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Bold, cut out shapes and colors—bringing Matisse to mind. Do you love these? I do!
Clockwise from upper left: Fanny Rose, Kira Jamison, Hisham Akira Bharoocha, Jessica Williams, Nathan Carter, Alan Taylor 2014, Atelier Bingo, Beci Orpin and Sean Fennessy, Hernan Paganini Puloverchito, Issa Fall 2014, Violette Hurry De France, Henri Matisse,
I'm a big fan of Pinterest and one of the things I love most about it is seeing various trends emerge. When I'm looking at an array of images on a page shared by people from around the globe, I often begin to notice a repetition of imagery, colors, textures and fashions. If you follow like-minded people with common interests, you are bound to see things that are pleasing to you in some way and that stand out. Without realizing it, you will be absorbing the visual repetition of a theme as it becomes mainstream.
A trend evolution I've been noticing is the Sea Punk trend. Now, this is definitely not a new thing; and the reason I'm writing about this now and not four years ago, is because I'm a 40+ woman and it's taken that long for the trend to catch up with the likes of me. Presumedly the term was first coined on Twitter by DJ @lilinternet in 2011 and has slowly migrated to the runways in Paris and is now seen in more mainstream publications and outlets (like Pinterest).
I can make sense of it in my adult mind now, even though this trend started as a teenage phenomenon based mostly in the club kid gif-loving arena of Tumblr. Dolphins, mermaid-colored hair, seashells and unicorns. Remember Gwen Stefani in the 90s with her bindi, blue hair twists and furry seafoam green bra? Was that the first sign of it, or more recently with Lady Gaga with a teal green blunt cut bob? Was it the Fall 2010 Proenza Schouler pastel-ridden fashion show? The iridescent glow of Hussein Chayalan's shoes for men?
Trends travel. Trends evolve and can have many different contributing influences. This trend in particular interests me because it's an amalgam of so many different things I see on Pinterest today: oceanic and water themes, teal blues and greens, iridescent gemstones, oil slicks, marbling and holographic images. Pastels, mother-of-pearl opalescence and cotton candy-colored hair.
When does one trend become another? Where do they overlap? And does a trend ever really end, or just go into a 20-year hibernation period to be reborn refreshed with a new twist for a new generation? I'm no expert on this, these are just my observations. Please feel free to weigh in, or elaborate on any information here.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and whether any other trends out there have caught your eye. This is just one of my favorites until the next one comes along...
Clockwise from top left: Chanel, Anton Ostlund, Chanel conch clutch, Maybelline: Tenacious teal via Harper's Bazaar, Alberta Ferreti S/S 2013, Vanesa Krongold tank, Burberry Prorsum, Oil slick, Shell sequins, UK Hairdressers Z One concept, KMS Cali hair Emma Mulholland tops, Maison Martin Margiela 2014, Meg Gray style / Pierre Tousaint photo, Clara H nails,
What do you call art? How do you define it? I believe that art is all around us. It's in nature, in books, in the faces of those we love, in our hearts, on the streets, on the walls—everywhere we look and everywhere we are. Just look around and you will see it. Join me on Instagram @katjaollendorff and share your vision of what art is #artwhereyouare.
Is this art? Some colorful lines on a sidewalk.
Ot this? Flowers silhouetted against a misty mountain.
A color blocked wall.
My niece Amy dancing under the stars. I think this is art.
Oh my! What an amazing day full of invaluable information, collaboration and sublime company. I highly recommend The Creative Residency's social media seminar to anyone who is looking to beef up their knowledge of various social media platforms and learn some insider tips and tricks on how to take your brand to the next level. Justina Blakeney and Dabito offered a great set up at The Fig House with wonderful food provided by Room Forty and flowers by Kelly Cuadra. I'm ready to spring into action!
Where we got down to business.
Wonderful photography throughout the space.
Followed by a lovely lunch.
Beautiful grounds.
I finally have an Instagram account and I can't believe I didn't start this sooner. What the heck was I waiting for!? It's so fun! Since I love to take adventures around the city, and am constantly snapping pics, it's the perfect forum for sharing the gems I find along the way. Join me on my jaunts around the Bay Area and beyond @katjaollendorff and I hope you enjoy!
Courtesy of the city streets...
As a young kid in Virginia, I was terrified of Japanese beetles that would swoop down and get caught in my hair. I think I've made it past that phobia to see the beauty in these iridescent emerald gems.
Clockwise From UL: Milly, Prabal Gurung, Emilio Pucci, Irina Rudneva, Christian Dior, Rodebjer, YSL, Anish Kapoor, Jil Sander
I bought these books for $1 each at a library sale. Why? Well because they were just so darn pretty. They are from India, Austria, Japan and Russia—too bad I'll never be able to read them, but they make me happy and sure look good on my shelf!
With summer here, I have visions of swimming in pools, in oceans, in the Bay—Er, no not that last one. (Brrrr!) Instead, I can enjoy these beauties that evoke the calm, rippling water that I see in my dreams. Check out Mirella Bruno's amazing Pinterest board for more seaworthy inspiration.
Clockwise from Upper left: Mina Perhonen, Caitlin Foster, Missoni, Sean Montgomery, House of Holland, M Velho, Birgitta Hahn, Marimekko Sikkikuikka, Pat Bradbury, Petit Bateau Satu Maaranen, Andre Herrero/Richards
I love to envision how my patterns will look on various products. This green floral just screamed sundress to me.
Note: Original dress in white can be found on Asos.com
Whoa it's fresh here. Coming from 90 degree weather with high humidity in Florida, to the cool foggy air of San Francisco is a brisk wake up. Now that the summertime fog bank has settled outside my window, it's time to play indoors!
My brother Max is a fantastic artist who currently does a lot of plein air landscapes. As we are preparing to sell our family home, we have been clearing out closets and in the meantime, coming across some great old pieces that he did in the 80s. One very colorful one caught our eye and we thought how fun it would be to turn it into a pattern. Here is the result of our collaboration—maybe we are on to something?
Susanna is a childhood friend from years when I lived in Helsinki, Finland. She is truly an expert in all thing miniature. She makes the coolest little—and I really mean little—things. When she asked if she could use one of my patterns as wallpaper in one of her doll-sized rooms, I jumped at the chance. Her attention to detail is amazing. Who wouldn't want to see their pattern on a wall next to a teeny tiny martini?
So you can get a sense of the scale of things
Happy Mother's Day Mutti.
More goodies from the backyard in Naples, Florida.
Nice write up about my designs. Click here and scroll down a bit.
I've been in Florida at my family home for a few weeks visiting my Mom. She has the lushest backyard jungle and I love to clip various fronds that I use as inspiration for paintings. I started to photograph them, but then I got distracted and jumped in the pool.
Hi Friends! I'm excited to announce that my collection of custom fabric headboards is available for purchase through NOYO Home. Now through the end of April, you can receive a 20% discount by using the code: Katja. It's a great product and I'm so excited to share it with you.
...visit the Japanese toy exhibit at the airport. Seeing as I've got the German "if you aren't early you are late" gene, I got to SFO bright and early for my flight. What a pleasant surprise it was to come across this great exhibit. Click here for more info on all the great goodies that are on display. Oh, and anytime you are in San Francisco, wearing a flower in your hair is always acceptable!
I'm thrilled to have been asked to participate in a collaborative Pinterest board with Rachel Zoe. I've always been a fan of her style sense—how she incorporates vintage and eclectic things all while keeping a clean & modern aesthetic. I'm having fun gathering images that inspire me to live a stylish, glamorous life. Take a look!
