After continual attempts to talk with Luxury Brands, I haven't found any one brand in particular that filfulls the qualifications and has to economic capacity to work with me on my thesis. As I continue to look for brands to collaborate and define what luxury is- I find that I'm not drawn to the idea of luxury, but I'm more interested in the idea of craft. Looking at the markets throughout Europe, Japan and some brands within the US, the products (mostly clothing, accessories and shoes) are constructed in-house and hand crafted. An example of a brand I'd potentially like to work with is Albam (picture above).
Experts:
Reed Putlitz of Marc Jacobs- Director of Visual Merchandising and Special Project Development- Reed is in control of all special item projects and collaborations. He has access to production sources and will lead me to contacts within MJ and outside of the company that have to knowledge and experience of working with craftsmen through out the world. (I'll be arranging two interviews within the next week). He also has a strong knowledge of young European brands that have the potential to be great collaborative partners for this project.
Joan Whitacre- Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art- Currently working with a group in Nepal designing Pashmina Shawls. I'd like to speak with her in regards to:
Primary:
For this project, I’m interested in integrating old world Eastern crafts that are no longer economically viable with either luxury brand European craftsmen or contemporary designer European/American craftsmen. Having both craftsmen work together would create new products that would bring back commerce and invigorate the indigenous craftsmen of Eastern countries needs. Old and young handcrafted companies could work with these communities to create new and exciting products that promotes awareness of handcraft and fair trade, they would also inherently be sustainable.
For this project, I’m interested in integrating old world Eastern crafts that are no longer economically viable with either luxury brand European craftsmen or contemporary designer European/American craftsmen. Having both craftsmen work together would create new products that would bring back commerce and invigorate the indigenous craftsmen of Eastern countries needs. Old and young handcrafted companies could work with these communities to create new and exciting products that promotes awareness of handcraft and fair trade, they would also inherently be sustainable.
Secondary:
Aside from addressing the economic viability and reviving crafts of Eastern countries, I’d like to create and educational program. One that would educate students globally on these practices by teaching them the techniques hands on, so an appreciation is developed for objects that are made by hand rather than mass produced by machinery.
Design Questions:
Can a product that integrates old world crafts become modern and commercially viable? How integrated into the design of a product can the traditional roots of the crafts become?
Stakeholders:
The stake holders would be the Eastern Craftsmen, the European Craftsmen and the consumer. Eastern craftsmen will have a chance to expand their market and bring about awareness of their craft. This could lead to a continual production of the specific product design or lead to other socially acceptable outsourcing from other companies. The European Craftsmen would have a chance to learn and integrate a unique old world craft into their handcrafted products. The consumer would have a chance to purchase a product that would benefit a greater community.
Aside from addressing the economic viability and reviving crafts of Eastern countries, I’d like to create and educational program. One that would educate students globally on these practices by teaching them the techniques hands on, so an appreciation is developed for objects that are made by hand rather than mass produced by machinery.
Design Questions:
Can a product that integrates old world crafts become modern and commercially viable? How integrated into the design of a product can the traditional roots of the crafts become?
Stakeholders:
The stake holders would be the Eastern Craftsmen, the European Craftsmen and the consumer. Eastern craftsmen will have a chance to expand their market and bring about awareness of their craft. This could lead to a continual production of the specific product design or lead to other socially acceptable outsourcing from other companies. The European Craftsmen would have a chance to learn and integrate a unique old world craft into their handcrafted products. The consumer would have a chance to purchase a product that would benefit a greater community.
Experts:
Reed Putlitz of Marc Jacobs- Director of Visual Merchandising and Special Project Development- Reed is in control of all special item projects and collaborations. He has access to production sources and will lead me to contacts within MJ and outside of the company that have to knowledge and experience of working with craftsmen through out the world. (I'll be arranging two interviews within the next week). He also has a strong knowledge of young European brands that have the potential to be great collaborative partners for this project.
Joan Whitacre- Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art- Currently working with a group in Nepal designing Pashmina Shawls. I'd like to speak with her in regards to:
1. What made her collaborate with weavers in Nepal?
2. Is there any sort of social issues interfering with their craft?
3. About how many people does she work with in Nepal?
4. How did she come in contact with the group?
5. What kind of production occurs within Nepal (all aspects, construction of raw materials, finishing)?
6. Do you use the manufacturing of shawls in Nepal to help market your product?
7. How much does production cost?
8. How easy is it to communicate with the group in Nepal?
Bleu de Paname- http://www.vimeo.com/2772797 -"Putting forward a knowledge embodied in our heritage but also a genuine desire to show a well-made and good product. Following a hybrid logic of creation, it is a textile range mixing functional and aesthetic : the revisiting of the work uniform with a contemporary vision. Developed and manufactured in France, the first collection will be launched mid-March, 2009, through a network of sophisticated shops in France and around the world."
The One-Village One-Product Campaign (I'm still looking for a direct contact)- http://www.meti.go.jp/english/topic/downloadfiles/060905OVOP.pdf
Fulfilling the potential of a village and its residents. Selecting competitive products made from local materials and using local wisdom, creativity and unique skills to deliver unique products with true value aiming at both domestic and global markets. Including the commitment and involvement of the central and local governments.
After speaking with Reed, I began to sketch out ways of incorporating the different crafts into items. Here are a couple of rough sketches and different directions this project could go. 
No comments:
Post a Comment