Blender Agency

Diemmefootwear.com

noreply@blogger.com (ba) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:37:00 +0000

We are proud to announce that Diemmefootwear.com finally is online. The site is developed by Work, and is a key element in our route to establish Diemme in the global market place. Also, big ups to Erlend and Marius at Blender Agency, for solid project management and input contribution.

Hike or die!

Best,

Gant Rugger Pop-Up store at Fuglen, Oslo

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:08:00 +0000

From the coming Thursday, we will host a pop-up store together with Gant Rugger and Fuglen, at Fuglen Forretningen, in Oslo. Pop-up stores are a rare sight in Norway, and for us it is an honour to be able to arrange this with Gant Rugger and Christopher Bastin.

For those of you not familiar with Gant Rugger, we let their own words give you an introduction:

AFTER YEARS SPENT SCOURING THE US FOR VINTAGE ORIGINALS, SORTING THROUGH DUSTY SWATCHES, ANDS SEARCHING THROUGH OUR VAST FABRIC ARCHIVES WITH AN UNHEARD-OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL, THE NEW AND IMPROVED GANT RUGGER IS BACK WITH A VENGEANCE TO RECLAIM THE FIELD WITH A COLLECTION UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE OUT THERE.

IT'S JUST RIGHT. IT'S SIMPLE. IT FEELS GOOD. EXACTLY WHAT GANT IS ALL ABOUT. WE'RE ONE OF VERY FEW BRANDS STILL STANDING WHO WERE RIGHT THERE AT THE BIRTH OF AMERICAN SPORTSWEAR DURING THE 1950'S, AND IT'S OUR HERITAGE THAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE TODAY. DRAWING ON SIX DECADES OF FANTASTIC DESIGN, GANT RUGGER IS THE REAL DEAL. WE WILL ALWAYS BE THE ORIGINATORS — IT WAS JUST A LITTLE MATTER OF REINVENTING AND REDEFINING AND WE'RE ON TO SOMETHING.

GANT RUGGER IS QUINTESSENTIAL AMERICAN SPORTSWEAR. THE DIAMOND "G" IS OUR ENDURING SYMBOL.

The Pop-up store will be open until Saturday, and will offer a selected range of Gant Rugger SS2011 collection, in addition to couple of limited edition collaborations between Gant Rugger, Fuglen and Blender Agency. Hot!

All the best,

Brand profile : Rag & Bone

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:20:00 +0000

Rag & Bone is a new brand in our portfolio at Blender Agency, and during Paris Fashion Week we will present it to our Scandinavian customers for the first time. We are truly excited to start working with the first class brand that is Rag & Bone.

Founded in 2002, rag & bone had one very clear vision in mind: to make clothes that they and their friends would love to wear every day. With no formal fashion training, Marcus Wainwright & David Neville set about learning how to make jeans. They believed that denim represented the history, authenticity and fundamentals of classic work wear that they would strive to reflect in their designs.

(....) In 2006, rag & bone was selected as a finalist for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award and won the 2007 Swarovski Award for emerging talent in menswear, after also being nominated for that same award in 2006. In 2010, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright were named Menswear Designers of the Year by the CFDA.

rag & bone is a lifestyle brand, offering men's, women's, footwear and accessories collections which are available at high end boutiques and exclusive department stores worldwide rag & bone also operates four flagship stores, men's and women's, on Christopher Street in NYC's West Village, as well as a SoHo shop at 119 Mercer Street.

The the full story here.

Yesterday, GQ posted this video below, which gives an insight in the making of the Rag & Bone Fw2010 collection.

From GQ:

Check out this short doc the guys from Rag & Bone presented last night at the Crosby Street Hotel in NYC. It's a backstage look at the making of their FW2010 collection.

At this very moment are our Rag & Bone reps are seated front row at the Rag & Bone SS11 show in Meatpacking District, NYC. Check out Style.com for pictures of the SS11 show.

Rag & Bone SS11 Show (Natalie Massenet of Net A Porter)

Rag & Bone will hit a store near you soon.

Best,

Lou Doillon for Vanessa Bruno - Day For Night

noreply@blogger.com (ba) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:06:00 +0000

Day For Night
Directed by Stéphanie Di Giusto
With Lou Doillon et Valentine Fillol Cordier
3mn15

Day for night captures a mysterious fugitive impression of vital strength which is deployed in the darkness of the night.

In the light of day, it becomes sensual and delicate. Valentine Fillol Cordier has a sort of power over nature. She makes the trees quiver and the wind rages.

She carries in her wake flowers and petals of the tree of life. Day breaks, Lou Doillon appears. Valentine goes through the night and encounters Lou who brings forth daylight. A hovering magical moment on the surface of water. Lou sings a haunting melody. Her voice rings out and brings peace to the storm in the night. With Lou and Valentine all the feminin ambiguities start moving. Catlike and delicate, embodied but secretive...

After this soft and sensual parenthesis, the race between the two women, between night and day, between Lou and Valentine, becomes a liberation. Lou sets off for the sun.

With Day for Night, womanhood goes with masculin coats wrapped around soft sensual dresses. Colors are like dawn and dusk...

Here Vanessa imposes the group "Efterklang" a bewitching folk music. Then the sensuality and emotion of Lou's song which she has composed. The movie sets off with " The books". Day for Night is an emotion. A movie like a poem. A collection that is strong and slightly erotic.

Enjoy.

Vanessa Bruno Athé - Pop Up Store

noreply@blogger.com (ba) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:05:00 +0000

Last weekend, Vanessa Bruno opened its first Athé Pop Up store. The store is located at Rue Du Temple in the Marais area, in an 18th century building.

The store will shut down at the end of September, so make sure to drop by if you are in Paris this month.

CALZATURIFICIO DIEMME

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:21:00 +0000

Diemme is starting to attract attention across different markets, and the respons is overwhelming. Below is a few press and blog mentions, from the last few weeks. Shortly, we will present the new styles and colours that will drop in the last quarter of 2010.

GQ, september 2010

Euroman, september 2010

Inventory Magazine, web

Nordiska Kompaniet, NK, web

For European and US wholesale requests, please contact us at info@blenderagency.com

Best,

Helmut Lang Pop Up Shop

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:57:00 +0000

If you happen to be in Copenhagen this week, make sure to drop by Birger Christensen. They are hosting a pop up shop in collaboration with Helmut Lang. The 140 year old purveyor to the Danish royal court, was originally a supplier of furs. Today they still offer a fur line, and in addition to the Birger Christensen store, they run both the Chanel and Hermès branches in Copenhagen.

Helmut Lang Pop Up Shop at Birger Christsensen, Østergade 38, 1100 Copenhagen C

Best,

Office Mix Vol. 2

noreply@blogger.com (ba) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:30:00 +0000

It's summer, and the summer sounds better with music. Erlend, our music connoisseur, has compiled a little summer threat for yours truly (Spotify).

While you're at it, check out Jazzy Jeff and Mike Boogie's brilliant Summertime mixtape. It consists of 49 great summer tunes, from Kool & The Gang, Quincy Jones, Roy Ayers, Ramsey Lewis, Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots with George Benson, among others. In other words, the usual suspects, and that's just perfect. For complete track list, see comments.

Best,

Diemme

noreply@blogger.com (ba) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:58:00 +0000

Diemme is a shoe factory and brand located in Montebelluna, a small town in the northeastern part of Italy which is widely regarded as one of the most dominant areas for production and research of technical and performance footwear. 75 % percent of the world’s ski boots are produced in or around Montebelluna, which has a local footwear industry that dates back to the 1870s when local shoemakers began making boots for woodcutters and mountain people in the area. It is a small town with about 30000 inhabitants, but there is a strong local support sector which inclueds local tanneries, shoelace makers and eyelet suppliers. ”Made in Montebelluna” is practically a trademark in itself as the town has a reputation for high standard of craftsmanship and quality materials.

The founders of Diemme, brothers Dennis and Maico, had both been working with shoe production and research their entire life when they decided to start their own company in 1992. In addition to their own collections, Diemme produces footwear for other labels as well, in particular in Japan where they have produced for a wide variety of brands and retail chains. Due to the local presence of fabric, sole and hardware suppliers, Diemme are able to produce limited runs of handmade products with superior components to a highly competitive price.

The leather is of exceptional quality, soles are mainly from Vibram, and above all the products are exceptionally light and comfortable. You can truly feel and see the quality and incredible attention to detail when you study the products up close. Diemme specialize in high mountain, hunting, trekking and safety footwear, and have now partnered up with Blender Agency to release limited collections in unique colourways.

Diemme will be available in a store near you, from this August. For retail or wholesale inquiries, please contact us at info@blenderagency.com

Ciao!

Lunch with the FT: Marc Jacobs

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Tue, 25 May 2010 08:23:00 +0000

Head over to Financial Times, for a lunch with Marc Jabobs.

Best,

RIKA MAGAZINE issue no.two

noreply@blogger.com (ba) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:01:00 +0000

I don't know where you are going, but I'm off to to the Stars!

Ulrika Lundgrens' Rika has been with us for some years, and the brand keeps getting stronger every season. Their creativeness seems to have no end, and the distribution of the brand on the global scene is impressive. Their work with Opening Ceremony confirms their ambitions and the latest Rika Magazine embraces the scope of Rika potential as a brand.

Rika at Opening Ceremony Tokyo

Rika presents the new Rika Magazine the following way:

To celebrate the Spring/Summer 10 collection, Rika launches the long-awaited and exclusive secod issue of Rika Magazine.

This very unique publication shapes itself as a creative diary, an aesthetic testimonial to the designer Ulrika Lundgren’s relationship with fashion, music and art, as well as a personal interpretation of the publication’s grand theme “I’m Off To The Stars”. Readers will take the hands of Daisy Lowe or Anna Brewster amongst other ike-minded creative personalities and embark themselves on an insightful journey to London, New York, Paris and Stockholm, where our heroines discover different cities and mix their personal style with selected items of the Rika SS10 collection.

Rika at Opening Ceremony Tokyo

Along with the main features, the editorial stars interviews with Pamela Love and Lilly Wood And The Prick, pictures by Marc Hom,Liz Collins, Helena Christensen, Ryan Foerster, Rikki Kasso and Blaise Reutersward, styling by Robbie Spencer (Dazed & Confused) and Robert Rydberg, as well as creative collaborations with SurfaceToAir, Uslu Airlines, Paris Texas and other friends of Rika. Last but not least, the magazine presents the exclusive designs by Rika for Opening Ceremony.

The exclusive nature of the magazine allows selective key stores worldwide to carry and distribute it. With only five thousand copies it is a limited edition and develops to a collectors item.

To celebrate the launch of this second issue during London Fashion Week 2010, Rika will open its first pop-up store in collaboration with London-based retailer The Shop At Bluebird.

Creative Director: Ulrika Lundgren & Art Director: Jacob Wildschioedtz (NYC) Stay tuned and join us on our way to the stars.

—

Love & Peace

We are very much looking forward to follow the progression of Rika, and recommend you to drop by your nearest Rika retailer, to join the Rika galaxy!

Best,

James Perse Window Display

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:48:00 +0000

Marc Atlan Design Inc., has been making window displays for James Perse since 2006. Take a look at the sublime work of Marc Atlan below (all pictures from www.marcatlan.com).

Best,

Before anyone did anything, Evisu did everything

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:48:00 +0000

A very anticipated comeback is on its way. The seagull denim from Japan, Evisu, has teamed up with denim guru, the founder of Paper Denim and Earnest Sewn, Scott Morrison. It already appears as the perfect match. From our previous experience with Earnest Sewn, we know that the products will be as good as anything out there. We recognize the same product feel, and the rumours tell that both the fittings and washes are amazing. We are glad to announce that Blender Agency will represent Evisu in the Scandinavian market as from 2010. We still have our old raw denims from Evisu in the closet, and can't wait to get hold of the new ones.

Evisu SS10

History

Evisu is the first true collectible “purist denim” brand in the world, introducing casual denim wearers across the globe to connoisseur-quality Japanese selvedge denim and custom distressing. Evisu plays a pivotal role in the history of denim, the brand that many credit for starting the Japanese “Replica Movement” which in turn, birthed the premium denim category we know today.

Evisu SS10

In 1988, Hidehiko Yamane, an avid denim collector, importer, and tailor by trade, set out to replicate the American classic 1944 Levi’s 501 with an obsessive attention to detail. He founded Evisu in 1991 in Osaka, Japan, naming the company after the Japanese god of prosperity, who is sometimes playfully portrayed on the label. Evisu is one of the five unofficial members of what most people in the denim industry know as ‘the Osaka Five’; the five most influential and respected denim brands in Japanese denim history.

Now

For 2010, in preparation for the new decade and the commeration of Evisu’s 20th anniversary, the design baton for Evisu was passed to American designer Scott Morrison. The overall rebranding and updated style changes of the new 2010 collections reflect Scott Morrison’s signature approach to denim. Morrison is considered by many as a pioneer in the denim world, founding and designing both Paper Denim & Cloth and Earnest Sewn. With his arrival at Evisu, he and his team have brought a renewed focus to denim, fit and wash, as well as an updated approach to Evisu the international brand.

Evisu Woman SS10

The Seagull

The famous hand-painted Evisu “Kamome” (“Seagull” in Japanese) logo on the back pocket was a reference to the Levi’s 1944 printed ‘Arcuate’ logo, which for a 9 month period during WWII, had to be printed instead of sewn due to US government restrictions on thread and other materials essential to the war effort. Over time, the hand-painted logos chipped and faded as the denim became more and more distressed - each jean becoming an individually distinctive, and collectible, one of a kind item.

The “Seagull” logo has evolved a great deal over the past 20 years, and once again we’ve decided to update the iconic seagull. Basing the newest incarnation of the logo on a found example of an early 1990’s original hand-painted design, the new, thinner ‘less is more’ gull.

The lines Scott and his staff will present will be Evisu, Evisu Genes and Private Stock. In addition there will be a more fashion oriented line called Stylecraft. We have just reveived the first pictures of the FW10 woman collection, and the pictures are looking very promising (see below).

Evisu will most definitelly find it's way to a store near you within 2010. We hope you are as excited as we are.

Evisu SS10

Best wishes for 2010,

Travelogue # 5 | Tokyo 1.09

noreply@blogger.com (ba) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:11:00 +0000

We went to Tokyo a few weeks ago, and visited a huge amount of stores in a few days. Tokyo is a brilliant source for inspiration, and among the highlights this time were Standard, Ku, Sophnet, Free & Easy and Opening Ceremony. In addition, the usual supects in Tokyo; Beams, Ships, Loveless, Porter, F.I.L (Visvim), Original Fake, American Rag, among others. See below for a picture guide to our favourite stores in Tokyo.

So long,

Brand profile : Duvetica

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:57:00 +0000

Duvetica is an Italian down jacket brand founded by Giampiero Vagliano and Stefano Rovoletto, who both have a history at Moncler, where Vagliano was President and Rovoletto held the position as Brand Manager. When they started working at Moncler in 1995, the brand had great challenges both in terms of turnover, positioning and image. Over the course of five years they managed to increase global sales from €2 million to €30 million, while greatly improving both brand awareness and brand equity. After resuscitating Moncler they wanted to make something of their own, and five years after leaving Moncler they launched Duvetica in the Japanese market in 2005.

They are currently one of the largest down jacket brands in Japan with an incredible 1200 points of sales. Duvetica has now set their eyes on the European market, where they are growing at an explosive pace.The name Duvetica stems from Duvet (French for down) and Etica (ethical), and sums up their two main principles; 1. All products from Duvetica contains down. 2. They strive to maintain an ethically sound production. The down is from Perigord, France, and the fur is from Finland. In other words you can be sure that the down and fur is not coming from the aggressive parts of down/fur-production that sadly some suppliers out there are using.

The collections are designed by a Japanese-Italian duo, where the Italian designer also acts as a colour forecasting consultant in the yarn industry. In other words, she is one of the select few who sit and decide which colours will dominate two years ahead in time. The colours black (999 Nero) and Duvetica red (405 Rosso Granato) can always be found in the collection, while ALL other colours are changed each season. For FW09 there were 23 different colours available in the basic styles. Next season there will be all new colours, except black and duvetica red. They operate this way so that there is a constant progression through new colours, small seasonal changes to all models, and a massively large collection with over 600 style/colour options for women’s and 500 for men’s. Duvetica jackets have a tailored feel with clearly defined fits – something that the down jacket market is severely lacking in a segment dominated by shapeless unisex-jackets and fits belonging to a completely different era.

The favourite subject of the people from Duvetica are the qualities where they pay enormous attention to the slightest of details, all the way down to finding the sewing thread that best stops feathers from protruding through the seams. The zippers used are from manufacturers like Lampo (Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior), Riri (Visvim, Number Nine, Marc Jacobs) and Meras (James Perse), but Duvetica has now even started producing their own zippers in collaboration with some of the finest zipper manufacturers.

The down used is exclusively grey goose down from Périgord (Dordogne), which is the type of down with the best filling power – i.e. the down isolates better per gram compared to white goose down, or even worse; duck down. The composition is 90 % down and 10 % feather, which is the best balance. If you apply more feather the product will feel stiff and heavy, and if you use less feather the product will not balloon out as well after being compressed. Even though the qualities Duvetica uses are supreme, the prices are still very competitive. Duvetica are able to keep their prices down through owning most parts of their supply chain, which drastically cuts the production costs. The jackets are produced in the EU, with the exception of a small percentage of the production which is produced in Croatia.

Duvetica are available through fine retailers throughout Scandinavia, please send us an e-mail at info@blender.as for store inquiries.

BA.

Blue Gold

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:26:00 +0000

Something really interesting was pitched for us earlier today. Our friend Marius showed us a teaser from the forthcoming denim documentary Blue Gold : American Jeans.

Denimology has spoken to the director Theis Jessen, and the persons and companies involved in the movie, certainly raise the expectations:

Jean Touitou - APC, Tommy Hilfiger, Seven jeans, Mark Ramone (The Ramones), Daryl Hall (Hall and Oates), Models, Edun, Ralph Lauren, Cheap Monday, RRL, Calvin Klein, Jim Moore - GQ Magazine, Renzo -Diesel, The Gap, ISKO - denim mill, Andrew Olah - Olah/Kingpins, Levi's, EVISU, Dao-Yi Chow, Sean John and Scott Morrison.

We are definitelly looking forward to this one, and it is reassuring to see that our friend, and CEO of Evisu, Scott Morrison is involved.

By the way, check out photographer Marius' new project: Without Sun.

Best,

James Perse Tricycle

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:21:00 +0000

The kings of natural-coloured basics, in the softest and best quality there is, give you their own take on a classic tricycle. In their own words:

"The James Perse Tricycle is a 1970's inspired design. Custom made with an extra low center of gravity design so it won't tip over. Sturdy construction made with heavy duty steel and powder coated for superior chip resistance. Attached deck is made of teak wood."

Head over to James Perse, for more details.

Best,

Common Projects Q&A

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:17:00 +0000

The people at Selectism have done an Q&A with Peter or Flavio from Common Projects. Follow this link. Below are some pieces from the FW09 collection.

Keep it common!

Inventory Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Inventory Magazine is the new project from Ryan Willms, founder of the discontinued and highly rated h(y)r collective online magazine. Inventory is a continuance of h(y)r collective, but now also offers a hard copy issue. The quality of the work presented is irreproachable, and in addition to the hard copy, Inventory offers an online magazine, in addition to their online store (Inventory Stockroom) and blog (Inventory updates).

In June, we spent a day with Ryan in Paris, during the mens fashion week. We spent the day buying Visvim and Junya Watanabe MAN for Secret Society, and joined Ryan at Nigel Cabourn. The outcome of the day will hit Secret Society in februray, but until then, head over to Inventory Magazine, to get some insight in how a day buying in Paris can be.

Kyrre at Visvim

Yuketen & Nigel Cabourn collaboration

Office Mix Vol.1

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:17:00 +0000

We listen to a lot of music in our office, and since we discovered Spotify, the diversity of the music we play has increased. We get inspiration and ideas from all over, and one thing we have enjoyed in particular is the possibility to share one's playlists with others. Inspired by the concept, we wish to share some of the music we listen to here on our blog. The first playlist presented is a mix of contemporary music (not pop), from a bunch of great artists and of different genre.

Follow this link, and enjoy.

Best,

Travelogue # 4 | Paris 1.09

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:47:00 +0000

Santa Cruz, Screaming Hand

Après Milan, it was time for Paris. Just as Milan, Paris means lots of work, but also (luckily) a few nice meals with friends, clients and colleagues. In between that, we managed to squeeze in some retail study at some of the better Parisian stores.

Le General was our crib, and Rose Bakery our favourite coffee shop.

Door Studios has become the permanent temporary showroom for Alexander Wang during Paris Fashion Week.

Alexander Wang showroom. Jon Andre (Voga). Petra and Cia from Elle. Magnus and Fanny (Secret Society).

Helmut Lang showroom.

Kyrre and Thorstein. Maison de la Truffe. Food guild. Caviar Kaspia. Jon Andre and Erlend.

Random city pictures. Vanessa Bruno store. Outside Vanessa Bruno showroom. Santa Cruz, Screaming Hand.

Corpus Christi, store.

Magnus and Fanny, at Elisabeth & James.

The brand mix at Secret Society for spring 2010 looks very exciting, as Fanny bought into Elisabeth & James, Erin Wasson x RVCA, Bess, up and coming New York denim label R13 and jewelleries from Delfina Delettrez, in addition to Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang and Current Elliott.

Best,

Travelogue # 3 | Milano 1.0

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:50:00 +0000

We have just done our bi-annual sales week for Marc by Marc Jacobs in Milan, and as always Milan means lots of hard work, long days, and working with our Scandinavian clients in a different environment. Here are some pictures from the Marc by Marc Jacobs showroom, ++.

Best,

Halloween on Bleecker St.

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:48:00 +0000

The yearly halloween window showdown is taking place at Bleecker Street, New York. Our favourite is of course the window at Marc by Marc Jacobs (don't mind that we are biased). See more pictures at The Shophound.

Best,

Vanessa Bruno and Lou Doillon

noreply@blogger.com (ba) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:46:00 +0000

the film vanessabruno with Lou Doillon
http://www.vanessabruno.com

Best,

Travelogue # 2 | New York 1.1

noreply@blogger.com (MA) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:05:00 +0000

Clockwise from top left; Maria (Paris Texas) and Magnus at Erin Wasson show, rainy New York, The Black Keys at Rose Bar, The Smile (retail store/café/tattoo parlor) of Carlos Quirarte (former Earnest Sewn) and Kyrre, Peter (Common Projects) and Magnus.

Clockwise from top left; Helmut Lang showroom (great SS10 collection btw), HL showroom, the renovated Evisu showroom, Current Elliott showroom, Evisu, and Magnus and Maria at The Row showroom.

Misc. stores and Standard Hotel