The universe just gave me a bitch-slap

There I was, thinking I was so smart with my new blog design. "Glasses", I thought to myself, "that should be pretty original". I was super proud and self content, alas [note the drama] the universe rushed to proved me wrong. One day before the blog's re-launch, Reffinery29 posted this.

I wonder how many hours of PR it'll take to get my glasses on that list. 

The original at Pop Chart Lab

Surviving: Application Test Prep

Application Test Prep Mishaps 

A few months ago I took the entrance exams to a few architecture programs. Wishing to bring my best, I prepared. Oh I sure prepared. Getting all exited and caught up in the moment, I've experienced several ... how to put it nicely ... calamities.  

My Top 5 Fails

1. Declaring my infinite and unconditional love for foam boards [white, thick, cardboard-like crafts material]; aloud; in public.
2.  Singing "One way or another I'm gonna get'cha ... " completely off key after getting the correct angle of a model for a sketch. This, luckily, occurred in private. Oh, and did I mention that there was a little dance involved as well? 
3. Having "whatever" for lunch, and actually finding it delicious! 
4. Looking for 20 minutes - literally, 20 minutes - for the pencil I was holding in my hand.
5. Finding the quote "A house is not zero city" very sensible.

Encore? Fine, as you wish:

     6.  Losing the original piece of paper I've written this on. It was a page in a spiral notepad and I have no memory of ever tearing it out.  

 

Source

 

 

 

 

Have you applied to creative degree programs? What was your biggest funny fail?



Boudicca's designers talk at Beit Ha'ir

Boudicca: Artists?

A day after the exhibit opening, Brian Kirkby and Zowie Broach returned to Beit Ha'ir to talk all things BOUDICCA.

What struck me the most [enough to be at the beginning of the post] was that when asked whether they consider their work as "art" they protested profusely. I wonder, what makes a mere person an artist? Can you proclaim yourself as one? Are you an artist if others say you are? And more importantly, are Zowie and Brian artists after all? Read what they had to say, and decide: 

Call a rose any other name…

Boudicca was the queen on the British tribe, who leaded a revolt against the ruling Roman Empire in AD 60. She was considered divine and portrayed as a goddess. When considering her as the brand's symbol, Brian related to the mythical aspect of the story and to its local history. Zowie saw the modern woman in Boudicca – the independent leader. As their designs explore the duality of masculine and feminine, Boudicca was chosen to reign on yet another kingdom.

Sell! Buy! Sell!

Z&B [ladies first] address the commerce in the fashion industry with refreshing honesty. They admit that there are limitations, technical and commercial, that contrast with art making. In order to sell designs, Z&B say, a designer has to be aware of the confines and keep them in mind. Things like fabric qualities, intended usage, and selling potential, all dictate the finished product. When creating a couture show, though, Z&B reveal that there is a greater artistic freedom in the process. Since the actual garments are not meant to be worn, they can be created of various materials, and thus, be loyal to the concept. 

Zowie Broach & Brian Kirkby at Beit Ha'Ir. Photo by Juliette Gold

One plus one equals...?

When two designers work on a single brand, they are bound to be challenges. Zowie tells us that they are different people, and they have separate sketchbooks and diverse ideas. They separate the work, and then mix it back together, discuss, and look where their suggestions collide. Or, as Brian puts it, they challenge and push each other.

If they say, you are no good…

Z&B both agree that one cannot escape criticism in the creative world. Zowie advices to look for the building feedback, try to learn from what others have to say, even in a mere conversation. 

Zowie Broach & Brian Kirkby at Beit Ha'Ir. Photo by Juliette Gold

What the future holds …

The future is unclear for Z&B. Zowie says she feels unsure, not in a nervous way though, about the future. She is open to see what will happen. Z&B will continue to put work out, and they will see where they want to go. 

Zowie Broach & Brian Kirkby at Beit Ha'Ir. Photo by Juliette Gold

And finally, a word of advice for the young generation:

Zowie Broach & Brian Kirkby at Beit Ha'Ir. Photo by Juliette Gold

Is fashion art? Do you think Z&B are artists?

Boudicca: Isolated moments from a cycle

I absolutely adore getting conceptual! Reveling in a concept's meanings and connotations makes me feel oh-so-very-artsy-and-wise. Thus, how could I deny us all the pleasure of discussing Beit Ha'Ir's latest exposition:

"Isolated Moments From a Cycle" by BOUDICCA (Brian Kirkby & Zowie Broach)

The exhibition itself is an isolated moment in the designer's cycle of creation: one idea led to another, and in the process, the collection was born; but a moment later, another idea would rise, an alteration to the previous one, perhaps, and the cycle would continue. 

The display is an isolated moment is the cycle of Beit Ha'Ir's "Year Of Fashion": Many exhibits were shown there before, and many more would be shown in the future.

The act of going to the exhibition at Beit Ha'ir is an isolated moment is the urban life at Tel Aviv: Situated at the Bialik Square [which is also round, by the way], Beit Ha'ir witnesses numerous passersby. One stops, goes in and looks around and then returns to the routine.

And finally, the designs shown, are isolated moments in a design cycle the the designers utilized for this exhibition: Brian Kirkby and Zowie Broach created digital fundamental sketches, and then continues designing, sketching, and photographing until they've reached the finished products - only the clothes are not actually finished. They can be developed further, using the same process.

The photos I took at the opening event are an isolated moment is the cycle of my camera's memory card's life ... that's enough? Alright, I'll stop.

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

The Brazilian shoe designer, Andreia Chaves, also brought her works to that exhibition. My friend, Karina, took some photos of them for you:

Andreia Chaves at Beit Ha'Ir, photo by Karina

Andreia Chaves at Beit Ha'Ir, photo by Karina

Andreia Chaves at Beit Ha'Ir, photo by Karina

Andreia Chaves at Beit Ha'Ir, photo by Karina

I left the openning event with a lot of "wow" moments to remember, but there are always favorites:

Favorite #1 [the order is arbitrary]: Delicate Details

The dresses were beautifully designed and had such delicate, fregile-looking detiles. 

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Favorite #2 [the order remains arbitrary]: Balerina Art

This circle was drawn by a belarina dancing on the paper. It left me breathless! [only for a while though; nothing personal - I just don't have insurance] 

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold

Boudicca at Beir Ha'Ir Tel Aviv, photo by Juliette Gold [from a broadcasted video; I'm not that good of a photographer] 

Which exhibit did you like the most? 

The September Issue

The September Issue

The September Issue, a sketch by Juliette Gold

Letter from the editor

Dear Juliette Gold Readers,

Fall marks change, and as anna winthour had said, “Vogue is a fashion magazine, and a fashion magazine is about change.” [*]

The summer months were soaked with fun in the sun. They were marked by joyous creations, sketching in air-conditioned coffee shops, and a "summer makeover" [a habit still left around from my high school days]. Yet, as fall sneaks upon us the colors seem to deem and fade. Fall, as in "falling back into reality", brings us back from our beach-side vacations to the vibrant cities. [or stay-cations, if we live by the beach; or one-day-here-and-there-is-all-it-takes-no-cations, if we're me] Fall, as in "falling leaves" and "falling rain", creates a vibe of lovely melanchilia. And finally, fall, as in "falling inlove with Tel Aviv", brings us my first-ever fashion collection.

Speaking of change, the transition from buying clothes to designing them was quite spectacular. It allowed me to sit back, ponder, and define fall for myself. I was able to create a clear vision of what I want to show, and how I want fall to be presented. Rather than just buying "what fits, and looks nice", I could create something that inspires, motivates, and represents myself.

Yours,
Juliette Gold

[*]“Anna Wintour: Editor of the Year,” by Judith Newman. Adweek, February 12, 1990. Source: Vogue

Dinner Time!

A dining table for the dis-functional family

[ Imagine me saying the following paragraph in a low-budget-TV-commercial-voice]

Are you a rebellious teenager, going through the "I hate my parents" stage? Did you just find out that your husband is cheating on you? Did your wife just spend your entire paycheck on a new Valentino clutch? Did your sister steal your boyfriend?

If you've answered "yes" to any of these questions, this is the dining table for you! 

[ back to normal voice now ]

Dining table for dis-functional family, a design by Juliette Gold

The dining table seats four people, and gives each of them a private, personal space. For further privacy, you can put on your headphones [aka, those pink circled on the chair], and even lower your curtain and ear your family meal in complete solitude. So, what's for dinner?

Dining table for dis-functional family, a design by Juliette Gold

Dining table for dis-functional family, a design by Juliette Gold

Do you eat meals with your family? 

Coffee Shop Sketching

Trying to survive the heat wave, I strolled around the city in a search of an AC-including activity. Then, I bumped into a cafe - the view was nice, the AC was on, and they served green tea. What more could I ask for?

What do you like to do when it's fervent outside?

Armani's Nightfall Sketch

While I was browsing through Fashion Week's recap on Vogue, I stumbled upon Armani's Fall 2012 Couture collection. This collection was inspired by nightfall, and blues and grays played an ample tole in it. This piece, which was the first garment on the runway, fits the concept perfectly.

What did you think about Armani's new collection? 

Free Space & Free Time?

The "Turn Off the TV" Storage Unit

Thesis:

There is absolutely nothing to watch. You have already read the news on your i-something; you have seen that movie a hundred times; and that episode of this show is outright idiotic. What, oh what, shall you do with your unpleasing TV set? Make a storage unit out of it of course!

Back in the 50's, the Television set promised family bonding and quality time with loved ones. Nowadays, only half a decade later, it carries separation, silence, and alienation. We re-watch shows on autopilot, but are we experiencing anything? Are we living life?

"Turn Off the TV Storage Unit", a design by Juliette Gold

"Turn Off the TV Storage Unit", a design by Juliette Gold

The model uses the figure of the 50's TV set - which was rectangular, stood on four thin legs, and had antennas. The visual compounds of the design (the colors, and the polka-dots print) also refer to the vintage vibe. When choosing colors, I opted for vibrant, statement-making hues. But tried to maintain visual harmony by going for opposing colors on the color wheel. 

Drawing by Juliette Gold

What do you think about our TV-watching society? Do you consider watching TV a quality past-time?