the ISEA conference in Istanbul. I'm so enamored with that city!)

The Return of the Siamese Accessories

2011-09-26T10:39:00.016+01:00

Spiky (Photo Adam Brown)The “Siamese Accessories” is series of costumes designed by Elisabeth Buecher of Puff&Flock. First presented at the V&A last September, this performance came back in London for the opening night of the Designersblock's show 2011. Visitors had to pair up to try these costumes on because the "Siamese Accessories" only function if worn by two people at the same time.

DriDri dream Gelato is with us at Designersblock this week

2011-09-22T00:21:00.006+01:00

Puff & Flock is very pleased DriDri accepted the invitation to sell their taste bud gem gelato at the Designersblock venue this September, it is a first ! What is more comforting than finding treasures such as DriDri's exquisite ice cream in London? It is not just a good looking shop front, it is made in the pure Italian tradition, and with the best families of ingredients. You can come and

Puff & Flock Workshops for DesignersBlock 2011

2011-09-19T17:13:00.000+01:00

DesignersBlock The Farmiloe Building 34 St John Street EC1M 4AY Sunday is Magical Materials day with colour changing and magnetic wonders. We have two workshops tun by Puff & Flock members Kathy Schicker and all the way from L.A via a conference in Turkey, Jenny Leary. Kathy Schicker Sunday is the last day of DesignersBlock so the last chance to take a good look around and buy vintage

Puff & Flock Workshops for DesignersBlock 2011

2011-09-18T18:34:00.001+01:00

The Saturday the 24th of Tremendous Fun is a jam packed day for adults and children alike with ice cream inspired workshops from the Somethings Lab, an inspirational talk from the creator of the wonderful Wren Bikes and another opportunity to make some inspired jewellery with Retrouve. Many of our workshoppers are selling their products in the Puff Up souvenir shop in the courtyard so please stop

Puff & Flock Workshops for DesignersBlock 2011

2011-09-17T20:17:00.001+01:00

Continuing our series of blog posts on the Puff & Flock workshops for DesignersBlock, below is information on Fashion Friday and how to book. Some are first come first serve, a couple you have to book as numbers are limited. Please contact us at info@puffandflock.com if you have any questions. Friday 23rd Fashion Friday with jewellery makers Retrouve and fashion Phd student Jen

Puff & Flock Workshops for DesignersBlock 2011

2011-09-17T13:11:00.001+01:00

Puff & Flock are very excited to be running a series of workshops at this years DesignersBlock at the fantastic Farmiloe building in Clerkenwell, London. The show runs for Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th as part of the London Design Festival which starts today. For free entry to DesignersBlock please register here before Wednesday 21st. We will also be running the Puff Up Shop, a souvenir shop

Iconic Building Commonwealth Institute

2011-09-14T19:46:00.001+01:00

What does a building mean to a child? The last time I entered this incredible building, I was a child, goggling exhibits of countries of the Commonwealth. I have very happy memories of going there and of the feel of the building. I remember room set ups of African villages. My brothers remember Canada's display featured fake snow and a sledge, and lots of maps! 'Regarded by English

Tube Textiles

2011-09-10T10:22:00.000+01:00

I got strange and amused looks last time I did it too - photographing tube seats. I presume this new looking upholstery is in honour of the olympics. I reckon commuters are allowed to sit on it (when you CAN get a seat!) up until the actual event, when we are being told to 'avoid' the tube - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23900660-

Ambience Conference 28-30 November 2011

2011-09-04T09:07:00.001+01:00

The University of Borås is hosting a very promising conference and exhibition next fall, gathering researchers, artists, designers and architects who challenge the boundaries between art, design and technology. With a foundation in artistic practice the conference will be organized as a meeting place where art, design, architect and technology communities can come together to discuss

Shaping reality with electroactive polymers

2011-07-12T19:54:00.012+01:00

Puff and Flock has always been very proactive in terms of cross-disciplinary collaborations. Our curiosity regularly lead us to venture beyond textiles' boundaries so as to explore territories such as science, fashion or furniture design. Today, DTU's Chemical Engineering Department is celebrating the still fairly unusal collaboration between scientists and designers with an article dedicated to

Suzanne Lee - "What would you choose to grow in the future?"

2011-06-30T16:30:00.004+01:00

Suzanne Lee, researcher and associate lecturer at Central Saint Martins College in MA Textile Future, talks about her research on growing materials with green tea, sugar, living bacteria, yeast and micro organisms. We have followed the evolution of her experiments since we were first introduced to her work in 2007 in college, and it is nice to see how colour and pattern were inserted in her work.

Yohji Making Waves

2011-06-29T12:14:00.002+01:00

Popped into the Wapping Project for a drink and a bite to eat with friends and to see a piece by Yohji Yamamoto. Totally inspiring, very ethereal and completely gorgeous in the atmospheric setting of an old hydraulic power station by the Thames. 12 March – 14 August 2011 THE WAPPING PROJECT, Yohji Making Waves Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, Wapping Wall, E1W 3SG

LCC Surface design degree show 2011

2011-06-21T21:22:00.008+01:00

James Hollerbach - 'Dirty Filthy London' - BA degree show workWe appreciate our interns, we really do. They help us out enormously in unusual and unexpected ways, and we feed them tea and cake on a regular basis... it works out well and they usually come back for more!We have had a few of our lovely interns from the Surface Design BA at London College of Communication and last year it was James.

City of splinters

2011-05-31T10:36:00.005+01:00

Last weekend, I went to the incredible Makerfaire in San Mateo, just south of San Francisco. There was so much to see at this annual mega-celebration of DIY activity. The thousands of visitors were there to encounter inflated giant asparagus, tesla coil DJs, EL wire remote controlled sharks, felted moustaches, oversize puppets....the list goes on! For now, I'll focus on very impressive project:

Stuart Melrose + Puff & Flock = playful furniture creatures

2011-05-29T21:48:00.008+01:00

When Stuart Melrose approached us to design a few pieces of furniture together, mixing our respective creative universes and technical skills, we were instantly thrilled. We had on our mind to extend the family of character furniture, that Elisabeth and Amelie had started with Sofa So Good a couple of years ago. This was the perfect occasion. On Stuart's initiative a great collaboration was

Home Sweet Home, Sweet Paumes

2011-05-16T20:21:00.004+01:00

Home is a really important place to me. I always flick through magazines with envy when I see amazing houses photoshoot, hoping that one day I will have a house of my own, hoping that one day they will come to my home :) (ok let's get working...) One fine day of November 2010, a very special team of people came into my place in London for a book publication in Japan. The Editions Paumes just

Subtle Technologies 2011

2011-04-17T20:10:00.005+01:00

In June, I'll be presenting a talk/demo about Ferrofabric at Subtle Technologies: "Subtle Technologies is a gathering of artists, scientists, technologists, engineers and the general public. We share cross-disciplinary ideas, explore new technologies, showcase creativity and incubate the next generation of practitioners at the intersection of art, science and technology. 2011 marks the 14th

Talking Textiles

2011-04-15T00:02:00.004+01:00

Under the heading Talking Textiles, Li Edelkoort presents a two-part textile exhibition in connection with this year's design week in Milan - one part is presented at Spazio Gianfranco Ferré and the other at Ventura Lambrate. Spazio Gianfranco Ferré features works by a selection of established designers, all of whom take an innovative approach to textiles in their design - including

Milan Design for Textile Futures invasion :)

2011-04-14T23:10:00.006+01:00

We could just about escape from our stand in Ventura Lambrate but we didn't want to miss the stunning work selection the students from MA textile Futures (Central Saint Martins College London) showcased this week in the Lambrate area. The course (we ourselves graduated from in 2008) is celebrating this year its 10 years. 10 years of challenging perception of textiles and surfaces we live

Ferrofabric for Claudia Ligari

2011-04-11T19:22:00.004+01:00

Claudia Ligari A/W 2011A few days before leaving London in November, I had a meeting with the fashion designer Claudia Ligari (watch her i-D interview here). She showed me pieces from her previous collection. I was floored. Her mix of craftsmanship with irreverence is something special. Lucky for me, her irreverence for rules translated into being intrigued by using Ferrofabric.Claudia Ligari's A

Gestural Engineering

2011-04-11T18:07:00.007+01:00

Cory's Yellow Chair, by Arthur Ganson, 1997 (watch video here)The MIT Museum in Cambridge is a celebration of science and technology, showcasing a range of discoveries made by campus researchers. The ground floor hosts a fascinating collection of holograms, representing "historical breakthroughs and state-of-the-art techniques". Adjacent to that is an in-depth exhibit about brilliant work in

Her Royal Henna

2011-04-09T15:03:00.000+01:00

I've always collected these plastic henna stencils. There's something wonderfully neat about the intricate patterns contained within the simple graphic hand shape. I recently visited Morocco with my daughter, and she became similarly obsessed to have a 'tattoo' painted in Marrakesh. Delighted she was with the result! In Morocco, I read that painting you hands is said to help you find a husband

Spring!

2011-03-20T08:18:00.026Z

In Blois, my mum's pets worship the first spring flowers that she grows in her garden.Too busy feasting spring, her pets stop attacking humans only for a few days. They forget to eat.Every year, I take advantage of this respite to go and visit my parents. This time I decided to take pictures. Although I left Blois before their appetite came back!Elisabeth

Reef exhibited at 1:1 research by design

2011-03-17T09:15:00.012Z