lifeiscarbon®

Stylish Modular Swedish Shelving

2012-06-01T16:19:00+02:00

We´ve long been on the hunt for a practical but good looking shelving system for the lifeiscarbon® offices and finally it looks like we may have found the ideal solution.

No. 5 is a new storage system designed by Jesper Ståhl for the Swedish furniture company Voice. Designed to grow with peoples´ needs, all of the modules and fittings in the system are standardised and can be built and re-built in countless different ways without losing their fundamental design. The door, drawer and shelf elements enable up to 72 different combinations to be built. Unlike many shelving solutions, the system can be mounted on the wall or placed on metal legs, on a plinth or on wheels. We love the fact that the back panels come in four colours and three veneers.

Follow the link to see more images from the No. 5 shelving system from Voice of Sweden:

Jesper Ståhl is a Swedish industrial designer who originally trained at the London Royal College of Art and went on to found Jesper Design. His portfolio includes kitchen utensils, lighting, electrical products, wash stands and tools. Several of his designs are acclaimed pieces and have won awards, both in Sweden and internationally. Jesper Ståhl has also designed the wooden chair Bodoni and the acclaimed cabinet No. 216 forVoice.

Voice is one of Sweden’s leading producers of modern lifestyle furniture. The company was founded in 1997 but has its roots in the furniture tradition of Småland, southern Sweden. Voice creates timeless furniture pieces in which design and function are in harmony. Equally suited to home or public environments, their furniture is created with a sense of playfulness mixed with practical and functional design. The company´s factory is based just outside Jönköping in the southern Swedish province of Småland. Voice is part of Lammhults Design Group.

VOICE

Arbiters of Danish design modernism

2012-05-08T14:56:33+02:00

Established in 2002, Hay launched their debut furniture collection at IMM Cologne in 2003. From day one, the Copenhagen based company have had an unabashed ambition to encourage Danish design´s return to its innovative greatness of the 1950's and 1960's, albeit in a contemporary context.

With a commitment to design furniture and accessories with an international appeal, Hay strive to make great design accessible to all by producing distinctive pieces with an affordable price tag. What´s more, the company seems genuinely committed to nurturing and promoting the originality of young talent as well as stretching the imagination of established designers. All whilst making use of cutting-edge manufacturing technology. Few companies manage to operate as successfully as Hay in the space between architecture and fashion and fewer still can boast so many award winning designs.

Follow the link below to view a selection of our favorite pieces from Hay. A difficult selection to make given that lifeiscarbon® is in love with so many of their designs:

TRAY Table Collection

DLM and DML XL Side Table

TUBE Chair

NOBODY Chair

CANO Shelving System

LOOP Hall Stand

WOODY Shelving System

Hay currently have three stores in Denmark, one in Norway and a network of dealers worldwide together with a well designed online store. Keep an eye out for their pop up stores which have so far appeared in London, Stockholm, Berlin, Paris and currently Seoul.

HAY

Avant-garde Danish Fashion Favorite

2012-04-30T18:53:18+02:00

The talented new Danish designer Atifa Rasooli recently debuted her A/W 2012 collection and lifeiscarbon® have instantly found a new Scandinavian fashion favorite. Having been partly inspired by the humble somberness of quiet Winter days in Denmark and partly by the folkloric silhouettes of Japanese warriors, has resulted in a strikingly avant-garde ready-to-wear aesthetic that emanates a sombre and melancholic beauty.

The refinement of silk melting into mat wools and cottons gives the collection softness and variation. Very deliberately, the color range is kept within a strict palette of black, gray and white..... the colors of stillness according to Atifa Rasooli; "Everything imaginable and unimaginable is created from stillness. Stillness is where all creations begin. I am the messenger of stillness. Bringing back the strength of humble appearance with hidden nobility."

Follow the link to see the stunning A/W 2012 collection from Atifa Rasooli:

Atifa Rasooli

Master of Monochromatic Minimalism

2012-04-25T13:40:42+02:00

Excusing the clumsy alliteration (not quite qualifying as a tautogram), Kim Høltermand is the master of monochromatic minimalism and a new favorite of lifeiscarbon®.

Born in 1977, Kim Høltermand is a freelance architectural and landscape photographer from Denmark. Høltermand was born into a creative family, with both his father and grandfather being artists, and his grandfather having once worked as an architect. His work has appeared in numerous publications around the world and has so far been exhibited in France, China, Russia and his native Denmark. Despite his burgoing career in photography, which only began a few years ago, Kim Høltermand's day job has him working as a fingerprints expert in the Crime Scene Unit of The Danish National Police.

Follow the link to see a selection of our favorite works by Kim Høltermand and to read about his multi-media collaboration Outliers, Vol. I: Iceland:

From Deserted City (2011)

From Metrolpolis (2008)

From The Trees (2009)

From Icelands (2010)

From Goals (2008)

From Grundtvigs Church (2009)

From Monochronos (2012)

Take a look at Kim Høltermand´s portfolio on Behance to see his latest project Monochronos and Outliers, Vol. I: Iceland

Outliers, Vol. I: Iceland is a collaborative multimedia project about a small group of filmmakers, photographers and a musician who set out on a journey to explore the remote countryside of Iceland in October 2011. The film features photographers Tim Navis (LA) and Kim Holtermand (Denmark), as well the electronic composer Deru - who composed and curated an original score based on field recordings from the trip. Produced by Scenic, the mission was to improvise and document experiences with the landscape, residents, and traditions encountered on the trip and to synthesize the material into a collection of moving pictures, photography, and music. The production and materials for the project were almost entirely funded through a Kickstarter campaign.

Kim Høltermand

Scandinavian Heritage Modern

2012-04-24T18:33:01+02:00

If you´ll allow, there seems no better way to introduce the Icelandic fashion brand Kormákur & Skjöldur then to quote Steve Jobs words; "Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently.." Crazy perhaps, but we see fashion genius.

The Kormákur & Skjöldur brand was established in the fall of 2010 by Kormákur Geirharðsson, Skjöldur Sigurjónsson and fashion designer Guðmundur Jörundsson. The brand was established around Kormákur and Skjöldur's menswear store Herrafataverzlun Kormáks & Skjaldar (which had been established in 1996), in order to introduce their particular take on classic menswear with a modern twist. With two previous Autumn/Winter collections already sold out and their first Spring/Summer collection soon in stores, Kormákur & Skjöldur are soon introducing their fourth collection 'dresstheirflesh'.

Follow the link to see some of our favorites from Kormákur & Skjöldur´s recent collections:

Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection

Autumn/Winter RTW Collection 2012

Kormákur & Skjöldur

Godfathers of Norwegian Graphic Design

2012-04-23T15:05:48+02:00

As Iggy Pop is to punk, so Bleed are to graphic design. Despite the successive waves of newer design agencies in Scandinavia, Bleed have stayed the course and seem to be consolidating their position as the godfathers of graphic design in Norway.

Established back in 2000, Bleed is a multi-disciplinary design consultancy based in Oslo. With an avowed mission to challenge conventions in art, visual language and identity, they have become one of the most awarded agencies in Norway and received considerable international acclaim. They recently received the Merket For God Design Award from the Norwegian Design Council, for their work for Comoyo.

Follow the link to see some of our favorite projects by Bleed and to find out details about Hunger, a superb limited edition look-book by Bleed:

New website and identity for Grafill (Norwegian Graphic Design Association). Inspirational and editorial content, up-to-date news and professional ressources in a customized wiki section designed to make the website a source of inspiration for its users

New website for Bjorg Jewelry. “The inspiration for Bjorg´s 2012 is drawn from mythology and tales, playing with escapist and Romantic fantasies. The collection makes up an odyssey of imagnination, mystique and poetry, switching between dreams and reality, thus welcoming Dark Knights, Pale Moons, Magic Hours and Misty Mountains”.

New website for Norwegian architectural firm Helen & Hard. Conceived to allow visitors to delve deeply into their projects, get to know team members and to get an insight into how the company thinks. Helen & Hard’s new website provides a full tour of a highly original architectural company.

New identity and website for SKMU (Sørlandets Kunstmuseum). Built with css3 and providing quick updates on the latest from an art museum based in Southern Norway.

Whilst developing a new identity for SKMU in Kristiansand, Bleed also designed a catalogue showcasing artists exhibited at the museum. The catalogue features a die-cut version of SKMU´s new logo on the frontcover.

Their fourth collaboration with international fashion magazine Hintmag, Pagan Invation, is a visual play with randomly programmed crystals backed by a Zola Jesus soundtrack. Amazing photography from Pierre Dal Corso and design and programming by Bleed.

Bleed´s latest look-book with 200 pages filled with eight designers different intepretations of the concept of Hunger. Limited to only 500 copies, Hunger is sure to become something of a collector´s item. Available from here.

BLEED

White is the new black

2012-04-18T19:34:02+02:00

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. White may well be the new black in Acne Studios latest Capsule Collection (SS 2012) but the rest of their winning formula remains in place; skinny silhouettes and stark Scandinavian simplicity.

“An urban, but free-minded and radically white-only. A mix of different materials and silhouettes, caftans worn with Acne-Girls-Favorites like denims, poplin shirts and light jersey t-shirts, styled with high-summer flat sandals. Seethrough plissé effortlessly meeting shiny irridescent leather. Washed silk crèpe de chine on top of bonded lace. Denim twill worn together with floorlength lace cut-out rubber print jersey.” Jonny Johansson

Follow the link to see our favorite pieces from Acne Studios SS 12 Capsule Collection including the simple but stunning Lucille (short denim twill dress) and sculptural Castle Leather (A-line mini skirt) :

Lucille Short (Denim Twill Dress)

Slender Plisse (Sheer Plissé Shirt)

Castle Skirt (Denim Wrap Skirt) & Parker Silk (Oversized Silk Shirt)

Bacall Silk (Silk Shorts) & Parker Silk (Oversized Silk Shirt)

Castle Leather (Leather A-Line Mini) & Slender Poplin (Slim Fitting Shirt)

Acne Studios Shop

Über-Pragmatic Scandinavian Luggage

2012-04-11T18:27:20+02:00

We´ve long been fans of the British PLCE and US MOLLE military load carrying systems (lifeiscarbon® even have a collection of vintage Scandinavian military rucksacks in their heritage archive), so it´s no surprise that we´re fallen for Unit Portables. Apparently the outcome of a collaboration between like-minded individuals with varied backgrounds in design, fashion and technology, Unit Portables have been designed in Stockholm, Sweden.

Put simply, Unit Portables is a system of bags and pouches that allows for the organization of gadgets in a smart way. Currently 4 units are available but Unit Portables are working on new units and promise that Unit 05 will be available by late Summer. It´s de rigueur that Unit Portables come in our two favorite colors of black and white, but for non-purists the series also comes in green, red, yellow and royal blue. Follow the link to see more of the Unit Portables system:

Unit 01 / 02 / 03

Unit Portables main computer bag, featuring a sewn in, padded laptop sleeve for either 13” or 15” laptops. Unit 01 features typically minimal Scandinavian design; Built into the design is a handle allowing the bag to be carried by hand, or by using the shoulder strap. When using the shoulder strap, the top third of the bag folds over turning it from a laptop bag into shoulder bag. The back of the bag features a slip pocket to carry documents.

The front and inside of Unit 01 has 4 strips of heavy duty material with 7 loops across each strip. These strips allow other units to be attached to Unit 01 using solid poppers to hold them in place. This system makes it possible to add, remove and fully customize the Unit Portables computer bag

Unit 04

One of the most important contributions to the Unit Portables system of functional and must have-units. A protective, padded sleeve specifically for an iPad or other tablet computer. Available to purchase separately or in a package with Unit 01-03. Designed like a stylish mini version of Unit 01, Unit 04 also features the built in handle design, allowing even more portability. Attachable to the inside or outside of Unit 01 or for use on its own.

Unit Portables

New Scandinavian Timeless Classics

2012-04-04T17:56:10+02:00

Originally made by tradesmen in Cairo for the British armed forces during the Western Desert Campaign of WW2, the desert boot has been having something of a renaissance over the last few years. It´s hard to improve on an original timeless design but a young Norwegian fashion brand has dared to do just that. Last year, Deep Search launched a capsule collection including a Derby Boot and Oxford Boot as well as their own take on the classic Desert Boot. Crepe souls (which never quite coped with surfaces other than sand) have been replaced with longer lasting Vibram soles, a third eyelet has been added to give a more secure fit and five funky colors have usurped the original sandy suede.

Until now, Deep Search boots have only been available online or from two of our favorite stores in Oslo, Sole Service and Freudian Kicks, but we´re looking forward to the launch of their first concept store in the coming months which is timed to coincide with the brand´s second collection. In the meantime, follow the link to see more images of the Deep Search AW2011 Collection:

Desert Boot History

Nathan Clark, of the Clarks family, noticed that British Army officers in Burma were wearing “crepe-soled rough suede boots” as part of their casual attire. The officers had discovered that these smart boots were not only hard-wearing and durable, but also light weight and comfortable. Clark discovered that the boots were being made and sold in the bazaars in Cairo. The design seems to be have been based loosely on the style of the Dutch Voortrekker boot that was introduced to Western Desert warfare by the South Africa division of the Eighth Army.

On returning to Somerset, England in 1949, Clark and pattern-cutter Bill Tuxhill recreated the super comfortable construction; a simple two-piece upper body and crepe sole formed on a round-toe last. Initially the desert boot had success in Italy and France but was later released in England and the US.

Desert Boots became fashionable in Beatnik Culture and were later adopted by Sixties Mods who wore them as part of both smart and casual clothing outfits. Their popularity has carried on through each successive Mod Revival and most recently the Desert Boot has become a staple of Heritage Modern uniforms.

Desert Boot from the Deep Search AW 2011 Collection

Derby Boot from the Deep Search AW 2011 Collection

Deep Search - Visual Identity

We may have fallen for Deep Search shoes but we also love the visual identity developed for them by the talented Norwegian Graphic designer Christian Bielke (read our profile of him here). The brand´s new identity includes business cards, project files, packaging, envelopes, branded tape, product cards and website.

"We wished to translate the essence of the products into a timeless profile, the printed material representing the same qualities as the products; classic cuts, seams and details with focus on quality and effective use of materials."

DEEP SEARCH

Emerging Swedish Fashion Talent

2012-04-02T20:32:57+02:00

Sweden seems to have cultivated a knack for simplistic fashion with a modern touch. Easy elegance achieved through unfussy design that manages to look both achingly 'now' and enduringly timeless at one and the same time. A much coveted recipe that Swedish designers like Acne, Fifth Avenue Repair and Whyred are proving so incredibly apt at serving up. The latest designer to join their ranks, and an immediate lifeiscarbon® favorite, is Nhu Duong.

Born in Vietnam, Nhu Duong immigrated to Sweden at the age of seven and eventually graduated from Beckmans College of Design in 2008. Following a period as a design assistant at Acne Studios, she debuted at Stockholm Fashion Week in 2009 and went on to produce her first commercial collection for Weekday the same year.

Nhu Duong recently revealed her new Autumn Winter 2012 collection, entitled Hooped, to press in Stockholm. Once again, sharp, modern lines are teamed up with nostalgic prints although this time they are sliced into dramatic futuristic silhouettes. Follow the link to see more images from the press launch together together with a selection of our favorites from her Spring Summer 2011 and 2012 collections:

JPG - SS11 Collection

"The jpeg collection uses vivid digital prints on a modular system of dresses. The collection calls into question notions of representation, linearity and functionality in favor of noise, chance and playful experimentation.The images on the dresses take their starting point from amateur photographs of suns found on the internet. Through digital compression the images become pixilated, turning into sublime geometric displays of color. Printed on silk these romantic colorfield images are juxtaposed with monochrome neoprene material."

CODING - Spring Summer 2012 Collection

See the video of Nhu Duong´s SS 2012 show at Stockholm Fashion Week

LOOPED - Autumn Winter 2012 Collection

As well as previously collaborating with Swedish store Weekday, Nhu Duong has recently worked with New York jewellery designers FAUX/REAL to develop a collection of jewellery made from everyday materials such as rubber, polished brass and steel. The use of non-precious materials challenges the notion of traditional jewellery and the surprisingly elegant designs echo Nhu's aesthetic of mixing the simple with the complex.

NHU DUONG

Sexy, Shameless, Sweaty and Scandinavian

2012-03-28T15:21:35+02:00

lifeiscarbon® may be digital but we love paper, and S Magazine from Denmark has long been a favorite of ours. Founded in 2004 by the talented Danish photographer Jens Stoltze, the magazine serves up a sophisticated mix of fashion and erotic photography. Initially with contributing photographers from Denmark, the magazine has evolved to include contributions from many well respected international photographers; including amongst many others Simon Emmet, Rankin, Christophe Kutner, Enrique Badulescu, Hiromix and Matthias Vriens-McGrath. The creative team behind the publication includes not only Jens Stoltze but also Mads Teglers, Ferdinando Verderi, Christina Chin and Son of Tam.

No one knows for certain what the S in the name stands for, but S Magazine suggest the following; sexy, stylish, shameless, straight forward, swashbuckling, seafaring, soapy, sweaty, symbolic or Scandinavian. Art, Fashion or Porn? We are no strangers to the debate. Decide for yourself by following the link to see a selection of images from S Magazine:

Magazines We Love

Read about other Scandinavian magazines that lifeiscarbon® love:

Acne Paper High Ground Fashion & Culture

Cover Fashion Avantgarde meets Mainstream Luxury

Nytt Rom New Scandinavian Rooms

Hotrod Eclectic Eccentricity from Scandinavia

Dansk Danish Style Bible

Carls Cars A Magazine About People

Vs. Large Format Fashion & Culture

S Magazine

Graphic Frugality by Christian Bielke

2012-03-27T18:52:28+02:00

We love the austerity of the work of the Oslo based graphic designer Christian Bielke. Working across a broad spectrum of digital and print media, Bielke develops frugal and succinct designs, often making use of low-tech elements such as hand stamping and embossing. We particularly like the identities Bielke has created for Vibeke Skar and Ida Noemi.

Christian Bielke was educated in graphic design at Norway Creative College and Studio 3 (at Westerdals School of Communication) before working for the branding agency, Work. In the past he has founded and contributed to a number of successful nightlife, fashion and design blogs including Oslo Nights and Jubel.FM.

Follow the link to read more about Christian Bielke and to see a selection of his work:

Vibeke Skar, the Norwegian industrial designer, needed a simple web site for her work, as well as business cards and hang tags for showcasing her products at worldwide trade fairs. By combining the latter two, Bielke saved the designer not only money but time and materials.

Bielke also designed correspondence cards with which to follow up potential manufactureres. The business cards are also intended to function as advertisements for Vibeke Skar´s products, independent of fairs and exhibitions.

Racounteur, a web development and programming company, needed an identity that reflectied their personality; professionalism and close attention to details. The result is a playful but distinct hand drawn logo which is in contrast to the rest of the rather stringent profile.

The identity was implemented on business cards, project files as well as a new website that showcased Raconteur’s work with icons and pie charts. To differenciate the profile further, Bielke glued together two different coloured papers in three layers to create the business cards. Resulting in an unexpected and fun expression.

When Ida Noemi was an industrial design graduate, she needed a small-scale identity for her self as a freelance designer. The profile created by Bielke was designed for easy and low-cost production. Most of the design elements are based on the use of stamps. The use of only three stamps enables the creation of business cards, stationary, product cards, mailing labels and hang tags for trade fairs. No excess, simply information and photos.

The text along with the font, colour, materials and corner markings (which highlights the use of stamps throughout the profile) create a solid and unified profie.

Swedish fashion designer Nina Jarebrink needed help to manifest the underlying attitude of everyday luxury throughout her brand. The entirity of her new graphic identity, including logotype, labels, hang tags, lookbook, invitations and gift cards, is based on this brand idea.

To enhance the concept of everyday luxury further, Bielke used gold foil on raw carton, cleverly maximizing the contrast between the materials, and subtly reflecting on the unpretentiousnous of the ambitious Swedish designer.

Created in collaboration with Henning Andersson and Kevin Hagen.

CHRISTIAN BIELKE

Sleek Scandinavian Kitchens

2012-03-23T17:54:49+01:00

Whilst Scandinavia may be well known for it´s traditional crafted kitchens, notably Swedish companies such as Kvanüm and Lidhults, and countless providers of midprice designer kitchens, the best of which may be Kvik from Denmark, it has been notably lacking in terms of high end ultra-modern kitchens. Scandinavian designers and architects have had to look to European companies like Bulthaup, Poggenpohl and Boffi for suitable solutions. Until now, that is.

Vipp, Danish maker of iconic peddle bins, has more than filled the gap with their "radical reinterpretation of the kitchen". The company´s new furniture concept is complete in every detail - all fixtures, drawer pulls and inserts, as well as gas knobs and taps have been developed by Vipp with the aim of injecting a functional and visual cohesiveness into the kitchen.

Click the link below to see more images of Vipp´s new Kitchen Furniture Range:

In recent years, Morten Bo Jensen has been the creative mind behind new Vipp products. At the rather tender age of 27, Morten Bo was entrusted to carry on the Vipp family’s design legacy. Educated as an industrial designer in Denmark and having previously worked for the Biomega bike brand, Morten Bo took on the challenge of taking the 70-year-old Vipp design DNA into the future. From the company’s headquarters in Copenhagen, Morten Bo runs Vipp Design Lab that continuously seeks to combine aesthetics and functionality in order to reach new dimensions.

Vipp

New Wave Photography from Mads Teglers

2012-03-21T15:26:47+01:00

Having long been a lifeiscarbon© favorite, we´re happy to see the work of Mads Teglers appearing in more and more of the best independent magazines. The talented Danish photographer has recently shot for the likes of Smug, Oyster, Fallen and S Magazine.

Teglers is a committed old school analog photographer who spent his fledgling years in darkrooms mastering film developing techniques and discovering his unique take on his photography. A highly individualistic style that produces images loaded with ambivilence and just a hint of nordic angst. Emotional and strong, yet playful in a quietly understated way.

Click the link below to see a selection of our favorite images from Mads Teglers:

MADS TEGLERS represented by Tomorrow Management

New Bags from Acne Studios

2012-03-20T15:41:04+01:00

We´re loving the latest editions to Acne Studios´ range of bags, esepcially the boxy style of the Ralston and Coy and the oversized tassles of the Piers and Laurie. The Ralston (shown above) is a leather box purse with two front buckle details and comes in plain black or a much-sort-after brown (with colored details).

Take a look below at our picks from the new range together with some of all time favorites from Acne Studios range of bags and luggage:

Coy is a boxy leather shoulder bag with buckle strap and front detail.

Piers is a smart leather tote bag with an oversized fringed flap.

Azurite is a practical, small leather pouch with strap.

Mercury is a unisex Pouchette clutch in textured leather that will fit an Ipad.

Piers Red is a smart leather tote bag with an oversized fringed flap.

Laurie is a leather shoulder bag with oversized fringe detail.

Keilite is a leather pouch perfect for stashing keys or other small objects.

Acne Studios Shop