Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Felicia Arvid

Photographed By Kasper Bøttern 

WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
Actually, I have just moved to Aalborg in Denmark and I am looking forward to explore the city and my new neighborhood. I haven’t always lived here but most of my life I have lived in Denmark except for when I studied abroad in Glasgow. 

HERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
I was born in Aarhus, Denmark but raised in a small harbor town by the sea south from the city. 

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
My present city is yet to be explored but I have already found the perfect coffee place which is a good start. I think the best thing about my hometown was its location by the sea. I love walking along the beach, it is the perfect place for me to clear my mind. Living by the coast creates a boundary which gives me a sense of space and scale. I like to be near this “edge” where you have the wide view over the ocean – it gives me a feeling of “eternity”.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?
My childhood is filled with wonderful memories but if I had to choose one, I think it would be one summer holiday, where we went on a spontaneous trip to France. I remember my parents telling me one day to pack a bag because we were going to France. We loaded our stuff in the car and drove off that same day. I still remember it as a magical adventure, the ability just to take off like that one day. Looking back, I realize how much the measure of time change when you become older. When I was little, the two months summer holiday felt like a year and now a year sometimes feels like two months. 

WHY  DESIGNER?
I think I’ve always had a natural fascination and enquiry to why things are as they are. It’s an eternal quest to find a new unique solution to a specific purpose. To me, the language of form is my true passion. It is a never ending dictionary filled with fascinating words yet to be discovered. 

HOW AND WHERE DID YOU ACQUIRE THE SKILL?
My childhood dream was to become a fashion designer and I learned how to sew from my mother. First, I studied dressmaking and fashion design and sold my first collection of clothes to a store in Japan at the age of 17. Then, I reached a point where I thought why not take fashion beyond our clothes and in to the space that surrounds us, why limit it to fashion, when the same rules apply to furniture, lighting etc. So, I began exploring other areas of design and developed ideas for acoustic panels and furniture. However, I decided to take a degree in architecture at the Glasgow School of Art because architecture encompasses all the different scales including furniture, spaces and buildings. My background in dressmaking gives me a tactile approach to product design. This creates a naturally close relationship between the material and its constructional properties. The experience from sewing and pattern making gives me a knowledge of draping and how to create three-dimensional shapes from a flat piece of material.

WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION?
My designs are developed through a process which iteratively switch between sketching and material experimentation. Sometimes the concept is clear from the beginning and other times it becomes clear through the process. The concept is usually informed by my tactile approach where I explore a material's properties and find a new way to exploit these properties.  I am fascinated by the element of surprise, when your hands are “in the mud” so to speak and you are experimenting with the material and an unexpected shape or concept reveals itself which would not have been possible to envision by the stroke of a pencil. My process is an ongoing exploration until I find there is a meaningful dialog between an intriguing form and construction, material and function. 

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
Inspiration is an elusive thing. Sometimes it is the result of a visual impression you have been presented with other times there is just something which continues to intrigue you and you can’t get it out of your mind but you don’t know where this notion came from to begin with. To me, inspiration can be found in the most trivial places or situations, the trick is to observe with an imaginative mind.

WHAT OR WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
First, I would say my parents, as they have played a key part of forming the person I am today through my upbringing. Then of course the great masters in architecture and design like Louis Kahn, Frank Lloyd Wright, Carlo Scarpa, Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, Verner Panton to name a few and the Bauhaus movement with Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer has been enlightening to become acquainted with during my studies and have influenced my understanding of architecture and design.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC?
Timeless, effortless, and elegant with a sustainable and innovative modern touch and a strong visual identity, is probably the best way to describe my personal aesthetic. When I am in Copenhagen, one of my favorite places to visit is the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek where the grandeur of the past gives the place a both calm and clear atmosphere. I find sitting in the palm tree garden the perfect place for contemplating. I like the concept of combining a greenhouse with a museum of classical art.

WHAT BEAUTY ROUTINE DO YOU SWEAR BY?
I always wear sunscreen.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
I like to spend time with my friends and family and go out for a nice dinner. Also, exploring new places, visiting art museums, going to the opera or reading a good book.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
I still like to design and sew clothes for myself so, when I have the time I like to immerse myself in the process which I find to be quite meditative for me.

The Aesthetic

Photos Courtesy of Felicia Arvid

Friday, March 1, 2024

Elena Salmistraro

Photo Courtesy Of Elena Salmistraro

WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
At the moment, I'm in Milan, as usual, because I've always lived here. Milan is my home; I love its atmosphere, the climate, even its flaws. It's the right place for me, and I just can't imagine myself anywhere else. When I leave, after a maximum of 15 days, I start to miss it.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
Milan, back in 1983, is my hometown, and I've never changed neighborhoods. Milan is really special to me; it's where I've spent most of my life and where I have many memories.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
What I love about my city and Italy are all the "familiar" things. Even though it may not seem like it, I am very habitual about certain things. It's like receiving a warm hug every time I rediscover or redo something. There are places I've been going to for years, the streets I walked as a child, and every corner has a connected memory. It's as if every alley has a story to tell me. And then there are the people, the faces, the food. 

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES? 
My childhood memories are like a gold mine of joy and fun. The most precious moments are undoubtedly those spent with my grandfather. He was a special man, rich in wisdom and kindness. He understood my passion for drawing and always did everything possible to support and encourage me in pursuing my dreams. They were simple moments but full of love and complicity.

FAVOURITE PHRASE IN ITALIAN? 
As for my favorite Italian phrase, there are many to choose from! But probably my favorite is: "Gli esami non finiscono mai," which also means that life is a continuous process of learning, growth, and overcoming challenges. 

WHY ART AND DESIGN?
Because art and design allow me to communicate in ways that words often cannot. I can convey emotions, thoughts, and share a unique vision of the world, showing others the world through my eyes. For me, art and design are like a universal language, and drawing is my most natural way of expressing myself. It's like having a conversation without having to say a word. And then, there's something so liberating about creating something from nothing, shaping the world through my eyes. Over time, I've realized that I can draw not only on paper but also in the world around me. I can influence the atmosphere of a space with design, create visual experiences that leave a lasting impression. It's like bringing an idea to life and making it tangible.

HOW AND WHERE DID YOU ACQUIRE THE SKILL?
Well, it all started at the Liceo Artistico di Brera, where I was fortunate enough to get to know the world of art and creativity. It was a fantastic time. Growing up, I thought I wanted to deepen my interest in fashion, so I enrolled in the fashion design course at the Politecnico di Milano and traveled every day between Milan and Como, learning a lot about trends and fabrics, but realizing I needed something more. So I didn't stop there, and after my degree in fashion design, I felt the need to expand my horizons and embark on another adventure with product design. It was an incredible, enlightening experience; I learned to design objects, to put into practice everything I had learned, and to see my ideas take shape under my hands. My journey has been a mix of experiences, experiments, and hard work, but it has made me the person and the creative I am today.

WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION?
My creative process is like a swing. There's no fixed formula because every project is a different adventure. I always start with an idea, of course, but from there it's a succession of techniques, improvisation, and changes. Often, at the beginning, there are many ideas, and you have to be able to bring as many as possible back to the paper, in order to define a sort of conceptual map, from which to select the most fascinating and feasible ideas. Then comes the most chaotic and fun part because during the design process, the direction often changes, new elements are added, others disappear. It's like a creative dance, where you have to be able to improvise and adapt, embracing the creative chaos. In the end, it's always very satisfying to see something that was just an idea transform into a concrete and tangible object.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
Inspiration is like a treasure hunt. Sometimes it strikes me like lightning, other times it's more like a slow apparition. Over the years, I've learned that passions outside of design fuel creativity. Interests, travels, music, even a walk in the park, are all endless sources of inspiration. I believe the secret is to look beyond the surface of things and capture those moments that flash like lightning. Daily life is rich in insights; you just have to be skilled at recognizing them. Even conversations with different people, the books we read, the movies we watch... Everything contributes to creating this magical mix of ideas and visions that then translate into reality. 

WHAT OR WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
There are many things and people that have influenced my growth and my work. But if I have to choose, as I mentioned before, my grandfather was a great reference point. His wisdom, creativity, and time spent with him taught me a lot about the importance of following one's passions and exploring the world with curiosity. Then, of course, there's the Radical Movement, Alessandro Mendini, Pop Art, and street art, which opened my eyes to a world of different colors and shapes. The '80s and '90s, with their unique aesthetics and overwhelming energy, had a huge impact on my perception of both design and art. And of course, comics and video games too. I grew up immersed in extraordinary stories and fantastic worlds that fueled my imagination and shaped my aesthetic taste. In essence, there's a bit of everything in what I am and what I do.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC?
My personal aesthetic is a continuous bounce between the present and a near future, with a very careful eye to avoid mistakes and complications, especially when it comes to food! In design and art, I love immersing myself in contemporaneity. I like to see what's happening now, in this moment, and try to hint slightly at the future, without going too far. For food, it's a different story. Being celiac and lactose intolerant, every meal is an exploratory mission. I have to be careful, but at the same time, I enjoy discovering new dishes. I stay basic to avoid unpleasant surprises, no excessive risks.

WHAT BEAUTY ROUTINE DO YOU SWEAR BY?
My beauty routine is really very simple. I don't have a set of fixed rituals; I go with the flow. Every now and then, I treat myself to thermal baths because I love immersing myself in those warm waters, and I love massages, which are my favorite treat to relax the mind. It's incredible how they can melt away all the accumulated stress. But beyond all this, I'm pretty basic. I also love to have well-groomed hands, so a nice manicure every now and then is a sort of must for me. But nothing more, no fixations. Beauty for me is more of a state of mind than a list of things to do; I do something that makes me feel good without thinking too much about it. 

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
When I'm not working, my life is completely dedicated to my kids. I love playing with them; it's like a magical escape from the daily routine. We're in that period when time flies, and I'm aware that they're growing up too fast. There are days when we dive into board games, others when we build Lego towers that defy physics. When I'm tired, we enjoy cartoons wrapped in blankets. It's like living in a parallel dimension. There's nothing more precious. And even though time is always short, I try to enjoy every moment.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
This is a question I ask myself every morning. Finding the right way to relax is the key to facing the day. Usually, my secret weapon for evening relaxation is a nice cup of chamomile tea. It's like a warm hug that prepares me for the night. But the real solution to completely disconnecting from everything is walks in the countryside; I relax a lot by immersing myself in the greenery, listening to the chirping of birds, and smelling the scent of the earth. It's like a reset for the mind and spirit. Nothing beats the fresh air and relaxing atmosphere of nature. If stress levels are really high, to find my moment of peace, I go on vacation. Exploring new and wonderful places is essential to maintaining balance in the hectic everyday life

The Aesthetic

Photos Courtesy Of Elena Salmistraro

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Big Curvy Earrings

Photo Courtesy Of Poets Of Babylon

Friday, September 8, 2023

Nana Atta

Image Courtesy of Nana Atta

WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
I'm currently at home in Verulam.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
I was born in Stanger/KwaDukuza, but my family moved that same year I was born and settled in Verulam. That's where I grew up.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
The best thing about my city is the weather and the fact that this is where my family is.

WHAT ARE SOME YOUR FONDEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?
I remember how we'd get together with my cousins and make up silly songs out of anything and we'd sound so good. We eventually began to sing in front of people in school.

WHY MUSIC?
I can't go a day without humming or writing to some random melody. I love conceptualising and I do it best through writing song lyrics and singing. So really to your question I say, why not music?

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND?
Soulful and timeless.

IS THERE A MUSICAL PASSAGE OR MELODY THAT NEVER FAILS TO MOVE YOU?
There are many, but it all depends on where I'm in life really. One I can think of right now is Peter Tosh's, "Ketchy Shuby".

WHAT'S YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
My creative process varies depending on the project I'm working on. Sometimes I'm inspired by the instrumental and sometimes it's an incident that I witness.

WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
 A lot of old and new people and things. To name a few, I'm influenced by reggae music (artists such as Peter Tosh, Lucky Dube and Bob Marley).

I'm also a Leta Mbulu girl since way back, Miriam Makeba, Lebo Mathosa, Brenda Fassie. All these artists share some of the qualities I bring into my art. They told stories that mattered, still do. They gave us timeless music.

WHAT MOMENT ARE YOU HAVING?
I'm witnessing a lot of females in spaces that have always been male dominated. Female record producers, directors, DJ’s I'm loving it!

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC AND HOW HAS IT EVOLVED OVER TIME?
I'd say sexy and elegant with an Afrofuturistic touch. I'm into everything futuristic and sci-fi. I like telling African stories in a way that brings light to how awesome we are and our super spirit of triumph.

WHAT BEAUTY ROUTINE DO YOU SWEAR BY?
Honestly, I believe with food, but also taking care of the spiritual self by fasting and meditating.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
I'm at home with my family. Love being indoors.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
Movies/series...lots of them.

Music

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Sara Flaaen Licius

Photo Courtesy Of Sara Flaaen Licius

WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
Right now I'm in Oslo, in my apartment where I live. It's been the town I call home for the past seven years or so, but I'm actually born on the West Coast of Norway (where my mom's from), and grew up way up North, in the Arctic capital of Tromsø.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
Specifically, I was born in Ålesund, one of the Norwegian West Coast cities, but we moved way up north within a year. So Tromsø, the capital of the North is what I call my hometown. However, at the age of 14, the whole family moved down East again, to the outskirts of a small city one hour outside of Oslo. 

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
Oslo is "the smallest capital in the world" - which is a love-hate thing. It's great because there are few people, it's uninspiring and claustrophobic because there are few people. Still, Oslo is my home and I thrive here. I love that most things are within walking-distance (... well, if you like to walk) and it's actually both the cleanest and the greenest capital I've ever been to. It's not too crowded, but there's still an interesting mix of different people, and there's still that "big city" culture going on with bars and cultural happenings even though we're only like, what, a million people? Oslo is small, but not behind. Small, but not boring. Small, but constantly evolving. Thank God!

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORIES FROM GROWING UP?
Ohhhh - all of them are with my parents. I think. I was a lone child until the age of 10 when my sister spontaneously came along. My parents were and still are a match made in heaven - we've always done so many things together! I have many good memories from childhood summers in Paris, the French-Caribbean, islands of Guadeloupe, and London with family and friends. Plus, growing up in the crazy climate of the Arctic Northern Norway in Tromsø, I was blessed with so many nature experiences and spent a lot of time outdoors - be it collecting stones at a frozen beach or higher up hiking in the mountains or cleaning out fish from an ice fishing session on a lake or sleeping under the stars in frozen woods. As a teenager, I remember not even bothering to look up when the Northern Lights followed me home at night after dance class or horseback riding class - it was normal to me. I know that's an insane statement - but I'm grateful that I grew up so immersed in nature that I was able to kind of take it for granted. I think that a childhood in the Arctic is quite exceptional indeed. 

WHY MEDIA?
Well, I actually knew I wanted to be a magazine journalist already at the age of 12 years (and no, I hadn't yet seen "How To Loose A Guy In 10 Days"!). I was reading all the Norwegian magazines for my age group at the time, I knew the Editors and the most profiled journalists, and I was obsessed with fashion. I never doubted that I was going to study Journalism after High School. However, as soon as I started my studies, I knew I was going to love these three fun years, but that I didn't want to work full-time as a journalist. I guess it boils down to how the media industry has changed over the years with subscription plans and click-baits etc - and I just felt that I was "too much in love with writing to work as a journalist". But luckily for me, I've been able to do a lot of freelance writing for some of the biggest Norwegian magazines. I'm more than fulfilled and so happy! Writing and reading has always been my passions - and I guess I couldn't come to terms with writing for a people or a group of people who no longer want to read, but prefer consuming their news through some quick, entertaining Snapchat-story. I love writing too much to write for those who don't want to read, I think? Anyways, I've been so lucky to make freelance magazine writing work for the past years.

WHY MODEL?
Good question! One I've asked myself so many times. I had never even envisioned modelling until I was suddenly doing it - I was so obsessed with the editorial/journalistic/critical approach to fashion. But suddenly I was asked to do some small campaign here and there and realised that it was something I really enjoyed doing, plus also something I thought I was kind of good at. I've always been very comfortable in front of a camera, I've always loved working in a team, and I've also taken a lot of pictures myself both for work and in my leisure time. Quickly, in my early, early twenties, I realised that I had to pursue modelling as well - if not, I would regret it. With that said, I'm so happy that I so happy that I started around the age of 21-22 and not, like, 16. I don't think I would have been strong enough to thrive in the modelling industry and I think it could have torn me down and changed me quite a lot. I'm grateful that I "knew who I was" before I debuted as a model.

DO YOU STILL REMEMBER YOUR FIRST EVER SHOOT?
Well. While answering this, I'm trying to remember what was ever my first paid shoot - but I feel like I should mention that my mom took sooo many good pics of me during my childhood and upbringing and that my dad was always filming me! So I've neever been camera shy. During my High School years, my best friend was a hobby photographer (and went on to do great photography work) and he also took a lot of pictures of me. My prepping for modelling started way before I even thought about modelling, as I like to say. While I actually, seriously cannot remember what was my first paid shoot, I remember what it was like to finally sign with one of the biggest agencies in Norway, Team Models, that I had of tried to reach out to quite a lot. That was a special day indeed!

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORKDAY LOOK LIKE?
Since I'm balancing a career consisting of influencing, social media content creation, writing and modelling, I always feel quite chaotic, haha! But I love it and I feed on it and I embrace it! My days are never the same - but what they have in common is that I live in my G-mail inbox, haha! Even though working all these different things has got me working around the clock and at odd hours, I still feel that I'm very flexible. If I get a shoot, there's never a problem to clear my schedule even if it's short notice, and if I'm exhausted I can afford two extra hours of sleep - and sometimes I work half-way through the night and feel like the most inspiring night owl. It's a very different lifestyle than the people who are working 9 to 5, but I'm so in love with it!

WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOUR APPROACH TO LIFE?
MY DAD. Always and forever. I'm such a daddy's girl. I feel like he's thought me everything! And I admire him so much for so many things - the way he's always worked so hard, got through several college degrees without any funding and working a gazillion jobs at odd hours, the way he treats my mom like a queen still after 26 years, for teaching me his mother tongue French in the most impeccable way, for being so curious about life and so ridiculously self-confident and comfortable in his own skin - yet still humble and open to new things and always seeking to learn new things... He's the one I go to for courage, strenght, support, answers and for philosophical discussions. He's never treated me as a child even when I was a child! I appreciate him so so much.

HOW DO DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC?
Wow, this feels like a broad question! I like things that are genuine but a little relaxed. Fashion-wise I feel that I'm taking the best of my two worlds: effortlessly Scandi AND Parisienne chic. Loving it! I like clean and simple aesthetics, but I also like to bolden my looks a little. It cannot be too plain either - I'm always looking for the right element to make it bolder/more raw/more sexy/more playful. I like the thought of fashion being an expression of who you are OR how you feel that day. It doesn't have to be too serious either - I think fashion is SUPPOSED to be playful.

WHAT BEAUTY ROUTINE DO YOU SWEAR BY?
Ooooh, I'm a very, very natural girl. I'm a no makeup-girl. And I'm actually one of those who mean NO MAKEUP, as in none at all - not the "no makeup-makeup look". I only wear creams and some blush - no matter if I'm going to the grocery store, to a meeting or to a party. I love it - I feel like I'm one hundred percent comfortable and happy with my looks. Not because I feel that I look "so good" or anything, simply because I've long since come to term with HOW I look and I'm satisfied. This is me and I like the most natural version of me the most, I feel like myself without makeup, I don't think I "need it" and I don't think makeup is particularly fun or interesting outside of shoots! That's just how it is. With that said - I love how a makeup-less look is a super cool statement. In an industry that's highly focused on appearance and where there's a lot of body and beauty pressure, I'm only happy to be one of the people who resist it - it the way that feels the most natural to me.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOUR NOT WORKING?
Working or not, I try to squeeze as much reading, running and yoga into a day as possible. I of course prioritise this when I'm working like crazy too. But if I have a slow day or two-three in a row, you bet I will prioritise the three of them! I love them and I pretty much always have - and I really believe in their power of keeping me balanced and happy. I've also gotten it proved time and time again how the three of them are good for anxiety-chasing and stress-management.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
By reading! It will forever be my favourite "slow activity" and I've loved it since I was a child. It's stimulating, entertaining and it makes me feel safe. What more could you ask for? I read every day, and to be honest, far more than a book a week on average.