James Steward - After Vancouver Fashion Week

Last November, James Steward became the first British fashion designer to show his collection during Vancouver Fashion Week. We last checked in with James before he headed out to Canada, so we thought we would get the scoop on how 'Leeds in Vancouver' went down and what he is up to next.

How was Vancouver?

It was different. The people there were more layed back, it's a completely different culture. Leeds is like 100 miles a minute compared to Vancouver.

How was the feedback after the show?

People were jumping on the first British designer thing, and also my pattern cutting, and my way of doing stuff that brought the attention. After the show, I got pulled into a room backstage full of press from the Far East shouting things at me and taking pictures! I didn't know what to do, you know when you smile for too long, and your lips start quivering... it was just really weird!

We heard the 'ants' decoration you add on at the last minute attracted lots of attention. Where did that come from?

I got in touch with Paul Finch (former jewellery designer), I told him the theme of the collection. He looked into Greek methodology, there's a story about Zeus turning a tree full of ants into warriors to fight for Achilles' grandfather, and then he just told me "You're having ants."

After the show, has your view on mass production changed?

It depends on the market or what the department store was. Ideally I prefer something like Harvey Nichols.

What's the next thing you'll be doing?

My website will be sorted out by Easter, with a new photoshoot of a totally new collection for Autumn/winter, which will be available both online and through a selection of boutiques. There will be the opportunity to design your own items, it will all be launched at the same time.

Katherine Kelly in OK MagazineSince Leeds in Vancouver, James' pieces were featured in OK Magazine with Katherine Kelly. (of Coronation Street fame) Again featuring James' creations Katherine was listed as one of the best dressed at the National Television Awards 2011.

There are many opportunities presenting themselves from all over the world from Dubai to Korea (and Canada obviously) It is a really exciting time for James and 2011 seems set to be his big 'break out' year. We are really happy that his talent is starting to be appriciated on an even greater scale. We are also looking forward to working with James again on some new Hebe Media projects this year and taking his work and collections to new international audiences. 

The Hebe Week In Pics

Simon's week has been all Hyper Hyper Hyper!And he has still found time to smileMaybe it was the funny videos or the beer?Friday afternoon creative session aftermathLee and Shang Ting hit Harvey Nichols for a meal and caught the lovely Tessa Smith singingWhile Marcus and Simon hit the Ryther ArmsWhere Marcus (The Pap) has a T-Bone steak...... and makes short work of it!We've got to have Lee's shoes of the week on the weekly picsThe Pap has been papped again!And so has LeeI check out some street rappers outside the St Johns Centre, Leeds

Introducing: Albin Holmqvist

In the latest of our 'introducing' series, we look internationally, to a creative who we have known for quite some time now. We got to know Albin Holmqvist in Barcelona, in fact he helped create our Barcelona Creative Space: The Palace. Since then Albin has gone on to do some amazing things, including being featured recently on Fast Company.

Albin is a true all-round designer and artist that has been plying his trade at one of Spain’s most famous design studios, Vasava. Just to give you a snapshot of a few of the clients he has worked with there - street wear label 55DSL, NIKE, MÖET, Jay-Z’s ROCAWEAR, fashion giants MANGO and plenty more that you can find on the Vasava website. We will never forget Albin coming over to The Palace and debuting Adam Tensta's Back Before You Know It video that he had worked on while still studying... we were all blown away!

You just can’t limit an artist to their 9-5 though, and thats why Albin has been keeping himself busy with photography, painting, typography and a couple of really great freelance projects. If you’re a reader of Fastcompany.com it is quite likely that you have seen the much loved EF Language commercials that Albin played an integral part in with his amazing typography. 

Obviously you should watch them for yourself, but if you still need some further convincing about how brilliant they are, then take Fastcompany’s design and film writer John Pavlus’s word for it. This is what he said, and you just have to love it. 

“Commissioned by language-teaching company EF, these magical promos use kinetic typography to capture the pure beauty of speaking mother tongues in Paris, London, Beijing, and Barcelona. Take the video for Paris, for example. Jean-Luc Godard famously said that all you need to make a movie is a girl and a gun, but after watching this and literally tearing up at the end, I propose an amendment: all you need is a girl and a font.” 

Read the full article here: 

We asked Albin what he considered the most important conditions for creativity to flourish:

"To be able to be creative in todays environment you HAVE to have a Nespresso machine. To key element to this contraption is the purple capsule! Intensity 9. Arpeggio! I mean how is one able to think clearly on some crappy Intensity 3 capsule with almond flavor? Get outta here.

The second most important part is people. If you surround yourself with people who has something to say, then you're golden. It doesn't matter if they are typegeeks or make pottery. Good energy is key. I think that is the problem today, as many freelancing creatives shut themselves into their bedroom with their fancy laptops. Social media will never replace real human interaction."

Obviously the role of 'Art Director' is changing and elevolving in the current climate and we asked Albin what he thought was important in the role moving forward:

"As an Art Director today, having a network of talented people will definitely make your life easier. To meet with people and being able to level with them is very important. All the most interesting projects I've been working on comes from real life encounters! But don't get me wrong, the technological revolution is the key to moving forward, but it's important not to let that fact take over the creative process."

One of Albin's photographs taken in CopenhagenAlbin's work for Swedish brand: Happy People

We suggest you keep an eye out for what Albin might be up to next. There are already plans being made for more typography work, art direction and “everything” - which is how Albin himself likes to describe what he does for a living. We think Albin in heading for great things and as one of the originals from 'The Palace' we wish him every success in the world!

Leeds Street Style: 15/02/2011

Grace

Top: Topshop

Coat: Vintage

Shoes: Russell & Bromley
Bag: ZARA
Scarf: Primark
Tights/ Socks: H&M

 

Grace's favorite Leeds shop: Aqua Couture

 

John

Top: Rebel8

Bottom: Nudie Jeans

Jacket: Crooks & Castle

Shoes: Vans SK8 HI

 

John's favorite Leeds independent shop: Chimp

 

Alara 

Coat: Vintage Gap

Bottom: H&M

Shoes: Gap

 

 

My Notes: 

I love both girl's oversized coat/ jacket, because of the fit it really shows off how tiny they are. 

The other day Vintage Wardrobe's Kieran asked me if I found wearing oversized vintage clothing difficult? And like I said in previous Street Style post, I thought the easiest way is to show neck, wrist, legs, or ankles to steady the proportion. 

Women can use layers, jewellery to create different looks. Men, on the other hand, should care more about the quality of the clothes their wearing. 

Hebe Week In Pics

Marcus' new tagline...The boys go to the Leeds Game and drink every Desperados in the houseMe and Marcus go to the NME gig at the 02 Academy Crystal Castles, Everything Everything and Magnetic ManCrystal Castles' lead singer had a broken leg...But once she was on the JD she was fineEverything Everything at the 02 AcademyGreat band!STP talks about Vivienne Westwood for Comic Relief - Brand MagazineMarcus takes some snaps at the Leeds game with our friend ChuntHe shoots, he scores!