Series 8, Eco Icon No.16

Sculptural paper Baroque wigs by Asya Kozina

Russian sculptural paper artist Asya Kozina has created a majestic sculptural collection of classical powdered wigs  made of paper.

She has always been fascinated by historical wigs, especially from the baroque era. She explains “this is art for art’s sake aesthetics for aesthetics — no practical sense, but they are beautiful. Paper helps to highlight the main form and not to be obsessed with unnecessary details.” Previous works include a collection of  elaborate traditional wedding dresses also made of paper. 

Originally from St Petersburg Asya Kozinahas studied old drawings and antique photographs of traditional Mongolian wedding dresses which inspired her extravagant versions of  these traditional Wedding dresses worn hundreds of years ago.  Made from paper these dramatically sculpted headdresses and intricate garments have been meticulously sculpted  “they themselves are very extravagant and futuristic,’ kozina says of the traditional garb. ‘I had to create my own version of these outfits with exaggeration, and white paper emphasized their shape, colour and empasized the intricacy and detail of the original  pieces. ‘

These inspirational pieces are taking paper art to the next level- let’s hope the paper is recycled!

 https://www.behance.net/asyakozina

Series 8. Eco Icon No.15

 Jewellery as sculptural art

 by Atelier XJC

“Whoever wishes to do great things must think profoundly of the details.”

Poet and writer Paul Valéry, via Atelier XJC.

---

When we normally hear of Swiss Luxury design firms our thoughts turn to luxury watches, jewellery and accessories made of precious and semi precious materials. But that was before Atelier XJC launched their iconic, avant garde collection of sculptural, one off intricate, sculptural jewellery pieces inspired by plumes, feathers, scales and Elizabethan large scale referenced ruffs.

Using their  unique expertise in the world of luxury product design, particularly in the field of luxury watchmaking and jewellery through their collaborations with prestigious and internationally recognised manufacturers, XJC  pushes the boundaries of their skillsets  to a higher level with the launch of an ideas laboratory to act as an incubator for the creation of unique, pioneering and directional collections.

The arresting photos of the collection and the  choice of  non-conventional models add to the impact of the collection. It is so engaging, and interesting  to see these conceptual jewellery pieces modelled by a unique group of  models with individuality and style. the photos were taken by Milo Keller & Julian Gallico of the Twinroom agency in Paris.

www.xjc.ch

 

Series 8. Eco Icon No.14

Nature as wearable jewelry.

An iconic ring collection by Pasionae

Pasionae is a New York based contemporary jewelry atelier. Its collection, which include many bespoke and unique one-of-a-kind pieces, combine their experimental use of color, shape and texture to create an architectonic and textural range.

Using the raw, natural forms of precious stones and diverse elements such as emerald, wood, glass and silver, Pasionae gives each individually handcrafted piece a unique stamp and personality.

Primarily inspired by human passions, each of Pasionae’s metamorphic designs capture powerful emotions that embody the concept of l’art pour l’art (art for art’s sake).

These pieces are dramatic, 3 dimensional statement conversation pieces that are instantly collectible and very covetable.

www.pasionae.com

Series 8. Eco icon no.13

Jean Genius.

Furniture and tableware made from a recycled denim composite by Matteo Fogale and Laetitia de Allegri

 

London based designers Matteo Fogale and Laetitia de Allegri recently launched, at the London Design Festival, a collection of furniture and homewares  that they designed using  an ingenious composite of recycled denim, cotton and paper,called Denimite that actually looks like stone but without the weight that stone designs usually carry.

The ISH Collection is Matteo Fogale and Laetitia de Allegri’s first design collaboration. The range features  a bench, side tables, shelving, a wall-mounted mirror and a selection of homewares.

The collection also featured another upcycled material called Marblus is made from scraps of white cotton and polyester from discarded clothing, and other fabric offcuts. The mixture of different fabrics gives the mostly white material a blue-grey element which resemble the veins in Carrara marble.

“Recycled materials can often look like a ‘second choice’ and not premium enough,” said De Allegri “We both love the look and feel of stone  but we find the weight and fragility a bit limiting in its applications.”

The materials can be worked like wood, and so the entire collection could be fabricated by the designers in-house  in their own studio, working with the manufacturer of Marblus and Denimite,  Iris Industries, to form and  curve slabs of the materials for the first time providing a whole new series of creative options for the use of these innovative recycled materials.

As De Allegri explained in a recent interview with Dezeen “These materials look stunning and are easy to work with, we were able to create pieces that are more accessible and that woould be hard to achieve using real stone. We also like the poetry of something beautiful that mimics a natural material and yet is created from post industrial scrap.”

Organic forms of curves, ovals and circles form a continuos thread throughout the collection which has made wearing your jeans out even more rewarding as their second life, in the talented hands of Matteo Fogale and Laetitia de Allegri will be as exciting as their first.

www.matteofogale.com

Series 8. Eco Icon No.12

‘Flower power’

Succulent showpiece necklace

by Tyramin

 

Tyramin began their creative journey by designing and creating iconic  sustainable jewelry. Their original concepts evolved and expanded to include home decor collections using the  silhouettes, and materials from the jewelry collection,  Their jewelry & home designs are whimsical and elegant with some surprising darker undertones. The materials  and techniques they use meld the traditional and the contemporary giving a contemporary twist to timeless ideas. Their collections use sustainable materials and energy efficient manufacturing which for them has been the most important element of their design process, and their commitment to sustainability extends beyond their design to their business practices.

Tyramin design their collections in a  thoughtful and sustainable manner.Their Succulent jewelry collection and home design objects are hand cast from real succulent plants and locally grown and sourced flowers. Energy efficient methods, recycled packaging and sustainable materials are drive their design process , and labour and manufacturing are both sourced in the USA .  Tyramin Studios are based in Pittsbugh, Pennsylvania,  The Succulent casts retain the texture of the original live plant, very similar to taking a fossil impression. The Pewter-cast plants are arranged to imitate the natural growing patterns of hens and chicks succulents. Flower clusters measure about 8.5″ long by 3.5″ High, with an adjustable Stainless Steel chain.. Tyramin jewelry is artist-made made in the USA. To Tyramin craftsmanship and sustainability are as important to them as their considered sense of design.

www.tyramin.com

 

Series 8. Eco Icon No.11.

Water works!

The Marta Collection by Bib&Sola

 

 

Bib&Sola is a  design company dedicated to raising awareness for water through their beautifully designed,  exquisitely made, hand blown glass water carafe and glass sets. As a company Bib&Sola ‘ walk the talk’ by giving 10% of all  their profits to partnered charitable organisations.

According to Bib&Sola founder Kira Heuer the Marta Collection is “Inspired by the woman water bearers of our world . 

“Each of our product designs are inspired by a unique water story, be it giving ode to the daily plight of water carriers in Malawi, the wonder and  mystique of ethnic cultural tea ceremonies, natural water phenomenon’s — storms at sea, the Niagara falls, or perhaps a mere child splashing through a puddle.

Their mission is  to make us aware of the precious commodity that water is, by creating their own designed version of glass’ water bearers’ namely their covetable and design led, contemporary  Marta Collection.

Their longterm aim is that the water  that we take for granted in the Western world will be available to everyone so it will no longer be the luxury it unfortunately still is in certain parts of our world.

 We at  Finding Eco love the message, adore the product and respect the integrity of Bib&Sola.

The world needs more visionary companies like Bib& Sola.

 

www.bibandsola.com

 

Series 8. Eco Icon No.10

“When less really is more.”

Giorgio Caporaso’s cardboard shelving collection for LESSMORE products.

   

The More Collection is a multi functional  system of modular furniture for internal and external use.

The design of this sustainable collection has centered around its modularity and transformability, starting with the design of a basic  unit,  which can be combined with other identical or similar units to create a bespoke shelving unit.  It can be made into a suspended wall unit, an open bookcase , or it can be used as a room divider other environments, and can be anchored or suspended from the ceiling.

More is the response to everyday life that demands an ongoing flexibility of spaces and adaptability of furniture to meet our ever changing life style requirements.

The product is based on the use of units which can be readily combined without needing any special or complex equipment and which can be built up as desired, so providing highly versatile and interesting solutions which are not only aesthetic, but – given its self-supporting nature – are also functional.

There is no limit to the number of ways in which the units can be assembled. The creations are never permanent and can easily be changed, as the finish of each unit enables it to be used as a final element. Linear, corner and overhang compositions are possible.

Giorgio Caparosa says ” Objects can have a long, sometimes varied, life, until, that is, they are at last disposed of. To ensure that their everlasting effect on the planet is well felt, these products are born through careful study dedicated to both birth and rebirth.”

These furnishings and accessories explore the eco-friendly potential of cardboard and wood,  enabling the product to meet the design expectations of the product while at the same time being sustainable and innovative. Designed by Giorgio Caporaso, Lessmore products are manufactured to be easily disposable and to have no negative impact on the environment.

Findingeco loves the successful fusion of design, sustainability and flexibilty  inherent within this collection and values its commitment to treading lightly on our planet.

www.caporasodesign.it

Series 8. Eco Icon No.9

‘Wearable Sculptural 3D Printed Art by Daniel Widrigs‘

London architect and artist Daniel Widrig has taken 3D printing to another level. He has created a unique, custom collection of wearable sculptures.His creations  are abstract three dimensional forms , each one customised to fit the unique shape of the wearer. The soft and sinuous lines in Widrig’s 3D-printed collection share the fluid lines and textures often found in  the work of his mentor  and visionary architect, Zaha Hadid  in whose practice he was significantly involved,  designing some of Hadid’s most iconic buildings and products.

The collection is  made using  a polyamide material, with each piece being  laser-formed into  patterns that interact with the organic forms of the body. Created by taking 3D  body scans Widrig was able to customize each piece to the unique configuration of the model’s body shape. Little Black Spine, for instance, is a piece that draws on the form of a skeleton and was designed to look like a natural extension of the model’s spine.

Daniel Widrig  established  his own studio in  London in 2009, Widrig’s studio now works in a broad range of fields including sculpture, fashion, furniture design and architecture.  Embracing digital systems since its early days, the studio holds a unique position in the field and is widely considered to be in the vanguard of digital art and design.                                                                  

Daniel has received international critical acclaim and has been published and exhibited internationally. He received a number of prestigious awards including the Swiss Arts Award, Feidad Merit Award and the Rome Prize. In 2009 Daniel was named Maya Master, a title awarded by the digital design community and software industry recognizing people reshaping and redefining the boundaries of technology and art.

The concept of creating unique wearable sculptures  to order means a transparent supply chain, no wastage and a small carbon footprint which apart from being covetable and exquisitely beautiful makes it more than worthy of being named Finding Eco Eco  Series 8 Icon No.9.

www.danielwidrig.com

Series 8. Eco Icon No. 8.

‘ BUBBLES’ Champagne bottle top upcycled jewellery collection by Laura Lobdell

 

New York artist Laura Lobdell , began to apply the ‘found-object vocabulary’ she practiced in her art, to  her jewelry design. Her first pieces  was called the “Guitar Pick.”  The “Guitar Pick” was originally made for musician friends who played in the Village, would lose their picks, and call out to the crowd for quarters or nickels as substitutes.  Laura decided to sculpt classic guitar picks in silver and threaded with leather to be worn around the players’ necks, which their girlfriends promptly pinched to adorn themselves, creating a need for more.  Laura added four related pieces to create a collection titled “Five Easy Pieces,” presented in decoupage black cigar boxes:  a RunoverBeerBottleCap, Bullet, Piano Key (from an antique Steinway), and the Slab ID bracelet.

Requests for similar jewelry styles led to Laura designing what have now become  her signature pieces:  “Bubbles Royale,” a bubble wand in sterling silver or gold that comes with liquid bubbles, the “Match Stick Necklace,” packaged in a match box illustrated with “You’re My Match,” and the “Champers Ring and Collection” – all signed, copyrighted, and hand-crafted in New York City.

An avid vintage and textile collector, Laura developed a hand-knotting technique with ocean-washed silk, to create the first “Seeds of Silk” collection.  New color stories emerge seasonally.

Her collections, being hand crafted, locally made and created using found and upcycled objets, tick all the sustainable design boxes that we at Finding Eco  look for in our Eco Icon worthy featured designers.

www.lauralobdell.com

Series 8. Eco Icon No.7.

The only way is UP!

The UP-SHIRT does it better than most.

 

 

Fashion designer and environmentalist Reet Aus  has made up-cycling both her personal and professional  mission spanning  her up-cycled fashion collections to her costume design for films and theatre.

Having recently completed a Phd in sustainable fashion design,  Reet’s research led her to Bangladesh, where she began a working relationship with a factory called Beximco who make garments for many well known brands.  Their manufacturing  process accumulates an excess of waste fabrics which Reet saw as a positive opportunity to effect change. gathering together a team of experts to use all the off cuts and create an up-cycled garment and the UP-shirt was born.

Every year numerous public events such as stadium sports events , concerts, or festivals print t-shirts for the event which more often than not after a couple of wears find their way to the bottom of a drawer or worse are thrown away. If we started to view each T shirt as a vast tank of water required to produce it, perhaps we would stop to consider the implications of our ‘throw away’ culture. Factory made t-shirts produce up to 40% wastage which in turn means that 40% of the cotton is grown for production is wasted   and vast amounts of water and earth resources are used, as well as the energy required to  spin the yarn, transport the material, the  factory’s own energy consumption and the labour used in the production chain.

Using new up-cycling design and production methods it is now possible to  mass produce a t-shirt with a 80% smaller environmental footprint.

After many years of dedicated  research  Upmade came up with a design and production model to mass produce t-shirts using the 40% left over by traditional factory production methods.

Their mission is to  demonstrate that mass up-cycling works, with a view to ultimately reducing  the negative impact on the environment of manufacturing waste produced by the fashion industry.

Rees and her team have recently launched a Kickstarter Campaign to fund the development of the UP shirt. Support them here and give them a big heads UP!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/466844291/up-shirt-the-tee-with-the-tiny-environmental-footp

Series 8. Eco Icon No.6

‘Pulp Fiction’  Unique organic lighting by Enrico Romero de la Llana

Barcelona based product designer Enrique Romero de la Llana, has created the ‘Pulp Lamp’ collection to ‘give a second life’ to discarded newspapers. Every lamp  in the collection is formed from a 100% recycled paper pulp and made by hand using a selection of inflatable molds. With their textural and organic forms, each one is totally unique.  The collection is contemporised by his brilliant use of the red flex.

With the advent of digital newspaper and the increase in paper waste, this collection addresses the problem of paper waste brilliantly by ‘shining’ a light on the issue and resolving it through a sustainable design solution. The combination of the organic shapes, textural finish and red flex casts a ‘warm glow’ on re-purposed design, in the creation of this iconic , contemporary lighting collection.

Finding Eco particularly likes this elemental, resolved ‘design with purpose’ collection.

http://www.cargocollective.com

Series 8. Eco Icon No.5

‘My Family‘ by Sonia Verguet upcycled furniture collection

20 chairs, one wooden cube that is the concept behind Sonia Verguet’s unique recycled chair collection  The collection of  20 chairs, stools and ottomans is made up of a combination of  of recycled seating, with individual bases, seats  or back rests creating an eclectic yet surprisingly  cohesive collection with each chair either working as a stand alone piece or together as a’ family’ of chairs.

The contemporary art center La Kunsthalle de Mulhouse has commissioned Sonia to create a  production of 20 unique chairs, with the option to also create one -of-a-kind, customised versions available  as individual commissions.

‘My Family’ is the perfect name for this collection as in the same way as a family is made up of a connected but individual people, so Sonia Verguet seats, with a choice of one’s preferred style of backrests and legs have a common design thread while allowing for each chairs unique individuality to shine through.

Whether you choose one to match your personality or your interior, within Sonia Verguet’s ‘Family’ there is a chair for everyone! Looking forward to choosing mine now!

www.soniaverguet.com

by orianna fielding

Eco icon finder, designer, author , curator, broadcaster, retailer …following the principles of Wabi Sabi…learning to love the beauty of imperfection….learning that to ignore the facts doesn’t change the facts and remembering it is never too late to become who you are….and that it is better to be kind than to be right with a personal mission to find out ‘how to feed the soul without starving the planet’.

 

 

Series 8. Eco Icon No. 4

‘It’s a wrap‘ Haute Couture gowns made from recycled packaging  for DHL by Michael Michalsky

DHL is not a name usually associated with fashion other than for the packaging and transporting of it.

However for Fashion Week  DHL commissioned visionary german fashion designer Michael Michalsky to design a couture collection using only the full range of DHL packaging materials. This inspired collaboration  resulted in a beyond stunning collection that is worthy of any ‘green carpet challenge’.

Designed to promote global shipping company DHL at Fashion week and in billboards and print ads, designer Michael Michalsky turned shipping and packaging materials into stunning haute couture. Conceived of by German agency Jung von Matt and photographed by Kristian Schuller, the images were used by DHL as a self-promotion campaign.

These uber eco-chic creations are some great examples of sustainable designs that any fashionista would be proud to wear, while brilliantly showcasing  the glamorous side of sustainable design. Made from discarded bubble wrap, brown paper and packaging tape DHL Haute Couture is the ultimate up cycled couture and is both innovative and very inspiring. These  magnificent gowns made out of discarded packaging will forever change  the way we view  used packaging.

Michael Michalsky is regarded as one of Germany’s most influential fashion designers. He has worked as Design Manager at Levi’s and Global Creative Director at Adidas before founding his own Label “MICHALSKY” 2006 in Berlin. MICHALSKY serves the high fashion segment by fusing classical styles with streetwear influences. Besides his work as fashion designer Michael Michalsky founded his design agency “MICHALSKY designLab” , which realizes design projects in the fields of product, interior design and corporate fashion.

http://www.michalsky.com

Series 8. Eco Icon No. 3

Branching out!  ‘Forms in Nature’ create an indoor forest.

We have lived with the concept of ‘bringing the outdoors in’ in interior design schemes but designers Hilden & Diaz have just taken this concept to a new level! The amazing design duo have created this unique sculptural lighting  piece as a homage to the  late Darwinist Ernst Haeckel’s and his drawings.

This beautiful sculptural pendant  light called appropriately “Forms in Nature” is inspired by the root formation of a tree. The light source nestled within it’s centre, creates when lit, these oversized organic shadows that fill the walls of the space with undulating forms that create the illusion of a ‘shadow forest’.

The light at the moment is in prototype stage and Hilden & Diaz are so committed to bringing their concept to market that they are getting ready to launch the product via a Kickstarter campaign. So look out for them on Kickstarter and watch this space  if you’re interested in one of these pieces.

Finding Eco  LOVES both the concept and the piece and  we think it is worthy of being our Series 8 Eco Icon no. 3! So we will be watching their progress very closely!!!

www.hildendiaz.dk

Series 8. Eco Icon No.2.

“from Trash to treasure” Munenari Maegawa’s recycled accessory collection.

Artist Munenari Maegawa has created a witty collection made from discarded packaging which would have added to the landfill. She takes packages for items like M&M’s and McDonalds and turns them into pop culture pieces of clothing.

This vibrant  colourful collection includes vests, ties, bibs and ribbons. Munenari Maegawa’s series ‘Package’ has achieved originality and sustainability . The vest in this collection is made from washing detergent boxes- how brilliant to be able to give a second life to the packaging of your washing powder!.  The M&M tie is one of the most original of the collection.

‘Package’ leads the way in highlighting how recycling one person’s trash can definitely create ‘treasure’ for another!

www.munenari–maegawa.com

Series 8. Eco Icon No. 1

Music to the eyes.

Veronique Lamarre’s upcycled CD case lighting collection

We all know that CDs have been rendered almost obsolete as music has become digitalised. So what to do with the mountains of newly redundant CD jewel cases? Veronique Lamarre found a creative solution to the problem by creating a  lighting  collection  that reuses these cases and ticks all the boxes of form, function and planet. Using jewel cases and CDs as the base material for a dynamic graphic collection of shades, she has given a second life and purpose to  the  huge volume of  redundant CD packaging

Lamarre’s work succeeds at all levels as her lighting design is both covetable and sustainable.; Finding eco particularly loves her Louis Poulson inspired artichoke lamp called ‘ No more music Mr Henningson”

Veronique Lamarre is the perfect example of what happens when design, vision and talent combine to show us that it’s not always the content that shines…in her  CD case  lighting collection it’s definitely the packaging!

www.veroniquelamarre.com

Series 7. Eco Icon No.19

The human side of fashion :Life changing storytelling T’s, healing through shared experiences.

Often in life when we are faced with difficult life challenges like the loss of a loved one, we do everything we can to get through them and in time re – build and move on, However we can all learn from the visionary way Brett Novek dealt with the loss of  his father to Lymphoma, As a way of keeping the memory of his dad alive and as a place where other people could also share their  personal life-changing stories, Brett Novek started good hYOUman.

He created a concept T shirt and accessory line that featured the stories that people share on the company’s website . This not only helps to raise awareness towards the individuals struggling with life-threatening diseases but they are also a way of healing through sharing a deeply emotional experience.

Brett donates ten percent of all proceeds from the clothing line towards helping the  90,000 people or so diagnosed with Leukemia and Lymphoma every year.

Good hYOUman is a perfect and inspiring example of the growing swell of  social businesses. As Brett says, “everyone has a story, and we get out inspiration from the stories you share with us.”

Finding Eco loves this concept as we believe that all businesses should have a triple bottom line because ‘putting back’ is where real value come from.

www.goodhyouman.com

Series7. Eco Icon No.18.

Inspirational jewellery by EKO-LAB

Designer/ visual artists Xing-Zhen Chung-Hilyard and Melissa Kirgan,are EKO- LAB

They view the creative process as a holistic, almost spiritual experience which translates into beautiful, ephemeral works spanning, fashion, jewellery, accessories and  installations.

Their mission statement expresses their vision perfectly:-

“Creativity is a deep unconscious force. A process that reveals the unseen see-able and dreams reality. There’s a peace that comes from designing that in some small way we’re making the every-day more beautiful.”

Finding eco loves the sensuality and textural complexity of their work and the way their creative  handwriting forms a cohesive thread accross a variety of different creative platforms.

www.eko-lab.com

Series 7.Eco Icon No.17.

‘Surprise Surprise‘ light by Stephen Johnson

In the same way that Jeff Koons challenged our perceptions of every day objects by playing with their scale ….London based designer Stephen Johnson has designed this delightful, oversized and  witty light made out of semi- transparent PET, as part of his ‘surprise, surprise’ collection.

This surreal, upscale interpretation of a ‘gift bow’ is clearly designed to make you smile. Filled with echoes of past birthdays and celebrations .Surprise Surprise is both a visually stunning object and a multifunctional light that can be used on a wall, a ceiling,  table or can even be suspended as a pendant lamp from the ceiling.It explores how light can be used to evoke emotions and memories , which is Stephen Johnson’s mission as a designer. Exploring the less obvious elements of design, his work centres largely on how design can exist for the cognitive, as well as our practical needs. Through a love of ornamentation and kitsch he considers design as fulfilling emotional needs like humour and nostalgia.

Finding Eco…LOVES LOVES LOVES this !!! ‘Surprise Surprise’ definitely merits title of ‘Eco Icon No. 17’,

www.artecnicainc.com/Designers/Designers/Stephen_Johnson>

Series7. Eco Icon no.16

BOXING CLEVER.

‘RE-PLY‘ Re purposed cardboard recliner

by Dan Goldstein

When is a a cardbox box not a cardboard box? When it falls into the hands of Dan Goldstein. In this witty , no wastage, recycled furniture collection names Re-Ply or perhaps it should have  been called ‘re-apply’!!. This  core concept for this project according to designer Dan Goldstein is a rather unique appraoch to  both form and method, using broken-down boxes that would otherwise be discarded  as  garbage to form a reclining lounge chair.

Based in San Francisco,the Re-PLY chair  is inspired by designer seats, with its sleek lines and mid century references it would grace any contemporary interior.

The Re-PLY Chair has  a few features that sets it apart from other cardboard furniture creations available in the recycled market place. It is reclinable for maximum comfort.The metal base is either powdercoated or zing-plated and the overall dimensions are 30” L x 23” D x 25.5” H It is also available with a felt or faux fur  cover and Dan is currently  looking for funding to develop the range via Kickstarter.

www.yankodesign.com

Series 7. Eco Icon No.15

‘Just mustard‘ shopper-holic re-useable tote

We are living in a world where the days of plastic bags are thankfully numbered. Re-useable bags are becoming an every day necessity – yet rarely do we find a tote that is as witty, well designed and portable as the ‘ shopper-holic re-useable tote by ‘Just Mustard’.

Designed to look like a designer bag at first glance  it is, however, a reusable tote designed to fold up into a little pouch, which can be opened up when needed. The compact nature of its design means it is totally portable- and can be carried around in a handbag and used easily when required.

In an effort  to cut down on waste, most stores are encouraging the use of reusable shopping totes by charging customers money for a standard plastic bag. Thegreat thing about the Shopper-holic is its high end design. Form and function in perfect unison….a findingeco’ must!

This concept could be expanded to include a male collection with a series of ‘manbag’ designs! Let’s watch this space!

www.justmustard.com

Series 7. Eco Icon No.14

‘Alter Ego‘ armoire by Mieke Meijer

 

 

Dutch designer Mieke Meijer first created the ‘Alter Ego’ cabinet in 2009. It is a  witty contemporary homage to the Baroque ornateness of previous centuries. This five piece modular  armoire can be assembled to reveal an image of a gold antique cabinet or can be used as five separate storage units.

The ‘Alter Ego’ cabinet can be deconstructed and reconstructed according to taste and functionality. It can be as representational or as abstract as you wish. Finding Eco loves  the simple, elegant and adaptable design with its gilded classic references and recycled wood structure.

Order yours now from:

www.miekemeijer.nl

Series 7. Eco Icon No.13

CJY’s ” Wood Be” Collection

London based designer CJ studied at Central Saint Martins and graduated in 2012. Her latest collection called “Wood Be”,(a play on words), is inspired by the shapes and construction  of  ancient musical instruments.

CJ re-created them combining wooden pieces with  knitted and crocheted forms creating tubes, lines, strings and  fringes, as well as waves expressed in different visual ways. ,  The knitted and crochetted elements were used as the connection between wood and fabric.

The collection also aims to explore the idea of using natural alternative material as the primary source, such as wood, which is one of the most treasure ways to communicate with  nature, and to refine the traditional techniques of wood and crafts .

CJ says:

“EACH OF THE UNIQUE PIECES REPRESENTS MY PERSONAL IMPRESSION OF IDEAL WOMEN WHO  THEY“WOOD BE”

 

The focus of the collection is  on exploring  the combination of traditional technique and contemporary cuts in a subtle way.

This fluid yet inherently architectonic collection is destined to become a collection of collectible , unique – one off pieces. Order yours now!!!

www.notjustalabel.com/cjy

Series 7. Eco Icon No.12

Iconic recycled paper accessories by Mary Design

 

Hats made of  newspaper always bring to mind , a basic folded boat -shaped effort , best left to pre- school experts.  However Mary Design at the Minas Trend Preview in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, has crafted an exquisite collection of , catwalk worthy, graphic, iconic head and neck pieces that have taken fine layered, recycled paper mache from the humble beginnings of an art project to the international fashion arena.

The Ga-Ga esque head pieces that would not look out of place  on the cover of Vogue are inspired by  historical hat shapes such as the  1920’s cloche hat , another refers to  planetary rings, a third re-interprets African ceremonial head gear and turns it into a Stephen Jones worthy iconic piece.

The creative process behind these extraordinary  accessories centres on a refined paper mache technique that  preserves the finely layered print, which is  legible when viewed at close proximity- adding another dimension to the wonders of this collection. If ever there was a collection of pieces worthy of the ‘finding eco’ Eco Icon title – this is it!!!  Paper recycling  like you’ve never seen before!!!

 www.marydesign.com.br

Series 7. Eco Icon No.11

‘You are part of the package‘ UEG ‘lifestyle packaging‘ collection

The Polish UEG collective have launched their second  project called ‘Lifestyle Packaging’ that they have  defined as their [ MANIFESTO] “ Made entirely of Tyvek a fully recyclable fabric made by Dupont essentially for workwear uniforms, it has a finish that resembles paper and forms the basis for the graphics that UEG have applied to the collection.

A form of ‘wearing their politics on your sleeve’ UEG ‘s work is inspired by Polish political heroes, Roman Polanski films and socio political philosophies.

 According to their Mission statement’ they believe:

“LIFESTYLE PACKAGING” IS THE SECOND UEG PROJECT, AND HAS NOW

BECOME THE CONSTANTLY EXPANDING AND CHANGING MAIN UEG LINE.

INSPIRED BY PACKAGING AND BRANDING, THIS PROJECT INTERLINKS

THESE CONCEPTS WITH YOUR CLOTHING AND THE PORTABLE DEVICES,

DOCUMENTS, NOTEBOOKS AND OTHER BELONGINGS YOU CARRY WITH

YOU EACH DAY. UEG IS THE PACKAGING FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE.

MANIFESTO

 SIMILARITY IS CHARACTERISTIC OF EVERYTHING THAT IS.

EVERYTHING THAT IS IS SIMILAR.

EACH OF US IS SIMILAR TO SOMEONE ELSE.

DO NOT BE SOLITARY, BE SIMILAR.

A UNIFORM IS THE IMAGE OF YOUR SIMILARITY.

YOUR ‘I’ BECOMES THE IMAGE OF THE UNIFORM.

OTHERS ARE NOT OTHER IF YOU ARE THE SAME.

SIMILARITY GUARANTEES CLEANLINESS.

CLEANLINESS IS THE NEW LOVE.

LOVE DERIVES FROM SIMILARITY.

WHITE IS THE COLOUR OF PURE AND SIMILAR LOVE.

WHITE IS BEAUTIFUL.

BEAUTY IS FLEETING.

LOVE IS PERISHABLE.

WHITE IS AS FLEETING AND PERISHABLE

AS BEAUTY AND LOVE

AND FADES TO GREY.

YOUR LIFE IS SHORT AND FADES TO GREY.

YOUR LIFE IS LIKE THE COLOUR WHITE –

BEAUTIFUL, PERISHABLE AND DOOMED TO FADE.

USE IT AND THROW IT AWAY.

Their mission statement also form part of the graphics applied to their fully recyclable ,much sought after hoodies.

It is inspiring to see ethical designers considering the end of life cycle of their products also.

Find them at: www.ueg-store.com

Series 7. Eco Icon No.10

Henrietta Ludgate –fashion’s meteoric star of Responsible luxury launches her  ‘stunning, seasonless and sublime‘ 2012 collection at Esthetica, LFW, London.

Finding Eco has been a fan of Henrietta Ludgate since her early years as a designer. She has since gone on to pioneer her very particular brand of architectonic, luxurious, slow and responsible couture that has graced the ultimate selection of global red carpets via her unofficial brand ambassador ‘Livia Firth’.

Her collections are designed as a fusion of future proof ,contemporary classics with a minimalist glamour that will look good season after season. A ‘Henrietta Ludgate’ capsule collection which embodies the philosophy of timeless, seasonless dressing is an essential for every contemporary woman who subscribes to the ‘buy less, buy better’ school of dressing.

Her signature collections feature structural, strong shapes with minimalist lines in luxurious British fabrics… The designs are sophisticated with an edge. A combination of sharp lines and drapes which follow the contours of the body.  With references to  Schiapararelli’s view of clothing as a type of architecture; she believed that clothing should be closely connected to the frame of the body, just as a building’s form is drawn from its structural skeleton.”

For Spring/Summer 2012 there is perfect poolside glamour in Futuristic neon and  retro jewel brights and sheer textures  inspired by the summer of love and retro sixties minimalism. Her pieces reflect the rebellious spirit and experimentation of the 60s . The modern, minimalist design imbues the pieces with sophistication whilst the high hemlines and flattering tailoring gives the collection a sultry, sexy dimension. The luxurious fabrics highlight the exclusive nature of Henrietta’s clothes, this season she has used eco stretch silk satin causing the garments to gently cling to the body providing an excellent fit.  The accessories are as directional as the clothes and feature  belts are made from ecologically sourced plastic and the nail art worn by the models, provided by innovative beauty brand Nail Rock, is inspired by the very same material. The bright, almost neon, colours of the plastic being the perfect compliment to both the collection and Henrietta’s commitment to sustainable fashion.

Henrietta’s philosophy is one of slow fashion and lasting style rather than fast fashion and seasonal trends, she designs clothes that are intended to be worn over and over again by different generations; her SS12 once again utilizes designs that will stand the test of time.

www.henriettaludgate.com

Series 7. Eco Icon No. 9

 ‘Rule Britannia‘ eco fashion by ‘Victim fashion street’

  

Esthetica the ‘Eco fashion’ arm of London Fashion week sponsored by Monsoon had a smaller but no less impactful presence at Somerset House this season.

The high profile pioneers of exquisite sustainable fashion such as Henrietta Ludgate , Junky Styling and Dr. Noki were joined this year by cult designer ‘Victim Fashion Street’ a label started by Mei-Hui Liu. Completely self-taught in fashion, Mei Hui  worked her way up through the markets in the late 1990s, from Portobello in the West End to Brick Lane in the East End before entering the more formal wholesale and retail markets later on.Before she moved to London permanently in 1998, she did a stint at the American Academy in Paris and after that she spent a year travelling throughout Italy to observe how artisans, art and fashion co-exist in real-life experiences.

Mei-Hui says of her work “Aesthetically, I suppose it’s what you’d call decadent romance cut with a very sharp edge and a dose of haphazard embellishments. People tend to say that I’m one of the early pioneers of the sustainable fashion movement because I was one of the first to make recycling and up cycling a key part of my brand identity. But, above all else, it’s got to embrace opulence even if it is ethical.”

She is known best known for are my series of recycled vintage dresses using Victorian lace, antique haberdashery and a mishmash of new and old fabrics from various eras – all touched with the spirit of the debauched nightlife that permeated the 1980s.”

She continues  “Besides a commitment to sustainability, I guess I’m trying to reach a point where my instinctive love for nostalgia can live side by side with a dash of design innovation. But it’s definitely the sort of innovation that’s approachable, unassuming and totally unpretentious. Maybe it’s also about living with the contrasts that life presents us like harmony and disharmony or old and new and finding a way to make something beautiful out of those contrasts.”

Findingeco loves the  irreverent mix of  vintage and punk in this up cycled  collectible collections of limited edition one offs..we are hearing echoes of John Lydon….’ God Save the Green’…????

www.victimfashionst.com

Series 7. Eco Icon no.8

‘Eco PET Chaise‘  by Pawel Grunert

 

 

Pawel Grunert was born in 1965 in Warsaw. He graduated from the Facility of Interior Architecture at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts in 1990 with his first ‘eco furniture collection’ called ‘My Private Chairs’. He then went on to take part in several design exhibitions in Poland and internationally, featuring his ever expanding repertoire of furniture objects, sculptures and interior design schemes.

His latest work ‘the ‘ Eco Chaise’ produced for the ‘Eco Trans Pop’ exhibition of ecological design at the Colombari Gallery in Milan, Italy. The  chair is made from PET bottles with a stainless steel frame. The bottles can be easily changed if they show signs of damage.The rhythm of hundreds of PET bottles creates an organic  undulating structure. For those of us still drinking water from plastic bottles Pawel has taken the transforming of the ordinary plastic bottle into an art form ,creating an extraordinary iconic  and unique form ,giving the ubiquitous water bottle a second life to be proud of.

www.grunert.art.pl

Series 7. Eco icon no.7

Iconic Award winning collection by Titania Inglis

Titania Inglis , has just been announced as the winner of the 2012 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award for Sustainable Design, The award, which comes with a $25,000 grant, is a major achievement  for any designer, particularly one as young as Inglis, who only  launched her now eponymous label  in early 2010. Since her breakthrough collection, Inglis has come into her own, creating fresh, , immaculately tailored looks that are as sustainable as they are covetable.

Titania Inglis was born and raised in Ithaca, New York, the daughter of a Chinese mother and an American father, and first became aware of her interest in design during a year abroad in Denmark. Much like her life, her iconic womenswear line is a study in contrasts: minimal, yet luxurious,; architectonic yet feminine; modern, yet rooted in traditional hand finishing.

A strong believer in craftsmanship, Titania drapes each piece by hand in her Brooklyn atelier, and has them sewn in a small factory in New York’s garment district. The line’s materials are selected with thought to their environmental impact as well as their quality, and include organic cottons from Japan, vegetable-tanned leather, and dead stock fabrics from the local garment industry.

Sustainability is at the core of Brooklyn-based designer Titania Inglis’ eco-friendly, experimental,collection. she explains’ ‘The concept of sustainability is a dichotomy in itself. It’s about nature and about the future, and so is my line,’ These contradictions are evident in her spring 2012 separates, featuring asymmetrical  diaphanous  ,organic cotton creations, playing on ideas of  lightness and darkness.

Finding Eco rarely features the same designer twice….but in Titania Inglis’s case – her latest collection is worthy of the accolade of achieving ‘Eco Icon’ status.

www.titaniainglis.com

Series 7. Eco Icon No:6

‘Living tree chair‘ by DSquared2.

Canadian Design duo Dean and Dan Caten of DSQUARED²  designed this decontructed tree as a chair as part of the ‘ Kartell y Milano project’ . featuring  a selection of Kartell pieces that  were redesigned by 45 different designers, architects, celebrated fashion brands, and other creatives spanning dj’s to writers, including a piece created by the oncologist, Umberto Veronesi, all developed for an auction held at Sotheby’s in October  in aid of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation . The foundation  was established in 2003 to support the scientific research, through the assignment of research Grant for doctors and researchers, and also to sustain some high profile projects.

The “Kartell YMilano” project was launched  last year in 2010 at the  Salone del Mobile in Milan.

The pieces up for auction were created by fashion houses (Aspesi, Dolce&Gabbana, DSquared2, Etro, Antonio Marras, Missoni, Moschino and normaluisa), by the jeweller Vhernier, by photographers Fabrizio Ferri, Maurizio Galimberti, Gabriele Basilico and Paolo Spadacini, by the star-chefs Carlo Cracco and Davide Oldani, by a goodly crowd of designers and international architects (Mario Bellini, Andrea Branzi, Rodolfo Dordoni, Ferruccio Laviani, Piero Lissoni, Alberto Meda, Alessandro Mendini, Fabio Novembre, Italo Rota for the Museo del Novecento, Philippe Starck, Giotto Stoppino, Patricia Urquiola and Tokujin Yoshioka). And again – the Milan e Inter teams, the dee-jays Linus and Fabio Volo, the director, Bob Wilson, the critics Francesco Bonami and Gianni Canova, the illustrator, Rebecca Moses, the artists, Vedovamazzei, the civic institutions such as the Triennale Design Museum with Silvana Annicchiarico, Milanesiana with Elisabetta Sgarbi and the Accademia di Brera; the galleries Cardi Black Box and Giò Marconi, and the writers, Michele Mari and Laura Pariani.

Findingeco  adores the  use of branches with the leaves still in place reminding us that nature is ever changing ….a veritable ‘tree of life’ as a chair.

www.kartell.com

Series 7. Eco Icon No.5

 ‘Iconic Plastic ‘ images by Tomaas

The inspiration for these striking images for New York fashion  photographer Tomaas was ‘plastic’ in all its forms and formats. He used plastic cutlery, cling film, sheer plastic sheets, plastic bottles, straws and all manner of discarded plastic materials to create these iconic images.

Never ones to encourage the use of plastic…we at findingeco LOVE the  upcycling of plastic to create this series of  ‘plastic fantastic’ photo art. Far better for plastic to be preserved on a wall than in a landfill !

Reminiscent of some paintings of the great Dutch masters..these images are both sensational and inspirational .

www.tomaas.com

Series 7. Eco Icon No. 4

Silvina Romero’s  vibrant sustainable jewelry collection

       

Buenos Aires based desugner Silvina Romero has created a glorious, textural and vibrant collection of  sustainable jewelry or more accurately wearable art pieces. Using   recycled pieces of fabric and textiles. Silvina started working with  textiles scraps  during the height of the Argentinian economic crisis about 4 years ago , collecting  discarded pieces of scrap fabric, thread, nylon, and more in a neighborhood called Once, where many of fabric dealers and manufacturers were based. Silvina’s collections started out as ‘Green by default’ as she  transformed  ‘trash into treasure’ and has since achieved wide spread recognition  for her beautifully hand -crafted, and carefully considered  unique, limited edition pieces. Finding eco loves the organic natural shapes, the vibrant colours and the iconic shapes that Silvina creates as wearable art.

www.silvinaromero.blogspot.com

Series 7. Eco Icon No.3

‘You are what you tweet‘ The ‘printing’ dress by Microsoft Research

Asta Roseway, a senior designer at Microsoft Research , and Sheridan Martin Small from Xbox developed the’ Printing’ dress, as a visual representation of the integral role that tweeting and texting now plays in our lives. The idea behind this exploration of the use  impact of tweets in our social communication illustrates how far our communication methods have evolved.

The’ printing’ dress is a  high-tech creation designed to explore the impact of wearable text on fashion and social identity. Built almost entirely of paper ( hopefully recycled!) the dress via its interactive technology allows you to tweet your innermost thoughts in ‘text bite’ form and wear them as public art.

The concept that drove the development of the dress is a  homage to the printing press-  invention that started it all. “Almost overnight, printing transformed longhand into an assembly of glyphs comprised of letters and numbers,” say Roseway and Small. “This streamlined the sharing of ideas and made replication of the printed word accessible worldwide.”To showcase the flexibility of texting on the go, the designers integrated a custom keyboard that allows the wearer to send messages to a display.

Composed of a bodice, corset, and skirt—all machine-stitched from paper ( comforting that there remains a low tech element within this hi-tech experiment)—presumably to echo the past while acknowledging the role digital ink has on our present.  The designers integrated a custom keyboard in the form of a vintage typewriter that allows the wearer to send messages to a display—in this case, the skirt.

Technology-wise, the dress comprises four  LilyPad Arduino boards,one USB hub, a laptop, a capacitive keyboard, solid and stranded wire, and a short-throw projector. Hitting a key sends it to the laptop, which then displays the character as animated text. The ‘out there wow factor’ was intentional according  to designers Roseway and Small who wanted  their piece to be anything but subtle.

“Some may be repelled by its ostentatious presentation, while others might dare to imagine a more transparent and open world,” they say. “It is our hope that this piece will inspire conversations that go beyond fashion or technology to topics such as awareness, accountability, privacy, and identity.”

“tweet dreams are made of this………”

www.research.microsoft.com/en-us/

Series 7. Eco Icon No.2

Peter Hogeboom’s iconic porcelain piece ‘ Spanish Collar ‘

Dutch designer, Peter Hogeboom’s iconic porcelain piece ‘ Spanish Collar ‘ takes centre stage as part of the ‘A Bit Of Clay On The Skin’ exhibition currently showing at the Museum of Art + Design in New York.

New Ceramic Jewelry explores the manifold appeal of ceramics, especially porcelain, in jewelry. Organized by the Fondation d’Entreprise Bernardaud and curated by the renowned German-born goldsmith and jewelry artist Monika Brugger, the exhibition showcases the versatility and allure of the medium, which can be modeled or cast, used alone or with metal, wood, and stone, and vary in color and texture. Best known as the stuff of the luxurious and the mundane, of fine tableware and technical equipment, when used in jewelry, porcelain sparks the visual and physical sensations to become an object of desire.

The exhibition showcases the scope and ingenuity of the more than one hundred works on view and features the work of 18 cutting-edge jewelry artists, including creations by such notables as Peter Hoogeboom, ( whose work is pictured above)

“Ceramic jewelry embodies the creative transformation of a humble Earth material by art and industry into a wearable object of great refinement and sensuality,” comments MAD’s Jewelry Curator Ursula Ilse-Neuman

Peter Hogeboom’s hand crafted ,one -off necklace piece is spectacular in its concept and its boldness of vision. Using such a delicate material as 100% natural porcelain  to make such a dramatic statement piece, is clearly inspired.

Findingeco loves artists  such as Peter who push the boundaries of the capabilities of the materials they use in the creation of directional avant garde works to challenge our existing perceptions and forever pushing us forward to view things from a new perspective.

www.peterhoogeboom.nl

Series 7. Eco Icon No.1

 ‘Avantgarde architectonic capsule collection‘ by Titania Inglis

Titania Inglis  designs clothing for the contemporary woman: directional, effortless and essential and ethical!

Experimental construction and functional details elevate these signature pieces into the realm of high design working for daily life. The underlying element of sustainability is a given for a designer who looks towards minimalism as a matter of taste, as well as a method to avoid waste.Each piece is sewn in New York’s garment district from organic cotton fabric woven by Japan’s legendary denim mills.

Her collection ,with echoes of Thierry Mugler in her Boxy T-shaped minidress in black Japanese organic twill with oversized sleeves, princess seams, and black metal zipper at center back. ( large pic) and the muted Zen colour palette of her architectonic yet softly sensual pieces, illustrates to perfection how to put ‘the design back into eco’ .

Now based in Brooklyn, Titania studied at the ultra-conceptual Design Academy Eindhoven and apprenticed at Stærk, ThreeAsFour, and Jean Yu before launching her solo line.

www.titaniainglis.com

Series 6. Eco Icon No. 20

‘Verdi, Vans + Hermès‘...inspirational custom recycling.

Finding a stash of vintage Hermès, scarves in the back of his closet-  celebrity stylist and TV style guru Robert Verdi decided that he wanted to re purpose them into something he could wear (other than around his neck) so  Verdi called upon skate-shoe label Vans to up cycle several of his vintage Hermès, scarves into instantly iconic and acutely covetable unique custom made  sneakers, taking eco-luxe to another level.Since they’re made to order however, Verdi is the only person who will be wearing them anytime soon…..much to the chagrin and big-time envy of the rest of us!! Vans needs to harness this refashion project and push it into production NOW!

Vans is no stranger to sustainable footwear  Its latest attempt is the animal-free 106SF , a classic après-surf sneaker that features uppers made from hemp or recycled PET, treated with with water-based dyes and glues that are kinder to the environment.

By contrast as we know Hermès  isn’t about to win any ‘ethical design” just yet, but at least they are taking some tenetative steps towards sustainability with the launch of their Petit H’ collection. , a series of “unidentified poetic objects” created from defective inventory and factory-floor leftovers. Under the direction of Pascale Mussard, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Thierry Hermès,  a series of eclectic one off pieces were created from ceramic, fabric and leather offcuts.

In the interim….let’s push for ‘walking the talk in style’ in vintage Hermes Vans!

www.robertverdi.com

Series 6. Eco Icon No.19

Natalie Smith’s ‘good enough to eat‘ sugar coated jewellery

British designer Natalie Smith has created a collection of jewellery pieces that ARE literally good enough to eat. The perfect choice for any one with a sweet tooth- you can now wear your next sugar fix. Beyond the obvious novelty value of edible adornment …..Natalie explores  the concept of interactive, wearable art and takes it to a whole new level with her sugar-encrusted jewellery. Taking her  inspiration from dark doom laden fiction and themes of impermanence and disintegration, Smith forms  coloured sugar crystals into unique one-off creations.

Upon completion, each jewellery piece begins a life of transition  determined by the environment in which it’s worn and the ambient temperature of its surroundings- the more humid the conditions, the faster the sugar crystals melt,  gradually changing colour, and revealing the mix of metals and textures beneath their sugar coated exterior.

A real  multi functional, interactive and edible experience…turning your next sugar fix into a happening!!!

www.natalielsmith.blogspot.com

Series 6. Eco Icon No.18

Upcycled ‘fast furniture‘ by GODSPEED

Godspeed was formed on Christmas Eve 2008 in Tel Aviv, Israel, by Dutch designer  Joy van Erven and Finn Ahlgren from Sweden.

These Nordic duo established itself rapidly in Tel Aviv, Israel as a visionary contemporary design practice  with a lateral, rather unorthodox approach to design.

Using unconventional materials, their design mission was to innovate and re- create….through recycling and up cycling…but in record time…60 minutes to be precise!

Whenever there was a demand for furniture, Godspeed started assembling tables and chairs from scrap wood, found around the streets of Tel Aviv. All the pieces are made within a one-hour timeframe for optimal refreshing results in the design process and final outcome.

By using decayed scrap wood as the design tools, a new language was created. Through the aspect of the time limit, the sketching phase was eliminated and resulted into live sketching, a very important aspect in the randomness and improvisational items. Created out of necessity, serving a functional purpose and working on the border between art and design, Godspeed got to explore a new form of work ethic.

Eliminating the sketching phase and producing every piece by themselves, Godspeed fast became an unconventional designer’s brand, emphasizing the human aspect and usage of its products and offers a different perspective on daily life.

The usage of raw, scrap materials and the recognition and awareness of decay, on both materials and products, give new life to scrap materials and add a new value  to their re-incarnation.

Humor, straight forwardness, witty comments and solutions are significant to Godspeed’s  style. Take their name….very biblical…GODSPEED and yet look at their website’s name. http://www.weareonlyinitforthemoney.com…  either very tongue in cheek  or witty or perhaps the most honest mission statement you’ll ever find….you decide!!!!

www.weareonlyinitforthemoney.com

Series 6. Eco Icon No.17.

“Fork Light” by Nick Fraser

UK Designer Nick Fraser creates unique furniture, lighting and interior products that bring a playfulness and a touch of humour to product design.

His distinctive designs celebrate everyday objects by transforming their inherent qualities into new products that are both witty and practical.

Subtly subversive yet fully functional, these products are instantly memorable ….a perfect example of the marrying of design and functiom is his now iconic’ Fork Light’.

By simple manipulation, the fork creates an effective stand on which sits a bird-shade created using simple folding techniques. All the materials are re=used or repurposed…creating a collection of covetable eco icons.

www.nickfraser.co.uk

Series 6. Eco Icon No.16

‘Plumen 001‘ high on design – low on energy light bulb

 

 

British designer  Samuel Wilkinson and  product design company Hulger have launched a revolutionary new  low energy light bulb’ Plumen’  that has taken the design world by storm  and secured them as a the overall winners of this year’s Brit Insurance Design Awards

‘Plumen is the antithesis of low energy light bulbs as we know them. Rather than hiding the to-date rather un- inspiringly designed traditional compact fluorescent light behind boring utility, Plumen 001 is a bulb that will make you want on to ‘shed the shade’ and let the bulb shine in full glory!

The Plumen bulb uses 80% less energy and lasts 8 times longer than incandescent bulbs, giving you the opportunity to buy an ecological product  packed with design and style. It works just like any low energy bulb but it has a lot more presence.

Design critic and chair of the Brit Insurance Design Awards judging panel  Stephen Bayley, who presented the award to the designers at a ceremony at the Design Museum in London last month, said ‘The Plumen light bulb is a good example of the ordinary thing done extraordinarily well, bringing a small measure of delight to an everyday product.’

The name Plumen comes from ‘plume’ – the bird’s decorative feather, designed to attract attention to its’ prowess and beauty. Wilkinson commented We believe our designs do the same for the neglected low energy light bulb….. the phrase ‘Light as a feather’ also springs to mind….’Light is, of course, primary to design,’ he continued, ‘[and] without it there can be very little, if any. The design of light sources is thus an elemental component of a design aesthetic.’

The Design museum’s director, Deyan Sudjic, said the Plumen 001 was ‘a worthy winner that is both beautiful and smart’.

The Plumen 001, along with the other shortlisted designs, will be on show at the Brit Insurance Designs of the Year exhibition at the Design Museum in London until 7 August.

www.hulger.com

Series 6. Eco Icon No. 15

‘Gretchen Jones‘ post ‘Project Runway’ eco-collection

Gretchen Jones originally from Portland, OR is now looking to lay down roots in New York post her Project Runway highly controversial shock triumph.Jones had held her own as a designer before the celebrity status winning the show gave her. She had her own eco-fashion label ‘Moth Love ( very Nirvana-esque name).

She said of her win'”There haven’t been many bohemian-minded designers on the show. There are many women living an alternative lifestyle. I happen to be that woman — a Marie Claire woman who goes from work to cocktails in a sustainable but beautiful way.”

Her new label will be launched under her own name and was inspired by a disparate gathering of sources spanning Frida Kahlo, Jean Michele Basquiat, Kurt Cobain, and the “experimental town” of Arcosanti in Arizona.

Her approach is both sustainable and fair trade.For materials, Jones sourced locally produced silk, wool, and organic-cotton suiting, as well as alpaca knits from a women’s co-op in Bolivia. But although she considers herself a conscious designer, the last she she wants to be is pigeon-holed as “green.” “I think that limits you and puts too much pressure on a label,” Jones tells us. “To me, supporting myself and my local economy mean more than the materials…I think our local economies are the key to supporting my industry.”

Each piece  of the new collection  is named after a  tarot card .“It’s important to name the collections and items like I do,” Jones explains, “because i feel I get to download each design with a special intimately connected to me. It’s like giving you a part of me.”

For a ‘part’ of Jones’s new collection :-

www.gretchenjones.com

 

Series 6. Eco Icon No.14

 

“Toy story“ recycled lamp by Ryan McElhinney

TOY LAMP

When is a toy not a toy?….When it’s transformed into the uber one-off  objets by visionary designer Ryan McElhinney.

Ryan McElhinney’s career began as a seven-year-old drawing cartoons for customers at his father’s County Kildare pub. Today, the Irish designer’s portfolio displays the same mix of humour and creativity that lead him from Dublin’s European College of Animation to award-winning product and interior design, via stints at Disney and 20th Century Fox.

Working as an animator at the Arizona-based Fox, a chance reading of the first issue of Wallpaper magazine set him on a different path. “Contemporary design was like a breath of fresh air”, explains McElhinney, whose workstation was soon surrounded by style magazines and sketches of cartoon-like sofas and chairs. A career as a product designer blossomed, along with a love of local thrift and house clearance stores. Trawling for materials quickly became an obsession, with Mc Elhinney’s limited budget, natural eye and vivid imagination ensuring he spotted the perfect finds to bring to life his early designs. Full of expression and movement, dollar-a-bag sacks of second-hand plastic toys became the designer’s chosen medium. Telling a story with each manipulation, Mc Elhinney meticulously gloss-painted and fused together each figure in a six week process, creating the first in his series of ‘Toy’ frames and lamp bases.

Each sculpture is one of a kind and hand ceafted at my London Studio. Made of recycled Toys which are bonded toghther and then coated in a High Gloss polyurethane laquer.

Endlessly inventive, designs range from the Knot sofa, winner of the Peugeot Design Awards and finalist in both the BIDA and FX awards, to the Swarowski crystal-encrusted ‘groom and groom’ figures rumored to have topped Elton and David’s wedding cake. Today, recycling is more current than ever and remains at the heart of McElhinney’s work. Fusing old and new, he metamorphoses found objects to covetable sculptural one-offs.. A world away from the dated image of how recycled should look, his avant garde urban projects and hand-made one-of-a-kind sculptures have enjoyed the attention of design aficionados from Philippe Starck to Kanye West, who recently enthused about the designer’s subversively glamorous gold-painted Toy Lamps.

Definitely creating a ‘Buzz’ ….and lighting up ‘Finding Eco”s life…..

 

www.ryanmcelhinney.co.uk

Series 6. Eco Icon No.13

‘Eco Victoriana‘ jewellery collection by Ka/POW/WOW

Central St Martins graduate Mia Morikawa used her personal collection of vintage, discarded and scrapped pieces of fabric to  created her KA/POW/WOW jewellery collection. The dramatic, up scaled statement necklaces are an original melding of recycled unique elemets and references to period costume pieces! A form of organic Victoriana hybrid as jewellery.

Inspired by natural structures and emotional landscapes Mia Morikawa learned the language of organic form while climbing mountains and crossing canyons. a self professed warrior of beauty. She is as she describes “currently living loving & laughing in india.” While continuing to produce  constructed and deconstructed textile pieces which are equisitely organic in both form and essence.

Her collection includes statement pieces made from thick white rope as well as more knitted designs. The looks are boldly designed to make a confident eco-statement, . Eco-poetry in motion….

www.kapowwowobjects.com

Series 6. Eco Icon No.12

“Tea Ceremony Chair” by Hiroki Takada

Hiroki takada was born in Suzuka Mie in Japan.He studies at the Okinawa Art University and went on to launch his own design practice Takada Design in 1996. His products spanned lighting, decoration and furniture all inspired by natural organic  forms.

This latest addition to his collection is new chair called  “tea ceremony chair 2010”. The chair was launched to much acclaim at the Tokyo Designers Week in 2010.

Made from bamboo the chair’s design is inspired by the form of a traditional tea whisk
used in japanese tea ceremonies. The base is split into thinner slats which forms
the elastic  backrest, being made of Bamboo it has strength and elegance of form and yet is flexible enough to have some  maliability to provide comfort and design..

Takada’s design philosophy resembles a beautiful  Haiku poem rather than a mission statement:-

“I want to make people impressed. And, I want also to  impress me. I want to do a new thing. I want to see a beautiful thing. I want to make the thing that time can be exceeded.”

The ‘less is more’ philosophy is working for Takada…no wastage in production or description….just the perfect marrying of form and function.

www.takadadesign.com

Series 6. Eco Icon No.11

Future forward fashion by ‘Le sang des Betes‘

L.A based Trang Chau’s designs makes seem to have transported us on fast forward to a future planet of iconic sustainable fashion.. Her label, called  Le Sang des Betes  ( Blood of the Beasts) was inspired at least in part by the film of the same name(Le Sang des bêtes) a short french documentary film made in 1949 written and directed by Georges Franju.

The cinematic theme features strongly in her debut collection  called Aborigine. Chau draws inspiration from a multitude of multi media and creative arenas such as sculpture, film, architecture, and costume design, creating an intriguing collection of  darkly modern statement pieces.Chau cites  film directors such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder and David Cronenberg. She also draws inspiration from both gothic and modern architecture….self evident by the starkly architectonic elements of her collection.

Committed to using only sustainable materials in her work , her debut collection has a confidence and strength of vision that is unusually found in a first collection. Chau’s unique vision has created an iconic collection of collectable and very covetable experimental pieces that are instantly recognisable. Already a firm favourite with Finding Eco.

www.lesangdesbetes.com

Series 6. Eco Icon No.10

“Ultimate bespoke interactive footwear collection” by Cedric Flazinski

According to  Netherlands-based designer  Cedric Flazinski his collection is the antithesis to laborious mass production which in addition to being slow is also inefficient, and inaccurate, and in terms of conserving our planet-wasteful. “Automatization and mass production,”  says Flazinski, “rely on the proactive use of a massive human effort, based on previsions of what ‘possibly’ could suit the need of a maximum of individuals at any given time.”

Flazinski has pioneered a new system based technology which Instead of offering subtle variations of the same product, enables designers to hand over creative control to the consumer. His MyDesigner collection of shoes, (now on display at the  Holon Design Museum  in Israel) takes  the concept of “made-to-order” to an entirely new level, becoming as he describes it “user-based rather than user-generated.

Before a the making process of single shoe is started, would-be customers generate a personal profile based on a visual questionnaire- a form of personal brand mission satement. This data is then translated into a collection of shape variables that ultimately will form the final product, one that expresses the individuality of the user, Flazinski adds, like a “personal flag.” Or as we at ‘finding Eco’ would say like a reading the rings of a tree trunk.

We are all unique and Flazinski has taken our uniqueness and turned it into a tangible covetable product…..easily attaining our Eco Icon status!

www.cedricflazinski.com

Series 6. Eco Icon No.9

‘Just in Case‘ collection of up-cycled furniture by Katie Thompson

 

South African Designer Katie Thompson is the brains behind RECreate. REcreate specializes in taking old pieces of luggage, and a huge variety of other discarded, lost and found in the attic type of objects, and turns them into unique,witty and very covetable  pieces of furniture. Although clearly not an original concept- recycling, Katie Thompson’s collection has her unique handwriting and vision stamped all over her one-off pieces.

Using pieces of abandoned furniture and home ware items, Katie recreates a unique, recycled range of furniture, lighting and interior accessories, each piece still carrying echoes of its previous incarnation  but with a new image and function. As she says “An object is no longer being used for its original purpose in life! That purpose has expired and I have recreated a beautiful ‘something else.” By blending South African craftsmanship, with high end finishes and her own eclectic perfectionist flair, Katie creates an original end product with a new integrity that epitomizes the very best of South African design.

Katie’s style is always innovative and novel. Her trademark choice of colour, texture and finish give her designs an ever present element of surprise, transforming the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Katie never works within established stylistic boundaries. She creates an eclectic combination of styles, materials and finishes; this skill highlights her passion and her ability to find the intrinsic beauty and new, hidden purpose in the old, discarded items she chooses for her pieces.A hoarder of all things useless, impractical, broken, colourful and shiny; Katie’s designs show tell tale signs of her Dadaist leanings. She has definitely made me look at an old suitcase with new eco eyes!

www.recreate.za.net/

Series 6. Eco Icon No.8

Plastic fantastic organic jewellery by Tonya O’Hara

British designer Tonya O’Hara building on the pioneering design formed from pre- and post-consumer recycled plastic by designers such as Patagonia who create  fleece jackets, to  Melissa who metamorphose it into avant garde shoes,  has created an iconic jewellery collection from discarded plastic . O’Hara takes salvaged PET plastic bottles and slices and shapes each piece by hand. The result- contemporary, elegant  wearable art …that is a lyrical as it is covetable.

Each piece in  O’ Hara’s PET : cell  collection is handmade using a unique heat-forming method that  doesn’t  affect the inherent qualities of the material and allows the plastic to stay transparent.

O’Hara’s love for jewellery making surfaced during her studies at Loughborough University and the School of Jewellery in Birmingham. O’Hara’s vision for her own collection was firmly in place as she graduated but  first she had to raise the money to be able to make the pieces.. After eight years of teaching at secondary schools, unwavering focus and dedicated saving O’Hara finally  founded PET:cell in 2010.

Her first collection features natural organic forms -inspired rings, earrings and bangles—all made from recycled PET plastic. She explains her vision “It has very much been an amalgamation of the many things in life that excite me, I have had for many years a fascination with transparency and microscopic organisms but also a desire to create something very precious out of something very ordinary.”

O’Hara is already developing concepts and ideas for her next collection. “I’m developing a new range which will focus further on transparency and texture; necklaces and headpieces will also be introduced,” she says.

Finding Eco loves her vision, her delicate organic forms and the fact that thanks to O’Hara’s vision we can wear PET plastic with pride knowing that every piece of the collection means there is one less plastic bottle in a landfill.

Definitely feeding the soul without starving our planet….an eco icon to wear with pride!

www.petcelljewellery.co.uk

Series 6.Eco Icon.No.7

 

Icehotel in Sweden launches new ‘ Legacy of the River Suite‘ homage to’Tron‘

With the high profile launch of the much anticipated  Christmas blockbuster 3D TRON: Legacy having recently opened to much acclaim in cinemas across the world , a  British design duo Ben Rousseau and Ian Douglas- Jones  inspired by the Disney movie have launched  a ‘Tron’ inspired suite at the famous Icehotel in Sweden. The Icehotel is in Lapland, Sweden is the most famous, was the first and is largest of the ice hotels. It is the ultimate in ‘pop-up’ hotel concepts-as it is a temporary hotel, lasting only 5 months from December to April.Every  year the hotel is newly constructed and artists and designers are invited to collaborate in its design and construction.

Rousseau and Ian Douglas-Jones were commissioned by the Ice Hotel to create a TRON-inspired art suite for this winter using the EL wire to provide a futuristic lighting scheme. They only had 13 days to form the interior of the hotel room suite, install the lighting and install the interior scheme, which includes wall panels, a reindeer pelt covered bed and a table.The suite includes many light embedded panels, as well as a bed and table that all had to be created by hand.

With its electric blue ‘Tron’ inspired lighting scheme – this hotel ‘art suite’ looks like it came straight off the lot at ‘Pinewood’ studios. The graphic , linear light motifs are  achieved by cutting grooves into the ice slabs and with a variety of tools and then the EL wire was laid into the grooves and water was used to create new ice to “glue” the wire  icing over the wire to keep it in place.

As well as being iconic and directional in design terms the scheme for the suite is also highly energy efficient as this particular type of  energy efficient lighting technology needs very little energy and consistently and evenly glows in 360 degree. Called EL wire, or electroluminescent wire this low consumption lighting technology has many applications. An EL wire is made of a copper wire coated in a phosphor that glows when an alternating current is applied to it. The energy efficient technology allows just a few hundred feet of EL wire to be battery driven for several hours.

For the design duo their ‘art suite’ at the Ice Hotel called ‘Legacy of the River’, forms  part of their broader  launch campaign for their  new collection of illuminated furniture and interiors products scheduled to be launched in early 2011.

Given that large parts of our planet are covered in snow and ice at present-it is inspiring to see ice being turned into an art form …an energy efficient beacon in our winter of discontent….always good to turn a negative into such a good looking positive!

www.extreme-design.net

Series 6. Eco Icon No.3

Architectonic ‘eco jewellery’ by Lisa Linhardt

Eco fashion and bespoke jewellery designer, Lisa Linhardt, of  Linhardt Design ,New York ,says “lots of bling seekers have no idea what environmental impact their fashion choices have until they find her.” As a designer she is totally focused on making “beautiful, sculptural pieces” but without compromising the planet’s resources as she is  a ‘green gold jeweller.

Linhardt buys 100% recycled gold from casting houses and refineries that extract it from post consumer material as opposed to being newly-mined. She can also melt the jewellery you never wear to form something new in her studio that is constructed with reclaimed barn wood . Whether the jewellery was hand-fabricated or cast, Linhardt jewellery is made with recycled precious metals. Whenever possible, Linhardt explores the boundaries of traditional jewellery materials by incorporating organic matter, such as bone, wood, and more.

Linhardt’s designs are totally unique and embody an enviable fearlessness ,exploring standard practices of jewellery design and pushing them beyond the norm. The result is an artistic statement piece that communicates a sense of the individual without saying a word. Linhardt expands standard design limitations,viewing her pieces as sculpture and architecture on a small scale.

The ring ( featured above) was a commissioned piece inspired by another Lindgardt piece- a two finger ring. It is made of recycled gold with  a milky smooth vintage ivory cabachon that was custom cut specifically . This ring has the ability to flip on to itself and can be worn either as a one-finger ring…and is as beautiful as it is sustainable.

Linhardt is constantly inspired by artisans around the world and has often participated in projects that give back to the artisans and their communities. One project Linhardt continues to take a great interest in is a her affiliation with the Kenya Education Fund – where a portion of proceeds sold in the NYC Gallery sends an African girl to college in her home country.

This is the best of ‘no compromise’ design…. definitely  all beauty and no beast….iconic ,sustainable design at its very best.

www.linhardtdesign.com