Editorials
A Study in Simplicity
Tucked within the dense woodlands of Sweden, find heaven by a different name. The Forest Retreat, designed by Stockholm-based Norm Architects, is a study in simplicity. A converted timber cabin, its interior has been completely reenvisioned for a life lived slowly. Soft linens, minimalist wooden furniture and smooth, dolomite plaster walls encourage the rest and relaxation […]
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The Handcrafting Traditions of Acquaviva delle Fonti
In each Corîu bag, find the soul of their hometown, Acquaviva delle Fonti. The label’s distinctly classic designs are informed by centuries of Italian leather craft, and the inherent beauty of goods made slowly. Their latest collection, Mare Nostrvm — a stylization of the Italian for “our sea” — explores the sensory experience of Puglia and Southern […]
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History of Japanese Silk
Ever since its introduction to Japan between the second and third centuries BC from China, silk has become a unique and coveted material in Japanese culture. From then on, Japanese silk weaving and farming techniques, or sericulture, began to develop independently from their Chinese predecessors, aided by the temperate Japanese climate which allowed the art […]
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A Journey with Jeans
We all take our own journey with jeans. Did you ever put a pair on and sit in a hot bath, hoping they would shrink fit? Or chop them up with a blunt pair of scissors to wear to a festival. Jeans take on the DNA and personality of the wearer. The commitment to get […]
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From the 6th Century BCE
Many things come to mind when thinking of Rajasthan – it cannot enter the conversation without evoking exquisite architecture, grand palaces and bright spices wafting through open air markets. However, when considering the identity of India’s heartland, textiles come first. The country is built around a millennia of fabric excellence – many modern, world-renowned techniques […]
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Presence...
To most, being present is the utmost challenge. In addition to requiring constant practice, it takes an incredible amount of attention, patience and time. However, it is one of the most important skills for a full and beautiful life. In the realm of high craft, presence is non-negotiable. It is the gap between complacency and […]
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A Gaze into Wilderness
The heartbeat of North Africa thumps from within Uma Wang’s latest collection. The brush of oat grass in the thready pile of a jacket, the spill of sand dunes in overlapping silk panels or the dappled shade of a Lebanon Pine in the subtle color of a coffee dye. The delivery is deeply Uma, and […]
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The Mosaic Motifs of Jaipur
Mieko Mintz uses the traditional craft of kantha quilting to stitch two cultures together. Her southern Japanese heritage pairs with the famous Indian textile practice to create singular pieces using fine vintage saris to create kimono-style kantha jackets. The practice of kantha quilting dates back thousands of years and is thought to have originated in the […]
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Up Close & Personal
Artistic freedom defines Ümit Ünal and his meticulous creations. Unbothered by trends, his work lasts longer than a fashion cycle. His designs reference a childhood spent in the family’s Istanbul atelier – working with global textiles, ancient mending practices, contemporary thought and timeless silhouettes. Ünal pursues excellence in the unending way of the artist. Patches of […]
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Nature & Nurture
To say that Daniela Gregis’s work is dreamy is an understatement. Just like the gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, her collections are poetry for the senses – harnessing all the wild, tame, bright, monochrome, soft and structured elements nature has to offer. Rendered in organic cottons, linens and silks, her silhouettes are easy to slip […]
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A Quiet Counterculture
Georgia O’Keeffe changed visual art by painting the desert landscape she loved. Marsèll’s collection of fine leather goods innovate with the same spirit. Minding the leathercraft traditions that made them, in hues of desert rain, wet earth, nightfall and daybreak, Marsèll – like O’Keeffe – excels in organic forms and finishes. Working from their studio […]
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Hand-Carved Ethiopian Vessels
The Borana people craft vessels using acacia wood for use in all aspects of their lives, from carrying water to welcoming guests into the home. A semi-nomadic herding people, the Borana move across southern Ethiopia in search of fertile grazing grounds for their livestock. The containers display a closeness to the land from which they come. […]
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Samplers of Sincerity
Wild creatures from forest, sahara and jungle rendered in Sabina Savage’s expert hand mark her Spring/Summer ‘23 collection. The new line of silk and cashmere scarves depict animals and insects near extinction: panda, bird, jaguar and butterfly. Despite these creatures’ dire status, Savage harkens back to a homespun time where needlework samplers reflected the social […]
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An Inspired Blue
A traveller at heart, Mieko Mintz infuses her unique pieces with the creativity of place. Be it the silhouettes of Japanese kimonos, the kantha stitching of West Bengal, the punchy streetwear of New York City or the casual elegance of Paris, a global experience is what breathes life into her work. In her juxtaposed prints, […]
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Basketry from the Hills of Arta
In northeast Mallorca lies Arta, a small village nestled between lush mountains and the Balearic Sea. Centuries-old olive trees speckle this region – the perfect material for the traditional basketry practiced by its residents. Sharing the hillside with Es Racó d’Artà, a serene countryside retreat, Daniela Gregis pursues the art of basket weaving in her […]
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A Casual Californian Aesthetic
Biomimicry is the practice of finding inspiration within the modes of nature. The earth, after all, is not only our most precious resource for material, but for beauty itself. Good design draws directly from this unending well; great design improves upon it. A prime example of the latter lies in the biomimetic philosophy embodied by […]
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Arancione & Rosso
Within Daniela Gregis’s summer collection, her intuitive designs remind us of the joy of dressing. In this first taste, orange and rose abound – a precursor to the full spectrum of color to come. With a palette as lively as the joie de vivre that inspires it, an ease and pleasure of wear become the […]
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One-of-a-Kind Labradorite
Monies one-of-a-kind collection comes in the colors of ocean and sky: smokey gray agate, luminous clear quartz, dark freshwater pearls and glimmers of blue-green labradorite. These semiprecious stones lay in hand-knotted strands and suggest the treasures found in tidepools and the power of the ocean crashing on shore. Husband-wife duo Nikolai and Gerda Monies have innovated […]
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The Longevity of Style
Since 1985, Massimo Palomba has been making leather bags that prove every detail counts. The studio prizes fine craft for a simple reason: beauty creates joy. From the use of natural vegetable dyes, hand-woven leathers, and custom casted hardware, a timeless style shines through every seam and handle. Each piece becomes a part of the […]
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Textural Imagination
In all the hustle and bustle of seasonal change, after hot magenta, alluring chartreuse and neon orange have all but sucked us dry, we find ourselves craving the classics. Simple gold in its most buttery presentation, set against a string of faceted diamonds or milky pearls – a breath of fresh air. In these simple […]
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In Viaggio
In Viaggio (traveling) we discover everything. We ignite our curiosities and our dreams — experiences and wonders abound — troubles and discomfort also raise their heads. But more than anything we become acquainted with ourselves. We become advocates for simplicity, comfort, timelessness, truth… a gentle helping hand. These are also the words that best describe […]
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Summer Denim
Sustainability. Transparency. Green. Buzzwords that speak to the caretaking of our planet crop up everywhere, and for good reason. It’s true what they say: actions speak louder than words. Closed brings these ideals to life in their sourcing, production, and distribution practices. They share how their earth-conscious choices make a difference during every step of […]
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Trippen's Philosophy: Handle with Care
Trippen reminds us each day — with the shoes on our feet — that the Earth should be handled with care. And so, it was only natural that designers Claudia and Michael would develop the Spring Collection exploring the architecture and meaning of a greenhouse. There is no irony as Earth Day approaches… The symbolism […]
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Vintage Baskets of the Borana People
The Borana people belong to the Oromo group in Ethiopia. They are semi-nomadic herders who transport their belongings on camels and donkeys as they seek pasture for their animals. Borana is pronounced with the final vowel silent. It refers to both the people and their language and also means “friend” or “kind person.” These Cho […]