interiew with: Piet Breinholm

During a lazy day at work i started browsing through blogs i like and discovered an amazing brand that creates wonderful retro inspired bags and is based in Denmark. The brand i'm talking about is called The Last Bag and is run by Piet Breinholm, a drummer now turned bag designer who is quickly becoming a well known name among the accesories interested people, bloggers and those who love objects that stand out for their quality and style.
1- I know you're a drummer, so it's unusual for a drummer to think about starting an accessories label. How and when did you take this decision?

I was on tour with a Danish artist. We played Moscow, New York and Texas.

I brought my very very old battered schoolback/briefcase a long and everywhere I went people commented it - even stopped me on the street.

On the way back to Europe - I drafted the business plan on a napkin - not knowing anything about productions and design.

I am still touring - and i visit stores and clients when I am on the road. And some of the future label and record company people are now working in fashion. So for me there is a red line. And in the end it's all about following your dreams ...

2-Are you good at anything special apart from playing the drums and creating amazing bags?

Well ... mmmhhhh. Not anything special to be honest. I am a good drinker and good at socializing – but that I wouldn’t file under something special ..

3-What makes you smile usually?

Self-irony, my friends and 2 children and the Danish comedy "Klovn" and the British comedy "Little Britain"

4-What's the best part about living in Copenhagen?

The biking and the women!

5-Where was your last holiday and why did you go there?

I mostly spent my vacations at my ex-girlfriends family summerhouse on a desolate island 2 hours drive and 1 hour ferry ride outside Copenhagen.

I went to Tuscany two years ago. The rest of my travelling is fashion fairs and touring.

6-Which bands and movies have been inspiring throughout your life?

I really like documentaries. One of my favourites is a BBC doc. about the maker of the music instrument the Theramin. It's a love story too and absolutely amazing. The Smiths and The Jesus and Mary Chain blew my head off. The Kills does it at the moment

7-What's the best part of your job and why?

It's very inspiring - you are creative both it terms of design and business.

You meet interesting people and both the music- and the fashion business is totally unpredictable.

I like that.

8- What do you like to do when you just want to relax and enjoy your free time?

To be honest I don’t have so much spare time. I work a lot of and try to spend has much time I can with my tow children. Being divorced I have them 50% of the time, so these days are reserved for the kids. I love to run - it clears your mind. And if I really want to relax - then I sleep.

If you're interested in knowing more about Piet and his great work here are the contacts:

The Last Bag - Made in Denmark

Nansensgade 48 – butik / showroom / office

DK – 1366 Copenhagen K

Denmark

VAT-no.: DK27531776

email: piet@thelastbag.dk

http://www.pietbreinholm.dk/

Interview with : Loulou Androlia

I discovered her blog and label during a rainy day while at work. It was love at first sight : i immediately added her website and blog among my internet fav links and i hope everyone will realize how lovely and great her work is. She's a London based designer/blogger/photography lover and many other things and her collection of lingerie and amazing accessories have already been spotted by Vogue Uk, Marieclaire, Elle, Starmagazine, Timeout London, etc.
Let me have the pleasure to introduce you to the talented Miss Loulou Androlia.

1-Why did you decide to start your own blog?

I've always been someone that journals, or 'brain vomits' as I like to call it onto a piece of paper or a word document plus I'm a massive internet nerd so starting a blog was just something that happened. I actually was writing in it for a good six months before I even told anyone it was there. Also even though I now will write some posts to an audience It is still primarily my 'diary' and I wouldn't classify myself as a blogger. It is however very cute to know that there are hundreds of people who visit it now and it's always exciting to get comments from strangers!

2-Is there anything you love to collect?

Let's just say I am a person of a lot of.. 'stuff'' (or mess...) so I like collecting all sorts. The main things I collect are umbrellas and notebooks/drawing books. Then anything heart shaped... so that's becoming a bit of a collection. Really I'd like to collect cats and magic tricks.

3-What do you like the most about the city you live in?
I live in London and I love it so much. My favourite things are the parks, particularly Regents park, I live super near there and so I'm always about feeding ducks, visiting the zoo or leaf stomping. I also love our free museums, like the Natural History and the Science Museum.

4-Is there any blog you can't stop reading?
My friend Elizabeths blog is always very high on the top of my list http://feelslikewhitelightning.com . She is clever, witty and her posts are never dull, it's one of the blogs which makes you realize that most others aren't worth reading. I LOVE HER!

5-What's your dream job and why?

Hummm well I'm lucky that I'm running my own business doing something I like....but you know in a dream world I'd own a zoo in space... or be David Attenboroughs assistant, that would be my dream job, It bums me out that he's not my friend regularly. Anything with animals really, but I think I'll do that later on in my life.When I was younger the only thing I wanted to do was be a witch, so I have to make time for that too!

6-What's the aspect you love the most about being a blogger?
I'm not really a blogger so I don't think I can really answer this question properly. I run my own fashion business which takes up all my time, including all the time I would prefer to be doing something for myself, but when I get a chance to write in my blog for me it is the best way to keep track of my life. My memory isn't the best (after a long illness) and I have this obsession with wanting to document everything, particularly with photos. I like to write down everything I've done or everything I like....so this is what my blog is. Then I like to make wishlists of lovely things I want. One set of posts I make specifically for other people are the ones where I share links of things I've found or posts from really awesome blogs that I want to share.Recently I started a tumblr - http://helloilikeyou.tumblr.com and that's where I put lots of inspiration and ideas.

7-Is there anything or anybody that inspires you?
I am very inspired by anyone who is working hard at what they love and so in particular my close friends, I feel like I'm constantly being mind blown by them. Here are a few to check out.http://www.mademoisellerobot.com - My friend Laetitia set up this blog two years ago and now she is internationally known for her cute and clever articles as well as a successful styling service.http://www.wonderleague.co.uk - My soulmate Bunny, everything she does makes me go WOW.http://www.katiecoleslaw.com - My friend Katie is an amazing photographer, she works so well with light and her snaps are magical.Other things that inspire me - Disney princesses, NASA image galleries and anything space related, the uncanny, anatomy, magic, monsters, fairy tales, witches, the dessert tray, my dreams, found photos, over sized anything, photobooths, old fashioned romance, x rated dates, animals in clothes.

8-Favourite pieces in your wardrobe and why?
My all time favourite item is a belt that I found in Brighton in a vintage store in 2004. Its thick black elastic and clasps with two golden leopards. It is amazing and goes with everything, I think If I ever lose it I will DIE.Clothing wise I am a real wearer of dresses and about a year ago I bought this gorgeous black lace dress from TOPSHOP and It was one of my best buys ever as I wear it constantly and always feel great in it, and that's the main aim of fashion I believe.Oh and then my leather biker jacket, I rarely go out without it. I'm trying to work out how to layer up under it now so I can still wear it over Winter without being cold!

9-What makes you feel at home when you travel? The objects you like to put in your luggage when you leave your country.

I am a real home body so I tend to way over pack when I go anywhere. I don't go anywhere without my MacBook! then I have my work and all my photos with me so I feel close to home. I also always have a drawing book and pens, ipod and diary. Oh and now I'm totally addicted to my blackberry of course..*shame*

10-When and how did you decide to start your own company?

I started Loulou Loves You in 2007. It was a natural progression from the lingerie course I had taken. I hadn't always wanted to make lingerie, but once I started then I knew It was something that I wanted to pursue and I thought well why not have my own label! I still run the business by myself and then have a wonderful girl who helps me out with PR. Hopefully soon I'll have a little team and expand Loulou Loves You to take the business further on it's journey!

11-Where do you start from when you have to design your pieces? (sketching, getting inspiration from other labels, sewing experiments...)
I work straight from my head. I'm a really intense daydreamer, and dreamer and so I have the ideas and usually I just grab some fabric and start sewing. I do sketch but often it comes after I've actually made something and I'm just developing it from there. I always keep folders of inspiration on my computer as well as cutting up magazines and scanning in images. I get a lot of inspiration from watching movies too so I usually have something on whilst I'm working and I'll make notes of anything that pops into my head. I think I'm quite impatient so one of the reasons I love having my own online shop as I can just come up with an idea and then put it straight to sell because usually I have become so excited about it that I just can't wait!

12-What's the hardest part about running your own company?

Its really hard work and there is never a 'stop', there is always something to do and so sometimes if you stop to do something else then you feel guilty. Also as a one woman brand, there is no one to push me on when I'm feeling down or deflated, so I always tell people to get a business partner! I think it's important to set a schedule for each day so you make the most of your time and absolutely do your best to keep track of accounts and all the boring parts that aren't the fun creative bit.But aside from all that, having your own company is awesome! I wouldn't have it any other way.

if you're interested in contacting Loulou you can visit her website or email her:

❤ Loulou Androlia

❤ Lingerie and Accessories Designer / Lover / Maker.

❤ email loulou@louloulovesyou.co.uk

❤ website www.louloulovesyou.co.uk

❤ twitter www.twitter.com/louloulovesyou

❤ blog http://sailorette.wordpress.com

beautiful images

simply stunning :Chanel s/s 2010 video presentation

Random stuff i love part 3

Here i am again making a new list of random stuff i find adorable and would love tu purchase as soon as i get paid!

Orla Kiely's mini dress!

Maison Martin Margiela home collection's lamp

Vintage peacock crochet skirt from adVintagous

Vintage mini suitcase from Pupule

Porcelain knitwear vase at Supermarket

on Marieclaire.co.uk

Thanks to my lovely friend Ingrid i've been featured on the Milan street style during fashion week on Marieclaire.co.uk. Thanks dear!!!

interview with: Umberto Sannino

It's time for a very special interview! I want you all to know something about a friend of mine who's a great and young fashion designer, born and raised in the sunny Genova and moved to Milan. He's now working with me and gave me the chance to get to know his works, passion and talent through his designs and personality. I hope he'll get all the happiness and recognition he deserves.Let's quickly start reading the interview i made with Umberto Sannino.1-when and why did you decide to become a fashion designer?
Actually it all happened naturally, i can’t say i’ve always had the dream of becoming a fashion designer , instead i discovered this passion slowly; after studying in “formal” schools i’ve always felt the need of finding different interests. Thanks to the university I chose i had the chance to stimulate my curiosity and find the fondness for what i’m doing now.
2-Do you have any favourite magazine or blog?
I like to poke around many things, therefore i can’t say i have one single favourite magazine or a blog.I really love to look curiously through things, find out new blogs, mags that catch my attention, photos and colours. I subscribed to many magazines and most of the time they remain untouched for a long time, that’s because i’ve a certain limit towards habit, i’m always trying to keep myself updated and sum up different points of view.

3-What's your favourite piece of clothing?
I love winter and fall because i really love the idea of covering myself with clothes and wrap myself up in warm jumpers or scarves. If I had to pick one single piece I’d say I’m discovering a big love for men bags.
4-How do you see yourself in 10 years?
I’m a little scared of the future and of long term plans. I don’t like to think about how I’ll be in many years, I’d rather dream about a different future, always trying to focus as much as possible on the present.

5-Do you have any other passion apart from fashion?
I love photography, cooking, experimenting and observing things, listening to sounds and words. I enjoy the feelings and true emotions, I guess i’m happy about little stuff, simple signs, but made with love.
6-What would you do if you weren't a designer and why?
Maybe i would have studied Forensic sciences, or maybe I would have been an architect…who knows. My biggest desire has always been travelling, I’ve never had a real dream job, I love to change, always challenging my desires.

7-Do you have any person you find inspiring or appealing, creatively speaking?
Everyday i find inspirations that stimulate me and help me think. I love to wonder about people’s lives, people i meet, people i observe. I have fun in going beyond what’s real. Most of the times creativity is not what it is, but what it’s transmitted individually. I strongly believe in the concept of free interpretation and I’m fascinated by unusual personalities, those who can be misunderstood, those that leave space for a more personal, yet objective interpretation.

8-What was the inspiration or the theme behind your first collection?
For my first collection i got inspired by the concept of ambiguity, starting from 2 different themes i’ve found a matching point, i wanted to mix geometry and vanity. I started from x-rays of seashells, a usual vain object, which is made a geometrical obejct thanks to x-rays which have pointed out the primordial and pure essence. These, mixed with the very interesting sculptures of Antony Gormley, who created geometrical sculptures, neat and balanced all around the body, to create an example of contemporary geometry related to vanity. This theme, which is pretty complex at first, has been lately developed with tailoring, in creating volumes, and with fabrics (organic and artificial ones) without overstating too much the human figure, but instead making it stand out, yet keeping it covered. A work on the body, for an unusual result, sometimes intriguing, sometimes weird. The purpose was to create a mood that would make people ask themselves questions and give an answer according to their perception of things.

9-Do you have dreams you'd like to make come true or levels you'd like to achieve, talking about your job?Which ones?
In regard to my job I’d love to have different roles. I’ve always been attracted to versatile people, specialized in more aspects of the creative process. I’d love to practice my passion for model-making and the whole projecting/creating aspect. Talking about the future, I’d love very much to become a personal assistant, I can give 100% of myself mainly when I’m under pressure.